Computer networks have become a vital tool in the daily operations of businesses around the world. For example, employees in an accounting department can use a common database to access and share customer account information using DECnet. Using an AppleTalk network, Macintosh users in a marketing department can share product bulletins, data sheets, and slide presentations. In an engineering department, Sun workstation users can share product specifications using TCP/IP over Ethernet. And in a company’s manufacturing department, IBM devices attached to a Token Ring network can process real-time data about material availability and fill orders sent over links from remote offices.
This glossary assembles and defines the terms and acronyms used in the internetworking industry. Many of the definitions have yet to be standardized, and many terms have several meanings. Multiple definitions and acronym expressions are included where they apply.
The first part of this guide contains terms and acronyms that are commonly used in the internetworking industry. The second part of this guide lists terms and acronyms that are specific to Cisco Systems and Cisco IOS.