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Glossary
196 Avaya P460 Reference Guide
a significant event has occurred on the network.
ARP
Address Resolution Protocol. A TCP/IP protocol used to convert an IP address into
a physical address, such as an Ethernet address. The sender broadcasts an ARP
request onto the TCP/IP network. The host whose IP address matches the requested
address then replies with its physical hardware address.
ATM
Asynchronous Transfer Mode. ATM is an international standard for cell relay in
which multiple service types such as voice, video, or data are conveyed in fixed-
length (53-byte) cells. The constant and relatively small cell size allows ATM
equipment to transmit video, audio, and computer data over the same network with
an efficient allocation of network resources. Constant cell size also allows cell
processing to occur in hardware. This reduces transit delays.
Backbone
A high-bandwidth connection between switches. A backbone link normally
operates in Full Duplex Mode, sending packets in both directions simultaneously.
Beacon Frame
Refer to Beaconing.
Beaconing
An error detection mechanism in Token Ring networks. When a station detects a
serious network problem, it sends a Beacon Frame. The Beacon Frame defines a
failure domain that includes the station reporting the failure, its nearest active
upstream neighbor, and everything in between. Beaconing initiates a process in
which the nodes in the failure domain perform diagnostics and attempt to
reconfigure the network around the failed areas.
BGP
Border Gateway Protocol. An Internet protocol that enables groups of routers to
share routing information so that efficient, loop-free routes can be established.
BOOTP
Bootstrap Protocol. An Internet protocol that enables a diskless workstation to
discover its own IP address, the IP address of a BOOTP server on the network, and a
file to be loaded into memory to boot the machine. This enables the workstation to
boot without a hard or floppy disk drive.
BPDU
Bridge Protocol Data Unit. A packet that is transmitted at configurable intervals to
exchange information among bridges in the network. Among other things, BPDUs