Glossary
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Glossary
DHCP. Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, a protocol for assigning dynamic IP addresses to
devices on a network. With dynamic addressing, a device can have a different IP address every time
it connects to the network. This means that a new device can be added to a network without having
to manually assign a unique IP address.
Ethernet (category 5) cable. A network cable with RJ-45 connectors. This cable connects the print
server to the Ethernet network. Also referred to as a Cat 5 cable.
IP address. A number that identifies each device connected to the network. For example,
192.168.0.1.
MAC address. A 12-character identifier that is unique for each network hardware device. For
example, 00.02.00.10.08.e8.
network-capable printer. A printing device that does not need to be locally attached to a computer.
When connected to a network it can be accessed by any computer on the same network.
printer port. Windows terminology for a physical or logical connection to a printer. For example:
• LPT1 indicates the printer is attached to a physical parallel port with a parallel cable.
• USB001 indicates the printer is attached to a physical USB port with a USB cable.
• Lexmark_E320_0020000035D0 indicates a logical connection to the printer across your
network.
subnet. A portion of a network that shares a common address component. On TCP/IP networks,
subnets are defined as all devices whose IP addresses have the same prefix. For example, all
devices with IP addresses that start with 192.168.0. would typically be part of the same subnet.
TCP/IP. The Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and the Internet Protocol (IP) are protocols that let
different types of computers communicate with each other. The Internet is based on this suite of
protocols.