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User Manual for the NETGEAR 7300S Series Layer 3 Managed Switch Software
C-12 Glossary
202-10088-01, March 2005
M
MAC
(1) Medium Access Control. In LANs, the sublayer of the data link control layer that supports
medium-dependent functions and uses the services of the physical layer to provide services to the logical
link control (LLC) sublayer. The MAC sublayer includes the method of determining when a device has
access to the transmission medium. (2) Message Authentication Code. In computer security, a value that is a
part of a message or accompanies a message and is used to determine that the contents, origin, author, or
other attributes of all or part of the message are as they appear to be. (IBM Glossary of Computing Terms)
MAC address
The Media Access Control address is a unique 48-bit hardware address assigned to every network interface
card. Usually written in the form 01:23:45:67:89:ab.
Management Information Base
When SNMP devices send SNMP messages to the management console (the device managing SNMP
messages), it stores information in the MIB.
Mbps
Megabits per second.
MBONE
See “Multicast Backbone” on page 13.
MD5
MD5 creates digital signatures using a one-way hash function, meaning that it takes a message and converts
it into a fixed string of digits, also called a message digest.
When using a one-way hash function, one can compare a calculated message digest against the message
digest that is decrypted with a public key to verify that the message hasn't been tampered with. This
comparison is called a "hashcheck."
MDI/MDIX
In cable wiring, the concept of transmit and receive are from the perspective of the PC, which is wired as a
Media Dependant Interface (MDI). In MDI wiring, a PC transmits on pins 1 and 2. At the hub, switch,
router, or access point, the perspective is reversed, and the hub receives on pins 1 and 2. This wiring is
referred to as Media Dependant Interface - Crossover (MDI-X). See “Auto-negotiation” on page 3.
MIB
See “Management Information Base” on page 12.
MOSPF
See “Multicast OSPF” on page 13.