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10BaseT – Unshielded, twisted pair cable with an RJ-45 connector, used with Ethernet LAN (Local Area
Network). “10” indicates speed (10 Mbps), “Base” refers to baseband technology, and “T” means twisted
pair cable.
DHCP (Dynamic Host Control Protocol) – A protocol which allows a server to dynamically assign IP
addresses to workstations on the fly.
DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications) – A project with the objective of
developing a set of necessary specifications and operations support interface specifications for cable
modems and associated equipment.
Ethernet card – A plug-in circuit board installed in an expansion slot of a personal computer. The
Ethernet card (sometimes called a Network Interface Card or NIC) takes parallel data from the computer,
converts it to serial data, puts it into a packet format, and sends it over the 10BaseT or 100BaseT LAN
cable.
EuroDOCSIS –
The modified DOCSIS standard to accommodate European cable systems which
often use 8 MHz channel spacing cable networks.
F Connector – A type of coaxial connector, labeled CABLE IN on the rear of the cable modem, that
connects the modem to the cable system.
HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) – Invisible to the user, HTTP is used by servers and clients to
communicate and display information on a client browser.
Hub – A device used to connect multiple computers to the cable modem.
IP Address – A unique, 32-bit address assigned to every device in a network. An IP (Internet Protocol)
address has two parts: a network address and a host address. This modem receives a new IP address
from your cable operator via DHCP each time it goes through Initialization Mode.
MAC Address – The permanent “identity” for a device programmed into the Media Access Control layer
in the network architecture during the modem’s manufacture.
Network Driver – A file that is loaded on the computer to allow the computer to recognize the Ethernet
card or USB port.
TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) – A networking protocol that provides
communication across interconnected networks, between computers with diverse hardware
architectures and various operating systems.
Universal Serial Bus (USB) – USB is a “plug-and-play” interface between a computer and add-on
devices, such as a cable modem.
Glossary
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