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Term Denition
L2TP
Layer 2 Tunnel Protocol. Helps build virtual private networks in the dial access space, and
provides Layer 2 Forwarding L2F) protocol and Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP).
LAG Link Aggregated Group. Aggregates ports or VLANs into a single virtual port or VLAN.
LAN
Local Area Network. A network contained within a single room, building, campus or other
limited geographical area.
Layer 2
Data Link Layer or MAC Layer. Contains the physical address of a client or server station.
Layer 2 processing is faster than Layer 3 processing because there is less information to
process.
Layer 3
Network Layer. Contains the logical address and protocol type (IP, IPX, etc.). Layer
3 traffic can also be prioritized and forwarded based on packet information, such as
the source and destination address. Layer 3 processing takes longer than Layer 2
processing, as there is more information to process.
Layer 4
Establishes connections and ensures that all data arrives at the correct destination.
Packets inspected at the Layer 4 level are analyzed and forwarding decisions are based
on their applications.
LCP Link Control Protocol. Manages authentication, compression, and encryption.
Load Balancing
Enables the even distribution of data and/or processing packets across available network
resources. For example, load balancing may distribute the incoming packets evenly to all
servers, or redirect the packets to the next available server.
M
MAC Address
Media Access Control Address. The MAC Address is a hardware specic address that
identies each network node.
MAC Address Learning
Characterizes a learning bridge, in which the packet’s source MAC address is recorded.
Packets destined for that address are forwarded only to the bridge interface on which that
address is located. Packets addressed to unknown addresses are forwarded to every
bridge interface. MAC Address Learning minimizes trafc on the attached LANs.
MAC Layer A sub-layer of the Data Link Control (DTL) layer.
MAN
Metropolitan Area Network. A communications network covering a metropolitan area or a
suburb.
Mask A lter that includes or excludes certain values, for example parts of an IP address.
MD5
Message Digest 5. An algorithm that produces a 128-bit hash. MD5 is a variation of
MD4, and increases MD4 security. MD5 veries the integrity of the communication and
authenticates the origin of the communication.
MDI Media Dependent Interface. A cable used for end stations.
MDIX Media Dependent Interface with Crossover (MDIX). A cable used for hubs and switches.
MDU
Multiply-Divide Unit. A high-speed circuit that performs multiplication and division within
the CPU.
MIB
Management Information Base. MIBs contain information describing specic aspects of
network components.
MTU
Maximum Transfer Unit. Species the maximum frame size that can be transmitted over
a network. Frames that exceed the MTU must be broken into smaller frames.
Multicast Transmits copies of a single packet to multiple ports.
N
Network Processor CPU chips that are optimized for networking and communications functions.