| A | B |
|---|
| Algorithm | Well-defined rule or process for arriving at a solution to a problem. |
| Backbone | The part of a network that acts as the primary path for traffic that is most often sourced from, and destined for, other networks. |
| Bus | Common physical signal path composed of wires or other media across which signals can be sent from one part of a computer to another. Sometimes called highway. |
| Bus Topology | Linear LAN architecture in which transmissions from network stations propagate the length of the medium and are received by all other stations. |
| Catchment | Zone that falls within area that can be served by an internetworking device such as a hub. |
| Collision | In Ethernet, the result of two nodes transmitting simultaneously. The frames from each device impact and are damaged when they meet on the physical media. |
| Collision Domain | In Ethernet, the network area within which frames that have collided are propagated. Repeaters and hubs propagate collisions; LAN switches, bridges and routers do not. |
| Cut sheet | A rough diagram indicating where cable runs are located and the numbers of rooms they lead to. |
| EIA/TIA-606 | Administration standard for the telecommunications infrastructure of commercial buildings. It includes the following administration areas: terminations, media, pathways, spaces, and bounding and grounding |
| fish tape | Retractable coil of steel tape used to guide cable through a wall from above or below. |
| gutter | Type of wall-mounted channel with removable cover used to support horizontal cabling. |
| hammer drill | Tool resembling an oversized electric drill used for drilling into masonry. As it turns the bit, it hammers rapidly. |
| HCC (Horizontal cross-connect. ) | Wiring closet where the horizontal cabling connects to a patch panel which is connected by backbone cabling to the main distribution facility. |
| hierarchical star topology | Extended star topology where a central hub is connected by vertical cabling to other hubs that are dependent on it. |
| highway | bus |
| ICC | IDF that connects the horizontal cross-connect to the main cross-connect. |
| IDF (Intermediate distribution facility) | Secondary communications room for a building using a star networking topology. The IDF is dependent on the MDF |
| MDF (Main distribution facility) | Primary communications room for a building. Central point of a star networking topology where patch panels, hub, and router are located. |
| noise | Undesirable communications channel signals. |
| patch panel | An assembly of pin locations and ports which can be mounted on a rack or wall bracket in the wiring closet. They act like switchboards that connect workstations cables to each other and to the outside. |
| pin location | A color-coded slot on a patch panel. Cable wires are punched down using a punch tool to make an electrical connection that allows the network to function |
| (Point of presence) | The point of interconnection between the communication facilities provided by the telephone company and the building's main distribution facility. |
| port | Interface on an internetworking device (such as a router). |
| pull string | Strong, heavy string used to pull cable in multiple runs. |
| Punch Tool | Spring-loaded tool used for cutting and connecting wire in a jack or on a patch panel |
| raceway | Wall-mounted channel with a removable cover used to support horizontal cabling. |
| RJ connector (Registered jack connector) | Standard connectors originally used to connect telephone lines. They are now used for telephone connections and for 10BASE-T and other types of network connections. RJ-11, RJ-12, and RJ-45 are popular types of RJ connectors |
| signal injector | Device used to measure attenuation of a signal on a network. |
| star topology | LAN topology in which end points on a network are connected to a common central switch by point-to-point links. |
| telepole | Telescoping pole with a hook at one end. It is used to get cable across a ceiling or attic quickly. |
| tie-wraps | Plastic ties used for holding cables together or for holding cables in place. |
| wire map | Feature provided by most cable testers. Used to test twisted pair cable installations, it shows which wire pairs connect to what pins on the plugs and sockets. |
