networking

Modem Sharing Device

2008-04-19T02:34:00.001-07:00

A Modem Sharing Device (MSD), also commonly known as a Line Sharing Device (LSD), modem sharer, or line sharer, allows multiple devices to share a serial connection. Only multipoint serial protocols such as bisync are supported. Both synchronous and asynchronous datastreams can be used. A common example would have a Tandem as host connected to multiple Automatic Teller Machines often with a modem or Cisco router in-between.

Modular connector

2008-04-19T02:33:00.000-07:00

Modular connector is the name given to a family of electrical connectors examples of which are pictured. These connectors were originally used in telephone wiring. Even though they are still used for that purpose they are used for a variety of other things as well. A modular connector's advantage over many other kinds include small size and ease of plugging and unplugging. Many uses that originally used a bulkier connector have migrated to modular connectors. Probably the most well known applications of modular connectors is for telephone jacks and for Ethernet jacks, which are nearly always modular connectors.

Network processor

2008-04-19T02:32:00.000-07:00

A network processor is an integrated circuit which has a feature set specifically targeted at the networking application domain.
Network processors are typically software programmable devices and would have generic characteristics similar to general purpose central processing units that are commonly used in many different types of equipment and products.

Packet switch

2008-04-19T02:31:00.002-07:00

A packet switch is a node used to build a network which utilizes the packet switching paradigm for data communication. Packet switches can operate at a number of different levels in a protocol suite; although the exact technical details differ, fundamentally they all perform the same function: they store and forward packets.

Multilayer switch

2008-04-19T02:31:00.001-07:00

A multilayer switch (MLS) is a computer networking device that switches on OSI layer 2 like an ordinary network switch and provides extra functions on higher OSI layers.

Network switch

2008-04-19T02:30:00.001-07:00

Low-end network switches appear nearly identical to network hubs, but a switch contains more "intelligence" (and comes with a correspondingly slightly higher price tag) than a network hub. Network switches are capable of inspecting data packets as they are received, determining the source and destination device of that packet, and forwarding it appropriately. By delivering each message only to the connected device it was intended for, a network switch conserves network bandwidth and offers generally better performance than a hub.
In the past, it was faster to use Layer 2 techniques to switch, when only MAC addresses could be looked up in content addressable memory (CAM). With the advent of ternary CAM (TCAM), it was equally fast to look up an IP address or a MAC address. TCAM is expensive, but very appropriate for enterprise switches that use default routes plus a moderate number of other routes. For routers that need a full Internet routing table, TCAM may not be cost-effective.