1 Base-5

1000Base-CX

Gigabit Ethernet (l000Mbps) based on 8B/l0B signaling over copper cable; used over short distances.

active coupler

A device similar to a repeater that includes a receiver and one or more transmitters. The idea is to regenerate the input signal and then send them on. These are used in optical fiber networks.

Bridge

A network device, operating at the data link layer of the OSI model, that logically separates a single network into segments but lets the two segments appear to be one network to higher layer protocols.

cable plant

Consists of all the copper and optical elements including patch panels, patch cables, fiber connectors, splices, etc., between a transmitter and a receiver.

IEEE 802.11 Wireless LAN

The IEEE standard that provides standards for implementing wireless technologies such as infrared and spread-spectrum radio.

local exchange carrier (LEC)

The local regulated provider of public switched telecommunications services. The LEC is regulated by the local Public Utilities Commission.

packet

Bits grouped serially in a defined format containing a command or data message sent over a network. The packet is the basic division of data sent over a network.

primary rate interface (PRI)

As defined by the ISDN standard, consists of 23 B-channels (64Kbps each) and one 64Kpbs D-channel (delta channel) in the United States, or 30 B-channels and one D-channel in Europe.

splicing

The permanent joining of fiber ends to identical or similar fibers without the use of a connector. See also fusion splicing and mechanical splice

triaxial cable

Coaxial cable with an additional outer copper braid insulated from signal carrying conductors. It has a core conductor and two concentric conductive shields. Also called triax.

zero dispersion wavelength

In singlemode fiber, the wavelength where waveguide dispersion cancels out material dispersion and total chromatic dispersion is zero. This arises when waveguide dispersion cancels out material dispersion.