Glossary of Terms
10Base-T Refers to network systems that use telephone-like wiring such as Ethernet. The adapter cards and
wiring have standard modular telephone-like plugs. This cabling for 10Base-T is sometimes called "twisted pair."
Data transmission speed is 10 Mbps. See also 100Base-T.
100Base-T A similar but faster version of the 10Base-T standard. Based on twisted pair wiring, this standard
is capable of 100 Mbps data transmission. Requires "Category 5" wiring. Most network interface cards (NIC's)
sold today are capable of operating at both speeds, but check before you buy.
AWG American Wire Gauge. A system that specifies wire size diameter. The smaller the number, the thicker
the wire.
CAT5 Short for Category 5, a networking cable with at least four pairs of twisted wires. Cat5 runs at 100Mhz
and 22db attenuation with data rates of up to 1000 Mbps. CAT5 provides optimal performance for all data and
phone systems. CAT5 is becoming the standard for both data and phone to ensure that high-speed applications
will run with peak accuracy, efficiency and throughput.
CAT5e Short for Category 5 Enhanced, a networking cable that is basically identical to CAT5 but the
“enhanced” aspect provides an improvement for handling Gigabyte Ethernet (1000Base-T).
Centronics A standard interface for connecting printers and other devices to computers. The interface was
originally defined by the Centronics Corporation. Most older printers support this interface but many newer
printers are moving towards USB.
Cross-over Cable A type of cable in which the internal wiring crosses over; used to connect computer-to-
computer or when a network hub is not available.
DB Data Bus. A family of plugs and sockets widely used in communications and computer devices primarily
for parallel and serial communications. DB connectors come in 9, 15, 25, 37 and 50 pin sizes. The DB connector
defines the physical structure of the connector, not the purpose of each line. For example, DB-9 designates a
connector with 9 pins.
Front view of DB25 pin connector:
EIA Electronic Industries Association, an association of U.S. manufacturers of electronic parts and equipment.
FireWire FireWire is a name for external bus standards 1394a and 1394b. The 1394a standard supports speeds
up to 400 Mbps and the 1394b standard supports up to 800 Mbps.
FDDI Fiber Distributed Data Interface. FDDI is a token passing protocol used to send data over fiber optic
media at speeds up to 100 Mbps. FDDI networks are often found as backbones for campus networks or for
wide-area network.
IP Internet Protocol. One of the main network protocols used to communicate over the internet. Used in
conjunction with the TCP protocol.
Impedance A complex opposition to the flow of an alternating current in a circuit.
Molded A method of attached a cable connector to the cable by molding a connector boot around the cable
trunk rather than using a method of only crimping the cable connector onto the individual cable. This provides
better support and durability for the cable going into the connector.
Multimode A term to describe a fiber optic cable’s capability to transmit multiple modes of light.
Ohm A unit by which electrical resistance is measured.
One ohm = one ampere which flows when one volt is applied.
Parallel A method of communication in which 8 (or more) data paths are present, and an entire byte is
transmitted at one time; bit 1 via path 1 and bit 8 via path 8, etc. Printers generally use parallel communications.
Parallel ports on a computer are called LPT1, LPT2, etc. Also, parallel ports are sometimes called "Centronics"
ports, after the printer manufacturer that introduced the system. Many printers available today come with both
parallel and USB ports, although there is a trend to move towards USB exclusively.
PVC Stands for polyvinyl chloride, which is used as an insulating material on cables.
RJ11 A standard used to describe connectors for UTP or STP cables. The RJ stands for “Registered Jack”. The
RJ11 has 4 or 6 pins or positions and is commonly used for telephone wiring.
RJ45 A standard used to describe connectors for UTP or STP cables. The RJ stands for “Registered Jack”. The
RJ45 has 8 pins or positions and is commonly used for network cabling such as 10-BaseT, 100Base-T and
others. The RJ11 is also a common connector used for telephone wiring.
Front view of RJ45 Jack:
RS-232 A common standard for serial (see serial below) communication between computers or between
computers and devices. Some older printers, external modems used serial communications and some other
specialized devices still do though the newer USB standard is more popular and faster. Most computers have
two RS-232 (serial) ports designated “Com 1” and “Com 2”. The maximum distance of RS-232 is roughly 100
feet, although line drivers can be used to boost the signal and therefore the distance.
SCSI Small Computer System Interface (pronounced "scuzzy"). An interface standard for connecting
peripheral devices to computers. Common types of devices include hard drives and tape drives. SCSI devices
are more common with servers used for commercial use than for home use because of a high transfer rate and the
ability to connect multiple devices on a single bus (up to 7 or 15 depending on the SCSI specification).
Snagless Commonly found on CAT5 cabling, a type of cable molding where part of the molding covers the
RJ45 connector clip to prevent catching on other wires or obstructions.
STP Shielded Twisted Pair. A type of copper wiring that contains two or more pairs. Each wire is
individually shielded with an insulating coating to protect it against electromagnetic interference.
Serial A means of data communication. A serial port on a computer sends or receives bits one after another,
like a chain. An RS-232 communications interface is a serial device, and allows the computer to communicate
with other serial devices. Communications via modems is serial. Serial ports are named COM1, COM2, etc. The
ports and associated cables have either 9 pins or 25 pins.
TCP Transmission Control Protocol. One of the primary protocols used for communicating over the internet.
Works in conjunction with the IP protocol.
TIA Telecommunications Industry Association. The TIA and EIA work closely on creating telecommunications
wiring standards.
USB Universal Serial Bus. USB is a standard port that enables you to connect external devices (such as digital
cameras, scanners, and mice) to Windows and Macintosh computers. The original USB standard supports data
transfer rates of 12 Mbps. Aside from speed advantages, USB devices can be connected or disconnected without
the need to restart the computer (usually). Nearly all personal computers sold today include one or more USB
ports. USB 2.0 support higher speeds up to 480 Mbps. It is anticipated that USB will eventually replace serial
and parallel interfaces.
UTP Unshielded Twisted Pair. A twisted pair cabling without the individual or overall shielding.
VGA Video Graphics Array. VGA was a standard developed by IBM and has become very common for PCs.
Most PCs today support VGA or Super VGA (SVGA). SVGA provides more colors and higher resolution than
VGA.
wiring have standard modular telephone-like plugs. This cabling for 10Base-T is sometimes called "twisted pair."
Data transmission speed is 10 Mbps. See also 100Base-T.
100Base-T A similar but faster version of the 10Base-T standard. Based on twisted pair wiring, this standard
is capable of 100 Mbps data transmission. Requires "Category 5" wiring. Most network interface cards (NIC's)
sold today are capable of operating at both speeds, but check before you buy.
AWG American Wire Gauge. A system that specifies wire size diameter. The smaller the number, the thicker
the wire.
CAT5 Short for Category 5, a networking cable with at least four pairs of twisted wires. Cat5 runs at 100Mhz
and 22db attenuation with data rates of up to 1000 Mbps. CAT5 provides optimal performance for all data and
phone systems. CAT5 is becoming the standard for both data and phone to ensure that high-speed applications
will run with peak accuracy, efficiency and throughput.
CAT5e Short for Category 5 Enhanced, a networking cable that is basically identical to CAT5 but the
“enhanced” aspect provides an improvement for handling Gigabyte Ethernet (1000Base-T).
Centronics A standard interface for connecting printers and other devices to computers. The interface was
originally defined by the Centronics Corporation. Most older printers support this interface but many newer
printers are moving towards USB.
Cross-over Cable A type of cable in which the internal wiring crosses over; used to connect computer-to-
computer or when a network hub is not available.
DB Data Bus. A family of plugs and sockets widely used in communications and computer devices primarily
for parallel and serial communications. DB connectors come in 9, 15, 25, 37 and 50 pin sizes. The DB connector
defines the physical structure of the connector, not the purpose of each line. For example, DB-9 designates a
connector with 9 pins.
Front view of DB25 pin connector:
EIA Electronic Industries Association, an association of U.S. manufacturers of electronic parts and equipment.
FireWire FireWire is a name for external bus standards 1394a and 1394b. The 1394a standard supports speeds
up to 400 Mbps and the 1394b standard supports up to 800 Mbps.
FDDI Fiber Distributed Data Interface. FDDI is a token passing protocol used to send data over fiber optic
media at speeds up to 100 Mbps. FDDI networks are often found as backbones for campus networks or for
wide-area network.
IP Internet Protocol. One of the main network protocols used to communicate over the internet. Used in
conjunction with the TCP protocol.
Impedance A complex opposition to the flow of an alternating current in a circuit.
Molded A method of attached a cable connector to the cable by molding a connector boot around the cable
trunk rather than using a method of only crimping the cable connector onto the individual cable. This provides
better support and durability for the cable going into the connector.
Multimode A term to describe a fiber optic cable’s capability to transmit multiple modes of light.
Ohm A unit by which electrical resistance is measured.
One ohm = one ampere which flows when one volt is applied.
Parallel A method of communication in which 8 (or more) data paths are present, and an entire byte is
transmitted at one time; bit 1 via path 1 and bit 8 via path 8, etc. Printers generally use parallel communications.
Parallel ports on a computer are called LPT1, LPT2, etc. Also, parallel ports are sometimes called "Centronics"
ports, after the printer manufacturer that introduced the system. Many printers available today come with both
parallel and USB ports, although there is a trend to move towards USB exclusively.
PVC Stands for polyvinyl chloride, which is used as an insulating material on cables.
RJ11 A standard used to describe connectors for UTP or STP cables. The RJ stands for “Registered Jack”. The
RJ11 has 4 or 6 pins or positions and is commonly used for telephone wiring.
RJ45 A standard used to describe connectors for UTP or STP cables. The RJ stands for “Registered Jack”. The
RJ45 has 8 pins or positions and is commonly used for network cabling such as 10-BaseT, 100Base-T and
others. The RJ11 is also a common connector used for telephone wiring.
Front view of RJ45 Jack:
RS-232 A common standard for serial (see serial below) communication between computers or between
computers and devices. Some older printers, external modems used serial communications and some other
specialized devices still do though the newer USB standard is more popular and faster. Most computers have
two RS-232 (serial) ports designated “Com 1” and “Com 2”. The maximum distance of RS-232 is roughly 100
feet, although line drivers can be used to boost the signal and therefore the distance.
SCSI Small Computer System Interface (pronounced "scuzzy"). An interface standard for connecting
peripheral devices to computers. Common types of devices include hard drives and tape drives. SCSI devices
are more common with servers used for commercial use than for home use because of a high transfer rate and the
ability to connect multiple devices on a single bus (up to 7 or 15 depending on the SCSI specification).
Snagless Commonly found on CAT5 cabling, a type of cable molding where part of the molding covers the
RJ45 connector clip to prevent catching on other wires or obstructions.
STP Shielded Twisted Pair. A type of copper wiring that contains two or more pairs. Each wire is
individually shielded with an insulating coating to protect it against electromagnetic interference.
Serial A means of data communication. A serial port on a computer sends or receives bits one after another,
like a chain. An RS-232 communications interface is a serial device, and allows the computer to communicate
with other serial devices. Communications via modems is serial. Serial ports are named COM1, COM2, etc. The
ports and associated cables have either 9 pins or 25 pins.
TCP Transmission Control Protocol. One of the primary protocols used for communicating over the internet.
Works in conjunction with the IP protocol.
TIA Telecommunications Industry Association. The TIA and EIA work closely on creating telecommunications
wiring standards.
USB Universal Serial Bus. USB is a standard port that enables you to connect external devices (such as digital
cameras, scanners, and mice) to Windows and Macintosh computers. The original USB standard supports data
transfer rates of 12 Mbps. Aside from speed advantages, USB devices can be connected or disconnected without
the need to restart the computer (usually). Nearly all personal computers sold today include one or more USB
ports. USB 2.0 support higher speeds up to 480 Mbps. It is anticipated that USB will eventually replace serial
and parallel interfaces.
UTP Unshielded Twisted Pair. A twisted pair cabling without the individual or overall shielding.
VGA Video Graphics Array. VGA was a standard developed by IBM and has become very common for PCs.
Most PCs today support VGA or Super VGA (SVGA). SVGA provides more colors and higher resolution than
VGA.
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