NETWORK OPERATING SYSTEM (NOS)— A
software package that makes it possible to
implement and control a network and that enables
users to make use of resources and services on that
network.
NODE— The point at the end of a branch.
NOISE— Random electrical signals that become part
of a transmission, and that serve to make the signal
(information) component of the transmission more
difficult to identify.
O
OPEN SYSTEMS INTERCONNECTION
(OSI)— The networking standard for
interconnecting dissimilar computer systems.
P
PROTOCOL— A formal set of conventions governing
the format and control of inputs and outputs
between two communicating processes.
R
READY TO SEND— A hardware signal sent from a
potential transmitter to a destination to indicate that
the transmitter wishes to begin a transmission.
S
SYNCHRONOUS DATA LINK CONTROL
(SDLC)— Primary protocol supported under
System Network Architecture (SNA).
SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO (SNR)— The ratio
between the signal and noise levels at a given point,
usually at the receiving end of the transmission.
T
TIME DOMAIN REFLECTOMETER— A device
used to test the integrity of a section of cable.
TOPOLOGY— The physical or logical layout of a
LAN.
AI-2
