NETGEAR ProSafe GSM7212 User Manual page 211

User Manual for the NETGEAR 7200 Series Layer 2 Managed Switch Software
AVL tree
Binary tree having the property that for any node in the tree, the difference in height between the left and
right subtrees of that node is no more than 1.
B
BPDU
See "Bridge Protocol Data Unit" on page 3.
Backbone
The part of a network used as a primary path for transporting traffic between network segments.
Bandwidth
The information capacity, measured in bits per second, that a channel could transmit. Bandwidth examples
include 10 Mbps for Ethernet, 100 Mbps for Fast Ethernet, and 1000 Mbps (I Gbps) for Gigabit Ethernet.
Baud
The signaling rate of a line, that is, the number of transitions (voltage or frequency changes) made per
second. Also known as line speed.
BootP
See "Bootstrap Protocol" on page 3.
Bootstrap Protocol
An Internet protocol that enables a diskless workstation to discover its own IP address, the IP address of a
BootP server on the network, and a file to be loaded into memory to boot the machine. This enables the
workstation to boot without requiring a hard or floppy disk drive.
Bridge Protocol Data Unit
BPDU is the IEEE 802.1D MAC Bridge Management protocol that is the standard implementation of STP
(Spanning Tree Protocol). It uses the STP algorithm to insure that physical loops in the network topology do
not result in logical looping of network traffic. Using one bridge configured as root for reference, the BPDU
switches one of two bridges forming a network loop into standby mode, so that only one side of a potential
loop passes traffic. By examining frequent 802.1d configuration updates, a bridge in the standby mode can
switch automatically into the forward mode if the other bridge forming the loop fails.
Broadcast
A packet sent to all devices on a network.
Broadcast storm
Multiple simultaneous broadcasts that typically absorb all the available network bandwidth and can cause a
network to fail. Broadcast storms can be due to faulty network devices or network loops.
Glossary C-3
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