A networking term that specifies the nominal peak throughput of a link.
In contrast to broadband, a baseband network medium uses only one carrier frequency. See also Broadband.
See BSS.
In Token Ring networks, a frame that is sent to indicate that a serious physical problem has occurred.
Border Gateway Protocol. A particular exterior gateway protocol that is used extensively on the Internet. As with all exterior gateway protocols, it allows the dynamic exchange of routing information between Autonomous Systems. The current version of BGP is BGP Version 4, which is sometimes written BGP-4.
Burned-In Address. In Ethernet and Token Ring systems, the BIA is a globally unique MAC address that is specified in the hardware of the network interface card (NIC). See also LAA, MAC, and NIC.
A wireless networking standard that is intended primarily as a cable replacement system. Bluetooth network links typically have a bandwidth of 1-2Mbps.
See BGP.
Bits Per Second. The transmission rates of various network media are usually represented in bps.
A Layer 2 device that connects two or more distinct physical domains. In Ethernet networks, a bridge is used to break up collision domains, while in Token Ring, networks bridges break up token-passing regions. In both cases, the network segments on either side of a bridge belong to the same broadcast domain, however.
A network medium that uses several carrier frequencies simultaneously. This medium allows a single cable to carry many different independent signals. See also Baseband.
A piece of packet data that is destined for all other devices taking part in the same Layer 2 network.
The region of a network that a broadcast packet will cover. Broadcast domains cross through bridges, but they terminate at routers.
See BUS.
Basic Service Set. In 802.11 wireless networks, a BSS is the equivalent of a LAN segment. It includes all devices that use a particular Access point for their LAN communications.
Used as a noun, a piece of memory used to contain a packet that must be stored temporarily until it can be delivered. Used as a verb, buffering a packet means temporarily putting it in memory.
See BIA.
As a basic network topology, a bus is a linear network in which signals sent by each device are carried throughout the length of the network.
Broadcast and Unknown Server. In ATM LAN Emulation networks, the BUS is a device that is used to forward packets destined for broadcast or unknown addresses. It forwards these packets by means of the ATM multicast facilities.