IBM 847651U Handbook - Page 336

local area network (LAN). (1) A computer network located on a user's premises within a limited geographical area. Communication within a local area network is not subject to external regulations; however, communication across the LAN boundary may be subject to some form of regulation. (T) (2) A network in which a set of devices are connected to one another for communication and that can be connected to a larger network. Mbps. Million bits per second. MBps. Megabytes per second. medium access control (MAC). (1) For local area networks, the method of determining which device has access to the transmission medium at any time. (2) A technique used to establish the sequence of data stations that are in temporary control of the transmission medium. (T) logical. (1) Pertaining to content or meaning as opposed to location or actual implementation. (A) (2) Pertaining to a view or description of data that does not depend on the characteristics of the computer system or the physical storage. (A) (3) Contrast with physical. (A) LUN. Logical unit number. MDI. Medium Dependent Interface. MDI port. The port that acts as the electrical and mechanical interface between the twisted-pair link segment and the medium attachment unit. MDI-X. A port on a 10BASE-T repeater that performs the crossover function. M MAC. Medium access control. math coprocessor. In personal-computer systems, a microprocessor that supplements the operations of the system microprocessor, enabling the computer to perform complex mathematical operations in parallel with other operations. memory. Addressable storage space in the computer that is used for temporary storage of instructions and data while a program is running, or for permanent storage of microcode. Contrast with auxiliary storage. menu. A list of options displayed to the user by a data processing system, from which the user can select an action to be initiated. (T) MAU. Medium attachment unit. Mbps. Megabits per second. microprocessor. A processor whose elements have been miniaturized into one or a few integrated circuits. (T) 302 Netfinity 3000 User's Handbook