Packet - Originally, a unit of data sent across a  packet switching network. Currently, the term may refer to a protocol data unit at any layer.

Permanent Virtual Circuit (PVC) - The packet switched network equivalent of a leased line.

Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) - A protocol for data transfer across serial links. PPP supports extensive link configuration capabilities, and allows traffic for several protocols to be multiplexed across the link.

Primitive Type (ASN.1) - A basic datatype such as an INTEGER or OCTET STRING

Privacy - Protection of the contents of a message by means of encryption.

Private Key - A secrete key used for authentication or encryption.

Protocol Data Unit (PDU) - A generic term term for protocol unit (e.g. a header and a data) used at any layer.


Remote Network Monitor (RMON) - A device that collects information about network traffic.

Request For Comments (RFC) - A set of documents containing Internet protocols and discussions of related topics. These documents are available online at the Network Information center.

Response - (version 2) A message responding to a get-request, get-next-request, get-bulk-request, set-request or inform-request.

Remote Network Monitoring MIB (RMON MIB) - A MIB that enables a manager to configure a monitor to report statistics, history, host activities, and events and initiate or end packet capture.

Router - Network layer device that uses one or more metrics to determine the optimal path along which network traffic should be forwarded. Routers forward packets from one network to another based on network layer information. It is occasionally called a gateway.

Routing Tables - Table stored in a router or some other internetworking device that keeps track of routes to particular network destinations and, in some cases, metrics (method by which a routing algorithm determines that one route is better than another) associated with those routes.


Set -request - A message that updates MIB variables.

Simple Gateway Monitoring Protocol  (SGMP) - A predecessor of SNMP.

Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) - A protocol that enables a management station to configure, monitor, and receive trap (alarm) messages from network devices.

Simple Network Management Protocol version 2 (SNMPv2) - A proposed update of version 1 that provides additional administrative structure, authentication, and privacy.

Simple Network Management Protocol version 3 (SNMPv3) - A proposed update of version 3 that provides additional security and administrative capabilities.

Station - Any node an a LAN that participates in the LAN's Media Access Control  protocol.


Table (logical table) - A logical structuring of MIB variables into rows and columns.

TCP/IP Information - IP address to physical address translation, incoming and out going IP datagram counts , tabulation of TCP.

Token -Ring - A local area network technology based on a ring topology. Stations on the ring pass a special message, called a token, around the ring. The current token holder has the right to transmit data for a limited period of time.

Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) - The TCP/IP protocol that provides reliable, connection-oriented data transmission between a pair of applications.

Trap - A message that reports a problem or a significant event.


User Data Protocol (UDP) - A simple protocol enabling an application to send individual message to other applications. Delivery is not guaranteed, and messages need not be delivered in the same order as they were sent.


Virtual Circuit - A term derived from packet switching networks. A virtual circuit is supported by facilities which are shared between many users, although each circuit appears to its users as dedicated end-to-end connection.


Wide Area Network (WAN)  - A network that covers a large geographical area. Typical WAN technologies include point-to-point, X.25 and frame relay.


X.25 - A CCITT standard for connecting computers to a network that provides reliable, virtual-circuit-based data transmission.