L

LAM (Lobe Access Module) Terminals connect to a LAM, which is connected to a CAU.

LAN (local Area Network) An assembly of computing resources such as PCs, printers, minicomputers and mainframes linked by a common transmission medium such as coaxial cable.

LANE (LAN Emulation) As specified by the ATM Forum, it is a standard implementation for making edge devices appear as though they were attached to a LAN. An emulated LAN has all of the benefits (and weaknesses) of the traditional LANs they are emulating. Currently only Ethernet and Token Ring LAN Emulation are specified. 3Com, and most other vendors, are implementing Ethernet LAN Emulation first.

LAN Segmentation Dividing LAN bandwidth into multiple independent LANs to improve performance.

LAT (Local Area Transport) A protocol developed by Digital Equipment Corporation.

LATA (Local Access Transport Area) A telephone company term that defines a geographic area; sometimes corresponds to an area code.

Latency The time delay between when the first bit of a packet is received and the last bit is forwarded.

Layer A level of the OSI Reference Model. Each layer performs certain tasks to move the information from sender to receiver. Protocols within the layers define the tasks for networks, but not how the software accomplishes the tasks. Interfaces pass information between the layers they connect.

LC Line Control Protocol

Leased line A transmission line reserved by a communications carrier for the private use of a customer.

LEC LAN Emulation

LEC (Local Exchange Carrier) Local phone company.

LEC LAN Emulation Client An edge device, directly attached to the ATM Network operating in a ATM Emulated LAN. This can be, for example, a PC, a router, or a Ethernet-to-ATM switch directlyconnected to the ATM switch running LAN Emulation Client software.

LECS LAN Emulation Configuration Server

LEN low-entry networking

LES LAN Emulation Server

Link Physical connection between two nodes in a network. It can consist of a data communication circuit or a direct channel (cable) connection.