The organization that manages the backbone network. The specific hardware and software protocols and standards recognized and services used at the point of demarcation to exchange data and control information between a departmental network and the backbone network. An international network of computers using IBM's NJE protocols. Bridge An OSI level 2 packet forwarder. At the level just below a router, a bridge operates by examining the data-link addresses of packets, and is therefore independent of protocol.
Many routers can also act as bridges.
Broadcast A packet sent to all systems on the local network. A network topology in which all stations are attached at different points along a single wire. A network model which divides data into very small, equal-length packets each with minimal addressing information. This allows network routers and switches to forward the cells very quickly. COAM Customer Owned And Maintained equipment.