F

facility loopback
Signal looped back toward the incoming facility.
failure domain
Area in which a failure occurred in a Token Ring, defined by the information
contained in a beacon. When a station detects a serious problem with the
network (such as a cable break), it sends a beacon frame that includes the station
reporting the failure, its NAUN, and everything in between. Beaconing in turn
initiates a process called autoreconfiguration. See also autoreconfiguration,
beacon, and NAUN.
fallback
Mechanism used by ATM networks when rigorous path selection does not
generate an acceptable path. The fallback mechanism attempts to determine a
path by selectively relaxing certain attributes, such as delay, in order to find a
path that meets some minimal set of desired attributes.
fan-out unit
Device that allows multiple devices on a network to communicate using a single
network attachment.
fantail
Panel of I/O connectors that attaches to an equipment rack, providing easy
access for data connections to a network.
FAQ
frequently asked questions. Usually appears in the form of a “read-me” file in a
variety of Internet forums. New users are expected to read the FAQ before
participating in newsgroups, bulletin boards, video conferences, and so on.
FARNET
Federation of American Research NETworks.
Fast Ethernet
Any of a number of 100-Mbps Ethernet specifications. Fast Ethernet offers a
speed increase 10 times that of the 10BaseT Ethernet specification while
preserving such qualities as frame format, MAC mechanisms, and MTU. Such
similarities allow the use of existing 10BaseT applications and network
management tools on Fast Ethernet networks. Based on an extension to the
IEEE 802.3 specification. Compare with EtherChannel. See also 100BaseFX,
100BaseT, 100BaseT4, 100BaseTX, 100BaseX, and IEEE 802.3.
Fast Ethernet Interface Processor
See FEIP in the “Cisco Systems Terms and Acronyms” section.
Fast Sequenced Transport
See FST in the “Cisco Systems Terms and Acronyms” section.
Fast Serial Interface Processor
See FSIP in the “Cisco Systems Terms and Acronyms” section.

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fast switching
See fast switching in the “Cisco Systems Terms and Acronyms” section.
fault management
One of five categories of network management defined by ISO for management
of OSI networks. Fault management attempts to ensure that network faults are
detected and controlled. See also accounting management, configuration
management, performance management, and security management.
FCC
Federal Communications Commission. U.S. government agency that supervises,
licenses, and controls electronic and electromagnetic transmission standards.
FCFS
first come first served.
FCS
frame check sequence. Extra characters added to a frame for error control
purposes. Used in HDLC, Frame Relay, and other data link layer protocols.
FDDI
Fiber Distributed Data Interface. LAN standard, defined by ANSI X3T9.5,
specifying a 100-Mbps token-passing network using fiber-optic cable, with
transmission distances of up to 2 km. FDDI uses a dual-ring architecture to
provide redundancy. Compare with CDDI and FDDI II.
FDDI II
ANSI standard that enhances FDDI. FDDI II provides isochronous transmission
for connectionless data circuits and connection-oriented voice and video
circuits. Compare with FDDI.
FDDI Interface Processor
See FIP in the “Cisco Systems Terms and Acronyms” section.
FDDITalk
Apple Computer’s data-link product that allows an AppleTalk network to be
connected by FDDI cable.
FDL
Facility Data Link. A 4-kbps channel provided by the Extended Superframe
(ESF) T1 framing format. The FDL performs outside the payload capacity and
allows a service provider to check error statistics on terminating equipment
without intrusion.
FDM
frequency-division multiplexing. Technique whereby information from multiple
channels can be allocated bandwidth on a single wire based on frequency.
Compare with ATDM, statistical multiplexing, and TDM.
FE
Fast Ethernet.
feature boards
Modular system cards that perform specific functionality (DSC cards or modem
cards, for example).
FEC
forward error correction. FEC is a class of methods for controlling errors in a
one-way communication system. FEC sends extra information along with the
data, which can be used by the receiver to check and correct the data.

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FECN
forward explicit congestion notification. Bit set by a Frame Relay network to
inform DTE receiving the frame that congestion was experienced in the path
from source to destination. DTE receiving frames with the FECN bit set can
request that higher-level protocols take flow-control action as appropriate.
Compare with BECN.
Federal Communications Commission
See FCC.
Federal Networking Council
See FNC.
FEIP
See FEIP in the “Cisco Systems Terms and Acronyms” section.
FEP
front-end processor. Device or board that provides network interface
capabilities for a networked device. In SNA, typically an IBM 3745 device.
FGD
Feature Group-D (FGD). Identifies a standardized service available to carriers
delivered on a channelized T1 line.
FGD-EANA
Feature Group-D (FGD) signalling protocol of type Exchange Access North
American (EANA). This provides certain call services, such as emergency
(USA-911) calls. The command calling number outbound is used only for
FGD-EANA signalling to generate ANI digits for outgoing calls.
Fiber Distributed Data Interface
See FDDI.
fiber optics
A method for the transmission of information (audio, video, data). Light is
modulated and transmitted over high purity, hair-thin fibers of glass. The
bandwidth capacity of fiber optic cable is much greater than that of conventional
cable or copper wire.
fiber plant
Aerial or buried fiber optic cable that established connectivity between fiber
optic transmission equipment locations.
fiber-optic cable
Physical medium capable of conducting modulated light transmission.
Compared with other transmission media, fiber-optic cable is more expensive
but is not susceptible to electromagnetic interference, and is capable of higher
data rates. Sometimes called optical fiber.
fiber-optic interrepeater link
See FOIRL.
FICON
fiber connectivity. FICON channels provide 100-Mbps bi-directional link rates
at unrepeated distances of up to 20 km over fiber optic cables (compared with
ESCON channels that support 17-MBps link rates at maximum unrepeated
distances of up to 3 km).

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FID0
format indicator 0. One of several formats that an SNA TH can use. An FID0
TH is used for communication between an SNA node and a non-SNA node. See
also TH.
FID1
format indicator 1. One of several formats that an SNA TH can use. An FID1
TH encapsulates messages between two subarea nodes that do not support
virtual and explicit routes. See also TH.
FID2
format indicator 2. One of several formats that an SNA TH can use. An FID2
TH is used for transferring messages between a subarea node and a PU 2, using
local addresses. See also TH.
FID3
format indicator 3. One of several formats that an SNA TH can use. An FID3
TH is used for transferring messages between a subarea node and a PU 1, using
local addresses. See also TH.
FID4
format indicator 4. One of several formats that an SNA TH can use. An FID4
TH encapsulates messages between two subarea nodes that are capable of
supporting virtual and explicit routes. See also TH.
field replaceable unit
Hardware component that can be removed and replaced on-site. Typical
field-replaceable units include cards, power supplies, and chassis components.
FIFO
first-in, first-out. Refers to a buffering scheme where the first byte of data
entering the buffer is the first byte retrieved by the CPU. In telephony, FIFO
refers to a queueing scheme where the first calls received are the first calls
processed.
FIFO queueing
first-in, first-out queueing. Involves buffering and forwarding of packets in the
order of arrival. FIFO embodies no concept of priority or classes of traffic. There
is only one queue, and all packets are treated equally. Packets are sent out an
interface in the order in which they arrive.
file transfer
Category of popular network applications that allow files to be moved from one
network device to another.
File Transfer Protocol
See FTP.
File Transfer, Access, and Management
See FTAM.
filter
Generally, a process or a device that screens network traffic for certain
characteristics, such as source address, destination address, or protocol, and
determines whether to forward or discard that traffic based on the established
criteria.

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filtering router
Internetwork router that selectively prevents the passage of data packets
according to a security policy.
finger
Software tool for determining whether a person has an account at a particular
Internet site. Many sites do not allow incoming finger requests.
FIP
See FIP (FDDI Interface Processor) in the “Cisco Systems Terms and
Acronyms” section.
firewall
Router or access server, or several routers or access servers, designated as a
buffer between any connected public networks and a private network. A firewall
router uses access lists and other methods to ensure the security of the private
network.
firmware
Software instructions set permanently or semipermanently in ROM.
FISU
Fill-In Signal Unit. SS7 message that is sent in both directions whenever other
signal units are not present. Provides a CRC checksum for use by both signalling
endpoints.
FIX
Federal Internet Exchange. Connection point between the North American
governmental internets and the Internet. The FIXs are named after their
geographic region, as in FIX West (Mountain View, California) and FIX East
(College Park, Maryland). See also CIX, GIX, and MAE.
flapping
Routing problem where an advertised route between two nodes alternates (flaps)
back and forth between two paths due to a network problem that causes
intermittent interface failures.
flash memory
A special type of EEPROM that can be erased and reprogrammed in blocks
instead of one byte at a time. Many modern PCs have their BIOS stored on a
flash memory chip so that it can be updated easily if necessary. Such a BIOS is
sometimes called a flash BIOS. Flash memory is also popular in modems
because it enables the modem manufacturer to support new protocols as they
become standardized.
flash update
Routing update sent asynchronously in response to a change in the network
topology. Compare with routing update.
flat addressing
Scheme of addressing that does not use a logical hierarchy to determine
location. For example, MAC addresses are flat, so bridging protocols must flood
packets throughout the network to deliver the packet to the appropriate location.
Compare with hierarchical addressing.
F-link
SS7 fully associated link. An SS7 signaling link directly associated with a link
carrying traffic (although not necessarily imbedded within the same physical
span.

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flooding
Traffic passing technique used by switches and bridges in which traffic received
on an interface is sent out all the interfaces of that device except the interface on
which the information was receivedoriginally.
flow
Stream of data traveling between two endpoints across a network (for example,
from one LAN station to another). Multiple flows can be transmitted on a single
circuit.
flow control
Technique for ensuring that a transmitting entity, such as a modem, does not
overwhelm a receiving entity with data. When the buffers on the receiving
device are full, a message is sent to the sending device to suspend the
transmission until the data in the buffers has been processed. In IBM networks,
this technique is called pacing.
flowspec
In IPv6, the traffic parameters of a stream of IP packets between two
applications. See also IPv6.
FLT
Full Line Terminal. Multiplexer that terminates a SONET span. See also
SONET.
FM
frequency modulation. Modulation technique in which signals of different
frequencies represent different data values. Compare with AM and PAM. See
also modulation.
FNC
Federal Networking Council. Group responsible for assessing and coordinating
U.S. federal agency networking policies and needs.
FOIRL
fiber-optic interrepeater link. Fiber-optic signaling methodology based on the
IEEE 802.3 fiber-optic specification. FOIRL is a precursor of the 10BaseFL
specification, which is designed to replace it. See also 10BaseFL.
footprint
Geographical area in which an entity is licensed to broadcast its signal.
foreign exchange
See FX.
format indicator 0
See FID0.
format indicator 1
See FID1.
format indicator 2
See FID2.
format indicator 3
See FID3.
format indicator 4
See FID4.

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forward channel
Communications path carrying information from the call initiator to the called
party.
forward delay interval
Amount of time an interface spends listening for topology change information
after that interface is activated for bridging and before forwarding actually
begins.
forward explicit congestion notification
See FE.
forwarding
Process of sending a frame toward its ultimate destination by way of an
internetworking device.
FOTS
Fiber Optics Transmission Systems. Vendor-proprietary fiber-optic
transmission equipment.
Fourier transform
Technique used to evaluate the importance of various frequency cycles in a time
series pattern.
four-part dotted notation
See dot address.
FQDN
fully qualified domain name. FQDN is the full name of a system, rather than just
its host name. For example, aldebaran is a host name, and aldebaran.interop.com
is an FQDN.
fractional T1
See channelized T1.
FRAD
Frame Relay access device. Any network device that provides a connection
between a LAN and a Frame Relay WAN. See also Cisco FRAD (Cisco Frame
Relay access device) and FRAS (Frame Relay access support) in the “Cisco
Systems Terms and Acronyms” section.
fragment
Piece of a larger packet that has been broken down to smaller units.
fragmentation
Process of breaking a packet into smaller units when transmitting over a network
medium that cannot support the original size of the packet. See also reassembly.
frame
Logical grouping of information sent as a data link layer unit over a transmission
medium. Often refers to the header and the trailer, used for synchronization and
error control, that surround the user data contained in the unit. The terms cell,
datagram, message, packet, and segment also are used to describe logical
information groupings at various layers of the OSI reference model and in
various technology circles.
frame check sequence
See FCS.

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frame forwarding
Mechanism by which frame-based traffic, such as HDLC and SDLC, traverses
an ATM network.
Frame Relay
Industry-standard, switched data link layer protocol that handles multiple
virtual circuits using HDLC encapsulation between connected devices. Frame
Relay is more efficient than X.25, the protocol for which it generally is
considered a replacement. See also X.25.
Frame Relay access device
See FRAD.
Frame Relay access support
See FRAS in the “Cisco Systems Terms and Acronyms” section.
Frame Relay bridging
Bridging technique, described in RFC 1490, that uses the same spanning-tree
algorithm as other bridging functions but allows packets to be encapsulated for
transmission across a Frame Relay network.
frame switch
See LAN switch.
frames types
• information frame (I-frame)
• supervisory frame (S-frame)
• unnumbered frame (U-frame)
• unnumbered information frame (UI-frame)
FRAS
See FRAS (Frame Relay access support) in the “Cisco Systems Terms and
Acronyms” section.
FRASM
Frame Relay access service module.
freenet
Community-based bulletin board system with e-mail, information services,
interactive communications, and conferencing.
free-trade zone
Part of an AppleTalk internetwork that is accessible by two other parts of the
internetwork that cannot directly access one another.
frequency
Number of cycles per second, measured in hertz, of an alternating current.
frequency modulation
See FM.
frequency re-use
One of the fundamental concepts on which commercial wireless systems are
based that involves the partitioning of an RF radiating area (cell) into segments
of a cell, which for Cisco purposes means the cell is broken into three equal
segments. One segment of the cell uses a frequency that is far enough away from
the frequency in the bordering segment that it does not provide interference
problems.

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Frequency re-use in mobile cellular systems means that each cell has a
frequency that is far enough away from the frequency in the bordering cell that
it does not provide interference problems. The same frequency is used at least
two cells apart from each other. This practice enables cellular providers to have
many times more customers for a given site license.
frequency-division multiplexing
See FDM.
FRF
Frame Relay Forum. An association of corporate members consisting of
vendors, carriers, users, and consultants committed to the implementation of
Frame Relay in accordance with national and international standards. See
www.frforum.com.
FRF.11
Frame Relay Forum implementation agreement for Voice over Frame Relay
(v1.0 May 1997). This specification defines multiplexed data, voice, fax, DTMF
digit-relay, and CAS/Robbed-bit signaling frame formats but does not include
call setup, routing, or administration facilities. See www.frforum.com.
FRF.11 Annex C
See FRF.12.
FRF.12
The FRF.12 Implementation Agreement (also known as FRF.11 Annex C) was
developed to allow long data frames to be fragmented into smaller pieces and
interleaved with real-time frames. In this way, real-time voice and non real-time
data frames can be carried together on lower speed links without causing
excessive delay to the real-time traffic. See www.frforum.com.
FRF.8
Frame Relay-to-ATM Service Interworking. To communicate over WANs,
end-user stations and the network cloud typically must use the same type of
transmission protocol. This limitation has prevented differing networks, such as
Frame Relay and ATM, from being linked. However, the Frame Relay-to-ATM
Service Interworking (FRF.8) feature allows Frame Relay and ATM networks to
exchange data despite differing network protocols. The Frame Relay/ATM PVC
Service Interworking Implementation Agreement specified in Frame Relay
Forum (FRF) document number FRF.8 provide the functional requirements for
linking Frame Relay and ATM networks.
FRF11-trunk
Point to point permanent voice connection (private line) conforming to the
FRF.11 specification.
FRMR
Frame REJECT.
front end
Node or software program that requests services of a back end. See also back
end, client, and server.
front-end processor
See FEP.

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FRTS
Frame Relay traffic shaping. Queueing method that uses queues on a Frame
Relay network to limit surges that can cause congestion. Data is buffered and
sent into the network in regulated amounts to ensure that the traffic can fit within
the promised traffic envelope for the particular connection.
FSIP
See FSIP in the “Cisco Systems Terms and Acronyms” section.
FSN
Forward Sequence Number. Part of an SS7 MSU that contains the sequence
number of the signal unit.
FSSRP
Fast Simple Server Redundancy Protocol. The LANE simple server redundancy
feature creates fault-tolerance using standard LANE protocols and mechanisms.
FSSRP differs from LANE SSRP in that all configured LANE servers of an
Emulated LAN (ELANE) are always active. See also SSRP.
FST
See FST in the “Cisco Systems Terms and Acronyms” section.
FTAM
File Transfer, Access, and Management. In OSI, an application layer protocol
developed for network file exchange and management between diverse types of
computers.
FTP
File Transfer Protocol. Application protocol, part of the TCP/IP protocol stack,
used for transferring files between network nodes. FTP is defined in RFC 959.
full duplex
Capability for simultaneous data transmission between a sending station and a
receiving station. Compare with half duplex and simplex.
full mesh
Term describing a network in which devices are organized in a mesh topology,
with each network node having either a physical circuit or a virtual circuit
connecting it to every other network node. A full mesh provides a great deal of
redundancy but because it can be prohibitively expensive to implement, it
usually is reserved for network backbones. See also mesh and partial mesh.
fully qualified domain name
See FQDN.
FUNI
frame user network interface.
Fuzzball
Digital Equipment Corporation LSI-11 computer system running IP gateway
software. The NSFnet used these systems as backbone packet switches.
FX
foreign exchange.
1. A circuit that connects a subscriber in one exchange with a central office (CO)
in another exchange.
2. A trunk type that connects a call center with a central office in a remote
exchange. This allows callers in that remote exchange. See also CO, FXO, FXS,
and PBX.

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FXO
Foreign Exchange Office. An FXO interface connects to the Public Switched
Telephone Network (PSTN) central office and is the interface offered on a
standard telephone. Cisco’s FXO interface is an RJ-11 connector that allows an
analog connection at the PSTN’s central office or to a station interface on a
PBX.
FXS
Foreign Exchange Station. An FXS interface connects directly to a standard
telephone and supplies ring, voltage, and dial tone. Cisco’s FXS interface is an
RJ-11 connector that allows connections to basic telephone service equipment,
keysets, and PBXs.

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