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Glossary

This help topic defines terminology related to the Megaport network and services.

802.1Q

IEEE 802.1Q is the networking standard that supports virtual LANs (VLANs) on an Ethernet network. The standard defines a system of VLAN tagging for Ethernet frames and the accompanying procedures to be used by bridges and switches in handling such frames. Also informally known as dot1q.

A-End

The start of the connection – the Port, MCR, or MVE. Megaport connections need an A-End and a B-End. The connection starts with an A-End. Most often, the Port is the A-End. The B-End is the other end of the connection: it can be a Port, an Internet Exchange, a Marketplace connection, or a cloud service provider.

ACH

Automated clearing house (ACH) is an electronic network for financial transactions in the United States.

ACL

An access control list (ACL) is a set of rules that control access to a network device or resource. ACLs are used to specify which traffic is allowed to enter or exit a network, and can be used to filter traffic based on various criteria, such as IP addresses, protocols, ports, and other parameters. ACLs are commonly used in routers and firewalls to control the flow of network traffic between different network segments or between a network and the internet.

AMS-IX

The Amsterdam Internet Exchange (AMS-IX) is an internet exchange point based in Amsterdam, in the Netherlands. AMS-IX is a non-profit, neutral, and independent peering point. AMS-IX operates a series of Internet Peering Exchanges (IXs) globally and partners with Megaport in several cities. IXs can exchange data traffic between networks more directly and efficiently, reducing bandwidth usage on network uplink connections.

API

Application program interface (API) is a set of routines, protocols, and tools for building software applications. An API specifies how software components should interact and APIs are used when programming graphical user interface (GUI) components. The Megaport API allows customers and partners to integrate directly into our platform for automation and service creation (see dev.megaport.com).

ARP

The Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) routing table contains a list of MAC address (Layer 2) to IP address (Layer 3) mappings.

ASN

An autonomous system (AS) is a collection of connected Internet Protocol (IP) routing prefixes under the control of one or more network operators on behalf of a single administrative entity or domain. ASN refers to autonomous system number and is a unique numerical ID allocated to each AS for use in BGP routing.

Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a secure cloud services platform, offering compute power, database storage, content delivery and other functionality to help businesses scale and grow.

AWS Direct Connect

AWS (Amazon Web Services) Direct Connect is a network service that allows customers to establish a dedicated network connection between one of Amazon’s Direct Connect locations and the customer’s data center or colocation environment. Megaport is an AWS Direct Connect partner.

Azure

Azure is a Microsoft service. It is an open, flexible, enterprise-grade cloud computing platform accessed via Microsoft’s ExpressRoute service.

B-End

A Port, MCR, or MVE establishes the A-End of the connection and the B-End is the other end. The B-End can be a Port, MCR, or MVE for a private VXC, an Internet Exchange, a Marketplace connection, or a cloud service provider (CSP).

BFD

Bidirectional Forwarding Detection (BFD) is a network fault detection protocol that detects any path failures between directly connected BGP neighbors. It provides fast failure detection times, which facilitates faster re-convergence time for dynamic BGP routing protocols. It is independent of media, routing protocol, and data.

BGP

Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) is a standardized routing protocol designed to exchange route and reachability information among autonomous systems (AS) on the internet.

BGP neighbor

MCR uses Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) to exchange network reachability information with adjacent BGP systems, known as neighbors, or peers. By default, once the BGP neighbors are connected, they share routing information with each other.

CDN

A content delivery network (CDN) is a system of distributed servers (network) that deliver webpages and other web content to a user based on the geographic locations of the user, the origin of the webpage and a content delivery server. Examples: Akamai, Cloudflare.

cloud computing

A general term for the delivery of hosted services over the internet.

colo

Abbreviation for co-location. The renting of space for housing computer equipment, usually in buildings specially designed to support a high density of computers and network connections, often called data centers, but also known as tele-houses or carrier hotel facilities.

CRC

Cyclic redundancy check. A type of error detection code used to detect transmission errors in data.

cloud service provider (CSP)

A cloud service provider (CSP) is an organization that offers one or more components of cloud computing to businesses or individuals. Typical cloud services are Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Software as a Service (SaaS), or Platform as a Service (PaaS).

data center (DC)

A physical facility with a large group of networked computer servers typically used by organizations for remote storage, processing, or distribution of large amounts of data. Key components of a data center include routers, switches, firewalls, storage systems, and servers.

dark fiber (DF)

Dark fiber (DF) is essentially optical fiber infrastructure that is not in use. It is considered as capacity that has been laid in addition to that required at the initial time of service provisioning for expansion, growth, or resale. It is no longer considered dark once signals are traversing it (lit).

demarc

The demarcation point (often abbreviated to demarc and also known as a network boundary point) is the physical point at which the Megaport network ends and the customer network begins. Generally, this is a floor / rack / port assignment for an optical port. For more information, see Letter of Authorization (LOA).

DHCP

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is a client/server protocol that automatically provides an Internet Protocol (IP) host with its IP address and other related configuration information such as the subnet mask and default gateway.

direct customer

Any direct Megaport customer that is not a member of the Megaport PartnerVantage program.

DNS

The Domain Name System (DNS) is a hierarchical decentralized naming system for computers, services, or any resource connected to the internet or a private network. It associates various information with domain names assigned to each of the participating entities.

dot1q

See 802.1Q: IEEE 802.1Q is the networking standard that supports virtual LANs (VLANs) on an Ethernet network. The standard defines a system of VLAN tagging for Ethernet frames and the accompanying procedures to be used by bridges and switches in handling such frames.

Direct Connect (DX)

AWS Direct Connect (DX) is a service solution that provides a dedicated and private network connection from your on-premises (branch office, data center, or co-location environment) to an Amazon Web Services (AWS) region, bypassing the internet service provider.

elastic interconnection

A term that defines a connection that provides businesses the flexibility to vary connectivity service requirements based on demand. Megaport customers can provision an elastic interconnection for as short as a day or as long as they need, with speeds ranging from 1 Mbps to 10 Gbps.

Ethernet Local Management Interface (E-LMI)

Ethernet Local Management Interface (E-LMI) is an Ethernet layer operation, administration, and management (OAM) protocol defined by the Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF) for Carrier Ethernet networks. It provides information that enables auto configuration of customer edge (CE) devices.

egress

Egress refers to the flow of data moving out of a private network into the public internet or another external network. This process is integral to network operations, especially in cloud environments where controlled data movement is important for security and efficiency.

endpoint

One end of an API communication channel that specifies the URI or URL of a server or service where you can access the resource. Includes any internet-enabled remote computing device that communicates with a TCP/IP network.

ExpressRoute (ER)

An Azure cloud integration option used to extend on-premises networks into the Microsoft cloud over a dedicated private connection. Megaport is a Microsoft Azure ExpressRoute partner.

Ethernet Virtual Private Line (EVPL)

EVPL allows for service multiplexing at the UNI (unlike EPL). This capability allows more than one EVC to be supported at the UNI where the EPL does not allow this. Second, an EVPL need not provide as much transparency of Service Frames as with an EPL (Definition: MEF).

fully qualified domain name (FQDN)

The complete domain name for a specific computer, or host, on the internet. The FQDN consists of two parts; the hostname and the domain name.

fast reroute (FRR)

A MPLS and IP resiliency technology to provide fast traffic recovery upon link or router failures for mission critical services. Upon any single link or node failures it is possible to recover impacted traffic in the order of tens of milliseconds.

Generic Attribute Registration Protocol (GARP)

Generic Attribute Registration Protocol (GARP) provides a generic framework allowing bridges (or other devices like switches) to register and de-register attribute values such as VLAN identifiers and multicast group membership.

Google Cloud Interconnect (GCI)

Previously Google Carrier Interconnect. Google Cloud Interconnect extends your external network to the Google network through a high-availability, low-latency connection.

Google Cloud Platform (GCP)

Google Cloud Platform is a suite of cloud computing services offered by Google that provides a series of features including computing, data storage, data analytics, machine learning, and a set of management tools.

Global Services Agreement (GSA)

The Global Services Agreement (GSA), the Service Schedule(s), the Acceptable Use Policy and Customer’s Order(s) set out the terms and conditions that apply to Customer’s access to and use of the Services and forms an agreement between Megaport and the Customer. See also the SLA which is a component of the GSA. Megaport standard terms.

hybrid cloud

A cloud computing environment that uses a mix of on-premises, private cloud, and third-party public cloud services with orchestration between the two cloud platforms.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

Online services that abstract the user from the details of infrastructure, such as: physical computing resources, location, data partitioning, scaling, security, and backup. According to the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), IaaS is the most basic cloud-service model for providers offering cloud computing infrastructure.

Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)

An organization that develops and promotes voluntary internet standards, in particular the standards that comprise the internet protocol suite (TCP/IP). IETF has no formal membership or membership requirements. All participants and managers are volunteers with their work usually funded by their employers or other sponsors.

indirect customer

Any Megaport customer that is managed by a member of the Megaport PartnerVantage program. Indirect customers work with partners to set up accounts, order services, and obtain billing and support. Otherwise known as managed accounts.

ingress

Ingress refers to the flow of data into a private network from an external source, typically the public internet. In cloud computing, managing ingress effectively is key to maintaining network integrity and security.

Internet Protocol Security (IPsec)

Internet Protocol Security (IPsec) is a secure network protocol suite for Internet Protocol (IP) communications that works by authenticating and encrypting packets of data in a communication session. It provides secure encrypted communication between two computers over an Internet Protocol network and is used in virtual private networks.

IPv4

IPv4 addresses are 32-bit numbers that uniquely identify a network interface on a device. An IPv4 address is typically written in decimal digits, formatted as four 8-bit fields that are separated by periods. A 32-bit address contains two primary parts: the network prefix and the host number. All hosts within a single network share the same network address.

IPv6

IPv6 addresses are 128-bit alphanumeric values that uniquely identify a network interface on a device. An IPv6 address consists of eight groups of four hexadecimal digits separated by ‘.‘ and each Hex digit representing four bits so the total length of IPv6 is 128 bits.

Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL)

The Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) is a set of practices for IT activities such as IT Service Management (ITSM) and IT Asset Management (ITAM) that focus on aligning IT services with the needs of the business.

IX

An Internet Exchange (known as IX or IXP for a given Internet Exchange point) is a physical infrastructure through which internet service providers (ISPs) and content delivery networks (CDNs) exchange internet traffic between their networks (autonomous systems). MegaIX is the Megaport IX product, and AMS-IX is the partner IX product offered in some geographies via the Cloud tile in the Megaport Portal.

jitter

A variation in packet transit delay (RTT/RTD/PTD, latency) caused by queuing, contention and serialization effects on a path through the network. Higher levels of jitter are more likely to occur on slow or heavily congested links.

Layer 1 (L1)

Layer 1 of the OSI model conveys the bit stream (electrical impulse, light or radio signal) through the network at the electrical and mechanical level. It provides the hardware means of sending and receiving data on a carrier, including defining cables, cards, and physical aspects. A fiber optic cable/SFP terminations would be considered Layer 1, as well as the physical Port.

Layer 2 (L2)

Layer 2 of the OSI model is the data link layer. This provides node-to-node data transfer (a link between two directly connected nodes). Most Megaport Virtual Cross Connects (VXCs) operate at this layer. Layer 2 is divided into Media Access Control (MAC) layer (controls how devices in a network gain access to medium and permission to transmit), and Logical Link Control (LLC) layer (responsible for identifying network layer protocols and then encapsulating them and controls error checking and frame synchronization).

Layer 3 (L3)

Layer 3 of the OSI model is the network layer. It translates logical network address into physical machine address (IP addressing). Layer 3 routers analyze traffic based on address details and forward appropriately, requiring knowledge of the details generally exchanged in BGP sessions for routing table exchanges.

Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP)

Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) allows a network device to negotiate an automatic bundling of links by sending LACP packets to their peer, a directly connected device that also implements LACP. LACP allows multiple physical links between switches or between a switch and a server to be aggregated into a single logical link, which provides higher bandwidth and redundancy.

Link aggregation group (LAG)

Describes various methods for using multiple parallel network connections to increase throughput beyond the limit that a single link (one connection) can achieve. In general for link aggregation, physical Ports must reside on a single switch/router.

Letter of Authorization (LOA)

A Letter of Authorization (LOA) is a document that customers need to present to their data center provider to establish the physical cross-connect from their data center services to their Port. The LOA is provided via the Megaport Portal when a customer provisions a new Port.

LR (Long Range)

An optical interface standard for a small form-factor pluggable (SFP) that can deliver 10 Gbps over roughly 10km. Megaport’s standard for delivery of 10 Gbps Ports. See LX for the 1 Gbps equivalent. Uses 1310nm wavelength.

label-switched path (LSP)

A path through an MPLS network, set up by a signaling protocol such as LDP, RSVP-TE, BGP or CR-LDP. The path is set up based on criteria in the forwarding equivalence class (FEC).

LX (Long Wavelength)

An optical interface standard for a small form-factor pluggable (SFP) that can deliver 1 Gbps over roughly 10km. Megaport’s standard for delivery of 1 Gbps Ports. See LR for the 10 Gbps equivalent. Uses 1310nm wavelength.

Media Access Control address (MAC address)

A Media Access Control address (MAC address) is a unique, 12-character alphanumeric attribute that is used to identify individual electronic devices on a network. An example of a MAC address is 01:02:0f:04:58:20.

Media Access Control security (MACsec)

Media Access Control security (MACsec) is a security protocol that encrypts data traffic between Ethernet-connected devices. The MACsec protocol is defined by IEEE standard 802.1ae. When MACsec is enabled, a bi-directional secure link is established after an exchange and verification of security keys between the two connected devices. A combination of data integrity checks and encryption is used to safeguard the transmitted data.

managed account

An account that receives Megaport services and support through a Megaport partner. The partner can customize the features in the Megaport Portal to limit visibility and features for a managed account.

Megaport Cloud Router (MCR)

The MCR is a managed virtual router service that establishes Layer 3 connectivity on the worldwide Megaport software-defined network (SDN). MCR instances are preconfigured in data centers in key global routing zones. An MCR enables data transfer between multicloud or hybrid cloud networks, network service providers, and cloud service providers.

MD5

Sometimes known as an MD5 hash or BGP key. The message-digest (MD5) algorithm is a widely used cryptographic function producing a string of 32 hexadecimal digits. This is used as a password or key between routers exchanging BGP information.

Multi-Exit Discriminator (MED)

Multi-Exit Discriminator (MED) is a BGP path attribute that can influence a BGP neighbor to take a preferred route when the advertising autonomous system (AS) is the same for candidate routes and there are multiple entry points for that AS. A lower MED metric is preferred over a higher metric.

MegaIX

MegaIX is Megaport’s Internet Exchange service. Using MegaIX, networks can participate in multilateral peering via Megaport’s route servers – a single BGP session can bring the majority of local IX routes without the effort of negotiating with individual peers.

Megaport Internet

Megaport Internet connections are scalable, on-demand services that allow you to connect to the internet from Ports, MCRs, and MVEs. As part of the MVE provisioning, you create a Megaport Internet connection to provide connectivity and to allow MVE to register and communicate with the SD-WAN overlay network.

Megaport SDN

Megaport’s neutral, software-defined network based global network comprising of cloud service providers, network service providers, and data center operators, accessed via the Megaport Portal or API.

Microsoft Azure ExpressRoute

Microsoft Azure ExpressRoute lets customers extend their on-premises networks into the Microsoft cloud over a dedicated private connection with the help of a connectivity provider. With ExpressRoute, you can establish connections to Microsoft cloud services, such as Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365. Megaport is a Microsoft Azure ExpressRoute partner.

meet-me room (MMR)

A place within a data center, co-location center, or carrier hotel, where telecommunications companies can physically connect to one another and exchange data without incurring local loop fees. Services provided across connections in an MMR can be voice circuits, data circuits, or internet protocol.

Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS)

A type of data-carrying technique for high-performance telecommunications networks that directs data from one network node to the next based on short path labels rather than long network addresses, avoiding complex lookups in a routing table.

Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol (MSTP)

Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol (MSTP) is a protocol that creates multiple spanning trees (instances) for each Virtual LAN (VLAN) on a single physical network. This allows for each VLAN to have a configured root bridge and forwarding topology.

Megaport Virtual Edge (MVE)

The MVE is an on-demand, vendor-neutral Network Function Virtualization (NFV) platform that provides virtual infrastructure for network services at the edge of Megaport’s global software-defined network (SDN). Network technologies such as SD-WAN and NGFW are hosted directly on Megaport’s global network via Megaport Virtual Edge.

multicloud

The use of multiple cloud computing services in a single heterogeneous architecture. For example, an enterprise might use multiple cloud providers for infrastructure (IaaS) and software (SaaS) services. One of Megaport’s core value propositions is enabling multicloud connectivity.

Multiplier (BFD)

The minimum number of BFD packets that can be missed before the BGP session is considered down.

Network Address Translation (NAT)

Network Address Translation (NAT) is the process that translates the unregistered private IP addresses used for an organization’s private inner network into a single registered public IP address before packets are sent to an external network. NAT allows private IP networks to use the internet and cloud.

net neutrality

A standard where internet service is treated as an essential service, and the principle that Megaport enables access to all service providers without favoring or blocking others.

network-to-network interface (NNI)

An interface between two networks. Technically used as distinct from UNI to define an interface between provider networks but sometimes used interchangeably between provider and customer network handoffs (Definition: MEF).

Network Virtual Appliances (NVA)

Network Virtual Appliances (NVA) are used in Azure or AWS to control the flow of traffic between network segments that are classified with different security levels. For example, between a secure virtual network and the public internet.

On-ramp

An on-ramp is a direct, private connection to a service provider’s available resources, for example, via a Megaport connection. To ensure fast and reliable connections, the service provider maps these resources to their regions or zones, sets rate limits, manages per-customer VLAN capacity, and so on.

Open Systems Interconnection (OSI)

Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) is a model that characterizes and standardizes the communication functions of a telecommunication or computing system. Most Megaport products are Layer 2 (or L2) with some of the OSI constructs pushing into Layer 3 (L3) where IP addressing information is exchanged, known as an L2/L3 service.

overlay network

A virtual network of nodes and logical links that are built on top of an existing network. The overlay network augments the underlay and provides traffic orchestration and the ability to enable business and security policies through a management console. The management console also provides visibility into the network.

PaaS

Platform as a Service vendors offer a development environment to application developers. The provider typically develops toolkit and standards for development and channels for distribution and payment. In the PaaS models, cloud providers deliver a computing platform, typically including operating system, programming-language execution environment, database, and web server without the need to manage any of the underlying operating system or host architecture.

partner account

An account that directly manages the Megaport services, support, and billing for other accounts. The partner can customize the features in the Megaport Portal to limit visibility and features for a managed account.

PartnerVantage

The Megaport Partner program.

peering

A process by which two internet networks connect and exchange traffic. This allows these two internet networks to directly exchange traffic between each other’s customers, without having to pay a third party to carry that traffic across the internet.

ping

A ping test transmits data packets to a specific IP address and either confirms or denies connectivity between IP-networked devices.

PLR

Packet loss rate/packet loss ratio. This is the percentage of packet loss while traveling from the source to the destination. Packet loss can be caused by congested links, network device failure, or network reachability status changes.

Port-based network access control (PNAC)

Port-based network access control (PNAC) is a type of security protocol used to restrict network access to only authorized devices. It is typically implemented in switches or routers, and works by allowing or denying access to the network based on the physical port of the device attempting to connect.

Port

A Port is the high-speed Ethernet interface that connects to Megaport’s global software-defined network (SDN). Ports are available in 1 Gbps, 10 Gbps and 100 Gbps speed options.

Port diversity

Port diversity improves the robustness of your network by providing Port services on different physical devices at a single Megaport location. Ports are assigned to diversity zones. A diversity zone groups devices at the same location to ensure that services are provisioned on physically separate devices that always remain diverse.

provider edge (PE) router

A router between one network service provider’s area and areas administered by other network providers.

PTD

Packet transfer delay (one-way latency measure). Packet transfer delay is the time taken by the physical layer at the source to transmit packets over a link.

Q-in-Q

802.1Q tunneling (also known as Q-in-Q or 802.1ad) is a technique used by OSI Layer 2 providers for customers. 802.1ad provides for both an inner and an outer tag whereby the outer (sometimes called S-tag for service provider) can be removed to expose the inner (C-tag or customer) tags that segment the data.

rDNS

Reverse DNS (rDNS) is a querying technique of the Domain Name System (DNS) to determine the domain name associated with an IP address. This is the reverse of the usual forward DNS lookup of an IP address from a domain name. The process of reverse resolving of an IP address uses PTR records.

Receive Interval (BFD)

The minimum time that the BGP neighbor sends liveness detection BFD packets to the interface.

Resource Tags

Resource Tags allow you to add your own reference metadata to a Megaport service.

Every time you create or edit a service, you have the opportunity to create, update, or remove resource tags.

risers

(Generally vertical) shafts through which cable baskets are routed. Otherwise known as verticals.

Resource Public Key Infrastructure (RPKI)

Resource Public Key Infrastructure (RPKI) is a public key infrastructure framework that is designed to support improved security for the internet’s Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) routing infrastructure. RPKI provides a way to connect internet number resource information (such as Autonomous System numbers and IP addresses) to a trust anchor.

route server (RS)

A route server provides a mechanism for the establishment of BGP routing exchanges in an Internet Exchange (IX or IXP). It simplifies the process of maintaining many peering partners across a network and also contributes to the network visibility and manageability. Route servers are generally deployed in pairs to allow for maintenance windows and general redundancy to support IX stability. Some offer a Looking Glass (LG) functionality to view which peers maintain which routes and allow troubleshooting on network routing choices.

Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP)

Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP) (RSTP: IEEE 802.1w) serves the same purpose as STP, blocking specific ports to restrict Layer 2 loops. RSTP promotes high availability and loop-free topology within Ethernet networks. STP has five port states: blocking, listening, learning, forwarding, and disabled, whereas RSTP has only three port states: discarding, learning, and forwarding.

RTBH

Remotely Triggered Black Hole (RTBH) routing is a filtering technique that is used for mitigating Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks. It allows you to block unnecessary traffic before it enters a protected network.

RTT

Round-trip time (RTT) is the length of time taken by a data packet to be sent to a destination, including the time it takes for an acknowledgment of that packet to be received back at the origin time. Also known as ping time.

rack units (RU)

A unit of measurement mainly used to describe the height of rack-mounted computer equipment (especially servers and routers) and the racks into which they are fitted. One RU is 1.75 inches or 4.445 centimeters. For example, 42RU indicates a 1.87m height cabinet.

SaaS

Software as a Service (SaaS) is a form of cloud computing in which the provider offers the use of application software to a client and manages all the physical and software resources used by the application. SaaS is sometimes referred to as “on-demand software” and is usually priced on a pay-per-use basis or using a subscription fee.

secure access service edge (SASE)

Secure access service edge (SASE) is a security framework combining security and network connectivity technologies into a single cloud-delivered platform to enable secure and fast cloud transformation.

software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN)

A software approach to managing and optimizing the performance of wide area networks (WANs). SD-WAN allows organizations to securely connect users, applications, and data across multiple locations while providing improved performance, reliability and scalability.

service key

A service key is a code that is given by one Megaport account holder to another to connect two separate businesses together. Customers who have separate Megaport accounts can connect their Ports, MCRs, or MVEs to each other across the Megaport network, enabling business-to-business VXCs.

small form pluggable (SFP)

A small form pluggable (SFP) is a hot pluggable transceiver used in data communication and telecommunication networks to enable data transmission between two devices.

service-level agreement (SLA)

Part of a standardized service contract where a service is formally defined. Particular aspects of the service scope, quality, and responsibilities are agreed between the service provider and the service user. Referred to as the GSA in Megaport terms (Global Services Agreement).

single-mode optical fiber (SMOF)

An optical fiber cable with a small core size that supports a single mode or path of light at any time. The fiber cable has only one mode of propagation: a single wavelength of light in the fiber core. Multi-mode optical fiber (MMOF) is less expensive but can only run shorter distances without signal degradation.

Spanning Tree Protocol (STP)

Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) (IEEE 802.1D) is a Layer 2 protocol that runs on bridges and switches. The main purpose of STP is to ensure that you do not create loops when you have redundant paths in your network. Loops are deadly to a network.

Supernetting

Supernetting is used mainly in route summarization, where routes to multiple networks with similar network prefixes are combined into a single routing entry. The single routing entry points to a Super network, encompassing all the networks.

Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)

A set of rules/protocols governing communications among all devices on the internet. More specifically, TCP/IP dictates how information should be packaged (packetized), sent, and received, as well as how to traverse connected networks to reach its ultimate destination.

traceroute

A diagnostic tool that examines how data moves through the internet to determine if a destination is reachable.

transit

Commodity internet capacity. As distinct from IX routes (specific), transit capacity (a generally paid service) indicates the general default route for internet traffic when routes are otherwise unknown at a settlement free peering exchange.

Transmit Interval (BFD)

The minimum time that the BGP neighbor transmits liveness detection BFD packets to the BGP neighbor.

User Datagram Protocol (UDP)

The User Datagram Protocol (UDP) is a transport layer communications protocol that works on top of Internet Protocol (IP). UDP is one of the core communication protocols of the IP suite used to send messages to other hosts on an IP network. Within an IP network, UDP does not require prior communication to set up communication channels or data paths. UDP speeds up communications by not formally establishing a connection before data is transferred.

underlay network

A physical infrastructure that provides traditional physical Layer 2 and Layer 3 connectivity between gateways, routes, switches, and so on in a network.

VantageHub

The one-stop partner relationship management (PRM) platform for Megaport PartnerVantage partners. VantageHub includes deal registration, partner enablement, partner marketing, and more.

VantageTransact

The PartnerVantage term for the Megaport Portal.

virtual LAN (VLAN)

A partitioned and isolated computer network at the data link layer (OSI Layer 2) on a single physical interface (for example, a Port) used to subdivide a network. LAN is an abbreviation of local area network.

virtualized network functions (VNFs)

Services responsible for handling specific network functions running in virtual machines on top of networking infrastructure.

virtual private cloud (VPC)

A virtual private cloud (VPC) is a secure, isolated private cloud hosted within a public cloud. VPC customers can run code, store data, host websites, and do anything else they could do in a normal private cloud, but the private cloud is hosted remotely by a public cloud provider.

Virtual Private LAN Service (VPLS)

A way to provide Ethernet-based multipoint to multipoint communication over IP or MPLS networks. It allows geographically dispersed sites to share an Ethernet broadcast domain by connecting sites through pseudo-wires.

virtual private network (VPN)

Extends a private network across a public network or internet. It enables users to send and receive data across shared or public networks as if their computing devices were directly connected to the private network. VPNs can provide functionality, security and/or network management benefits to the user.

Virtual Cross Connect (VXC)

A VXC is a direct Layer 2 Ethernet circuit providing private, flexible, and on-demand connections between any of the locations on the Megaport network, offering capacities ranging from 1 Mbps to 10 Gbps. In many locations, connections of up to 25 Gbps are supported, while select regions in the US can benefit from connections up to 100 Gbps.

XCON or XC

Abbreviation for Cross Connect. A connection scheme between cabling runs, subsystems, and equipment using patch cords or jumpers that attach to networking equipment.