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Glossary

Common Cumulus Linux and NetQ Terminology

The following table covers some basic terms used throughout the NetQ user documentation.

TermDefinition
AgentNetQ software that resides on a host server that provides metrics about the host to the NetQ Telemetry Server for network health analysis.
BridgeDevice that connects two communication networks or network segments. Occurs at OSI Model Layer 2, Data Link Layer.
ClosMultistage circuit switching network used by the telecommunications industry, first formalized by Charles Clos in 1952.
DeviceUI term referring to a switch, host, or chassis or combination of these. Typically used when describing hardware and components versus a software or network topology. See also Node.
EventChange or occurrence in network or component that can trigger a notification. Events are categorized by severity: error or info.
FabricNetwork topology where a set of network nodes interconnects through one or more network switches.
FreshNode that has been communicative for the last 120 seconds.
High AvailabilitySoftware used to provide a high percentage of uptime (running and available) for network devices.
HostA device connected to a TCP/IP network. It can run one or more virtual machines.
HypervisorSoftware which creates and runs virtual machines. Also called a virtual machine monitor.
IP AddressAn Internet Protocol address comprises a series of numbers assigned to a network device to uniquely identify it on a given network. Version 4 addresses are 32 bits and written in dotted decimal notation with 8-bit binary numbers separated by decimal points. Example: 10.10.10.255. Version 6 addresses are 128 bits and written in 16-bit hexadecimal numbers separated by colons. Example: 2018:3468:1B5F::6482:D673.
LeafAn access layer switch in a Spine-Leaf or Clos topology. An Exit-Leaf is a switch that connects to services outside of the data center such as firewalls, load balancers, and internet routers. See also Spine, Clos, Top of Rack, and Access Switch.
LinuxSet of free and open-source software operating systems built around the Linux kernel. Cumulus Linux is one of the available distribution packages.
NodeUI term referring to a switch, host, or chassis in a topology.
NotificationItem that informs a user of an event. Notifications are received through third-party applications, such as email or Slack.
Peer linkLink, or bonded links, used to connect two switches in an MLAG pair.
RottenNode that has been silent for 120 seconds or more.
RouterDevice that forwards data packets (directs traffic) from nodes on one communication network to nodes on another network. Occurs at the OSI Model Layer 3, Network Layer.
SpineUsed to describe the role of a switch in a Spine-Leaf or Clos topology. See also Aggregation switch, End of Row switch, and distribution switch.
SwitchHigh-speed device that receives data packets from one device or node and redirects them to other devices or nodes on a network.
Telemetry serverNetQ server that receives metrics and other data from NetQ agents on leaf and spine switches and hosts.
Top of RackSwitch that connects to the network (versus internally); also known as a ToR switch.
Virtual MachineEmulation of a computer system that provides all the functions of a particular architecture.
Web-scaleA network architecture designed to deliver capabilities of large cloud service providers within an enterprise IT environment.
WhiteboxGeneric, off-the-shelf, switch or router hardware used in Software Defined Networks (SDN).

Common Cumulus Linux and NetQ Acronyms

The following table covers some common acronyms used throughout the NetQ user documentation.

AcronymMeaning
ACLAccess Control Link
ARPAddress Resolution Protocol
ASNAutonomous System Number
BGP/eBGP/iBGPBorder Gateway Protocol, External BGP, Internal BGP
CLAGCumulus multi-chassis Link Aggregation Group
DHCPDynamic Host Control Protocol
DNSDomain Name Server
ECMPEqual Cost Multi-Path routing
EVPNEthernet Virtual Private Network
FDBForwarding Data Base
GNU“GNU’s Not Linux”
HAHigh Availability
IGMPInternet Group Management Protocol
IPv4/IPv6Internet Protocol, version 4 or 6
LACPLink Aggregation Control Protocol
LANLocal Area Network
LCMLifecycle Management
LLDPLink Layer Data Protocol
MACMedia Access Control
MIBManagement Information Base
MLAGMulti-chassis Link Aggregation Group
MLDMulticast Listener Discovery
NTPNetwork Time Protocol
OOBOut of Band (management)
OPTAOn-premises Telemetry Aggregator
OSPFOpen Shortest Path First
PTPPrecision Time Protocol
RFCRemote Function Call
RoCERDMA over Converged Ethernet
SDNSoftware-Defined Network
SNMPSimple Network Management Protocol
STPSpanning Tree Protocol
TCAThreshold Crossing Alarms
TCPTransport Control Protocol
ToRTop of Rack
UDPUser Datagram Protocol
URLUniversal Resource Locator
USBUniversal Serial Bus
VLANVirtual Local Area Network
VNIVirtual Network Instance
VPNVirtual Private Network
VRFVirtual Routing and Forwarding
VRRVirtual Router Redundancy
VTEPVXLAN Tunnel EndPoint
VXLANVirtual Extensible Local Area Network
ZTPZero Touch Provisioning