In networking, the communications protocol that contains the physical address of a client or server station. It is called the "data link layer" or "MAC layer" and contains the address inspected by a bridge or switch. Layer 2 processing is faster than layer 3 processing, because less analysis of the packet is required. See MAC layer and OSI.
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2008 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
- An Event Apart 2008: Day 2
- The second day of An Event Apart will feature plenty of web standards jargon. I will be posting photos and notes from today's events. Unfortunately, the slides are reserved for attendees only, but I will try to gather as much information as...
- Blog posts 2008-08-19
- An Event Apart 2008: Day 1
- The antique Palace Hotel in San Francisco houses An Event Apart, a collaboration of interactive presentations about web standards, user experience design, and best practices. The two-day conference features well-known speakers from around the world, including AEA's hosts Jeffrey Zeldman and Eric Meyer. ...
- Blog posts 2008-08-18
- The end run around the OS is underway
- The operating system may be losing its luster. In fact, you could argue that the operating system--Linux, OS X and Windows--will become an application that just happens to boot first. And hardware vendors are on to the OS's diminishing importance. Let's connect a few dots: ...
- Blog posts 2008-08-15
- Gateway's new desktop replacement: How much game does $1,400 get?
- Gateway has released its first Centrino 2-based laptop, a 17-inch wide-screen model that rivals the performance of pricier gaming and entertainment desktop replacements. To get its PCs noticed on crowded store shelves, Gateway has been experimenting with a different mix of features, opting for less expensive processors...
- Blog posts 2008-08-14
- eMachines W3653 with Monitor
- The eMachines W3653 is a bundled set that includes a preconfigured computer, an eMachines 17-inch wide-screen LCD, and the other peripherals needed for a complete desktop set up. For the purpose of this review, we'll be looking at the computer alone but factoring in the price of the monitor to...
- Product reviews 2008-08-13
- Virtual Machine Software Announcements - Why Now?
- Virtual Machine Software Announcements - Why Now?Virtual machine worthless.http://www.theinquirer.net/gb/inquirer/news/2008/08/12/vmware-update-bombedUnless you are running two different OS', why would you run a virtual machine? My Windows and Linux machines multi-task just fine with only one instance of the OS loaded. Especially as cheap as hardware is today, VM's simply add a layer...
- Discussion threads 2008-08-13
- Virtual Machine Software Announcements - Why Now?
- There is a great deal of activity in the virtual machine software market part of the virtual processing layer of the Kusnetzky Group model of virtualization technology. My colleague, Paula Rooney, published Next XenServer — code named Orlando — now in beta* testing. A while back...
- Blog posts 2008-08-13
- Google tells Congress about DoubleClick cookie
- Google tells Congress about DoubleClick cookieWho wants ads at all?Quite frankly I don't want any ads at all. Further more I actively use multiple tools to remove any trace of ads from my web experience.I don't think advertisers fully appreciate the *NEGATIVE* connotations that their advertisements give.That is, if they...
- Discussion threads 2008-08-12
- What's holding Desktop Virtualization back?
- Server virtualization appears to be gaining acceptance in even the most conservative organizations that deploy industry standard systems. It long has been a fixture in mainframe and midrange system based datacenters. Desktop virtualization, on the other hand, seems to be considered a technology looking for a problem to solve. Why...
- Blog posts 2008-08-12
- Apple iMac (20-inch, 2.4GHz)
- We've already shown our affection for Apple's highest-end iMac, but with back-to-school shopping season in full-swing, the time felt right to fill in a gap in our review database by covering the lowest-end, $1,200, 20-inch model. What we find is that the most affordable iMac has the usual content-creation strengths...
- Product reviews 2008-08-11
- Students choose webcam over phone calls
- Since many of you decided to whinge and whine about my previous article, I thought I'd go with something a little simpler for the masses. The first rule of mass media is of course, "give the people what they want." [Tomorrow Never Dies, 1997]. After much thought...
- Blog posts 2008-08-11
- Gateway DX4200-UB001A
- We didn't love Gateway's new FX4710 performance desktop because it sacrificed extra features (say, a faster 3D card?) for the sake of plumping its memory specs. We felt the same trepidation with the $750 DX4200, but the fact is that this desktop is the best-equipped mainstream midtower on the...
- Product reviews 2008-08-08
- Toshiba D-R410 - DVD recorder
- DVD-recorders have lost most of their relevance. Between DVRs and online video services like Hulu, couch potatoes can already record their favorite shows, and archiving seems less and less attractive now that everything is released on DVD or available online. Still, DVD-recorders do have their place, as many bristle at...
- Product reviews 2008-08-08
- Open Gear and cloud infrastructure
- The efficiency of Linux in using system resources makes it a great choice for controlling the cloud, but beneath that management layer you can run anything -- any application stack and any operating system. It's all good. by Dana Blankenhorn
- Blog posts 2008-08-08
- CNET's Clientside developer blog serving Adobe Flash exploits
- CNET's Clientside developer blog serving Adobe Flash exploitsIt's why Protected Mode and AppArmor are better than NoScript[i]Slowly, but inevitably, the "do no visit unknown and potentially harmful sites" security tip is starting to lose its charm.[/i]Don't get me wrong, I use NoScript but it fails this test. The instant you...
- Discussion threads 2008-08-07
- Gateway GT5692
- The $550 Gateway GT5692 is part a new batch of recently released midrange desktop PCs. This particular configuration has an AMD Phenom X3 8450 triple-core processor, 4GB of memory, HDMI-out, and 64-bit Windows Vista. The package gave us decent speed and benchmarking results, so if you're looking for a dependable...
- Product reviews 2008-08-06
- Skilled in SOA, business, and tech: Where do we get such individuals?
- Skilled in SOA, business, and tech: Where do we get such individuals?EA with SO applied is still EA"While there are many areas where the two disciplines intersect, SOA practitioners engage in transforming business processes into implementation, while EAs focus on making sure the organization adheres to enterprise architecture principles, he...
- Discussion threads 2008-08-06
- The fast track to mobile Linux
- The fast track to mobile LinuxThe fast track to mobile LinuxThis doesn't make much sense. Replace the RTOS with linux, then run a RTOS on top of a virtualization layer which will slow things down negating the purpose of a RTOS.How it worksYou keep the part of the RTOS...
- Discussion threads 2008-08-06
- MIT team working on $12 'Apple II' desktop
- MIT team working on $12 'Apple II' desktopAwesome, butThe Apple ][ was based on the 6502 processor, which I'm not even sure is even produced today. They'd probably have better success with a Zilog Z-80 derivative or even a Motorola Dragonball which powered the Palm Pilots. At least the 68000-derived...
- Discussion threads 2008-08-05
- Cerf's call for simple pricing: Net Neutrality all over again
- Cerf's call for simple pricing: Net Neutrality all over againCerf's call for simple pricing: Net Neutrality all over again[i]Rather than a volume cap, I suggest the introduction of transmission rate caps, which would allow users to purchase access to the Internet at a given minimum data rate and be free...
- Discussion threads 2008-08-05
Neighboring Terms
Premier Vendor Content Whitepapers, webcasts & resources from our Power Center Sponsors
- Sports and Technology
-
Major League Baseball pitches new app to iPhone users
At Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco, Jeremy Schoenherr of MLB.com demos At-Bat, a new iPhone app from Major League Baseball.
View the ZDNet video to learn more -
The SF Giants' new hi-tech ballpark
SF Giants CIO Bill Schlough discusses new technology upgrades at AT&T Park and outlines his dual role- managing technology operations at the backend while using hi-tech to improve player performance on the field.
View the ZDNet CIO Vision Series video - From our Sponsors
- Fantasy Football
-
-
3 Great Ways To Play Fantasy Football
Play for free, play to win cash prizes- up to $3500, or customize your own league.
Learn More » -
