A hybrid NetBIOS name resolution mode that first attempts to resolve NetBIOS names using the B-node mechanism. If that fails, an attempt is made to use P-node name resolution. M-node was the first hybrid mode put into operation, but it has the disadvantage of favoring B-node operation, which is associated with high levels of broadcast traffic.
MAC (Media Access Control)
The physical address of a NIC. The MAC exists at the data link layer in the OSI model.
Main Mode
The first phase of the IKE two-phase operation to establish a secure communication channel. During this phase, the two computers establish a secure, authenticated channel called the Phase I (Main Mode) SA.
medium
A vehicle that carries data between a server and a client. Network media include copper cable, optical fiber, microwaves, and light pulses.
metric
A number that assigns a preference to a route within routing protocols. The route with the lowest metric is the preferred route.
MIB (Management Information Base)
A database of information that organizes a set of manageable objects for an installed service or device. MIBs are used in conjunction with SNMP.
MMC (Microsoft Management Console)
A Microsoft Windows framework used for hosting administrative tools.
modem (modulator/demodulator)
A hardware device that is used to convert digital signals to analog and vice versa. A modem allows digital communications to occur over regular (analog) phone lines.
A Microsoft-specific variation of the CHAP. MS-CHAP is more secure than CHAP and comes in two variations: MS-CHAPv1 and MS-CHAPv2. MS-CHAPv1 supports one-way authentication and is used by Windows NT 4.0. MS-CHAPv2 is used with Windows 2000 or later and supports mutual authentication.
multicast scope
A range of IP multicast addresses in the range 224.0.0.0 to 239.254.255.255. Multicast addresses in this range can be prevented from propagating in either direction (send or receive) through the use of scope-based multicast boundaries.
multicasting
A method of sending a series of packets to a group of computers instead of to a single computer or all computers on a network. IGMP support is required to use multicasting.
Multilink
A capability that is included in Windows Server 2003 that allows the aggregating of multiple modem connections.
MX (Mail Exchange) record
A record in the DNS zone file that indicates which host in the network will receive mail.
