Glossary - Jason Antony
In order to better understand the world of computer networking, it is essential to understand some of the more complex terminology. Listed below you will find a list of n
- Address Mask - A bit mask used to select bits from an Internet address for subnet addressing
- Active Directory Service (ADS) - A service that can be used as an information service as well as administrative service.
- API - Application Programming Interface
- Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) - The Internet protocol used to dynamically map Internet addresses to physical (hardware) addresses on LANs.
- Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) - Policies and procedures used to govern the appropriate usage of a network, computer, resource, or service.
- Authentication - The process by which a user's identity is checked within the network to ensure that the user has access to the requested resources or services.
- Bootstrap Protocol (BOOTP) - Protocol that allows an Internet node to discover certain startup information, such as its IP address.
- Challenge Handshake Authorization Protocol CHAP) - A protocol used for identifying and authenticating a user and his or her password. The password used challenge response methods to identify clients.
- Cookie - A piece of information sent by a Web server to a Web browser. The browser software is then expected to save the data and send it back to the server whenever the browser makes additional requests from the server.
- Distributed Computing Environment (DCE) - The services that support the creation and maintenance of distributed applications.
- Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) - A protocol used to retrieve startup information such as a subnet mask and IP address from a DHCP server.
- Domain Naming System (DNS) - A system used by the Internet for translating names of host computers into addresses.
- Domain - An element of the naming hierarchy on a network.
- Domain Name - The unique name that identifies an Internet site or on a network.
- Encryption - A type of network security in which information sent over the network is encoded so that only the intended users can access the information.
- Firewall - Hardware and/or software used to protect a LAN from malicious attacks by filtering incoming or outgoing packets.
- Gateway - Any hardware or software that is used for the purpose of providing access from one system to another.
- Hop - Term used to describe the data link between two gateways or routers that a packet must travel to reach its destination.
- Host - Term used in the Internet community to describe any device attached to the network that provides application-level service.
- Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) - Used to communicate IP status and error messages between hosts and routers.
- Internet Protocol (IP) - The IP contains addressing information and some control information that allows packets to be routed. An IP address is the specific address assigned to a computer connected to a network. If the IP address is manually given to a network device, it is said to be static, if it is assigned through DCHP it is said to be static.
- Lightweight Directory Access Protocol LDAP) - Serves as framework under which different NOS and application-specific directories may be incorporated and managed.
- Management Information Base II (MIB-II) - A collection of objects that can be accessed via a network management protocol such as SNMP.
- Microsoft Management Console (MMC) - A container utility that takes different management tools called ""Snap-Ins"".
- Network Device Interface Specification (NDIS) - A driver, developed by Microsoft and 3Com, for LANs that support Token-Ring and Ethernet network types.
- NetBIOS Extended User Interface (NetBEUI) - A transport protocol that supports Windows for Workgroups.
- Network Basic Input Output System (NetBIOS) - The standard interface to networks on IBM PC and compatible systems using Microsoft and IBM network software.
- Open Directory Services Interface (ODSI) - A set of WOSA API's, for a single set of interfaces for building applications that access, register with, and manage multiple directory services.
- OU - Organizational units
- OSI - Open Systems Interconnection
- Password Authentication Protocol (PAP) - A protocol used for identifying and authenticating a user and his or her password.
- Reverse Address Resolution Protocol (RARP) - A protocol used by a host to obtain an IP address based on the address of the host's adapter card. This protocol is typically used when IP addresses are scarce.
- Routing Information Protocol (RIP) - A protocol, limited to a small number of machines attached to LANs, used to exchange Internet routing information across networks.
- Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) - A set of standards for communication with devices connected to a TCP/IP network. Examples of these devices include routers, hubs and switches."
- Source Route - The route that a packet takes to reach its destination. The route is determined prior to the start of the transmission of the packet.
- Subnet Mask - The part of the address mask that identifies an individual network within a larger network.
- Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) - The suite of protocols that defines the Internet. Originally designed for the Unix operating system, TCP/IP software is now available for every major operating system.
- User Datagram Protocol (UDP) - A transport protocol in the Internet suite of protocols. UDP, like TCP, uses IP for deliver; however, unlike TCP, UDP provides for the exchange of datagrams without acknowledgment or guaranteed delivery.
- Universal Naming Convention (UNC) - Addresses currently used in Windows NT Server networks to point to shared volumes, files, and printers.
- URL - Universal Resource Locator
- WINS - Windows Internet Naming Service
- WOSA - Windows Open Services Architecture
Copyright Jeff Orloff. Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.
Jeff Orloff - As the Director of Technology for an educational company, I see my share of networking issues from security threats to troubleshooting ...
