Symbols
.inf
The file name extension for files that contain device information or scripts
to control hardware operations.
100baseT
The Ethernet standard for local area networks using twisted-pair cable
carrying data at 100 megabits per second (Mbps).
10base2
The Ethernet and IEEE 802.3 standard for baseband local area networks using
a thin coaxial cable up to 200 meters long and carrying data at 10 megabits
per second (Mbps). Cables connect to network adapters by a BNC connector.
10baseT
The Ethernet standard for local area networks using twisted-pair cable
carrying data at 10 megabits per second (Mbps).
A
A (address)
resource record
A resource record used to map a DNS domain name to a host IP address on the
network.
See also: domain name; Domain Name System
(DNS); resource record (RR)
access
control
A security mechanism that determines which operations a user, group,
service, or computer is authorized to perform on a computer or on a
particular object, such as a file, printer, registry key, or directory
service object.
See also: permission; group; object;
registry; service
access
control entry (ACE)
account
lockout
A Windows security feature that locks a user account if a number of failed
logon attempts occur within a specified amount of time, based on security
policy lockout settings. Locked accounts cannot log on.
acknowledgment message
For Message Queuing, a message class that indicates that a message arrived
or was retrieved by the target application (a positive acknowledgment), or
that an error occurred before the original message could be retrieved (a
negative acknowledgment). These messages are sent to administration queues
on the source computer.
See also:
administration queue; Message Queuing
active
Describes the window or icon that you are currently using or that is
currently selected. The operating system always applies the next keystroke
or command you choose to the active window. Windows or icons on the desktop
that are not selected are inactive.
See also:
channel
active
content
Dynamic content, such as a stock ticker, a weather map, or news, that is
usually updated from the World Wide Web or a channel.
Active
Directory
The directory service that stores information about objects on a network and
makes this information available to users and network administrators. Active
Directory gives network users access to permitted resources anywhere on the
network using a single logon process. It provides network administrators
with an intuitive, hierarchical view of the network and a single point of
administration for all network objects.
See also:
directory partition;
service
Active
Directory data model
A model derived from the LDAP data model. The directory holds objects that
represent entities of various sorts, described by attributes. The objects
and classes of objects that can be stored in the directory are defined in
the schema. For each class of objects, the schema defines the attributes an
instance of the class must have, the additional attributes it can have, and
the class that can be its parent.
See also:
Active Directory; attribute;
Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP);
schema
Active
Directory Users and Computers
An administrative tool designed to perform day-to-day Active Directory
administration tasks. These tasks include creating, deleting, modifying,
moving, and setting permissions on objects stored in the directory. These
objects include organizational units, users, contacts, groups, computers,
printers, and shared file objects.
See also:
permission;
Active Directory;
object
active
partition
active
volume
The volume from which the computer starts up. The active volume must be a
simple volume on a dynamic disk. You cannot mark an existing dynamic volume
as the active volume, but you can upgrade a basic disk containing the active
partition to a dynamic disk. Once the disk is upgraded to dynamic, the
partition becomes a simple volume that is active.
See also:
active partition;
basic disk;
dynamic disk; dynamic volume;
simple volume
ActiveX
A set of technologies that allows software components to interact with one
another in a networked environment, regardless of the language in which the
components were created.
address (A)
resource record
address
classes
Predefined groupings of Internet addresses with each class defining networks
of a certain size. The range of numbers that can be assigned for the first
octet in the IP address is based on the address class. Class A networks
(values 1 to 126) are the largest, with more than 16 million hosts per
network. Class B networks (128 to 191) have up to 65,534 hosts per network,
and Class C networks (192 to 223) can have up to 254 hosts per network.
See also: Class A IP address;
Class B IP address; Class
C IP address
Address
Resolution Protocol (ARP)
administration queue
administrative alerts
Alerts that relate to server and resource use. They notify users about
problems in areas such as security and access, user sessions, server
shutdown due to power loss (when an uninterruptible power supply is
available), directory replication, and printing. When a computer generates
an administrative alert, a message is sent to a predefined list of users and
computers.
See also: Alerter service
administrator
For Windows XP Professional, a person responsible for setting up and
managing domain controllers or local computers and their user and group
accounts, assigning passwords and permissions, and helping users with
networking problems. Administrators are members of the Administrators group
and have full control over the domain or computer.
For Windows XP Home Edition, a person who can make system-wide changes to
the computer, install software, and who has access to all files on the
computer. A person with a computer administrator account has full access to
other user accounts on the computer.
Advanced
Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI)
An open industry specification that defines power management on a wide range
of mobile, desktop, and server computers and peripherals. ACPI is the
foundation for the OnNow industry initiative that allows system
manufacturers to deliver computers that will start at the touch of a
keyboard. ACPI design is essential to take full advantage of power
management and Plug and Play.
See also: Plug
and Play
affinity
For Network Load Balancing, the method used to associate client requests to
cluster hosts. When no affinity is specified, all network requests are load
balanced across the cluster without respect to their source. Affinity is
implemented by directing all client requests from the same IP address to the
same cluster host.
See also: IP address;
client request
agent
An application that runs on a Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)
managed device. The agent application is the object of management
activities. A computer running SNMP agent software is also sometimes
referred to as an agent.
See also: service;
Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)
Alerter
service
A service used by the server and other services to notify selected users and
computers of administrative alerts that occur on a computer. The Alerter
service requires the Messenger service.
See also:
administrative alerts;
Messenger service;
service
allocation
unit
The smallest amount of disk space that can be allocated to hold a file. All
file systems used by Windows organize hard disks based on allocation units.
The smaller the allocation unit size, the more efficiently a disk stores
information. If you do not specify an allocation unit size when formatting
the disk, Windows picks default sizes based on the size of the volume. These
default sizes are selected to reduce the amount of space that is lost and
the amount of fragmentation on the volume. An allocation unit is also called
a cluster.
See also: file system;
volume
American
Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII)
A standard single-byte character encoding scheme used for text-based data.
ASCII uses designated 7-bit or 8-bit number combinations to represent either
128 or 256 possible characters. Standard ASCII uses 7 bits to represent all
uppercase and lowercase letters, the numbers 0 through 9, punctuation marks,
and special control characters used in U.S. English. Most current x86-based
systems support the use of extended (or "high") ASCII. Extended ASCII allows
the eighth bit of each character to identify an additional 128 special
symbol characters, foreign-language letters, and graphic symbols.
See
also: Unicode
AppleTalk
The Apple Computer network architecture and network protocols. A network
that has Macintosh clients and a computer running Windows 2000 Server or
Windows NT Server with Services for Macintosh functions as an AppleTalk
network.
AppleTalk
Phase 2
The extended AppleTalk Internet model designed by Apple Computer that
supports multiple zones within a network and extended addressing capacity.
application
programming interface (API)
A set of routines that an application uses to request and carry out
lower-level services performed by a computer's operating system. These
routines usually carry out maintenance tasks such as managing files and
displaying information.
ASCII
(American Standard Code for Information Interchange)
Assistive
Technology Program
A service that provides recommendations for technology that can help people
with disabilities.
Asymmetric
Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL)
A high-bandwidth digital transmission technology that uses existing phone
lines and also allows voice transmissions over the same lines. Most of the
traffic is transmitted downstream to the user, generally at rates of 512
Kbps to about 6 Mbps.
asynchronous
communication
A form of data transmission in which information is sent and received at
irregular intervals, one character at a time. Because data is received at
irregular intervals, the receiving modem must be signaled to let it know
when the data bits of a character begin and end. This is done by means of
start and stop bits.
See also: modem
(modulator/demodulator)
Asynchronous
Transfer Mode (ATM)
A high-speed connection-oriented protocol used to transport many different
types of network traffic. ATM packages data in a 53-byte, fixed-length cell
that can be switched quickly between logical connections on a network.
See
also: protocol
ATM
adaptation layer (AAL)
The layer of the ATM protocol stack that parses data into the payload
portion of the ATM cell for transport across an ATM network.
See also:
Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)
attribute
For files, information that indicates whether a file is read-only, hidden,
ready for archiving (backing up), compressed, or encrypted, and whether the
file contents should be indexed for fast file searching.
In Active Directory, characteristics of an object and the type of
information an object can hold. For each object class, the schema defines
what attributes an instance of the class must have and what additional
attributes it might have.
audio input
device
An audio input device records music and voice input into your computer.
Examples of audio input devices are CD-ROM players and microphones.
audit policy
A policy that determines the security events to be reported to the network
administrator.
auditing
The process that tracks the activities of users by recording selected types
of events in the security log of a server or a workstation.
authentication
The process for verifying that an entity or object is who or what it claims
to be. Examples include confirming the source and integrity of information,
such as verifying a digital signature or verifying the identity of a user or
computer.
See also: smart card;
trust relationship
authoritative
For DNS, describes a DNS server hosting a zone, or a zone containing a name
or record. When a DNS server is configured to host a zone, it is said to be
authoritative for names that do exist or could exist within that zone. A DNS
server is allowed to respond authoritatively to queries for domain names for
which it is authoritative. A zone is said to be authoritative for a name if
the name exists or could exist within a zone, and it is said to be
authoritiative for a record if the owner name of the record exists or could
exist within a zone.
See also: DNS Server;
domain name;
Domain Name System (DNS); name server (NS) resource
record; start-of-authority (SOA) resource record;
zone
authoritative restore
In Backup, a type of restore operation performed on an Active Directory
domain controller in which the objects in the restored directory are treated
as authoritative, replacing (through replication) all existing copies of
those objects. Authoritative restore is applicable only to replicated system
state data such as Active Directory data and File Replication service data.
Use the Ntdsutil.exe utility to perform an authoritative restore.
See
also: Active Directory;
nonauthoritative restore
authorization
The process that determines what a user is permitted to do on a computer
system or network.
Automatic
Private IP Addressing (APIPA)
availability
A measure of the fault tolerance of a computer and its programs. A highly
available computer runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
See also:
fault tolerance
B
B-channel
A single channel of an ISDN line that is used to carry either voice or data
information. ISDN Basic Rate Interface (BRI) has 2 B-channels. ISDN Primary
Rate Interface (PRI) in North America has 23 B-channels. ISDN Primary Rate
Interface (PRI) in Europe has 30 B-channels. B-channel is also called bearer
channel.
See also:
Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)
background
The screen background image used on a graphical user interface such as
Windows. Any pattern or picture that can be stored as a bitmap (.bmp) file
can be set as a screen background.
background
program
A program that runs while the user is working on another task. The
computer's microprocessor assigns fewer resources to background programs
than foreground programs.
See also:
foreground program
backup
domain controller (BDC)
In Windows NT Server 4.0 or earlier, a computer running Windows NT Server
that receives a copy of the domain's directory database (which contains all
account and security policy information for the domain).
The copy is synchronized periodically and automatically with the master
copy on the primary domain controller (PDC). BDCs also authenticate user
logon information and can be promoted to function as PDCs as needed.
Multiple BDCs can exist in a domain. Windows NT 3.51 and 4.0 BDCs can
participate in a Windows 2000 domain when the domain is configured in mixed
mode.
See also: primary domain controller (PDC)
backup media
pool
A logical collection of data-storage media that has been reserved for use by
Microsoft Windows Backup. Backup uses Removable Storage to control access to
specific media within a library.
See also: library;
media pool;
Removable Storage
backup
operator
A type of local or global group that contains the user rights you need to
back up and restore files and folders. Members of the Backup Operators group
can back up and restore files and folders regardless of ownership,
permissions, encryption, or auditing settings.
See also:
auditing; global
group; local group;
user rights
backup set
backup set
catalog
A summary of the files and folders that have been saved in a backup set.
See also: backup set
backup types
bandwidth
In analog communications, the difference between the highest and lowest
frequencies in a given range. For example, an analog telephone line
accommodates a bandwidth of 3,000 hertz (Hz), the difference between the
lowest (300 Hz) and highest (3,300 Hz) frequencies it can carry. In digital
communications, bandwidth is expressed in bits per second (bps).
See also:
bits per second (bps)
Bandwidth
Allocation Protocol (BAP)
base
priority
A precedence ranking that determines the order in which the threads of a
process are scheduled for the processor. Use Task Manager to view and change
base priorities.
For Message Queuing, a property that specifies the queue's priority in a
public queue. You can set the base priority from -32,768 to 32,767; the
default priority is 0. Private queues do not support base priority. Message
Queuing routes and delivers messages first by base priority, then by message
priority.
See also: Message Queuing;
private queue;
public queue
basic disk
A physical disk that can be accessed by MS-DOS and all Windows-based
operating systems. Basic disks can contain up to four primary partitions, or
three primary partitions and an extended partition with multiple logical
drives. If you want to create partitions that span multiple disks, you must
first convert the basic disk to a dynamic disk using Disk Management or the
Diskpart.exe command-line utility.
See also:
dynamic disk; extended partition;
logical drive; MS-DOS
(Microsoft Disk Operating System);
primary partition
basic
input/output system (BIOS)
On x86-based computers, the set of essential software routines that test
hardware at startup, start the operating system, and support the transfer of
data among hardware devices. The BIOS is stored in read-only memory (ROM) so
that it can be executed when you turn on the computer. Although critical to
performance, the BIOS is usually invisible to computer users.
See also:
Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI);
read-only memory (ROM); x86
basic
storage
basic volume
batch
program
An ASCII (unformatted text) file that contains one or more operating system
commands. A batch program's file name has a .cmd or .bat extension. When you
type the file name at the command prompt, or when the batch program is run
from another program, its commands are processed sequentially. Batch
programs are also called batch files.
See also:
American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII);
logon script
baud rate
The speed at which a modem communicates. Baud rate refers to the number of
times the condition of the line changes. This is equal to bits per second
only if each signal corresponds to one bit of transmitted data.
Modems must operate at the same baud rate in order to communicate with
each other. If the baud rate of one modem is set higher than that of the
other, the faster modem usually alters its baud rate to match that of the
slower modem.
See also: bits per second (bps);
modem (modulator/demodulator)
Berkeley
Internet Name Domain (BIND)
An implementation of DNS written and ported to most available versions of
the UNIX operating system. The Internet Software Consortium maintains the
BIND software.
See also: DNS;
BIND boot file
binary
A base-2 number system in which values are expressed as combinations of two
digits, 0 and 1.
BIND boot
file
Configuration file used by Domain Name System (DNS) servers running under
versions of the Berkeley Internet Name Domain (BIND) software
implementation. The BIND boot file is a text file, Named.boot, where
individual lines in the file list boot directives used to start a service
when the DNS server is started. By default, Microsoft DNS servers use DNS
service parameters stored in the registry, but they allow the use of a BIND
boot file as an alternative for reading boot configuration settings.
See
also: Berkeley Internet Name Domain (BIND);
registry boot
bindery
A database in Novell NetWare 3.x that contains organizational and
security information about users and groups.
BIOS
bit (binary
digit)
The smallest unit of information handled by a computer. One bit expresses a
1 or a 0 in a binary numeral, or a true or false logical condition. A group
of 8 bits makes up a byte, which can represent many types of information,
such as a letter of the alphabet, a decimal digit, or other character. Bit
is also called binary digit.
See also: binary
bits per
second (bps)
The number of bits transmitted every second, used as a measure of the speed
at which a device, such as a modem, can transfer data.
See also:
modem (modulator/demodulator)
boot
The process of starting or resetting a computer. When first turned on (cold
boot) or reset (warm boot), the computer runs the software that loads and
starts the computer's operating system, which prepares it for use.
boot files
The system files needed to start Windows. The boot files include Ntldr and
Ntdetect.com.
See also: partition
boot sector
Boot Logging
A process in which a computer that is starting (booting) creates a log file
that records the loading of each device and service. The log file is called
Ntbtlog.txt, and it is saved in the system root directory.
See also:
systemroot
boot
partition
The partition that contains the Windows operating system and its support
files. The boot partition can be, but does not have to be, the same as the
system partition.
See also: partition;
Primary disk;
system partition
boot volume
The volume that contains the Windows operating system and its support files.
The boot volume can be, but does not have to be, the same as the system
volume.
See also: system volume;
volume
BOOTP
extensions
A set of optional information types defined originally in RFC 1497 for use
with BOOTP service and later supported by DHCP. In DHCP, these extensions
form the legacy core set of client parameters available and supported by
most standard DHCP and BOOTP servers.
See also:
bootstrap protocol (BOOTP)
bootstrap
protocol (BOOTP)
broadband
Of or relating to communications systems in which the medium of transmission
(such as a wire or fiber-optic cable) carries multiple messages at a time,
each message modulated on its own carrier frequency by a modem.
broadband
connection
A high-speed connection. Broadband connections are typically 256 kilobytes
per second (KBps) or faster. Broadband includes DSL and cable modem service.
broadband
integrated services digital network (B-ISDN)
broadcast
An address that is destined for all hosts on a particular network segment.
browser
Software that interprets the markup of files in HTML, formats them into Web
pages, and displays them to the end user. Some browsers also permit end
users to send and receive
e-mail, read newsgroups, and play
sound or video files embedded in Web documents.
See also:
World Wide Web
buffer
A region of RAM reserved for use with data that is temporarily held while
waiting to be transferred between two locations, such as between an
application's data area and an input/output device.
See also:
random access memory (RAM)
built-in
groups
The default security groups installed with the operating system. Built-in
groups have been granted useful collections of rights and built-in
abilities.
In most cases, built-in groups provide all the capabilities needed by a
particular user. For example, if a domain user account belongs to the
built-in Administrators group, logging on with that account gives a user
administrative capabilities over the domain and the domain servers. To
provide a needed set of capabilities to a user account, assign it to the
appropriate built-in group.
See also: group
bus
A communication line used for data transfer among the components of a
computer system. A bus essentially allows different parts of the system to
share data. For example, a bus connects the disk-drive controller, memory,
and input/output ports to the microprocessor.
See also:
expansion slot;
universal serial bus (USB)
bytes
A unit of data that typically holds a single character, such as a letter, a
digit, or a punctuation mark. Some single characters can take up more than
one byte.
See also: bit (binary digit)
C
cable modem
A device that enables a broadband connection to the Internet by using cable
television infrastructure. Access speeds vary greatly, with a maximum
throughput of 10 megabits per second (Mbps).
cache
For DNS and WINS, a local information store of resource records for recently
resolved names of remote hosts. Typically, the cache is built dynamically as
the computer queries and resolves names. It also helps optimize the time
required to resolve queried names.
See also:
cache file; resource record (RR)
cache file
A file used by the Domain Name System (DNS) server to preload its names
cache when service is started. Also known as the root hints file because DNS
uses resource records stored in this file to help locate root servers that
provide referral to authoritative servers for remote names. For Windows DNS
servers, the cache file is named Cache.dns and is located in the
%SystemRoot%\System32\Dns
folder.
See also: authoritative;
cache; systemroot
caching
The process of temporarily storing recently used data values in a special
pool in memory for quicker subsequent access. For DNS, typically the ability
of the DNS server to store information learned about the DNS namespace
during the resolution of DNS queries. (For example, the DNS server can cache
DNS records received from other DNS servers.) Caching is also available
through the DNS Client service as a way for DNS clients to keep a cache of
information learned during recent queries.
See also:
caching resolver;
DNS Server;
Domain Name System (DNS)
caching
resolver
A client-side DNS name resolution service that performs caching of recently
learned DNS domain name information. The caching resolver service provides
system-wide access to DNS-aware programs for resource records obtained from
DNS servers during processing of name queries. Cached data is used for a
limited period of time and aged according to the active Time-to-Live (TTL)
value. You can set the TTL individually for each resource record (RR).
Otherwise, it defaults to the minimum TTL set in the SOA RR for the zone.
See also: caching;
expire interval; minimum TTL;
resolver; resource record (RR);
Time to Live (TTL)
callback
number
The number that a remote access server uses to call back a user. This number
can be preset by the administrator or specified by the user at the time of
each call, depending on how the administrator configures the user's callback
options. The callback number should be the number of the phone line to which
the user's modem is connected.
See also:
preset-to callback; remote access server;
set-by-caller callback
callback
security
A form of network security in which a remote access server calls a user back
at a preset number after the user has made an initial connection and has
been authenticated.
See also: preset-to
callback; remote access server
called
subscriber ID (CSID) string
A string that specifies the called subscriber ID transmitted by the
receiving fax machine when receiving an inbound fax. This string is usually
a combination of the fax or telephone number and the name of the business.
It is often the same as the transmitter subscriber ID.
See also:
string;
transmitting station ID (TSID)
string
canonical (CNAME)
resource record
A resource record used to map an alternate alias name to a primary canonical
DNS domain name used in the zone.
See also: resource
record (RR)
canonical
name
An object's distinguished name presented with the root first and without the
LDAP attribute tags (such as: CN=, DC=). The segments of the name are
delimited with forward slashes (/). For example,
CN=MyDocuments,OU=MyOU,DC=Microsoft,DC=Com
is presented as
microsoft.com/MyOU/MyDocuments
in canonical form.
See also: distinguished name;
Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP)
cartridge
font
A font contained in a plug-in cartridge and used to add fonts to laser,
ink-jet, or high-end dot-matrix printers. Cartridge fonts are distinguished
both from internal fonts, which are contained in ROM in the printer and are
always available, and from downloadable (soft) fonts, which reside on disk
and which can be sent to the printer as needed.
See also:
downloadable fonts;
font; font cartridge;
read-only memory (ROM)
cascading
hubs
A network configuration in which hubs are connected to other hubs.
See
also: hub
catalog
For Indexing Service, a collection of all index information and stored
properties for a particular group of file system directories. By default,
Indexing Service indexes the System and Web catalogs on your hard drive.
See also: property
CD-R
Recordable compact disc. Data can be copied to the CD on more than one
occasion; however, data cannot be erased from the CD.
CD-RW
Rewritable compact disc. Data can be copied to the CD on more than one
occasion and can be erased.
certificate
certificate
revocation list (CRL)
certificate
store
certificate
template
A Windows construct that profiles certificates (that is, it prespecifies the
format and content) based on their intended usage. When requesting a
certificate from a Windows enterprise certification authority (CA),
certificate requestors are, depending on their access rights, able to select
from a variety of certificate types that are based on certificate templates,
such as
User and
Code Signing.
See also:
certificate;
certification authority (CA)
certificate
trust list (CTL)
certification authority (CA)
An entity responsible for establishing and vouching for the authenticity of
public keys belonging to users (end entities) or other certification
authorities. Activities of a certification authority can include binding
public keys to distinguished names through signed certificates, managing
certificate serial numbers, and certificate revocation.
See also:
certificate; public
key; root authority
certification hierarchy
certification path
An unbroken chain of trust, consisting of certificates from trusted
certificate authorities, from a specific certificate to the root
certification authority in a certification hierarchy.
See also:
public key
Challenge
Handshake Authentication Protocol (CHAP)
A challenge-response authentication protocol for PPP connections documented
in RFC 1994 that uses the industry-standard Message Digest 5 (MD5) one-way
encryption scheme to hash the response to a challenge issued by the remote
access server.
channel
A path or link through which noncontrol information passes between two
devices. A single Basic Rate Interface (BRI) connection, for example, has
one physical connection but two channels for exchanging information between
devices. This is often called a bearer channel, implying a channel that
carries information.
On the Internet, a Web site designed to deliver content from the Internet
to your computer, similar to subscribing to a favorite Web site.
See also: active content;
B-channel; D-channel
CHAP
(Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol)
An authentication protocol used by Microsoft remote access and Network
Connections. Using CHAP, a remote access client can send its authentication
credentials to a remote access server in a secure form. Microsoft has
created a Windows-specific variant of CHAP called
MS-CHAP.
See also: remote access server;
remote access
character
mode
A display mode in which the monitor can display letters, numbers, and other
text characters, but no graphical images or character formatting (italics,
superscript, and so on).
checkpoints
child object
An object that resides in another object. A child object implies relation.
For example, a file is a child object that resides in a folder, which is the
parent object.
See also: object;
parent object
Class A IP
address
Class B IP
address
A unicast IP address that ranges from 128.0.0.1 through 191.255.255.254. The
first two octets indicate the network, and the last two octets indicate the
host on the network.
See also: Class A IP address;
Class C IP address; IP
address
Class C IP
address
A unicast IP address that ranges from 192.0.0.1 to 223.255.255.254. The
first three octets indicate the network, and the last octet indicates the
host on the network. Network Load Balancing provides optional session
support for Class C IP addresses (in addition to support for single IP
addresses) to accommodate clients that make use of multiple proxy servers at
the client site.
See also: Class A IP address;
Class B IP address; IP
address
classical IP
over ATM (CLIP)
clear
To turn off an option by removing the X or check mark from a check box. You
clear a check box by clicking it, or by selecting it and then pressing the
SPACEBAR.
client
Any computer or program connecting to, or requesting the services of,
another computer or program. Client can also refer to the software that
enables the computer or program to establish the connection.
For a local area network (LAN) or the Internet, a computer that uses
shared network resources provided by another computer (called a server).
See also: server
client
application
A Windows-based application that can display and store linked or embedded
objects. For distributed applications, the application that imitates a
request to a server application.
client
request
A service request from a client computer to a server computer or, for
Network Load Balancing, a cluster of computers. Network Load Balancing
forwards each client request to a specific host within the cluster according
to the system administrator's load-balancing policy.
See also:
client; cluster;
host; load balancing;
server
ClipBook
Server
A system service that supports ClipBook Viewer, which allows pages to be
seen by remote ClipBooks.
cluster
In data storage, the smallest amount of disk space that can be allocated to
hold a file. All file systems used by Windows organize hard disks based on
clusters, which consist of one or more contiguous sectors. The smaller the
cluster size, the more efficiently a disk stores information. If no cluster
size is specified during formatting, Windows picks defaults based on the
size of the volume. These defaults are selected to reduce the amount of
space that is lost and the amount of fragmentation on the volume. A cluster
is also called an allocation unit.
In computer networking, a group of independent computers that work
together to provide a common set of services and present a single-system
image to clients. The use of a cluster enhances the availability of the
services and the scalability and manageability of the operating system that
provides the services.
See also: availability;
client; file
system; scalability;
volume
cluster
adapter
The adapter that, when using multiple network adapters in each host of a
Network Load Balancing cluster, handles the network traffic for cluster
operations (the traffic for all hosts in the cluster). This adapter is
programmed with the host's cluster IP address.
See also:
cluster;
dedicated adapter; IP address
Cluster
Administrator
An application that is used to configure a cluster and its nodes, groups,
and resources. Cluster Administrator can run on any member of the trusted
domain regardless of whether the computer is a cluster node.
See also:
cluster; Cluster.exe;
server cluster
Cluster
Administrator extension
Cluster API
A collection of functions that are implemented by the cluster software and
used by a cluster-aware client or server application, a cluster management
application, or a Resource DLL. The Cluster API is used to manage the
cluster, cluster objects, and the cluster database.
See also:
cluster; Resource DLL;
server cluster
cluster disk
A disk on a shared bus connected to the cluster nodes, which all the cluster
nodes can access (though not at the same time).
Cluster
service
The essential software component that controls all aspects of server cluster
operation and manages the cluster database. Each node in a server cluster
runs one instance of the Cluster service.
See also:
cluster; server cluster
cluster-aware application
cluster-unaware application
Cluster.exe
An alternative to using Cluster Administrator to administer clusters from
the command prompt. You can also call Cluster.exe from command scripts to
automate many cluster administration tasks.
See also:
Cluster Administrator;
cluster
Cmd Show
Override, with
When checked, opens the DDE server application as specified by the integer
in
value. Possible values are 1 (normal), 2 (minimized), 3
(maximized), and 10 (application default).
When cleared, the DDE server application opens.
CMYK color
space
Multidimensional color space consisting of the cyan, magenta, yellow, and
black intensities that make up a given color. Commercial color printing
devices generally use this system of four-color process inks.
See also:
color management;
color space
code page
A means of providing support for character sets and keyboard layouts for
different countries or regions. A code page is a table that relates the
binary character codes used by a program to keys on the keyboard or to
characters on the display.
codec
Hardware that can convert audio or video signals between analog and digital
forms (coder/decoder); hardware or software that can compress and uncompress
audio or video data (compression/decompression); or the combination of
coder/decoder and compression/decompression. Generally, a codec compresses
uncompressed digital data so that the data uses less memory.
color depth
The number of colors per pixel your monitor and graphics adapter support.
color gamut
The particular range of colors that a device is able to produce. A device
such as a scanner, monitor, or printer can produce a unique range of colors,
which is determined by the characteristics of the device itself.
See also:
color profile;
rendering intent
color
management
Process of producing accurate, consistent color among a variety of input and
output devices. A color management system (CMS) maps colors between devices
such as scanners, monitors, and printers; transforms colors from one color
space to another (for example, RGB to CMYK); and provides accurate on-screen
or print previews.
See also: CMYK color
space; RGB color space
color
profile
A profile that contains the data needed for translating the values of a
color gamut. This data includes information about color, hue, saturation,
and brightness.
See also: color gamut;
hue; saturation
color space
A set of three values that defines how a color can be represented on
computer devices such as monitors, scanners, and printers. For example, in
the LAB color space, the terms luminance or whiteness (L), redness-greenness
(A), and yellowness-blueness (B) are used; in the HVC system, the terms are
hue (H), value (V), and chroma (C). Color space refers to the
three-dimensional space that is defined by the respective values, such as L,
A, and B.
See also: CMYK color space;
color space;
RGB color space
command
prompt window
A window displayed on the desktop used to interface with the
MS-DOS
operating system.
MS-DOS commands are typed at an entry point
identified by a blinking cursor.
See also: MS-DOS
(Microsoft Disk Operating System)
common
groups
Groups that appear in the program list on the
Start menu for all
users who log on to the computer. Only administrators can create or change
common groups.
See also: group
communication port
communication settings
community
name
A name used to group SNMP hosts. This name is placed in SNMP messages sent
between SNMP-managed devices such as Windows 2000-based server computers and
SNMP management stations. Typically, all hosts belong to Public, which is
the standard name for a common community of all SNMP hosts.
See also:
Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP);
trap
compatibility mode
A feature of a computer or operating system that allows it to run programs
written for a different system. Programs often run slower in compatibility
mode.
Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS)
A specific type of semiconductor technology that requires very little power.
The term has been popularized to mean a small storage area where your system
keeps track of certain hardware parameters, such as the size of your hard
disk, the number of serial ports your computer has, etc. CMOS is also called
Setup RAM.
Compression
Control Protocol (CCP)
computer
account
An account that is created by a domain administrator and uniquely identifies
the computer on the domain. The Windows computer account matches the name of
the computer joining the domain.
See also: domain
computer
administrator
A user who manages a computer. The computer administrator makes system-wide
changes to the computer, including installing programs and accessing all
files on the computer, and can create, change and delete the accounts of
other users.
Computer
Browser service
A service that maintains an up-to-date list of computers and provides the
list to applications when requested. The Computer Browser service provides
the computer lists displayed in the
My Network Places,
Select
Computer, and
Select Domain dialog boxes and (for Windows 2000
Server only) in the Server Manager window.
See also:
service
Computer
Management
A component you can use to view and control many aspects of the computer
configuration. Computer Management combines several administration utilities
into a single console tree, providing easy access to a local or remote
computers administrative properties and tools.
computer
quota
For Message Queuing, the storage size limit for messages on a computer,
based on the total size of the messages. When a computer quota is reached,
Message Queuing can no longer send messages to that computer until one or
more messages are removed from queues. Message Queuing enforces the computer
quota before it enforces the queue quota on a computer.
See also:
Message Queuing;
queue quota
connect
To assign a drive letter, port, or computer name to a shared resource so
that you can use it.
See also: shared
resource
connected,
authenticating user
A user's status when a telephone connection has been established but
authentication has not yet taken place. The user may be trying to prove
security clearance, or the system may be idle. If this condition occurs,
followed by the Waiting for Call phase, then the user was unable to provide
a correct user name or password. If this phase is repeated, followed by the
Waiting for Call phase, an unauthorized attempt to access the network may be
under way.
See also: authentication;
Waiting for Call
connected,
user authenticated
A user's status when a telephone connection has been established and the
user has entered a correct user name and password. If the user has callback
permission and has requested callback, the connection is followed by the
calling-back phase. If the calling-back phase is followed by a
waiting-for-call phase, then the server was unable to reach the user at the
specified number. The user may have supplied an inaccurate callback number
(in the case of set-by-caller callback), or an unauthorized attempt to
access the network may be under way (in the case of preset-to callback).
See also: preset-to callback;
set-by-caller callback
connector
application
connector
queue
For Message Queuing, a queue created on servers running a connector
application. You can use the connector application to exchange messages with
computers that are running other message-queuing products.
See also:
connector application;
foreign computer;
Message Queuing
console tree
The left pane in a Microsoft Management Console (MMC) that displays the
items contained in the console. By default it is the left pane of a console
window, but it can be hidden. The items in the console tree and their
hierarchical organization determine the capabilities of a console.
See
also: Microsoft Management Console (MMC)
constant bit
rate (CBR)
An ATM service type that supports constant bandwidth allocation. This
service type is used for voice and video transmissions that require little
or no cell loss and rigorous timing controls during transmission.
See
also: Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)
container
object
An object that can logically contain other objects. For example, a folder is
a container object.
See also:
noncontainer object; object
convergence
The process of stabilizing a system after changes occur in the network. For
routing, if a route becomes unavailable, routers send update messages
throughout the internetwork, reestablishing information about preferred
routes.
For Network Load Balancing, a process by which hosts exchange messages to
determine a new, consistent state of the cluster and to elect the host with
the highest host priority, known as the default host. During convergence, a
new load distribution is determined for hosts that share the handling of
network traffic for specific TCP or UDP ports.
See also: cluster;
default host; host;
User Datagram Protocol (UDP)
copy backup
A backup that copies all selected files but does not mark each file as
having been backed up (in other words, the archive attribute is not
cleared). Copying is useful if you want to back up files between normal and
incremental backups because copying does not affect these other backup
operations.
See also: daily backup;
differential backup;
incremental backup;
normal backup
count limit
For Process Control, the maximum number of active processes in a process
group. You can configure this in the Process Control snap-in.
CPU Time
In Task Manager, the total processor time, in seconds, used by a process
since it started.
See also: Task Manager
CPU Usage
In Task Manager, the percentage of time that a process used the CPU since
the last update. On the
Task Manager Process tab, the column heading
is
CPU.
See also: Task Manager
crash
consistency
A feature of shadow copy backups that ensures all files are backed up,
regardless of their state.
See also: volume
shadow copy
CRC errors
Errors caused by the failure of a cyclic redundancy check. A CRC error
indicates that one or more characters in the data packet received were found
garbled on arrival.
credentials
A set of information that includes identification and proof of
identification that is used to gain access to local and network resources.
Examples of credentials are user names and passwords, smart cards, and
certificates.
CRL
distribution point
cross-reference object
CryptoAPI
An application programming interface (API) that is provided as part of
Microsoft Windows. CryptoAPI provides a set of functions that allow
applications to encrypt or digitally sign data in a flexible manner while
providing protection for the user's sensitive private key data. Actual
cryptographic operations are performed by independent modules known as
cryptographic service providers (CSPs).
See also:
application programming interface (API);
cryptographic service provider (CSP); private
key
cryptographic service provider (CSP)
The code that performs authentication, encoding, and encryption services
that Windows-based applications access through the CryptoAPI. A CSP is
responsible for creating keys, destroying them, and using them to perform a
variety of cryptographic operations. Each CSP provides a different
implementation of the CryptoAPI. Some provide stronger cryptographic
algorithms, while others contain hardware components, such as smart cards.
See also: smart card;
CryptoAPI; service
cryptography
The processes, art, and science of keeping messages and data secure.
Cryptography is used to enable and ensure confidentiality, data integrity,
authentication (entity and data origin), and nonrepudiation.
custom file
type
Typically, files with extensions that have been created for special kinds of
files. Custom file types are not tracked by the system registry.
See also:
registry
D
D-channel
A separate channel of an ISDN line that is used for ISDN signaling. For ISDN
Basic Rate Interface (BRI), the D-channel is 16 kilobits per second (Kbps).
For ISDN Primary Rate Interface (PRI), the D-channel is 64 Kbps. D-channel
is also called data channel.
See also:
Integrated Services
Digital Network (ISDN); switch type
daily backup
Data
Communications Equipment (DCE)
One of two types of hardware connected by an RS-232-C serial connection, the
other being a Data Terminal Equipment (DTE) device. A DCE is an intermediary
device that often transforms input from a DTE before sending it to a
recipient. A modem, for example, is a DCE that modulates data from a
microcomputer (DTE) and sends it along a telephone connection.
See also:
Data Terminal Equipment (DTE);
RS-232-C standard
Data Link
Control (DLC)
An address that uniquely identifies a node on a network. Every network
adapter has a DLC address or DLC identifier (DLCI). Some network protocols,
such as Ethernet and Token Ring, use DLC addresses exclusively. Other
protocols, such as TCP/IP, use a logical address at the OSI Network layer to
identify nodes.
However, all network addresses must eventually be translated to DLC
addresses. In TCP/IP networks, this translation is performed by the Address
Resolution Protocol (ARP).
See also: Address Resolution Protocol (ARP);
Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) reference model
data packet
A unit of information transmitted as a whole from one device to another on a
network.
Data
Terminal Equipment (DTE)
data-overrun
error
A state in which the sending computer is transmitting characters faster than
the receiving computer can accommodate them. If this problem persists,
reduce the bits-per-second (bps) rate.
See also:
bits per second (bps)
datagram
One packet, or unit, of information that includes relevant delivery
information, such as the destination address, that is sent through a
packet-switching network.
See also: packet
dead-letter
queue
For Message Queuing, a queue that stores nontransactional messages that are
undeliverable or expired. These queues store failed messages on the computer
on which the message expired. Messages in these queues are written to disk
and are therefore recoverable.
See also:
transaction dead-letter
queue; transactional message
debugger
A program designed to aid in detecting, locating, and correcting errors in
another program by allowing the programmer to step through the program,
examine the data, and monitor conditions such as the values of variables.
dedicated
adapter
The network adapter that, when using multiple network adapters in each host
of a Network Load Balancing cluster, handles network traffic not related to
cluster operations (the traffic for individual hosts on the network). This
adapter is programmed with the host's dedicated IP address.
See also:
cluster adapter;
IP address
default
button
In some dialog boxes, the command button that is selected or highlighted
when the dialog box is initially displayed. The default button has a bold
border, indicating that it will be chosen automatically if you press ENTER.
You can override a default button by clicking Cancel or another
command button.
default
gateway
A configuration item for the TCP/IP protocol that is the IP address of a
directly reachable IP router. Configuring a default gateway creates a
default route in the IP routing table.
default host
default
network
In the Macintosh environment, the physical network on which the processes of
a server reside as nodes and on which the server appears to users. The
default network of the server must be one to which that server is attached.
Only servers on AppleTalk Phase 2 internets have default networks.
See
also: internet
default
printer
The printer to which a computer sends documents if you select the
Print
command without first specifying which printer you want to use with a
program. You can have only one default printer; it should be the printer you
use most often.
See also: printer
default user
The profile that serves as a basis for all user profiles. Every user profile
begins as a copy of the default user profile.
default zone
The zone to which all Macintosh clients on the network are assigned by
default.
See also: zone
defragmentation
The process of rewriting parts of a file to contiguous sectors on a hard
disk to increase the speed of access and retrieval. When files are updated,
the computer tends to save these updates on the largest continuous space on
the hard disk, which is often on a different sector than the other parts of
the file. When files are thus fragmented, the computer must search the hard
disk each time the file is opened to find all of the file's parts, which
slows down response time.
See also:
fragmentation
delegation
The ability to assign responsibility for management and administration of a
portion of the namespace to another user, group, or organization.
For DNS, a name service record in the parent zone that lists the name
server authoritative for the delegated zone.
See also: Domain Name System (DNS)
denial-of-service attack
An attack in which an attacker exploits a weakness or a design limitation of
a network service to overload or halt the service, so that the service is
not available for use. This type of attack is typically launched to prevent
other users from using a network service such as a Web server or a file
server.
dependency
A relationship of reliance between two resources that makes it necessary for
them to run in the same group on the same node. For example, an application
is dependent on the disks that contain its data resources.
See also:
resource
dependency
tree
A diagram for visualizing the dependency relationships between resources.
See also: dependency;
resource
dependent
client
For Message Queuing, a computer that requires synchronous access to a
Message Queuing server to perform all standard message queuing operations,
such as sending and receiving messages and creating queues.
See also:
independent client;
Message Queuing server
descendent
key
All the subkeys that appear when a key in the registry is expanded. A
descendent key is the same as a subkey.
See also:
key; subkey
desired zone
The zone in which AppleTalk network integration appears on the network.
See also: default zone;
zone
desktop
The on-screen work area on which windows, icons, menus, and dialog boxes
appear.
desktop
pattern
A design that appears across your desktop. You can create your own pattern
or select a pattern provided by Windows.
See also:
desktop
destination
document
The document into which a package or a linked or embedded object is being
inserted. For an embedded object, this is sometimes also called the
container document.
See also: embedded
object
details pane
The pane in the Microsoft Management Console (MMC) that displays the details
for the selected item in the console tree. The details can be a list of
items or they can be administrative properties, services, and events that
are acted on by a snap-in.
See also: Microsoft
Management Console (MMC); service;
snap-in
device
Any piece of equipment that can be attached to a network or computer; for
example, a computer, printer, joystick, adapter, or modem card, or any other
peripheral equipment. Devices normally require a device driver to function
with
Windows.
See also: device
driver; peripheral
device
conflict
device
driver
A program that allows a specific device, such as a modem, network adapter,
or printer, to communicate with the operating system. Although a device
might be installed on your system, Windows cannot use the device until you
have installed and configured the appropriate driver.
If a device is listed in the Hardware Compatibility List (HCL), a driver
is usually included with Windows. Device drivers load automatically (for all
enabled devices) when a computer is started, and thereafter run invisibly.
device fonts
Fonts that reside in your printer. They can be built into the printer itself
or provided by a font cartridge or font card.
See also:
font; font cartridge;
printer fonts
Device
Manager
An administrative tool that you can use to manage the devices on your
computer. Using Device Manager, you can view and change device properties,
update device drivers, configure device settings, and uninstall devices.
See also: device;
uninstall
DFS link
An element in the Distributed File System (DFS) namespace that lies below
the root and maps to one or more targets, each of which corresponds to a
shared folder or another DFS root.
See also: DFS
root; domain DFS
DFS root
The starting point of the Distributed File System (DFS) namespace. The root
is often used to refer to the namespace as a whole. A root maps to one or
more root targets, each of which corresponds to a shared folder on a server.
See also: DFS link
DFS topology
The overall logical hierarchy of the Distributed File System (DFS),
including elements such as roots, links, shared folders, and replica sets,
as depicted in the DFS administrative console. This is not to be confused
with the DFS namespace, which is the logical view of shared resources seen
by users.
See also: DFS link;
DFS root; domain DFS
DHCP client
DHCP option
Address configuration parameters that a DHCP service assigns to clients.
Most DHCP options are predefined, based on optional parameters defined in
Request for Comments (RFC) 1542, although extended options can be added by
vendors or users.
See also: Dynamic Host Configuration
Protocol (DHCP); service
DHCP server
DHCP service
resource
DHCP/BOOTP
Relay Agent
The agent program or component responsible for relaying DHCP and BOOTP
broadcast messages between a DHCP server and a client across an IP router. A
DHCP relay agent supports DHCP/BOOTP message relay as defined in RFCs 1541
and 2131. The DHCP Relay Agent service is managed using the Routing and
Remote Access service.
See also: DHCP server;
bootstrap protocol (BOOTP);
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)
dial
location
The country code, area code, and specific dialing requirements for the place
you are dialing from. Once you have created a dial location, you can select
it to apply the dialing requirements to all your calls. To change dialing
locations, select or create a different one.
dial-up
connection
The connection to your network if you are using a device that uses the
telephone network. This includes modems with a standard phone line, ISDN
cards with high-speed ISDN lines, or X.25 networks.
If you are a typical user, you may have one or two dial-up connections,
for example, to the Internet and to your corporate network. In a more
complex server situation, multiple network modem connections might be used
to implement advanced routing.
See also:
Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN);
modem (modulator/demodulator)
dialog box
A secondary window that contains buttons and various kinds of options
through which you can carry out a particular command or task.
dictionary
attack
A method of guessing a user's password or PIN by trying every word in the
dictionary until successful.
differential
backup
A backup that copies files created or changed since the last normal or
incremental backup. It does not mark files as having been backed up (in
other words, the archive attribute is not cleared). If you are performing a
combination of normal and differential backups, restoring files and folders
requires that you have the last normal as well as the last differential
backup.
See also: copy backup;
daily backup;
incremental backup;
normal backup
differential
data
Saved copies of changed data that can be applied to an original volume to
generate a volume shadow copy.
See also: volume;
volume shadow copy
digital
signature
A means for originators of a message, file, or other digitally encoded
information to bind their identity to the information. The process of
digitally signing information entails transforming the information, as well
as some secret information held by the sender, into a tag called a
signature. Digital signatures are used in public key environments, and they
provide nonrepudiation and integrity services.
See also:
Digital Signature Standard (DSS);
service; time stamp
Digital
Signature Standard (DSS)
A standard that uses the Digital Signature Algorithm (DSA) for its signature
algorithm and SHA-1 as its message hash algorithm. DSA is a public-key
cipher that is used only to generate digital signatures and cannot be used
for data encryption.
See also: digital
signature; Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA-1)
Digital
Subscriber Line (DSL)
A type of high-speed Internet connection using standard telephone wires.
This is also referred to as a broadband connection.
digital
video disc (DVD)
A type of optical disc storage technology. A digital video disc (DVD) looks
like a CD-ROM disc, but it can store greater amounts of data. DVDs are often
used to store full-length movies and other multimedia content that requires
large amounts of storage space.
See also: DVD
decoder; DVD drive
direct cable
connection
A link between the I/O ports of two computers created with a single cable
rather than a modem or other interfacing devices. In most cases, a direct
cable connection is made with a null modem cable.
See also:
input/output (I/O) port;
null modem cable
direct
memory access (DMA)
Memory access that does not involve the microprocessor. DMA is frequently
used for data transfer directly between memory and a peripheral device such
as a disk drive.
See also: hardware
configuration
directory
partition
A contiguous subtree of the directory that forms a unit of replication.
A given replica is always a replica of some directory partition. The
directory always has at least three directory partitions:
- The schema, which defines the object classes and attributes contained
in Active Directory.
- The configuration, which identifies the domain controllers,
replication topology and other related information about the domain
controllers within a specific implementation of Active Directory.
- One or more domains that contain the actual directory object data.
A domain controller always stores the partitions for the schema,
configuration, and its own (and no other) domain. The schema and
configuration are replicated to every domain controller in the domain tree
or forest. The domain is replicated only to domain controllers for that
domain. A subset of the attributes for all domain objects is replicated to
the global catalog.
See also: Active Directory;
attribute; domain;
replica; replication
directory
service
Both the directory information source and the service that make the
information available and usable. A directory service enables the user to
find an object given any one of its attributes.
DirectX
An extension of the Microsoft Windows operating system. DirectX technology
helps games and other programs use the advanced multimedia capabilites of
your hardware.
disable
To make a device nonfunctional. For example, if you disable a device in a
hardware configuration, you cannot use the device when your computer uses
that hardware configuration. Disabling a device frees the resources that
were allocated to the device.
See also: enable;
hardware configuration
discretionary access control list (DACL)
The part of an object's security descriptor that grants or denies specific
users and groups permission to access the object. Only the owner of an
object can change permissions granted or denied in a DACL; thus, access to
the object is at the owner's discretion.
See also:
distribution group;
object;
security descriptor; security group
disk
disk
configuration information
dismount
To remove a removable tape or disc from a drive.
See also:
library; mount
display
adapter
distinguished name
A name that uniquely identifies an object by using the relative
distinguished name for the object, plus the names of container objects and
domains that contain the object. The distinguished name identifies the
object as well as its location in a tree. Every object in Active Directory
has a distinguished name. A typical distinguished name might be
CN=MyName,CN=Users,DC=Microsoft,DC=Com
This identifies the MyName user object in the microsoft.com domain.
See also: Active Directory;
domain; object
distribution
group
A group that is used solely for e-mail distribution and that is not
security-enabled. Distribution groups cannot be listed in discretionary
access control lists (DACLs) used to define permissions on resources and
objects. Distribution groups can be used only with e-mail applications (such
as Microsoft Exchange) to send e-mail to collections of users. If you do not
need a group for security purposes, create a distribution group instead of a
security group.
See also:
discretionary access control list (DACL);
security group
DLL
DNS
DNS Server
A service that maintains information about a portion of the Domain Name
System (DNS) database and responds to and resolves DNS queries. A computer
running this service is also known as a DNS server.
See also: Domain Name System (DNS)
DNS suffix
For DNS, a character string that represents a domain name. The DNS suffix
shows where a host is located relative to the DNS root, specifying a host?s
location in the DNS hierarchy. Usually, DNS suffix describes the latter
portion of a DNS name, following one or more of the first labels of a DNS
name.
dock
docking
station
A unit for housing a portable computer that contains a power connection,
expansion slots, and connections to peripherals, such as a monitor, printer,
full-sized keyboard, and mouse. The docking station turns the portable
computer into a desktop computer.
See also: dock;
hot docking; undock
document
Any self-contained piece of work created with an application program and, if
saved on disk, given a unique file name by which it can be retrieved.
See
also: filter;
property cache
domain
A group of computers that are part of a network and share a common directory
database. A domain is administered as a unit with common rules and
procedures. Each domain has a unique name.
An Active Directory domain is a collection of computers defined by the
administrator of a Windows network. These computers share a common directory
database, security policies, and security relationships with other domains.
An Active Directory domain provides access to the centralized user accounts
and group accounts maintained by the domain administrator. An Active
Directory forest is made up of one or more domains, each of which can span
more than one physical location.
A DNS domain is any tree or subtree within the DNS namespace. Although
the names for DNS domains often correspond to Active Directory domains, DNS
domains should not be confused with Active Directory domains.
See also: Active Directory;
Domain Name System (DNS)
domain
controller
In a Windows domain environment, a computer running Active Directory that
manages user access to a network, which includes logging on, authentication,
and access to the directory and shared resources.
See also:
Active Directory;
authentication;
shared resource
domain
controller locator (Locator)
An algorithm that runs in the context of the Net Logon service and that
finds domain controllers on a Windows 2000 network. Locator can find domain
controllers by using DNS names (for IP/DNS-compatible computers) or by using
NetBIOS names (for computers that are running Windows 3.x, Windows for
Workgroups, Windows NT 3.5 or later, Windows 95, or Windows 98, or it can be
used on a network where IP transport is not available).
domain DFS
An implementation of DFS in which DFS topological information is stored in
Active Directory. Because this information is made available on multiple
domain controllers in the domain, domain DFS provides fault-tolerance for
any distributed file system in the domain.
See also:
DFS topology;
fault tolerance
domain local
group
A security or distribution group that can contain universal groups, global
groups, and accounts from any domain in the domain tree or forest. A domain
local group can also contain other domain local groups from its own domain.
Rights and permissions can be assigned only at the domain containing the
group.
See also: distribution group;
domain tree; forest;
global group;
security group; universal group
domain name
The name given by an administrator to a collection of networked computers
that share a common directory. Part of the Domain Name System (DNS) naming
structure, domain names consist of a sequence of name labels separated by
periods.
See also: domain;
Domain Name System (DNS);
label; namespace
Domain Name
System (DNS)
domain
namespace
domain
naming master
domain of
origin
The parent DNS domain name that is used to root either a zone or a resource
record within a zone. This name is joined to the end of unqualified or
relative domain names to form a fully qualified domain name (FQDN) within
the zone. In DNS Manager, the domain of origin will correspond to
Zone
name as it appears in the Add Zone Wizard or the name that appears in
the
Parent domain name field for any resource records created within
the zone.
See also: domain;
domain name;
Domain Name System (DNS); fully qualified domain
name (FQDN); relative name;
resource record (RR)
domain tree
In DNS, the inverted hierarchical tree structure that is used to index
domain names. Domain trees are similar in purpose and concept to the
directory trees used by computer filing systems for disk storage.
For example, when numerous files are stored on disk, directories can be
used to organize the files into logical collections. When a domain tree has
one or more branches, each branch can organize domain names used in the
namespace into logical collections.
In Active Directory, a hierarchical structure of one or more domains,
connected by transitive, bidirectional trusts, that forms a contiguous
namespace. Multiple domain trees may belong to the same forest.
See also: Active Directory;
domain; transitive
trust; two-way trust;
domain name;
Domain Name System (DNS); forest;
namespace
dots per
inch (DPI)
The standard used to measure screen and printer resolution, expressed as the
number of dots that a device can display or print per linear inch. The
greater the number of dots per inch, the better the resolution.
double-byte
characters
A set of characters in which each character is represented by two bytes.
Some languages, such as Japanese, Chinese, and Korean, require double-byte
character sets.
downloadable
fonts
A set of characters stored on disk and sent (downloaded) to a printer's
memory when needed for printing a document. Downloadable fonts are most
commonly used with laser printers and other page printers, although many
dot-matrix printers can accept some of them. Downloadable fonts are also
called soft fonts.
See also: font;
font cartridge;
PostScript fonts
drag
To move an item on the screen by selecting the item and then pressing and
holding down the mouse button while moving the mouse. For example, you can
move a window to another location on the screen by dragging its title bar.
drain
For Network Load Balancing, a command that disables new traffic handling for
the rule whose port range contains the specified port. All ports specified
by the port rule are affected.
See also: cluster;
drainstop; port;
port rule
drainstop
For Network Load Balancing, a command that disables all new traffic handling
on the specified hosts. The hosts then enter draining mode to complete
existing connections.
While draining, hosts remain in the cluster and stop their cluster
operations when there are no more active connections. To terminate draining
mode, explicitly stop cluster mode with the stop command, or restart
new traffic handling with the start command. To drain connections
from a specific port, use the drain command.
See also: drain; host
drive
An area of storage that is formatted with a file system and has a drive
letter. The storage can be a floppy disk, a CD, a hard disk, or another type
of disk. You can view the contents of a drive by clicking its icon in
Windows Explorer or My Computer.
See also: drive
letter; file system;
volume
drive letter
The naming convention for disk drives on IBM and compatible computers.
Drives are named by letter, beginning with A, followed by a colon.
See
also: drive
drop folder
In the Macintosh environment, a folder for which you have the Make Changes
permission but not the See Files or See Folders permission. You can copy
files into a drop folder, but you cannot see what files and subfolders the
drop folder contains.
See also: Make Changes
dual boot
duplex
A system capable of transmitting information in both directions over a
communications channel.
See also: full-duplex;
half-duplex
DVD decoder
DVD drive
A disk storage device that uses digital video disc (DVD) technology. A DVD
drive reads both CD-ROM and DVDs; however, you must have a DVD decoder to
display DVD movies on your computer screen.
See also:
DVD decoder; digital
video disc (DVD)
DWORD
A data type composed of hexadecimal data with a maximum allotted space of 4
bytes.
dynamic data
exchange (DDE)
A form of interprocess communication (IPC) implemented in the Microsoft
Windows family of operating systems. Two or more programs that support
dynamic data exchange (DDE) can exchange information and commands.
See
also: Network DDE service
dynamic disk
A physical disk that can be accessed only by Windows 2000 and Windows XP.
Dynamic disks provide features that basic disks do not, such as support for
volumes that span multiple disks. Dynamic disks use a hidden database to
track information about dynamic volumes on the disk and other dynamic disks
in the computer. You convert basic disks to dynamic by using the Disk
Management snap-in or the DiskPart command line utility. When you convert a
basic disk to dynamic, all existing basic volumes become dynamic volumes.
See also: active volume;
basic disk; basic
volume; dynamic volume;
volume
Dynamic Host
Configuration Protocol (DHCP)
A TCP/IP service protocol that offers dynamic leased configuration of host
IP addresses and distributes other configuration parameters to eligible
network clients. DHCP provides safe, reliable, and simple TCP/IP network
configuration, prevents address conflicts, and helps conserve the use of
client IP addresses on the network.
DHCP uses a client/server model where the DHCP server maintains
centralized management of IP addresses that are used on the network. DHCP-supporting
clients can then request and obtain lease of an IP address from a DHCP
server as part of their network boot process.
See also: IP address;
service;
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP);
lease
dynamic
storage
A storage method in Windows that allows disk and volume management without
requiring operating system restart.
See also:
basic storage
dynamic
update
An updated specification to the Domain Name System (DNS) standard that
permits hosts that store name information in DNS to dynamically register and
update their records in zones maintained by DNS servers that can accept and
process dynamic update messages.
See also: DNS
Server; Domain Name System (DNS);
host; zone
dynamic
volume
dynamic-link
library (DLL)
An operating system feature that allows executable routines (generally
serving a specific function or set of functions) to be stored separately as
files with .dll extensions. These routines are loaded only when needed by
the program that calls them.
See also: Resource
DLL
E
EFI
EFI system
partition
embedded
object
Information created in another program that has been pasted inside your
document. When information is embedded, you can edit the information in the
new document using toolbars and menus from the original program.
To edit the embedded information, double-click it and the toolbars and
menus from the program used to create the information appear. Embedded
information is not linked to the original source. If you change information
in one place, it is not updated in the other.
See also: OLE;
package; source
document
emulated
local area network (ELAN)
enable
To make a device functional. For example, if a device in your hardware
configuration settings is enabled, the device is available for use when your
computer uses that hardware configuration.
See also:
disable;
hardware configuration
encapsulated
PostScript (EPS) file
A file that prints at the highest possible resolution for your printer. An
EPS file may print faster than other graphical representations. Some
Windows-based and non-Windows-based graphical programs can import EPS files.
See also: PostScript
encrypted
password
A password that is scrambled. Encrypted passwords are more secure than
plaintext passwords, which are susceptible to network sniffers.
See also:
encryption
Encrypting
File System (EFS)
A feature in this version of Windows that enables users to encrypt files and
folders on an NTFS volume disk to keep them safe from access by intruders.
See also: NTFS file system;
recovery agent
encryption
enhanced
small device interface (ESDI)
A standard that can be used with high-capacity hard disks, floppy disk
drives, and tape drives to allow these devices to communicate with a
computer at high speeds.
environment
variable
A string consisting of environment information, such as a drive, path, or
file name, associated with a symbolic name that can be used by Windows. You
use System in Control Panel or the
set command from the command
prompt to define environment variables.
See also:
string; variable
error
detection
A technique for detecting when data is lost during transmission. This allows
the software to recover lost data by notifying the transmitting computer
that it needs to retransmit the data.
Ethernet
An IEEE 802.3 standard for contention networks. Ethernet uses a bus or star
topology and relies on the form of access known as Carrier Sense Multiple
Access with Collision Detection (CSMA/DC) to regulate communication line
traffic. Network nodes are linked by coaxial cable, fiber-optic cable, or by
twisted-pair wiring. Data is transmitted in variable-length frames
containing delivery and control information and up to 1,500 bytes of data.
The Ethernet standard provides for baseband transmission at 10 megabits (10
million bits) per second.
event
Any significant occurrence in the system or an application that requires
users to be notified or an entry to be added to a log.
Event Log
service
A service that records events in the system, security, and application logs.
The Event Log service is located in Event Viewer.
See also:
Event Viewer; event;
service
event
logging
The process of recording an audit entry in the audit trail whenever certain
events occur, such as services starting and stopping, or users logging on
and off and accessing resources. You can use Event Viewer to review
AppleTalk network integration events as well as Windows events.
See also:
event; service
Event Viewer
A component you can use to view and manage event logs, gather information
about hardware and software problems, and monitor security events. Event
Viewer maintains logs about program, security, and system events.
See
also: event; event
logging
everyone
category
In the Macintosh environment, one of the user categories to which you assign
permissions for a folder. Permissions granted to everyone apply to all users
who use the server, including guests.
See also:
permission
expanded
memory
Type of memory that can be added to IBM personal computers. The use of
expanded memory is defined by the Expanded Memory Specification (EMS), which
supports memory boards containing RAM that can be enabled or disabled by
software.
See also: extended memory
expansion
slot
A socket in a computer, designed to hold expansion boards and connect them
to the system bus.
See also: bus
expire
interval
explicit
permissions
Permissions on an object that are automatically assigned when the object is
created, or specifically assigned or changed by the owner of the object.
See also: permission;
object
express
message
For Message Queuing, a message that uses fewer resources and is faster than
a recoverable message. However, because express messages are mapped to
memory, they are lost if the computer storing them fails.
See also:
recoverable message
extended
characters
Any of the 128 additional characters in the extended ASCII (8-bit) character
set. These characters include those in several non-English languages, such
as accent marks, and special symbols used for creating pictures.
extended
memory
Memory beyond one megabyte in 80286, 80386, 80486, and Pentium computers.
See also: expanded memory
extended
partition
A type of partition that you can create only on basic master boot record (MBR)
disks. Extended partitions are useful if you want to create more than four
volumes on a basic MBR disk. Unlike primary partitions, you do not format an
extended partition with a file system and then assign a drive letter to it.
Instead, you create one or more logical drives within the extended
partition. After you create a logical drive, you format it and assign it a
drive letter. An MBR disk can have up to four primary partitions, or three
primary partitions, one extended partition, and multiple logical drives.
See also: basic disk;
drive letter; logical drive;
master boot record (MBR);
partition; primary partition;
volume
Extensible
Authentication Protocol (EAP)
Extensible
Firmware Interface (EFI)
In computers with the Intel Itanium processor, the interface between a
computer's firmware, hardware, and the operating system. The Extensible
Firmware Interface (EFI) defines a new partition style called GUID partition
table (GPT). EFI serves the same purpose for Itanium-based computers as the
BIOS found in x86-based computers. However, it has expanded capabilities
that provide a consistent way to start any compatible operating system and
an easy way to add EFI drivers for new bootable devices without the need to
update the computer's firmware.
See also: basic
input/output system (BIOS); GUID partition table (GPT);
Itanium; x86
Extensible
Markup Language (XML)
A meta-markup language that provides a format for describing structured
data. This facilitates more precise declarations of content and more
meaningful search results across multiple platforms. In addition, XML will
enable a new generation of Web-based data viewing and manipulation
applications.
external
network number
A 4-byte hexadecimal number used for addressing and routing purposes. The
external network number is associated with physical network adapters and
networks. To communicate with each other, all computers on the same network
that use a specific frame type must have the same external network number.
All external network numbers must be unique to the IPX internetwork.
See
also: frame type;
internal network number;
Internetwork Packet Exchange (IPX)
extract
When you extract a file, an uncompressed copy of the file that is created in
a folder you specify. The original file remains in the compressed folder.
F
failback
The process of moving resources, either individually or in a group, back to
their preferred node after the node has failed and come back online.
See
also: failback policy;
resource
failback
policy
failed
A state that applies to a resource or a node in a cluster. A resource or a
node is placed in the failed state after an unsuccessful attempt has been
made to bring it online.
See also: cluster;
resource
failover
The process of taking resource groups offline on one node and bringing them
back online on another node. When a resource group goes offline, all
resources belonging to that group go offline. The offline and online
transitions occur in a predefined order, with resources that are dependent
on other resources taken offline before and brought online after the
resources upon which they depend.
See also:
failover policy; failover time;
IIS Server Instance resource;
offline; possible
owners; resource
failover
policy
failover
time
The amount of time it takes a resource, either individually or in a group,
to complete the failover process.
See also:
failover; resource
FAT
FAT32
A derivative of the file allocation table (FAT) file system. FAT32 supports
smaller cluster sizes and larger volumes than FAT, which results in more
efficient space allocation on FAT32 volumes.
See also:
file allocation table (FAT);
NTFS file system; volume
fault
tolerance
The ability of computer hardware or software to ensure data integrity when
hardware failures occur. Fault tolerant features appear in many server
operating systems and include mirrored volumes, RAID-5 volumes, and server
clusters.
See also: cluster;
mirrored volume;
RAID-5 volume
Fax Service
A system service that provides fax services to local and remote network
clients. Fax services include receiving faxes and faxing documents, fax
wizard messages, and e-mail messages.
See also:
service
Federal
Information Processing Standard 140-1 (FIPS 140-1)
A standard entitled Security Requirements for Cryptographic Modules.
FIPS 140-1 describes government requirements that hardware and software
cryptomodules should meet for Sensitive but Unclassified (SBU) use.
file
allocation table (FAT)
A file system used by MS-DOS and other Windows-based operating systems to
organize and manage files. The file allocation table (FAT) is a data
structure that Windows creates when you format a volume by using the FAT or
FAT32 file systems. Windows stores information about each file in the FAT so
that it can retrieve the file later.
See also: FAT32;
file system; NTFS file
system
File and
Print Servers for Macintosh
A software component that allows Macintosh users access to a computer
running any version of the Windows Server family. The services provided with
this component allow personal computer and Macintosh users to share files
and resources, such as printers on the AppleTalk network or printers
attached to the Windows server.
file control
block (FCB)
A small block of memory temporarily assigned by a computer's operating
system to hold information about a file that has been opened for use. An FCB
typically contains such information as the file's identification, its
location on disk, and a pointer that marks the user's current (or last)
position in the file.
File Server
for Macintosh
An AppleTalk network integration service that allows Macintosh clients and
personal computer clients to share files. File Server for Macintosh is also
called MacFile.
See also: service
File Share
resource
A file share accessible by a network path that is supported as a cluster
resource by a Resource DLL.
See also: Resource
DLL
file system
In an operating system, the overall structure in which files are named,
stored, and organized. NTFS, FAT, and FAT32 are types of file systems.
See
also: FAT32; NTFS file system;
FAT
File
Transfer Protocol (FTP)
file type
In the Windows environment, a designation of the operational or structural
characteristics of a file. The file type identifies the program, such as
Microsoft Word, that is used to open the file. File types are associated
with a file name extension. For example, files that have the .txt or .log
extension are of the Text Document type and can be opened using any text
editor.
In the Macintosh environment, a four-character sequence that identifies
the type of a Macintosh file. The Macintosh Finder uses the file type and
file creator to determine the appropriate desktop icon for that file.
filter
For Indexing Service, software that extracts content and property values
from a document in order to index them.
For IPSec, a specification of IP traffic that provides the ability to
trigger security negotiations for a communication based on the source,
destination, and type of IP traffic.
See also: document;
property value
filtering
mode
For Network Load Balancing, the method by which network traffic inbound to a
cluster is handled by the hosts within the cluster. Traffic can either be
handled by a single server, load balanced among the hosts within the
cluster, or disabled completely.
See also: cluster;
host; load balancing
FilterKeys
A keyboard feature that instructs your keyboard to ignore brief or repeated
keystrokes. You can also adjust the keyboard repeat rate, which is the rate
at which a key repeats when you hold it down.
See also:
StickyKeys;
ToggleKeys; MouseKeys
firewall
A combination of hardware and software that provides a security system,
usually to prevent unauthorized access from outside to an internal network
or intranet. A firewall prevents direct communication between network and
external computers by routing communication through a proxy server outside
of the network. The proxy server determines whether it is safe to let a file
pass through to the network. A firewall is also called a security-edge
gateway.
folder
A container for programs and files in graphical user interfaces, symbolized
on the screen by a graphical image (icon) of a file folder. A folder is a
means of organizing programs and documents on a disk and can hold both files
and additional folders.
font
font
cartridge
A plug-in unit available for some printers that contains fonts in several
styles and sizes. As with downloadable fonts, printers using font cartridges
can produce characters in sizes and styles other than those created by the
fonts built into it.
See also:
downloadable fonts; font
foreground
program
The program that runs in the active window (the uppermost window with the
highlighted title bar). The foreground program responds to commands issued
by the user.
See also: background
program; title bar
foreign
computer
A computer that uses another message queuing system but, through a connector
application, can exchange messages with computers that run Message Queuing.
See also: connector application;
Message Queuing
forest
form
The specification of physical characteristics such as paper size (that is,
letter or legal) and printer area margins of paper or other print media. For
example, by default, the Letter form has a paper size of 8.5 inches by 11
inches and does not reserve space for margins.
format
The structure of a file that defines the way it is stored and laid out on
the screen or in print. The format of a file is usually indicated by its
extension. For example, .txt after a file name indicates the file is a text
document, and .doc after a file name indicates it is a Word document.
FORTEZZA
A family of security products, including PCMCIA-based cards, compatible
serial port devices, combination cards (such as FORTEZZA/Modem and FORTEZZA/Ethernet),
server boards, and others. FORTEZZA is a registered trademark held by the
National Security Agency.
fragmentation
The scattering of parts of the same disk file over different areas of the
disk. Fragmentation occurs as files on a disk are deleted and new files are
added. It slows disk access and degrades the overall performance of disk
operations, although usually not severely.
See also:
defragmentation
frame type
The way in which a network type, such as Ethernet, formats data to be sent
over a network. When multiple frame types are allowed for a particular
network type, the packets are structured differently and are, therefore,
incompatible. All computers on a network must use the same frame type to
communicate. Frame type is also called frame format.
See also:
packet
free media
pool
A logical collection of unused data-storage media that can be used by
applications or other media pools. When media are no longer needed by an
application, they are returned to a free media pool so that they can be used
again.
See also: media pool;
Removable Storage
free space
front-end
processor (FEP)
In communications, a computer that is located between communications lines
and a main (host) computer and used to relieve the host of tasks related to
communications; sometimes considered synonymous with communications
controller. A front-end processor is dedicated entirely to handling
transmitted information, including error detection and control; receipt,
transmission, and possibly encoding of messages; and management of the lines
running to and from other devices.
FTP (File
Transfer Protocol)
full name
A user's complete name, usually consisting of the last name, first name, and
middle initial. The full name is information that Local Users and Groups or
Active Directory Users and Computers can maintain as part of the information
identifying and defining a user account.
See also:
user account;
Active Directory Users and Computers
full zone
transfer (AXFR)
The standard query type supported by all DNS servers to update and
synchronize zone data when the zone has been changed. When a DNS query is
made using AXFR as the specified query type, the entire zone is transferred
as the response.
See also: DNS Server;
zone
full-duplex
A system capable of simultaneously transmitting information in both
directions over a communications channel.
See also:
half-duplex; duplex
fully
qualified domain name (FQDN)
A DNS domain name that has been stated unambiguously so as to indicate with
absolute certainty its location in the domain namespace tree. Fully
qualified domain names differ from relative names in that they are typically
stated with a trailing period (.) - for example,
host.example.microsoft.com. - to qualify their position to the root of
the namespace.
See also: namespace;
domain name;
Domain Name System (DNS)
G
game port
An input/output connector to which you attach a joy stick or other game
device to your computer. It is typically a 15-pin socket on the back of a
PC.
See also: serial port
gateway
A device connected to multiple physical TCP/IP networks capable of routing
or delivering IP packets between them. A gateway translates between
different transport protocols or data formats (for example, IPX and IP) and
is generally added to a network primarily for its translation ability.
In the context of interoperating with Novell NetWare networks, a gateway
acts as a bridge between the server message block (SMB) protocol used by
Windows networks and the NetWare core protocol (NCP) used by NetWare
networks. A gateway is also called an IP router.
GDI objects
Objects from the Graphics Device Interface (GDI) library of application
programming interfaces (APIs) for graphics output devices. In Task Manager,
the number of GDI objects currently used by a process.
See also:
Task Manager
Generic
Service resource
A Windows service that is supported as a cluster resource by a Resource DLL.
See also: Resource DLL
gigabyte
(GB)
1,024 megabytes, though often interpreted as approximately one billion
bytes.
global
account
In an Active Directory network, a normal user account in a user's domain.
Most user accounts are global accounts. If there are multiple domains in the
network, it is best if each user in the network has only one user account in
only one domain, and each user's access to other domains is accomplished
through the establishment of domain trust relationships.
See also:
Active Directory;
domain
global
catalog
A domain controller that contains a partial replica of every domain in
Active Directory. In other words, a global catalog holds a replica of every
object in Active Directory, but with a limited number of each object's
attributes. The global catalog stores those attributes most frequently used
in search operations (such as a user's first and last names) and those
attributes required to locate a full replica of the object.
The Active Directory replication system builds the global catalog
automatically. The attributes replicated into the global catalog include a
base set defined by Microsoft. Administrators can specify additional
properties to meet the needs of their installation.
See also: Active Directory;
attribute;
domain controller; replication
global group
A security or distribution group that can have users, groups, and computers
from its own domain as members. Global security groups can be granted rights
and permissions on resources in any domain in the forest. Global groups
cannot be created or maintained on computers running Windows XP
Professional. However, for Windows XP Professional computers that
participate in a domain, domain global groups can be granted rights and
permissions at those workstations and can become members of local groups at
those workstations.
See also: permission;
group; local group;
user account
glue chasing
The follow-up queries or successive lookups that are made to resolve glue
records in a zone to other remote DNS servers that are authoritative for a
derivative zone. When glue chasing is performed, name server (NS) resource
records for delegated DNS servers are chased, or followed, by using
successive queries to resolve the servers named in NS records to their host
address (A) resource records and to obtain server IP addresses.
See also:
A (address) resource record;
delegation; DNS
Server; glue record;
name server (NS) resource record;
zone
glue record
A resource record for out-of-zone information used to provide helpful
pointer information for locating DNS servers that have been delegated
authority for specific subdomains derived from a zone's domain of origin.
These records are used to glue zones together and provide an effective
delegation and referral path for other DNS servers to follow when performing
a recursive lookup to fully resolve a name.
See also:
delegation; DNS
Server; domain of origin;
glue chasing; resource
record (RR); zone
graphics
mode
A display mode in which lines and characters on the screen are drawn pixel
by pixel. Graphics mode displays images by grouping individual dots into
shapes, such as the arrowhead of a mouse pointer. It can also preview
character formatting, such as boldface and italics, as it will appear in
print.
group
A collection of users, computers, contacts, and other groups. Groups can be
used as security or as e-mail distribution collections. Distribution groups
are used only for e-mail. Security groups are used both to grant access to
resources and as e-mail distribution lists.
See also:
domain; global group;
local group
group
account
A collection of user accounts. By making a user account a member of a group,
you give the related user all the rights and permissions granted to the
group.
See also: group;
user account
group
memberships
The groups to which a user account belongs. Permissions and rights granted
to a group are also provided to its members. In most cases, the actions a
user can perform in Windows are determined by the group memberships of the
user account to which the user is logged on.
See also:
group; user account
group name
A unique name identifying a local group or a global group to Windows. A
group's name cannot be identical to any other group name or user name in its
own domain or computer.
See also: global group;
local group
Group Policy
Group Policy
object
A collection of Group Policy settings. Group Policy objects are essentially
the documents created by the Group Policy snap-in, a Windows utility. Group
Policy objects are stored at the domain level, and they affect users and
computers contained in sites, domains, and organizational units. In
addition, each Windows computer has exactly one group of settings stored
locally, called the local Group Policy object.
See also:
Group Policy; object;
policy
guest
account
A built-in account used to log on to a computer running Windows when a user
does not have an account on the computer or domain, or in any of the domains
trusted by the computer's domain.
See also: domain
GUID
partition table (GPT)
A disk-partitioning scheme that is used by the Extensible Firmware Interface
(EFI) in Itanium-based computers. GPT offers more advantages than master
boot record (MBR) partitioning because it allows up to 128 partitions per
disk, provides support for volumes up to 18 exabytes in size, allows primary
and backup partition tables for redundancy, and supports unique disk and
partition IDs (GUIDs).
See also: Itanium;
Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI);
master boot record (MBR)
H
half-duplex
A system capable of transmitting information in only one direction at a time
over a communications channel.
See also: duplex;
full-duplex
handle
In the user interface, an interface added to an object that facilitates
moving, sizing, reshaping, or other functions pertaining to an object. In
programming, a pointer to a pointer, that is, a token that lets a program
access an identified resource.
handle count
In Task Manager, the number of object handles in a process's object table.
See also: Task Manager
handshaking
A series of signals acknowledging that communication can take place between
computers or other devices. A hardware handshake is an exchange of signals
over specific wires (other than the data wires), in which each device
indicates its readiness to send or receive data. A software handshake
consists of signals transmitted over the same wires used to transfer data,
as in modem-to-modem communications over telephone lines.
handwriting
input device
A tool, such as a digital pen and tablet, used to enter text by writing
instead of typing. Along with writing tablets, you can use 3-D
drawing or Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) tablets, or a tablet-PC. You can
also write by moving your mouse on the mouse pad.
handwriting
recognition
The ability to interpret handwritten text and convert it into
computer-readable text. Handwriting recognition programs allow you to enter
text using a pen stylus or other handwriting input device, rather than a
keyboard.
hard disk
A device, also called hard disk drive, that contains one or more inflexible
platters coated with material in which data can be recorded magnetically
with read/write heads. The hard disk exists in a sealed case that protects
it and allows the head to fly 10 millionths to 25 millionths of an inch
above the surface of a platter. Data can both be stored and accessed much
more quickly than on a floppy disk.
hardware
The physical components of a computer system, including any peripheral
equipment such as printers, modems, and mouse devices.
hardware
compression
A feature available on some tape devices that automatically compresses the
data that is being stored on the device. This is usually an option that is
turned on or off in a backup program.
hardware
configuration
hardware
decoder
A type of digital video disc (DVD) decoder that allows a DVD drive to
display movies on your computer screen. A hardware decoder uses both
software and hardware to display movies.
See also:
DVD decoder; DVD
drive; software decoder
hardware
profile
Data that describes the configuration and characteristics of specific
computer equipment. This information can be used to configure computers for
using peripheral devices.
See also: device
hardware
type
A classification for similar devices. For example, Imaging Device is a
hardware type for digital cameras and scanners.
See also:
device
hash
A fixed-size result that is obtained by applying a one-way mathematical
function (sometimes called a hash algorithm) to an arbitrary amount of data.
If there is a change in the input data, the hash changes. The hash can be
used in many operations, including authentication and digital signing. A
hash is also called a message digest.
See also:
authentication;
hash algorithm
hash
algorithm
An algorithm used to produce a hash value of some piece of data, such as a
message or session key. A good hash algorithm has a quality where changes in
the input data can change every bit in the resulting hash value; for this
reason, hashes are useful in detecting any modification in a large data
object, such as a message. Furthermore, a good hash algorithm makes it
computationally infeasible to construct two independent inputs that have the
same hash. Typical hash algorithms include MD2, MD4, MD5, and SHA-1. Hash
algorithm is also called a hash function.
See also:
Hash-based Message Authentication Mode (HMAC); MD2;
MD4; MD5;
message digest; Secure
Hash Algorithm (SHA-1)
Hash-based
Message Authentication Mode (HMAC)
A mechanism for message authentication using cryptographic hash functions.
HMAC can be used with any iterative cryptographic hash function (for
example, MD5 and SHA-1) in combination with a secret shared key. The
cryptographic strength of HMAC depends on the properties of the underlying
hash function.
See also: hash algorithm;
MD5; Secure Hash Algorithm
(SHA-1)
hexadecimal
A base-16 number system represented by the digits 0 through 9 and the
uppercase or lowercase letters A (equivalent to decimal 10) through F
(equivalent to decimal 15).
hibernation
A state in which your computer shuts down after saving everything in memory
on your hard disk. When you bring your computer out of hibernation, all
programs and documents that were open are restored to your desktop.
See
also: standby
High
Contrast
A display feature that instructs programs to change the color scheme to a
high-contrast scheme and to increase legibility whenever possible.
histogram
A chart consisting of horizontal or vertical bars, the widths or heights of
which represent the values of certain data.
hive
A section of the registry that appears as a file on your hard disk. The
registry subtree is divided into hives (named for their resemblance to the
cellular structure of a beehive). A hive is a discrete body of keys, subkeys,
and values that is rooted at the top of the registry hierarchy. A hive is
backed by a single file and a .log file, which are in the
systemroot\System32\Config
or the
systemroot\Profiles\
username folders.
By default, most hive files (Default, SAM, Security, and System) are
stored in the systemroot\System32\Config folder. The systemroot\Profiles
folder contains the user profile for each user of the computer. Because a
hive is a file, it can be moved from one system to another. However, you
must use the Registry Editor to edit the file.
See also: registry;
key; systemroot
home folder
A folder (usually on a file server) that administrators can assign to
individual users or groups. Administrators use home folders to consolidate
user files onto specific file servers for easy backup. Home folders are used
by some programs as the default folder for the
Open and
Save As
dialog boxes. Home folders are sometimes referred to as
home directories.
See also: administrator;
group
host
A Windows computer that runs a server program or service used by network or
remote clients. For Network Load Balancing, a cluster consists of multiple
hosts connected over a local area network (LAN).
See also:
client; cluster;
local area network (LAN);
server; service
host name
The DNS name of a device on a network. These names are used to locate
computers on the network. To find another computer, its host name must
either appear in the Hosts file or be known by a DNS server. For most
Windows computers, the host name and the computer name are the same.
See
also: DNS Server;
Domain Name System (DNS)
host
priority
For Network Load Balancing, a host's precedence for handling default network
traffic for TCP and UDP ports. It is used if a host within the cluster goes
offline, and it determines which host within the cluster will assume
responsibility for the traffic previously handled by the offline host.
See
also: cluster; host;
User Datagram Protocol (UDP)
Hosts file
A local text file in the same format as the 4.3 Berkeley Software
Distribution (BSD) UNIX /etc/hosts file. This file maps host names to IP
addresses, and it is stored in the
\%Systemroot%\System32\Drivers\Etc
folder.
See also: systemroot
hot docking
The process of attaching a laptop computer to a docking station while the
computer is running, and automatically activating the docking station's
video display and other functions.
See also: dock;
docking station; undock
HTTP
hub
A common connection point for devices in a network. Typically used to
connect segments of a local area network (LAN), a hub contains multiple
ports. When data arrives at one port, it is copied to the other ports so
that all segments of the LAN can see the data.
See also:
local area network (LAN);
port; switching hub
hubbed mode
hue
The position of a color along the color spectrum. For example, green is
between yellow and blue. This attribute can be set using Display in Control
Panel.
See also: saturation
hyperlink
Colored and underlined text or a graphic that you click to go to a file, a
location in a file, an HTML page on the World Wide Web, or an HTML page on
an intranet. Hyperlinks can also go to newsgroups and to Gopher, Telnet, and
FTP sites.
In Windows folders, hyperlinks are text links that appear in the folder's
left pane. You can click these links to perform tasks, such as moving or
copying a file, or to go to other places on your computer, such as the My
Documents folder or Control Panel.
Hypertext
Markup Language (HTML)
A simple markup language used to create hypertext documents that are
portable from one platform to another. HTML files are simple ASCII text
files with codes embedded (indicated by markup tags) to denote formatting
and hypertext links.
See also: American Standard Code
for Information Interchange (ASCII)
Hypertext
Transfer Protocol (HTTP)
The protocol used to transfer information on the World Wide Web. An HTTP
address (one kind of Uniform Resource Locator [URL]) takes the form:
http://www.microsoft.com.
I
icon
A small image displayed on the screen to represent an object that can be
manipulated by the user. Icons serve as visual mnemonics and allow the user
to control certain computer actions without having to remember commands or
type them at the keyboard.
IEEE 1394
A standard for high-speed serial devices such as digital video and digital
audio editing equipment.
See also: device
IEEE 1394
connector
A type of connector that enables you to connect and disconnect high-speed
serial devices. An IEEE 1394 connector is usually on the back of your
computer near the serial port or the parallel port.
If a device is IEEE 1394 compatible, you can connect the device to the
IEEE 1394 connector while the computer is running and Windows will detect
the device and inform you when it is ready for use. Similarly, you can
unplug the device while the computer is running, but you should use the Add
Hardware Wizard to inform Windows that you are unplugging the device.
Windows will then inform you when the device can be unplugged from the
computer.
The IEEE 1394 bus is used primarily to connect high-end digital video and
digital audio devices to your computer; however, some hard disks, printers,
scanners, and DVD drives can also be connected to your computer using the
IEEE 1394 connector.
IIS Server
Instance resource
A server-instance designation used with Internet Information Services (IIS)
that supports the WWW and FTP services. IIS server instances are supported
as cluster resources by a Resource DLL. IIS Server Instance resources may
have dependencies on IP Address resources, Network Name resources, and
Physical Disk resources. Access information for server instances does not
fail over.
See also: dependency;
failover; Resource
DLL
Image Name
The name of a process as displayed in Task Manager.
See also:
Task Manager
import media
pool
A logical collection of data-storage media that has not been cataloged by
Removable Storage. Media in an import media pool should be cataloged as soon
as possible so that they can be used by an application.
See also:
media pool;
Removable Storage
in-addr.arpa
domain
incremental
backup
A backup that copies only those files created or changed since the last
normal or incremental backup. It marks files as having been backed up (in
other words, the archive attribute is cleared). If you use a combination of
normal and incremental backups to restore your data, you will need to have
the last normal backup and all incremental backup sets.
See also:
copy backup;
daily backup; differential backup;
normal backup
incremental
zone transfer (IXFR)
An alternate query type that can be used by some DNS servers to update and
synchronize zone data when a zone is changed. When incremental zone transfer
is supported between DNS servers, servers can keep track of and transfer
only those incremental resource record changes between each version of the
zone.
See also: DNS Server;
secondary master;
zone; zone transfer
independent
client
A computer with Message Queuing installed that can host queues and store
messages locally. Independent clients do not require synchronous access to a
Message Queuing server to send and receive messages, but they can use
Message Queuing servers with routing enabled for efficient message routing.
See also: dependent client;
Message Queuing server;
routing services
infrared (IR)
Infrared
Data Association (IrDA)
The industry organization of computer, component, and telecommunications
vendors who establish the standards for infrared communication between
computers and peripheral devices, such as printers.
See also:
infrared (IR)
infrared
device
A computer, or a computer peripheral such as a printer, that can communicate
using infrared light.
See also: infrared (IR)
infrared
file transfer
Wireless file transfer between a computer and another computer or device
using infrared light.
See also: infrared (IR)
infrared
network connection
A direct or incoming network connection to a remote access server using an
infrared port.
See also: infrared port
infrared
port
An optical port on a computer that enables communication with other
computers or devices by using infrared light, without cables. Infrared ports
can be found on some portable computers, printers, and cameras.
See also:
infrared (IR);
infrared device; port
infrastructure master
The domain controller assigned to update group-to-user references whenever
group memberships are changed, and to replicate these changes to any other
domain controllers in the domain. At any time, there can be only one
infrastructure master in a particular domain.
See also:
domain controller;
multimaster replication;
operations master
inheritance
A mechanism that allows a given access control entry (ACE) to be copied from
the container where it was applied to all children of the container.
Inheritance can be combined with delegation to grant administrative rights
to a whole subtree of the directory in a single update operation.
See
also: access control entry (ACE);
delegation
inherited
permissions
Permissions on an object that are automatically inherited from its parent
object. Inherited permissions cannot be modified.
See also:
permission;
object; parent object
Initial
master
A shared folder whose existing files and folders are replicated to other
shared folders when replication is initially configured. After replication
is complete, there is no initial master, since any of the replicas can
accept changes and propagate them to the other replicas. The initial master
then becomes another replica.
See also:
shared folder; replica;
replication
initialize
Initiate to
Application Enable
When checked, new connections to the DDE share are allowed. When cleared,
only current DDE conversations are allowed.
Ink
An option that allows you to enter text in handwritten form. Instead of
converting your handwritten text to typed text, the text is converted to an
object and displayed exactly as you wrote it. For example:
.
input
language
The specification of the language you want to type in. Some programs that
are designed for Windows recognize this setting. When you add a new input
language, a keyboard layout for that language is also added.
Input Method
Editor (IME)
Programs used to enter the thousands of different characters in written
Asian languages with a standard 101-key keyboard. An IME consists of both an
engine that converts keystrokes into phonetic and ideographic characters and
a dictionary of commonly used ideographic words. As the user enters
keystrokes, the IME engine attempts to identify which character or
characters the keystrokes should be converted into.
input/output
(I/O) port
A channel through which data is transferred between a device and the
microprocessor. The port appears to the microprocessor as one or more memory
addresses that it can use to send or receive data.
See also:
device; memory
address; port
insertion
point
The place where text will be inserted when typed. The insertion point
usually appears as a flashing vertical bar in an application's window or in
a dialog box.
install
When referring to software, to add program files and folders to your hard
disk and related data to your registry so that the software runs properly.
Installing contrasts with upgrading, where existing program files, folders,
and registry entries are updated to a more recent version.
When referring to hardware, to physically connect the device to your
computer, to load device drivers onto your computer, and to configure device
properties and settings.
See also: device driver;
registry; uninstall
integrated
device electronics (IDE)
A type of disk-drive interface in which the controller electronics reside on
the drive itself, eliminating the need for a separate adapter card. IDE
offers advantages such as look-ahead caching to increase overall
performance.
Integrated
Services Digital Network (ISDN)
A digital phone line used to provide higher bandwidth. ISDN in North America
is typically available in two forms: Basic Rate Interface (BRI) consists of
2 B-channels at 64 kilobits per second (Kbps) and a D-channel at 16 Kbps;
Primary Rate Interface (PRI) consists of 23 B-channels at 64 Kbps and a
D-channel at 64 Kbps. An ISDN line must be installed by the phone company at
both the calling site and the called site.
See also:
B-channel; D-channel;
multilink dialing;
Service Profile Identifier (SPID); switch
type
interactive
dialog box
A dialog box that requires a response from the user. Intermediary devices
such as a security host require such a dialog box as an added layer of
security between the client and the remote access server. In such dialog
boxes, the user types an access code or a user name and password on the
remote access terminal screen.
See also: dialog
box; intermediary device;
remote access server;
static dialog box
interactive
logon
A network logon from a computer keyboard, when the user types information in
the Logon Information dialog box displayed by the computer's
operating system.
interconnect
A private network that connects nodes in a cluster.
See also:
cluster
intermediary
device
internal
network number
A 4-byte hexadecimal number used for addressing and routing purposes. The
internal network number identifies a virtual network inside a computer. The
internal network number must be unique to the IPX internetwork. Internal
network number is also called virtual network number.
See also:
external network number;
Internetwork Packet Exchange (IPX)
international prefix
Digits dialed before the country code to access the international phone
service. The actual digits depend on the country or region in which you are
dialing an international number. For example, in the United States of
America, the prefix for international dialing is 011. To dial from the
United States of America to Honduras, which has the country code 504, you
would dial: (011) (504) (000) 000-0000
International Telecommunication Union - Telecommunication [Standardization
Sector] (ITU-T)
The sector of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) responsible
for telecommunication standards. ITU-T replaces the Comite
Consultatif International Telegraphique et Telephonique (CCITT). Its
responsibilities include standardizing modem design and operations, and
standardizing protocols for networks and facsimile transmission. ITU is an
international organization within which governments and the private sector
coordinate global telecom networks and services.
internet
internet. Two or more network segments connected by routers. Another
term for internetwork.
Internet. A worldwide network of computers. If you have access to
the Internet, you can retrieve information from millions of sources,
including schools, governments, businesses, and individuals.
See also: World Wide Web
Internet
address
An address for a resource on the Internet that is used by Web browsers to
locate Internet resources. An Internet address typically starts with a
protocol name, followed by the name of the organization that maintains the
site; the suffix identifies the kind of organization it is. For example, the
address
http://www.yale.edu/ provides the following information:
- http: This Web server uses the Hypertext Transfer Protocol.
- www: This site is on the World Wide Web.
- edu: This is an educational institution.
Internet address is also called Uniform Resource Locator (URL).
See also: Web server;
protocol
Internet
Control Message Protocol (ICMP)
Internet
Engineering Task Force (IETF)
An open community of network designers, operators, vendors, and researchers
concerned with the evolution of Internet architecture and the smooth
operation of the Internet. Technical work is performed by working groups
organized by topic areas (such as routing, transport, and security) and
through mailing lists. Internet standards are developed in IETF Requests for
Comments (RFCs), which are a series of notes that discuss many aspects of
computing and computer communication, focusing on networking protocols,
programs, and concepts.
See also: subnet bandwidth
management (SBM); Session Description Protocol (SDP)
Internet
Group Management Protocol (IGMP)
Internet
Information Services (IIS)
Internet
Protocol (IP)
Internet
Protocol multicasting
Internet
Protocol security (IPSec)
A set of industry-standard, cryptography-based protection services and
protocols. IPSec protects all protocols in the TCP/IP protocol suite and
Internet communications using L2TP.
Internet
service provider (ISP)
A company that provides individuals or companies access to the Internet and
the World Wide Web. An ISP provides a telephone number, a user name, a
password, and other connection information so users can connect their
computers to the ISP's computers. An ISP typically charges a monthly or
hourly connection fee.
See also: Web server
Internetwork
Packet Exchange (IPX)
interrupt
A request for attention from the processor. When the processor receives an
interrupt, it suspends its current operations, saves the status of its work,
and transfers control to a special routine known as an interrupt handler,
which contains the instructions for dealing with the particular situation
that caused the interrupt.
interrupt
request (IRQ) lines
Hardware lines over which devices can send signals to get the attention of
the processor when the device is ready to accept or send information. Each
device must have a unique IRQ line.
See also: device
intersite
messaging service (ISM)
A service that supports transports for asynchronous, site-to-site messaging.
Each transport serves two major roles: send/receive and topology queries
(such as, what are the various sites connected by this transport, and at
what cost?). The intersite messaging services shipped in Windows are RPC and
SMTP (mail).
See also: remote
procedure call (RPC); service;
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP)
intranet
A network within an organization that uses Internet technologies and
protocols, but is available only to certain people, such as employees of a
company. An intranet is also called a private network.
IP address
A 32-bit address used to identify a node on an IP internetwork. Each node on
the IP internetwork must be assigned a unique IP address, which is made up
of the network ID, plus a unique host ID. This address is typically
represented with the decimal value of each octet separated by a period (for
example, 192.168.7.27). In this version of Windows, you can configure the IP
address statically or dynamically through DHCP.
See also:
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP);
IP Address resource;
scope
IP Address
resource
A 32-bit number in dotted decimal format that represents an Internet
Protocol (IP) address and is supported as a cluster resource by a Resource
DLL provided with Windows.
See also: IP address;
Resource DLL
IPX/SPX
ISA
expansion slot
A connection socket for a peripheral designed to the Industry Standard
Architecture (ISA) on a computer motherboard.
ISDN
(Integrated Services Digital Network)
A high-speed digital telephone service that can dramatically increase the
speed at which you connect to the Internet or to your corporate LAN (local
area network). ISDN can operate at 128 kilobytes per second (Kbps), which is
five or more times faster than many analog modems.
ISP
(Internet service provider)
Itanium
An Intel microprocessor that uses explicitly parallel instruction set
computing and 64-bit memory addressing.
J
job object
A system-level structure that allows processes to be grouped together and
managed as a single unit.
See also: process
journal
queue
journal
quota
For Message Queuing, a property that specifies the cumulative limit for
journal messages in a journal queue. The limit is based on cumulative
journal message size. When a journal queue's quota is reached, messages are
no longer stored.
See also: journal queue;
Message Queuing
junction
point
A physical location on a hard disk that points to data located at another
location on your hard disk or another storage device. Junction points are
created when you create a mounted drive. You can also create a junction
point using the
linkd command.
See also:
mounted drive
K
Kerberos?V5
authentication protocol
kernel
The core of layered architecture that manages the most basic operations of
the operating system and the computer's processor. The kernel schedules
different blocks of executing code, called threads, for the processor to
keep it as busy as possible and coordinates multiple processors to optimize
performance. The kernel also synchronizes activities among Executive-level
subcomponents, such as I/O Manager and Process Manager, and handles hardware
exceptions and other hardware-dependent functions. The kernel works closely
with the hardware abstraction layer.
key
In Registry Editor, a folder that appears in the left pane of the Registry
Editor window. A key can contain subkeys and value entries. For example,
Environment is a key of HKEY_CURRENT_USER.
In IP security (IPSec), a value used in combination with an algorithm to
encrypt or decrypt data. Key settings for IP security are configurable to
provide greater security.
See also: registry;
subkey
Key
Distribution Center (KDC)
keyboard
language
The language you want to use when you type. Some programs that are designed
for the Windows platform recognize this setting. When you add a new keyboard
language, a keyboard layout for that language is also added.
keyboard
layout
The arrangement that accommodates the special characters and symbols used in
different languages. Keyboard layouts affect which characters appear when
you press the keys on your keyboard. After you change your keyboard layout,
the characters that appear on your screen may no longer correspond to the
characters that are printed on your keyboard keys.
L
L2TP (Layer
2 Tunneling Protocol)
An industry-standard Internet tunneling protocol. Unlike Point-to-Point
Tunneling Protocol (PPTP), L2TP does not require IP connectivity between the
client workstation and the server. L2TP requires only that the tunnel medium
provide packet-oriented point-to-point connectivity. The protocol can be
used over media such as ATM, Frame Relay, and X.25. L2TP provides the same
functionality as PPTP. Based on Layer 2 Forwarding (L2F) and PPTP
specifications, L2TP allows clients to set up tunnels across intervening
networks.
See also: Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM);
Internet Protocol (IP);
Point-to-Point Tunneling
Protocol (PPTP); tunnel
label
Each part of a full DNS domain name that represents a node in the domain
namespace tree. Domain names are made up of a sequence of labels, such as
the three labels (
example,
microsoft, and
com) that
make up the DNS domain name
example.microsoft.com. Each label used in
a DNS name must be 63 bytes or less in character length.
See also:
domain name;
Domain Name System (DNS)
LAN
emulation (LANE)
LAN
emulation client (LEC)
LAN
emulation configuration server
LAN
emulation server (LES)
latency
In Active Directory replication, the delay between the time an update is
applied to a given replica and the time it is applied to some other replica.
Latency is sometimes referred to as propagation delay.
See also:
replication;
Active Directory; replica
LCD (Liquid
Crystal Display)
LDAP Data
Interchange Format (LDIF)
Files that contain LDAP instructions that manipulate directory information.
Before the LDAP commands in an LDIF file are carried out, they can be read
or modified, providing an opportunity for fine-tuning.
See also:
Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP)
lease
library
A data-storage system, usually managed by Removable Storage. A library
consists of removable media (such as tapes or discs) and a hardware device
that can read from or write to the media. There are two major types of
libraries: robotic libraries (automated multiple-media, multidrive devices)
and stand-alone drive libraries (manually operated, single-drive devices). A
robotic library is also called a jukebox or changer.
See also:
Removable Storage
Lightweight
Directory Access Protocol (LDAP)
Line Printer
Daemon (LPD)
Line Printer
Remote (LPR)
A connectivity utility that runs on client systems and is used to print
files to a computer running an LPD server.
See also:
Line Printer Daemon (LPD)
Link Control
Protocol (LCP)
A PPP control protocol that negotiates link and PPP parameters to
dynamically configure the data-link layer of a PPP connection.
linked
object
An object that is inserted into a document but still exists in the source
file. When information is linked, the new document is updated automatically
if the information in the original document changes. If you want to edit the
linked information, double-click it. The toolbars and menus from the
original program will appear. If the original document is on your computer,
changes that you make to the linked information will also appear in the
original document.
See also: embedded
object; OLE;
package; source
document
liquid
crystal display (LCD)
A type of display used in digital watches and many portable computers. LCD
displays utilize two sheets of polarizing material with a liquid crystal
solution between them. An electric current passed through the liquid causes
the crystals to align so that light cannot pass through them. Each crystal,
therefore, is like a shutter, either allowing light to pass through or
blocking the light.
Lmhosts file
A local text file that maps NetBIOS names (commonly used for computer names)
to IP addresses for hosts that are not located on the local subnet. In this
version of Windows, the file is stored in the
systemroot\System32\Drivers\Etc
folder.
See also: systemroot;
IP address
load
balancing
A technique used by Windows Clustering to scale the performance of a
server-based program (such as a Web server) by distributing its client
requests across multiple servers within the cluster. Each host can specify
the load percentage that it will handle, or the load can be equally
distributed across all the hosts. If a host fails, Windows Clustering
dynamically redistributes the load among the remaining hosts.
See also:
cluster; host
local area
network (LAN)
local
computer
The computer that you are currently logged on to as a user. More generally,
a local computer is a computer that you can access directly without using a
communications line or a communications device, such as a network adapter or
a modem.
local group
For computers running Windows and member servers, a group that can be
granted permissions and rights from its own computer and (if the computer
participates in a domain) user accounts and global groups both from its own
domain and from trusted domains.
See also:
global group; user account
local
printer
A printer that is directly connected to one of the ports on your computer.
local user
A person who uses a computer that is not connected to a network. A local
user is most likely someone using a computer at home.
local user
profile
A computer-based record about an authorized user that is created
automatically on the computer the first time a user logs on to a workstation
or server computer.
log file
A file that stores messages generated by an application, service, or
operating system. These messages are used to track the operations performed.
For example, Web servers maintain log files listing every request made to
the server. Log files are usually plain text (ASCII) files and often have a
.log extension.
In Backup, a file that contains a record of the date the tapes were
created and the names of files and directories successfully backed up and
restored. The Performance Logs and Alerts service also creates log files.
See also: American Standard Code for Information
Interchange (ASCII); service
log on
To begin using a network by providing a user name and password that
identifies a user to the network.
logical
drive
logical
printer
The software interface between the operating system and the printer in
Windows. While a printer is the device that does the actual printing, a
logical printer is its software interface on the print server. This software
interface determines how a print job is processed and how it is routed to
its destination (to a local or network port, to a file, or to a remote print
share). When you print a document, it is spooled (or stored) on the logical
printer before it is sent to the printer itself.
See also:
printer; spooling
logon right
A user right that is assigned to a user and that specifies the ways in which
a user can log on to a system. An example of a logon right is the right to
log on to a system remotely.
logon script
Files that can be assigned to user accounts. Typically a batch file, a logon
script runs automatically every time the user logs on. It can be used to
configure a user's working environment at every logon, and it allows an
administrator to influence a user's environment without managing all aspects
of it. A logon script can be assigned to one or more user accounts.
See
also: logon script path;
user account
logon script
path
A sequence of directory names that specifies the location of the logon
script. When a user logs on, the authenticating computer locates the
specified logon script (if one has been assigned to that user account) by
following that computer's local logon script path (usually
systemroot\System32\Repl\Import\Scripts).
See also: logon script;
systemroot; user
account
long
distance operator
Digits dialed before the area or city code to access a long distance phone
service. For example, in the United States of America, you dial a 1 before
the area or city code: (1) (206) 000-0000. The actual digits
depend on the country/region or phone service. Area codes and long distance
operators are not used in all countries/regions.
long name
A folder name or file name longer than the 8.3 file name standard (up to
eight characters followed by a period and an extension of up to three
characters) of the FAT file system. This version of Windows supports long
file names up to 255 characters.
In a Macintosh environment, users can assign long names to files and
folders on the server and, using AppleTalk network integration, you can
assign long names to Macintosh-accessible volumes when you create them. This
version of Windows automatically translates long names of files and folders
to 8.3 names for MS-DOS and Windows 3.x users.
See also: file allocation table
(FAT); MS-DOS (Microsoft Disk Operating System)
loopback
address
The address of the local computer used for routing outgoing packets back to
the source computer. This address is used primarily for testing.
loose name
checking
A form of domain name checking DNS uses that examines characters in DNS
names for valid ANSI character compliance. However, loose name checking does
not check for compliance with DNS naming requirements and valid character
usage for Internet host names, as specified in RFC 1123,
Requirements for
Internet Hosts - Applications and Support.
For RFC compliance, DNS domain names will use name labels made up only of
valid uppercase and lowercase letters, number characters, and hyphens (A
through Z, a through z, 0 through 9, and -) separated by periods.
See also: domain name;
Domain Name System (DNS);
label
luminosity
The brightness of a color based on a scale from black to white on your
monitor.
M
Make Changes
The Macintosh-style permission that gives users the right to make changes to
a folder's contents; for example, modifying, renaming, moving, creating, and
deleting files. When AppleTalk network integration translates access
privileges into permissions, a user who has the Make Changes privilege is
given Write and Delete permissions.
See also:
permission
Management
and Monitoring Tools
Software components that include utilities for network management and
monitoring, along with services that support client dialing and the updating
of client phone books. Also included is the Simple Network Management
Protocol (SNMP).
See also: Simple Network
Management Protocol (SNMP)
Management
Information Base (MIB)
A set of objects that represent various types of information about a device,
used by Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) to manage the device.
Because different network management services are used for different types
of devices and protocols, each service has its own set of objects.
See
also: Simple Network Management Protocol
(SNMP); service
management
system
A network-enabled host running Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)
management software. This software requests information from SNMP agents.
Management system is also called a management console.
mandatory
user profile
A user profile that is not updated when the user logs off. It is downloaded
to the user's desktop each time the user logs on, and is created by an
administrator and assigned to one or more users to create consistent or
job-specific user profiles. Only members of the Administrators group can
change profiles.
See also: roaming
user profile; user profile
map
To translate one value into another. In virtual memory systems, a computer
might map a virtual address into a physical address.
master boot
record (MBR)
The first sector on a hard disk, which starts the process of booting the
computer. The MBR contains the partition table for the disk and a small
amount of executable code called the master boot code.
See also:
Recovery Console;
partition boot sector
master
domain
Master File
Table (MFT)
master
server
maximize
To enlarge a window to its largest size by clicking the
Maximize
button (at the right of the title bar), or by pressing ALT+SPACEBAR and then
pressing X.
See also: minimize;
title bar
MD2
A hash algorithm that creates a 128-bit hash value and was developed by RSA
Data Security, Inc.
See also: hash algorithm
MD4
A hash algorithm that creates a 128-bit hash value and was developed by RSA
Data Security, Inc.
See also: hash algorithm
MD5
An industry-standard one-way, 128-bit hashing scheme, developed by RSA Data
Security, Inc., and used by various Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) vendors
for encrypted authentication. A hashing scheme is a method for transforming
data (for example, a password) in such a way that the result is unique and
cannot be changed back to its original form. The CHAP authentication
protocol uses challenge-response with one-way MD5 hashing on the response.
In this way, you can prove to the server that you know your password without
actually sending the password over the network.
See also:
CHAP (Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol);
hash algorithm;
message digest
media
Any fixed or removable objects that store computer data. Examples include
hard disks, floppy disks, tapes, and compact discs.
media pool
A logical collection of removable media that have the same management
policies. Media pools are used by applications to control access to specific
tapes or discs within libraries managed by Removable Storage. There are four
media pools: unrecognized, import, free, and application-specific. Each
media pool can only hold either media or other media pools.
See also:
free media pool;
import media pool; backup media pool;
Removable Storage
media
sensing
A feature that, when it detects a network cable connection failure, removes
the bound protocols from the failed network adapter until the cable
connection is reestablished. Without these bound protocols, the network
interface connected through the failed network adapter is not available for
cluster communication.
mediator
For Process Control, a process used to preserve information when a service
stops or starts.
memory
address
A portion of computer memory that can be allocated to a device or used by a
program or the operating system. Devices are usually allocated a range of
memory addresses.
See also: device
Memory Usage
In Task Manager, the current working set of a process, in kilobytes. The
current working set is the number of pages currently resident in memory. On
the
Task Manager Processes tab, the column heading is
Mem Usage.
See also: Task Manager
Memory Usage
Delta
In Task Manager, the change in memory, in kilobytes, used since the last
update.
See also: Task Manager
message
For Message Queuing, a unit of information sent between computers running
Message Queuing. The message can contain text or binary data as defined by
the sending application. All messages, including status messages, are stored
in queues on Message Queuing computers.
See also:
Message Queuing
Message
Authentication Code (MAC)
An algorithm that ensures the quality of a block of data.
message
digest
Message
Queuing
A message queuing and routing system for Windows that enables distributed
applications running at different times to communicate across heterogeneous
networks and with computers that may be offline. Message Queuing provides
guaranteed message delivery, efficient routing, security, and priority-based
messaging. Message Queuing was formerly known as MSMQ.
See also:
Microsoft Distributed Transaction Coordinator (MS
DTC)
Message
Queuing server
For Message Queuing (also known as MSMQ), a computer that can provide
message queuing, routing, and directory services to client computers.
Message Queuing servers can be used to:
- Provide message routing and session concentration for independent
clients.
- Provide message routing between sites over routing links.
- Create queues and store messages for dependent clients.
- Access information in Active Directory (if installed on a Windows
domain controller).
See also: Active Directory;
dependent client;
independent client;
routing link;
routing services;
session concentration
Messenger
service
metadata
Data about data. For example, the title, subject, author, and size of a file
constitute the file's metadata.
metric
A number used to indicate the cost of a route in the IP routing table that
enables the selection of the best route among possible multiple routes to
the same destination.
Microcom
Networking Protocol Five (MNP5)
A data-compression standard that allows modems to increase throughput by
compressing data before transmission. Data can be compressed with a ratio of
up to 2:1. MNP5 sometimes expands data that has already been compressed,
resulting in poorer performance in those cases. If you have an MNP5 modem,
do not turn on modem compression and software compression at the same time.
To turn on MNP5 compression, you must also turn on MNP4 error control.
See
also: Microcom Networking Protocol Four (MNP4)
Microcom
Networking Protocol Four (MNP4)
An industry-standard communication protocol that allows modems to
automatically retransmit corrupted data, assuring that only error-free data
passes through the modem. MNP2 and MNP3 standards are included in MNP4.
See also: Microcom Networking Protocol Five (MNP5)
Microsoft
Distributed Transaction Coordinator (MS DTC)
A transaction manager that coordinates transactions that span multiple
resource managers, such as Message Queuing and Microsoft SQL Server. MS DTC
is automatically installed when Message Queuing is installed.
See also:
Message Queuing;
transaction
Microsoft
Management Console (MMC)
A framework for hosting administrative tools, called consoles. A console may
contain tools, folders or other containers, World Wide Web pages, and other
administrative items. These items are displayed in the left pane of the
console, called a console tree. A console has one or more windows that can
provide views of the console tree.
The main MMC window provides commands and tools for authoring consoles.
The authoring features of MMC and the console tree itself may be hidden when
a console is in User Mode.
See also: snap-in;
console tree
Microsoft
Point-to-Point Encryption (MPPE)
A 128-bit key or 40-bit key encryption algorithm using RSA RC4. MPPE
provides for packet confidentiality between the remote access client and the
remote access or tunnel server and is useful where IP security (IPSec) is
not available. MPPE 40-bit keys are used to satisfy current North American
export restrictions. MPPE is compatible with Network Address Translation.
See also: remote access server;
tunnel server
Microsoft
Reserved (MSR) partition
A required partition on every GUID partition table (GPT) disk. System
components can allocate portions of the MSR partition into new partitions
for their own use. For example, when you convert a basic GPT disk to
dynamic, the system allocates a portion of the MSR partition to be used as
the Logical Disk Manager (LDM) metadata partition. The MSR partition varies
in size based on the size of the GPT disk. For disks smaller than 16 GB, the
MSR partition is 32 MB. For disks larger than 16 GB, the MSR partition is
128 MB. The MSR partition is not visible in Disk Management, and you cannot
store data on the MSR partition or delete it.
See also:
GUID partition table (GPT); partition
MIDI setup
minimize
To reduce a window to a button on the taskbar by clicking the
Minimize
button (at the right of the title bar), or by pressing ALT+SPACEBAR and then
pressing N.
See also: maximize;
title bar
minimum TTL
A default Time to Live (TTL) value set in seconds for use with all resource
records in a zone. This value is set in the start of authority (SOA)
resource record for each zone. By default, the DNS server includes this
value in query answers to inform recipients how long it can store and use
resource records provided in the query answer before they must expire the
stored records data. When TTL values are set for individual resource
records, those values will override the minimum TTL.
See also:
DNS Server;
start-of-authority (SOA) resource record; Time to
Live (TTL); zone
mirror
One of the two volumes that make up a mirrored volume. Each mirror of a
mirrored volume resides on a different disk. If one mirror becomes
unavailable (due to a disk failure, for example), Windows can use the
remaining mirror to gain access to the volume's data.
See also:
fault tolerance;
mirrored volume;
volume
mirror set
A fault-tolerant partition created with Windows NT 4.0 or earlier that
duplicates data on two physical disks. You can only repair, resynchronize,
break, or delete mirror sets in Windows 2000. To create new volumes that are
mirrored, use mirrored volumes on dynamic disks.
See also:
basic disk;
dynamic disk; fault tolerance;
mirrored volume
mirrored
volume
A fault-tolerant volume that duplicates data on two physical disks. A
mirrored volume provides data redundancy by using two identical volumes,
which are called mirrors, to duplicate the information contained on the
volume. A mirror is always located on a different disk. If one of the
physical disks fails, the data on the failed disk becomes unavailable, but
the system continues to operate in the mirror on the remaining disk. You can
create mirrored volumes only on dynamic disks.
See also:
volume; dynamic disk;
dynamic volume;
fault tolerance;
RAID-5 volume
modem
(modulator/demodulator)
A device that allows computer information to be transmitted and received
over a telephone line. The transmitting modem translates digital computer
data into analog signals that can be carried over a phone line. The
receiving modem translates the analog signals back to digital form.
See
also: modem compression;
null modem cable; port;
Telephony API (TAPI);
Waiting for Call
modem
compression
A technique used to reduce the number of characters transmitted without
losing data content. The transmitting modem compresses the data and the
receiving computer or modem decompresses the data back to its original
state.
See also: modem (modulator/demodulator)
modulation
standards
Protocols that determine how modems convert digital data into analog signals
that can be transmitted over telephone lines.
Initially, Bell created modulation standards used in the United States,
and the CCITT created international recommendations. The ITU-T
(formerly called the CCITT) now makes recommendations generally adopted by
modem manufacturers both internationally and in the United States. The
ITU-T V series recommendations (such as V.34 and V.90) define data
communication over the telephone network. The suffixes -bis and -ter
(for example, V.32bis) indicate later versions.
See also: International Telecommunication Union -
Telecommunication [Standardization Sector] (ITU-T);
V.34; V.90
mount
mounted
drive
A drive attached to an empty folder on an NTFS volume. Mounted drives
function the same as any other drive, but are assigned a label or name
instead of a drive letter. The mounted drive's name is resolved to a full
file system path instead of just a drive letter. Members of the
Administrators group can use Disk Management to create mounted drives or
reassign drive letters.
See also: drive;
mount; NTFS file system;
volume
MouseKeys
A keyboard feature that enables you to use the numeric keypad to move the
mouse pointer and to click, double-click, and drag.
See also:
ToggleKeys;
FilterKeys; StickyKeys
MS-DOS
(Microsoft Disk Operating System)
An operating system used on all personal computers and compatibles. As with
other operating systems, such as OS/2, it translates user keyboard input
into operations the computer can perform.
MS-DOS can be easily
accessed by using the command prompt, while
MS-DOS-based
programs can be accessed through the use of shortcuts on the desktop.
See
also: OS/2;
command prompt window;
MS-DOS-based program
MS-DOS-based
program
multicast
Network traffic destined for a set of hosts that belong to a multicast
group.
Multicast
Address Dynamic Client Allocation Protocol (MADCAP)
multicast
address resolution service (MARS)
A service for resolving multicast IP addresses to the ATM addresses of the
clients that have joined that multicast group. The MARS can work in
conjunction with the MCS and clients to distribute multicast data through
point-to-multipoint connections.
See also: Asynchronous
Transfer Mode (ATM); multicast server (MCS);
IP address
multicast
scope
multicast
server (MCS)
A service that manages zero or more multicast groups and distributes
multicast data sent to it by clients of those multicast groups through
point-to-multipoint connections.
See also:
nonhubbed mode; service
multicasting
The process of sending a message simultaneously to more than one destination
on a network.
multihomed
computer
multilink
dialing
The combination of two or more physical communications links' bandwidth into
a single logical link to increase your remote access bandwidth and
throughput by using remote access Multilink. Based on the Internet
Engineering Task Force (IETF) standard RFC 1990, Multilink combines analog
modem paths, ISDN B-channels, and mixed analog and digital communications
links on both your client and server computers. This increases your Internet
and intranet access speed and decreases the amount of time you are connected
to a remote computer.
See also: B-channel;
bandwidth;
Integrated Services
Digital Network (ISDN)
multimaster
replication
A replication model in which any domain controller accepts and replicates
directory changes to any other domain controller. This differs from other
replication models in which one computer stores the single modifiable copy
of the directory and other computers store backup copies.
See also:
domain controller;
replication
multiple
boot
Musical
Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI)
A serial interface standard that allows for the connection of music
synthesizers, musical instruments, and computers. The MIDI standard is based
partly on hardware and partly on a description of the way in which music and
sound are encoded and communicated between MIDI devices. The information
transmitted between MIDI devices is in a form called a MIDI message, which
encodes aspects of sound, such as pitch and volume, as 8-bit bytes of
digital information.
MIDI devices can be used for creating, recording, and playing back music.
Using MIDI, computers, synthesizers, and sequencers can communicate with
each other, either keeping time or actually controlling the music created by
other connected equipment.
See also: MIDI setup
My Documents
A folder that provides you with a convenient place to store documents,
graphics, or other files you want to access quickly. When you save a file in
a program such as WordPad or Paint, the file is automatically saved in My
Documents, unless you choose a different folder.
See also:
home folder
N
name
The identifier of your computer on the network.
name
resolution
name server
(NS) resource record
named pipe
A portion of memory that can be used by one process to pass information to
another process, so that the output of one is the input of the other. The
second process can be local (on the same computer as the first) or remote
(on a networked computer).
namespace
A set of unique names for resources or items used in a shared computing
environment.
For Microsoft Management Console (MMC), the namespace is represented by
the console tree, which displays all of the snap-ins and resources that are
accessible to a console.
For Domain Name System (DNS), namespace is the vertical or hierarchical
structure of the domain name tree. For example, each domain label, such as
host1 or example, used in a fully qualified domain name, such
as host1.example.microsoft.com, indicates a branch in the domain
namespace tree.
See also: console tree;
Domain Name System (DNS);
label; resource;
snap-in
naming
context
native mode
The condition in which all domain controllers in the domain have been
upgraded to Windows 2000 and an administrator has enabled native mode
operation (through Active Directory Users and Computers).
See also:
Active Directory Users and Computers
NetBIOS
Extended User Interface (NetBEUI)
NetWare Core
Protocol (NCP)
The file-sharing protocol that governs communications about resource (such
as disk and printer), bindery, and NDS operations between server and client
computers on a Novell NetWare network. Requests from client computers are
transmitted by the IPX protocol. Servers respond according to NCP
guidelines.
See also: bindery;
Internetwork Packet Exchange (IPX);
Novell Directory Services (NDS)
network
A group of computers and other devices, such as printers and scanners,
connected by a communications link, enabling all the devices to interact
with each other. Networks can be small or large, permanently connected
through wires or cables, or temporarily connected through phone lines or
wireless transmissions. The largest network is the Internet, which is a
worldwide group of networks.
See also:
network adapter
network
adapter
A device that connects your computer to a network. This device is sometimes
called an adapter card or network interface card.
network
administrator
A person responsible for planning, configuring, and managing the day-to-day
operation of the network. Network administrator is also called a system
administrator.
network
basic input/output system (NetBIOS)
network card
driver
A device driver that works directly with the network card, acting as an
intermediary between the card and the protocol driver. With AppleTalk
network integration, the AppleTalk Protocol stack on the server is
implemented as a protocol driver and is bound to one or more network card
drivers.
See also: device driver
Network
Connections
A component you can use to gain access to network resources and
functionality, whether you are physically at the network location or in a
remote location. By using the Network Connections folder you can create,
configure, store, and monitor connections.
Network DDE
service
network
media
The type of physical wiring and lower-layer protocols used for transmitting
and receiving packets; for example, Ethernet, FDDI, and Token Ring.
Network Name
resource
The name of a device that exists on a network and is supported as a cluster
resource by a Resource DLL provided with Windows.
See also:
Resource DLL
Network News
Transfer Protocol (NNTP)
A member of the TCP/IP suite of protocols used to distribute network news
messages to NNTP servers and clients (newsreaders) on the Internet. NNTP is
designed so that news articles are stored on a server in a central database,
thus enabling a user to select specific items to read.
See also:
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet
Protocol (TCP/IP)
network
number
In the Macintosh environment, the routing address or range of addresses
assigned to the physical network that AppleTalk Phase 2 routers use to
direct information to the appropriate network. Network number is also called
network range and cable range.
network
partition
A state in which one or more of the nodes in a cluster cannot communicate
with the other cluster nodes.
network
place
A folder on a Web server. You can view files and folders on Web servers just
as you would view files and folders on network servers. However, when you
save a file to a network place, the file is saved on a Web server, not on
your computer's hard disk. You can create network places by using the Add
Network Place Wizard, which is located in My Network Places. Network places
are available only on Web servers that support Web Extender Client (WEC),
FrontPage extensions, and Distributed Authoring and Versioning (DAV)
protocols.
non-Plug and
Play
A device, such as a printer, modem, or game controller, that requires manual
configuration of hardware settings before it can be used. Non-Plug and Play
devices are becoming increasingly rare as manufacturers stop producing them
in favor of Plug and Play devices. Non-Plug and Play typically applies to
older pieces of equipment.
See also: device;
Plug and Play
nonauthoritative restore
A restore of a backup copy of a Windows domain controller in which the
objects in the restored directory are not treated as authoritative. The
restored objects are updated with changes held in other replicas of the
restored domain.
See also:
authoritative restore
noncontainer
object
An object that cannot logically contain other objects. For example, a file
is a noncontainer object.
See also:
container object; object
nonhubbed
mode
A mode in which the ATM ARP/MARS does not forward multicast and broadcast
traffic for multicast group clients. In this mode, the service returns a
dynamic listing of ATM hosts currently registered for the multicast group
address to requesting clients. Clients then use this list to initiate and
establish their own point-to-multipoint virtual connections with each of the
members in the multicast list.
See also: hubbed
mode; multicast address resolution service (MARS);
multicast server (MCS)
nonpaged
memory
Memory that cannot be paged to disk. Paging is the moving of infrequently
used parts of a program's working memory from RAM to another storage medium,
usually the hard disk.
See also: paging file
nonpaged
pool
Operating system memory that is never paged to disk. Paging is the moving of
infrequently used parts of a program's working memory from RAM to another
storage medium, usually the hard disk. In Task Manager, the amount of memory
used by a process, in kilobytes.
See also:
paging file
normal
backup
A backup that copies all selected files and marks each file as having been
backed up (in other words, the archive attribute is cleared). With normal
backups, you need only the most recent copy of the backup file or tape to
restore all of the files. You usually perform a normal backup the first time
you create a backup set.
See also: copy backup;
daily backup;
differential backup;
incremental backup
notification
area
The area on the taskbar to the right of the taskbar buttons. The
notification area displays the time and can also contain shortcuts that
provide quick access to programs, such as Volume Control and Power Options.
Other shortcuts can appear temporarily, providing information about the
status of activities. For example, the printer shortcut icon appears after a
document has been sent to the printer and disappears when printing is
complete.
notify list
A list maintained by the primary master for a zone of other DNS servers that
should be notified when zone changes occur. The notify list is made up of IP
addresses for DNS servers configured as secondary masters for the zone. When
the listed servers are notified of a change to the zone, they will initiate
a zone transfer with another DNS server and update the zone.
See also:
DNS Server;
primary master; zone transfer;
secondary master;
zone
Novell
Directory Services (NDS)
On networks running Novell NetWare 4.0, a distributed database that
maintains information about every resource on the network and provides
access to these resources.
Nslookup
NTDS-DSA
object
An object that represents the configuration of the Active Directory service
running on a specific domain controller. For example, the NTDS-DSA object
holds the setting that determines whether or not the Active Directory
service provides global catalog services. NTDS-DSA objects are created and
deleted in the course of running the Active Directory Installation Wizard (dcpromo.exe).
An NTDS-DSA object is stored in the Configuration directory partition and
is always a child of the Server object representing the domain controller
where this particular Active Directory service is running. For example, if
the distinguished name of an NTDS-DSA object is:
CN=NTDS Settings,CN=RESKIT1,CN=Servers,
CN=Washington,CN=Sites,CN=Configuration,DC=reskit,DC=com
then the distinguished name of the corresponding Server object is:
CN=RESKIT1,CN=Servers,CN=Washington,CN=Sites,
CN=Configuration,DC=reskit,DC=com
See also: Active Directory;
domain controller;
global catalog
NTFS file
system
An advanced file system that provides performance, security, reliability,
and advanced features that are not found in any version of FAT. For example,
NTFS guarantees volume consistency by using standard transaction logging and
recovery techniques. If a system fails, NTFS uses its log file and
checkpoint information to restore the consistency of the file system. In
Windows 2000 and
Windows XP, NTFS also provides advanced features such as file
and folder permissions, encryption, disk quotas, and compression.
See
also: FAT32;
file allocation table (FAT); file system
NTLM
A security package that provides authentication between clients and servers.
NTLM
authentication protocol
A challenge/response authentication protocol. The NTLM authentication
protocol was the default for network authentication in Windows NT version
4.0 and earlier. The protocol continues to be supported in Windows 2000 but
no longer is the default.
null modem
cable
Special cabling that eliminates the modem's need for asynchronous
communications between two computers over short distances. A null modem
cable emulates modem communication.
See also:
modem (modulator/demodulator)
NWLink
O
object
An entity, such as a file, folder, shared folder, printer, or Active
Directory object, described by a distinct, named set of attributes. For
example, the attributes of a File object include its name, location, and
size; the attributes of an Active Directory User object might include the
user's first name, last name, and
e-mail address.
For OLE and ActiveX, an object can also be any piece of information that
can be linked to, or embedded into, another object.
See also: attribute;
child object;
OLE;
parent object
offline
A state that marks a component in a cluster as unavailable. A node in an
offline state is either inactive or not running. Resources and groups also
have an offline state.
See also: group;
online; pending;
resource
OLE
A way to transfer and share information between applications by pasting
information created in one application into a document created in another
application, such as a spreadsheet or word processing file.
See also:
embedded object;
linked object;
package
on-disk
catalog
Information stored on a local disk drive. The on-disk catalog contains a
list of files and folders that have been backed up in a backup set.
See
also: backup set;
on-media catalog
on-media
catalog
Information stored on backup storage media. The on-media catalog contains a
list of files and folders that have been backed up in a backup set.
See
also: backup set;
on-disk catalog
one-way
trust
A type of trust relationship in which only one of the two domains trusts the
other domain. For example, domain A trusts domain B and domain B does not
trust domain A. All one-way trusts are nontransitive.
See also:
transitive trust;
two-way trust
online
A state that marks a component in a cluster as available. When a node is
online, it is an active member of the cluster and can own and run groups as
well as honor cluster database updates, contribute votes to the quorum
algorithm, and maintain heartbeats. Resources and groups also have an online
state.
See also: group;
offline; pending;
resource
Open Systems
Interconnection (OSI) reference model
A networking model introduced by the International Organization for
Standardization (ISO) to promote multi-vendor interoperability. Open Systems
Interconnection (OSI) is a seven-layered conceptual model consisting of the
application, presentation, session, transport, network, data-link, and
physical layers.
See also: Transmission
Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
OpenType
fonts
Outline fonts that are rendered from line and curve commands, and can be
scaled and rotated. OpenType fonts are clear and readable in all sizes and
on all output devices supported by Windows. OpenType is an extension of
TrueType font technology.
See also: font;
TrueType fonts
operations
master
A domain controller that has been assigned one or more special roles in an
Active Directory domain.
The domain controllers assigned these roles perform operations that are
single-master (not permitted to occur at different places on the network at
the same time). Examples of these operations include resource identifier
allocation, schema modification, PDC election, and certain infrastructure
changes.
The domain controller that controls the particular operation owns the
operations master role for that operation. The ownership of these operations
master roles can be transferred to other domain controllers.
See also: Active Directory;
domain controller;
domain naming master;
infrastructure master;
schema master
operator
In mathematics and in programming and computer applications, a symbol or
other character indicating an operation that acts on one or more elements.
You can use the following four operators in standard calculations:
/ divide
* multiply
- subtract
+ add
For Indexing Service, a word or character that specifies a relationship
in a query.
organizational unit
An Active Directory container object used within domains. An organizational
unit is a logical container into which users, groups, computers, and other
organizational units are placed. It can contain objects only from its parent
domain. An organizational unit is the smallest scope to which a Group Policy
object can be linked, or over which administrative authority can be
delegated.
See also: Active Directory;
container object;
Group Policy object;
parent domain
orphan
A member of a mirrored volume or a RAID-5 volume that has failed due to a
severe cause, such as a loss of power or a complete hard-disk head failure.
When this happens, the fault-tolerant driver determines that it can no
longer use the orphaned member and directs all new reads and writes to the
remaining members of the fault-tolerant volume.
See also:
fault tolerance;
mirrored volume;
RAID-5 volume
orphan file
A file that is stored inside My Briefcase and not linked to any file outside
My Briefcase. When you update files, the orphan file is not synchronized
with any other file.
OS/2
A protected-mode, virtual memory, multitasking operating system for personal
computers based on the Intel 80286, 80386, i486, and Pentium processors.
OS/2 can run most
MS-DOS-based programs and can read all
MS-DOS disks.
See also:
MS-DOS-based program
owner
In a Windows environment, the person who controls how permissions are set on
objects and can grant permissions to others.
In the Macintosh environment, an owner is the user responsible for
setting permissions for a folder on a server. A Macintosh user who creates a
folder on the server automatically becomes the owner of the folder, and can
then transfer ownership to someone else. Each Macintosh-accessible volume on
the server also has an owner.
owner
category
In the Macintosh environment, the user category to which you assign
permissions for the owner of a folder or a Macintosh volume.
P
package
An icon that represents embedded or linked information. That information may
consist of a complete file, such as a Paint bitmap, or part of a file, such
as a spreadsheet cell. When you choose the package, the application used to
create the object either plays the object (for example, a sound file) or
opens and displays the object. If you change the original information,
linked information is automatically updated. However, you must manually
update embedded information.
See also:
embedded object; linked object;
OLE
packet
packet
header
In network protocol communications, a specially reserved field of a defined
bit length that is attached to the front of a packet for carry and transfer
of control information. When the packet arrives at its destination, the
field is then detached and discarded as the packet is processed and
disassembled in a corresponding reverse order for each protocol layer.
See
also: packet
packet
switching
A technology for breaking data into packets and then sending the packets
over a network. Each packet has a header containing its source and
destination, a sequence number to reassemble the information, a block of
data content, and an error-checking code. The data packets may take
different routes to their destination, where the original information is
reassembled after the packets arrive. The international standard for packet
switching networks is X.25.
See also: packet
PAD (packet
assembler/disassembler)
A device that connects a non-X.25 device such as a modem to an X.25 packet
switching network.
page
In virtual memory systems, a unit of data storage that is brought into
random access memory (RAM), typically from a hard drive, when a requested
item of data is not already in RAM.
See also:
virtual memory
page fault
The interrupt that occurs when software attempts to read from or write to a
virtual memory location that is marked
not present.
In Task Manager, page fault is the number of times data has to be
retrieved from disk for a process because it was not found in memory. The
page fault value accumulates from the time the process started.
See also: Page Faults Delta;
Task Manager;
virtual memory
Page Faults
Delta
In Task Manager, the change in the number of page faults since the last
update.
See also: Task Manager
page-description language (PDL)
paged pool
The system-allocated virtual memory that has been charged to a process and
that can be paged. Paging is the moving of infrequently-used parts of a
program's working memory from RAM to another storage medium, usually the
hard disk.
In Task Manager, the amount of system-allocated virtual memory, in
kilobytes, used by a process.
See also: registry size limit (RSL);
virtual memory
paging file
A hidden file on the hard disk that Windows uses to hold parts of programs
and data files that do not fit in memory. The paging file and physical
memory, or RAM, comprise virtual memory. Windows moves data from the paging
file to memory as needed and moves data from memory to the paging file to
make room for new data. Paging file is also called a swap file.
See also:
Peak Memory Usage;
registry size limit (RSL);
virtual memory
Panose
A font-classification method that measures values, such as serifs, weight,
and stroke variations, for a TrueType font. These values are represented by
a Panose number. The Panose number is then used to associate the font with
other fonts of similar appearance but different names. The closer the Panose
number of two fonts, the more similar they are.
paper source
The location (such as Upper Paper Tray or Envelope Feeder) of the paper at
the printer.
parallel
port
The input/output connector for a parallel interface device. Printers are
generally plugged into a parallel port.
See also:
serial port
parent
domain
For DNS and Active Directory, domains that are located in the namespace tree
directly above other derivative domain names (child domains). For example,
microsoft.com would be the parent domain for
example.microsoft.com,
a child domain.
See also: domain;
Domain Name System (DNS)
parent
object
The object in which another object resides. A parent object implies
relation. For example, a folder is a parent object in which a file, or child
object, resides. An object can be both a parent and a child object. For
example, a subfolder that contains files is both the child of the parent
folder and the parent folder of the files.
See also:
child object; object
parity
A calculated value that is used to reconstruct data after a failure. RAID-5
volumes stripe data and parity intermittently across a set of disks. When a
disk fails, some server operating systems use the parity information
together with the data on good disks to recreate the data on the failed
disk.
See also: fault tolerance;
RAID-5 volume
parity bit
In asynchronous communications, an extra bit used in checking for errors in
groups of data bits transferred within or between computer systems. In
modem-to-modem communications, a parity bit is often used to check the
accuracy with which each character is transmitted.
See also:
parity
partition
A portion of a physical disk that functions as though it were a physically
separate disk. After you create a partition, you must format it and assign
it a drive letter before you can store data on it.
On basic disks, partitions are known as basic volumes, which include
primary partitions and logical drives. On dynamic disks, partitions are
known as dynamic volumes, which include simple, striped, spanned, mirrored,
and RAID-5 volumes.
See also: basic disk;
basic volume; drive
letter; dynamic volume;
extended partition;
primary partition;
system partition
partition
boot sector
A portion of a hard disk partition that contains information about the
disk's file system and a short machine language program that loads the
Windows operating system.
See also: partition
password
A security measure used to restrict logon names to user accounts and access
to computer systems and resources. A password is a string of characters that
must be provided before a logon name or an access is authorized. A password
can be made up of letters, numbers, and symbols, and it is case sensitive.
See also: user account
Password
Authentication Protocol (PAP)
A simple, plaintext authentication scheme for authenticating PPP
connections. The user name and password are requested by the remote access
server and returned by the remote access client in plaintext.
See also:
Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP);
remote access;
password
paused
A state that applies to a node in a cluster. The node is a fully active
member in the cluster but cannot accept new resource groups (for example, a
resource group cannot fail over or fail back to a paused node). You can
administer and maintain a paused node.
See also:
cluster; failback;
failover; offline
PC Card
A removable device, approximately the size of a credit card, that can be
plugged into a Personal Computer Memory Card International Association
(PCMCIA) slot in a portable computer. PCMCIA devices can include modems,
network cards, and hard disk drives.
See also:
modem (modulator/demodulator)
PCI
expansion slot
A connection socket for a peripheral designed for the Peripheral Component
Interconnect (PCI) local bus on a computer motherboard.
PDC emulator
master
The domain controller assigned to act as a Windows NT 4.0 primary domain
controller (PDC) to service network clients that do not have Active
Directory client software installed, and to replicate directory changes to
any Windows NT backup domain controllers (BDCs) in the domain.
The PDC emulator master receives preferential replication of password
changes performed by other domain controllers in the domain and handles any
password authentication requests that fail at the local domain controller.
At any time, there can be only one PDC emulator master in a particular
domain.
See also: Active Directory;
primary domain controller (PDC);
replication;
backup domain controller (BDC);
domain controller;
multimaster replication;
operations master
Peak Memory
Usage
In Task Manager, the peak amount of physical memory resident in a process
since it started.
See also: Task Manager
pending
A state that refers to a resource in a cluster when the resource is in the
process of being brought online or taken offline.
See also:
offline; online;
resource
Per Seat
Licensing
A licensing mode that requires a separate Client Access License for each
client computer, regardless of whether all the clients access the server at
the same time.
See also: client;
Per Server Licensing
Per Server
Licensing
A licensing mode that requires a separate Client Access License for each
concurrent connection to the server, regardless of whether there are other
client computers on the network that do not happen to connect concurrently.
See also: client;
Per Seat Licensing
performance
alert
A feature that detects when a predefined counter value rises above or falls
below the configured threshold and notifies a user by means of the Messenger
service.
See also: Messenger service
performance
counter
In System Monitor, a data item that is associated with a performance object.
For each counter selected, System Monitor presents a value corresponding to
a particular aspect of the performance that is defined for the performance
object.
See also: performance object
performance
object
In System Monitor, a logical collection of counters that is associated with
a resource or service that can be monitored.
See also:
performance counter
performance
object instance
In System Monitor, a term used to distinguish between multiple performance
objects of the same type on a computer.
See also:
performance object
peripheral
A device, such as a disk drive, printer, modem, or joystick, that is
connected to a computer and is controlled by the computer's microprocessor.
See also: device
peripheral
component interconnect (PCI)
A specification introduced by Intel Corporation that defines a local bus
system that allows up to 10 PCI-compliant expansion cards to be installed in
the computer.
permission
Physical
Disk resource
A disk on a cluster storage device. Physical disks are supported as cluster
resources by a Resource DLL.
See also: Resource
DLL
ping
A utility that verifies connections to one or more remote hosts. The
ping
command uses the ICMP echo request and echo reply packets to determine
whether a particular IP system on a network is functional.
Ping is
useful for diagnosing IP network or router failures.
See also:
Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP)
pixel
Short for picture element, one spot in a rectilinear grid of thousands of
such spots that form an image produced on the screen by a computer or on
paper by a printer. A pixel is the smallest element that display or print
hardware and software can manipulate to create letters, numbers, or
graphics. A pixel is also called a pel.
See also:
screen resolution
PKCS #10
PKCS #12
The Personal Information Exchange Syntax Standard, developed and maintained
by RSA Data Security, Inc. This syntax standard specifies a portable format
for storing or transporting a user's private keys, certificates, and
miscellaneous secrets.
See also: certificate;
Public Key Cryptography Standards (PKCS)
PKCS #7
plaintext
Data that is not encrypted. Sometimes also called cleartext.
plotter
Any device used to draw charts, diagrams, and other line-based graphics.
plotter font
A font created by a series of dots connected by lines. Plotter fonts can be
scaled to any size and are most often printed on plotters. Some dot-matrix
printers also support plotter fonts.
See also: font
Plug and
Play
point of
termination station (POTS)
Basic dial telephone connections to the public switched network, without any
added features or functions. Plain old telephone service and point of
termination station is also called POTS.
Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP)
Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE)
A specification for connecting users on an Ethernet network to the Internet
through a broadband connection, such as a single DSL line, wireless device,
or cable modem. Using PPPoE and a broadband modem, LAN users can gain
individual authenticated access to high-speed data networks. By combining
Ethernet and Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP), PPPoE provides an efficient way
to create a separate connection for each user to a remote server.
Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP)
pointer (PTR)
resource record
policy
The mechanism by which desktop settings are configured automatically, as
defined by the administrator. Depending on context, this can refer to Group
Policy, Windows NT 4.0 System Policy, or a specific setting in a Group
Policy object.
See also: Group Policy;
Group Policy object;
System Policy
polling
intervals
The frequency the Resource Monitor checks that the resource is available and
operating. There are two levels of polling:
Looks Alive and
Is
Alive. The server cluster requests a more thorough check of the
resource's state at each Is Alive interval than it does at each Looks Alive
interval; therefore, the Is Alive polling interval is typically longer than
the Looks Alive polling interval. You can specify the two polling intervals
and a time-out value for resources.
See also:
resource
POP3 (Post
Office Protocol 3)
A popular protocol used for receiving e-mail messages. This protocol is
often used by ISPs. POP3 servers allow access to a single Inbox in contrast
to IMAP servers, which provide access to multiple server-side folders.
port
A connection point on your computer where you can connect devices that pass
data into and out of a computer. For example, a printer is typically
connected to a parallel port (also called an LPT port), and a modem is
typically connected to a serial port (also called a COM port).
See also:
serial port;
universal serial bus (USB)
port rule
For Network Load Balancing, a set of configuration parameters that determine
the filtering mode to be applied to a range of ports.
See also:
filtering mode; port
Portable
Operating System Interface for UNIX (POSIX)
An Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standard that
defines a set of operating-system services. Programs that adhere to the
POSIX standard can be easily ported from one system to another. POSIX was
based on UNIX system services, but it was created in a way that allows it to
be implemented by other operating systems.
See also:
service
possible
owners
A list that specifies which nodes in the cluster are capable of running that
resource. By default, both nodes appear as possible owners, so the resource
can run on either node. In most cases, it is appropriate to use this default
setting. If you want the resource to be able to fail over, both nodes must
be designated as possible owners.
See also:
failover; resource
PostScript
PostScript
fonts
Fonts that are defined in terms of the PostScript page-description language
(PDL) rules and are intended to be printed on a PostScript-compatible
printer. When a document displayed in a screen font is sent to a PostScript
printer, the printer uses the PostScript version if the font exists. If the
font doesn't exist but a version is installed on the computer, that font is
downloaded to the printer. If there is no PostScript font installed in
either the printer or the computer, the bit-mapped (raster) font is
translated into PostScript and the printer produces text using the
bit-mapped font. PostScript fonts are distinguished from bit-mapped fonts by
their smoothness, detail, and faithfulness to standards of quality
established in the typographic industry.
See also:
downloadable fonts;
font; page-description language (PDL);
PostScript; raster
fonts
PostScript
printer
A printer that uses the PostScript page-description language (PDL) to create
text and graphics on the output medium, such as paper or overhead
transparency. Examples of PostScript printers include the Apple LaserWriter,
the NEC LC-890, and the QMS PS-810.
See also:
page-description language (PDL); PostScript;
virtual printer memory
power
conditioning
power scheme
A group of preset power-management options. For example, you can set elapsed
times for putting your computer on standby and for turning off your monitor
and hard disk. You save these settings as a named power scheme.
PPP
(Point-to-Point Protocol)
predefined
key
A key that represents one of the main divisions of the registry. Each
predefined key is displayed in a separate Registry Editor window, with the
key's name appearing in the window's title bar. For example,
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT is a predefined key.
See also:
registry; hive;
key
preferred
owner
The node on which you prefer each group to run. For example, the static load
balancing model performs best when groups are appropriately balanced between
two nodes. When a node fails, the remaining node takes over the groups from
the failed node, but performance is diminished. By setting those groups to
fail back to their preferred server (the failed node), you automatically
restore maximum performance when failback occurs. A group does not fail back
if a preferred owner is not selected.
You will not always choose a preferred owner because it may not matter
where the group resides; all that matters is that the group is still running
on one of the two nodes. Or, the nodes may be equally capable of handling
the load required to use some or all of the resources.
See also: group;
resource; failback
preferred
server
The NetWare server that you connect to by default when you log on to your
computer. The preferred server validates your user credentials and is
queried when you request information about resources available on the
NetWare network.
preset-to
callback
A form of security in which a remote access server verifies users by calling
them back at numbers supplied by the network administrator at the time user
privileges are granted. Only a network administrator can change a preset
callback number. This ensures that no one can borrow a user's password and
connect to the server from a location other than the user's normal one.
See also: callback number;
remote access server;
connected, user authenticated
Primary disk
primary
domain controller (PDC)
In a Windows NT Server 4.0 or earlier domain, the computer running
Windows NT Server that authenticates domain logons and maintains the
directory database for a domain. The PDC tracks changes made to accounts of
all computers on a domain. It is the only computer to receive these changes
directly. A domain has only one PDC. In this version of Windows, one of the
domain controllers in each domain is identified as the PDC for compatibility
with Windows NT 4.0 and earlier versions of Windows NT.
See also:
backup domain controller (BDC)
primary
master
An authoritative DNS server for a zone that can be used as a point of update
for the zone. Only primary masters have the ability to be updated directly
to process zone updates, which include adding, removing, or modifying
resource records that are stored as zone data. Primary masters are also used
as the first sources for replicating the zone to other DNS servers.
See
also: DNS Server;
replication; resource record (RR);
secondary master;
zone
primary
mouse button
The button you use most often for clicking and double-clicking. The primary
mouse button is the left button on most mice and trackball devices, and the
lower button on some trackball devices, but you can switch the function of
the buttons by using the Mouse Properties dialog box in Control
Panel.
primary
partition
A type of partition that you can create on basic disks. A primary partition
is a portion of a physical disk that functions as though it were a
physically separate disk. On basic master boot record (MBR) disks, you can
create up to four primary partitions on a basic disk, or three primary
partitions and an extended partition with multiple logical drives. On basic
GPT disks, you can create up to 128 primary partitions. Primary partitions
are also known as volumes.
See also: basic disk;
extended partition;
GUID partition table (GPT); logical drive;
master boot record (MBR);
partition; volume
print job
The source code that contains both the data to be printed and the commands
for print. Print jobs are classified into data types based on what
modifications, if any, the spooler must make to the job for it to print
correctly.
See also: print spooler;
Printer window;
printing pool
print
processor
The component that, working in conjunction with the printer driver, receives
and alters print jobs, as necessary, according to their data type to ensure
that the jobs print correctly.
See also: print
job; printer driver
print queue
A print queue is a list of documents waiting to be printed on the printer.
In the print queue, you can see information such as the size of the
document, who sent the document, and status information for printing.
print server
A computer that is dedicated to managing the printers on a network. The
print server can be any computer on the network.
print
spooler
Software that accepts a document sent to a printer and then stores it on
disk or in memory until the printer is ready for it. This collection of
dynamic-link libraries (DLLs) receives, processes, schedules, and
distributes documents for printing. The term
spooler is an acronym
created from
simultaneous print operations on line.See also:
dynamic-link library (DLL);
printer; spooling
Print
Spooler resource
Printer queues providing access to a network printer connected to the
network by an IP address rather than by an individual name. Print spoolers
are supported as cluster resources by a Resource DLL.
See also:
print spooler;
Resource DLL; IP address
printer
Printer
Control Language (PCL)
printer
driver
A program designed to allow other programs to work with a particular printer
without concerning themselves with the specifics of the printer's hardware
and internal language. By using printer drivers that handle the subtleties
of each printer, programs can communicate properly with a variety of
printers.
See also: device driver
printer
fonts
Printer Job
Language (PJL)
The printer command language developed by Hewlett Packard that provides
printer control at the print-job level. Using PJL commands, you can change
default printer settings such as number of copies to print. PJL commands
also permit switching printer languages between print jobs without action by
the user. If bi-directional communication is supported, a PJL-compatible
printer can send information such as printer model and job status to the
print server.
See also: Printer Control Language (PCL);
page-description language (PDL);
PostScript
printer
permissions
Permissions that specify the type of access that a user or group has to a
printer. The printer permissions are Print, Manage Printers, and Manage
Documents.
See also: permission
Printer
window
Also called the queue view, the Printer window shows information about any
pending print jobs for the printer. For each printer you have installed or
to which you are connected, you can such information as see how many
documents are waiting to be printed, who owns them, and how large they are.
See also: print job
Printers and
Faxes
The folder in Control Panel that contains the Add Printer Wizard and icons
for all the printers installed on your computer.
See also:
printer
printing
pool
Two or more identical printers that are connected to one print server and
act as a single printer. In this case, when you print a document, the print
job will be sent to the first available printer in the pool.
See also:
print job; printer
priority
For Process Control, the relative ranking of a process or process group with
respect to the use of CPU and system resources. You can configure this in
the Process Control snap-in.
private
branch exchange (PBX)
An automatic telephone switching system that enables users within an
organization to place calls to each other without going through the public
telephone network. Users can also place calls to outside numbers.
private key
The secret half of a cryptographic key pair that is used with a public key
algorithm. Private keys are typically used to decrypt a symmetric session
key, digitally sign data, or decrypt data that has been encrypted with the
corresponding public key.
See also: public key;
public key encryption
private
network
A cluster network that supports only node-to-node communication.
See also:
cluster
private
queue
privilege
A user's right to perform a specific task, usually one that affects an
entire computer system rather than a particular object. Privileges are
assigned by administrators to individual users or groups of users as part of
the security settings for the computer.
Pro
Windows XP Professional
process
The virtual address space and the control information necessary for the
execution of a program.
See also: socket
process
identifier (PID)
A numerical identifier that uniquely distinguishes a process while it runs.
Use Task Manager to view PIDs.
See also: Task
Manager; process
program
A complete, self-contained set of computer instructions that you use to
perform a specific task, such as word processing, accounting, or data
management. Program is also called application.
program
information file (PIF)
A file that provides information to Windows about how best to run
MS-DOS-based programs. When you start an
MS-DOS-based
program, Windows looks for a PIF to use with it. PIFs contain such items as
the name of the file, a start-up directory, and multitasking options.
See
also: MS-DOS-based program
property
A characteristic or parameter of a class of objects or devices. For example,
properties of Microsoft Word files include
Size,
Created, and
Characters.
See also: property cache;
property value; tag
property
cache
For Indexing Service, a file that stores values for document properties.
See also: document;
property
property
value
A specific characteristic or parameter that defines a property. For example,
property values of a specific Microsoft Word document could include
Size
= 10,000 bytes,
Created = Jan 2, 1999, and
Characters = 5,250.
See also: property
Protective
MBR
protocol
public key
public key
cryptography
Public Key
Cryptography Standards (PKCS)
A family of standards for public key cryptography that includes RSA
encryption, Diffie-Hellman key agreement, password-based encryption,
extended-syntax, cryptographic message syntax, private key information
syntax, and certificate request syntax, as well as selected attributes.
Developed, owned, and maintained by RSA Data Security, Inc.
See also:
certificate;
public key cryptography
public key
encryption
A method of encryption that uses two encryption keys that are mathematically
related. One key is called the private key and is kept confidential. The
other is called the public key and is freely given out to all potential
correspondents. In a typical scenario, a sender uses the receiver's public
key to encrypt a message. Only the receiver has the related private key to
decrypt the message. The complexity of the relationship between the public
key and the private key means that, provided the keys are long enough, it is
computationally infeasible to determine one from the other. Public key
encryption is also called asymmetric encryption.
See also:
encryption; private
key; public key;
symmetric encryption
public key
infrastructure (PKI)
The term generally used to describe the laws, policies, standards, and
software that regulate or manipulate certificates and public and private
keys. In practice, it is a system of digital certificates, certification
authorities, and other registration authorities that verify and authenticate
the validity of each party involved in an electronic transaction. Standards
for PKI are still evolving, even though they are being widely implemented as
a necessary element of electronic commerce.
See also:
certificate;
certification authority (CA);
public key
public
network
A cluster network that supports client-to-cluster communication (either with
or without supporting node-to-node communication).
See also:
cluster
public queue
For Message Queuing, a queue that is published in Active Directory and
replicated throughout a Windows enterprise. Public queues can, therefore, be
located by any computer running Message Queuing within the enterprise.
See
also: Active Directory;
Message Queuing;
private queue;
queue
Public
Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)
Standard analog telephone lines, available worldwide.
puff and sip
device
An assistive computer technology for people with mobility impairments. A
puff and sip device is a head-mounted alternative to using the mouse. The
device allows a user to move the mouse pointer without using his or her
hands by puffing air into a tube.
pulse
dialing
A form of dialing that enters a phone number by means of pulse frequencies.
The user typically hears a series of clicking sounds when dialing.
Old-fashioned rotary dial phones use pulse dialing.
See also:
touch-tone dialing
Q
query
For Indexing Service, a structured statement that specifies the documents
you want to find. The simplest query is a single word.
See also:
tag; vector;
wildcard character
queue
A list of programs or tasks waiting for execution. In Windows printing
terminology, a queue refers to a group of documents waiting to be printed.
In NetWare and OS/2 environments, queues are the primary software interface
between the application and print device; users submit documents to a queue.
With Windows, however, the printer is that interface; the document is sent
to a printer, not a queue.
See also:
transactional message;
printer
queue quota
For Message Queuing, the storage size limit for messages in public queues.
When a queue quota is reached, Message Queuing can no longer send messages
to that queue until one or more messages are removed from the queue. Message
Queuing enforces the computer quota before it enforces the queue quota on a
computer.
See also: computer quota;
Message Queuing;
queue
queue type
For Message Queuing, a globally unique identifier (GUID) specified by the
application that created the queue.
See also:
Message Queuing;
queue
Quick Launch
A customizable toolbar that lets you display the Windows desktop or start a
program (for example, Internet Explorer) with a single click. You can add
buttons to start your favorite programs from the Quick Launch location on
the taskbar.
quiet answer
A telephone-answering protocol in which incoming calls are answered with
silence instead of a tone signal. Some telephone-switching systems use quiet
answering. These switching systems expect the caller to provide another
phone number, code, or extension after the quiet answer.
quorum disk
The cluster disk on which configuration data is maintained in the quorum
log, cluster database checkpoint, and resource checkpoints. The quorum disk
is managed by the Quorum resource, which is usually a special kind of
Physical Disk resource.
quorum log
The log where the quorum resource stores data. This data is maintained by
the clustering software. Also known as the recovery log or change log.
See
also: quorum resource;
server cluster
quorum
resource
The quorum-capable resource selected to maintain the configuration data
necessary for recovery of the cluster. This data contains details of all of
the changes that have been applied to the cluster database. The quorum
resource is generally accessible to other cluster resources so that any
cluster node has access to the most recent database changes. By default
there is only one quorum resource per cluster.
See also:
server cluster
quota limit
The amount of disk space available to a user.
See also:
warning level
R
RAID-5
volume
A fault-tolerant volume with data and parity striped intermittently across
three or more physical disks. Parity is a calculated value that is used to
reconstruct data after a failure. If a portion of a physical disk fails,
Windows recreates the data that was on the failed portion from the remaining
data and parity. You can create
RAID-5 volumes only on dynamic
disks, and you cannot mirror or extend
RAID-5 volumes.
See
also: dynamic disk;
dynamic volume;
fault tolerance;
parity; volume
RAM
random
access memory (RAM)
Memory that can be read from or written to by a computer or other devices.
Information stored in RAM is lost when the computer is turned off.
See
also: virtual memory
raster fonts
Fonts that are stored as bitmaps. Raster fonts are designed with a specific
size and resolution for a specific printer and cannot be scaled or rotated.
If a printer does not support raster fonts, it will not print them. The five
raster fonts are Courier, MS Sans Serif, MS Serif, Small, and Symbol. Raster
fonts are also called bit-mapped fonts.
See also: font;
printer
raw socket
A socket that provides direct access to lower-level network protocols.
See
also: socket
read-only
memory (ROM)
A semiconductor circuit that contains information that cannot be modified.
realm
realm name
An identifying prefix or suffix appended to a user name to enable
appropriate routing and authentication during a remote logon process.
See
also: authentication;
routing; user name
rebinding
state
A state used by DHCP clients to extend and renew their address lease when
the current lease is close to expiring. In this state, the client broadcasts
to the network to locate any DHCP server that can either renew or replace
its currently leased configuration. The rebinding state begins when 87.5
percent of the client's lease time has elapsed.
See also:
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP);
lease
recoverable
message
For Message Queuing, a message that can be recovered no matter which
computer fails, but that uses more resources and is slower than an express
message.
See also: express message;
Message Queuing
recovery
agent
Recovery
Console
A command-line interface that provides a limited set of administrative
commands that are useful for repairing a computer.
See also:
NTFS file system
recovery
policy
Recycle Bin
The place in which Windows stores deleted files. You can retrieve files you
deleted in error, or you can empty the Recycle Bin to create more disk
space.
Redundant
Array of Independent Disks (RAID)
A method used to standardize and categorize fault-tolerant disk systems.
RAID levels provide various mixes of performance, reliability, and cost.
Some servers provide three of the RAID levels: Level 0 (striping), Level 1
(mirroring), and Level 5 (RAID-5).
See also:
RAID-5 volume; fault tolerance;
mirrored volume
refresh
To update displayed information with current data.
See also:
refresh rate
refresh
interval
An interval of time used by secondary masters of a zone to determine how
often to check if their zone data needs to be refreshed. When the refresh
interval expires, the secondary master checks with its source for the zone
to see if its zone data is still current or if it needs to be updated using
a zone transfer. This interval is set in the SOA (start-of-authority)
resource record for each zone.
See also:
secondary master; start-of-authority (SOA)
resource record; zone;
zone transfer
refresh rate
The frequency with which the video screen is retraced to prevent the image
from flickering. The entire image area of most monitors is refreshed
approximately 60 times per second.
See also:
refresh
region
Contiguous chunks of storage on a disk.
registered
file type
File types that are tracked by the system registry and are recognized by the
programs you have installed on your computer.
See also:
file type
registry
A database repository for information about a computer's configuration. The
registry contains information that Windows continually references during
operation, such as:
- Profiles for each user.
- The programs installed on the computer and the types of documents each
can create.
- Property settings for folders and program icons.
- What hardware exists on the system.
- Which ports are being used.
The registry is organized hierarchically as a tree and is made up of keys
and their subkeys, hives, and value entries.
See also: hive;
key;
registry size limit (RSL); subtree;
value entry
registry
boot
The default boot option used by most Windows DNS servers. When registry boot
is used, DNS is started and initialized using DNS parameters and their
values as they are stored in the Windows registry. You can use a Berkeley
Internet Name Domain (BIND) boot file as an alternative to this method of
boot configuration for DNS.
See also: BIND
boot file; DNS Server;
Domain Name System (DNS)
registry
size limit (RSL)
A universal maximum for registry space that prevents an application from
filling the paged pool with registry data. The total amount of space that
can be consumed by registry data (hives) is restricted by the registry size
limit.
See also: paged pool;
registry; hive
relative
distinguished name
The part of an object's distinguished name that is an attribute of the
object itself. For most objects this is the Common Name attribute. For
security principals, the default common name is the security principal name,
also referred to as the SAM account name.
For the distinguished name
CN=MyName,CN=Users,DC=Microsoft,DC=Com
the relative distinguished name of the MyName user object is CN=MyName.
The relative distinguished name of the parent object is CN=Users.
See also: object;
distinguished name
relative ID
(RID)
relative ID
master
The domain controller assigned to allocate sequences of relative IDs to each
domain controller in its domain. Whenever a domain controller creates a
security principal (user, group, or computer object), the domain controller
assigns the object a unique security ID. The security ID consists of a
domain security ID that is the same for all security IDs created in a
particular domain, and a relative ID that is unique for each security ID
created in the domain. At any time, there can be only one relative ID master
in a particular domain.
See also: domain
controller; relative ID (RID);
security ID (SID);
security principal
relative
name
The partial DNS domain name configured in individual resource records to
locate and qualify the record within a zone. The relative name is joined to
the front of the parent domain (domain of origin) for each resource record
to form a fully qualified domain name (FQDN) within the zone. In DNS
Manager, the relative name will correspond to fields that use
record-specific name properties, such as the
Host computer name field
used in an address (A) resource record.
See also: A
(address) resource record; Domain Name
System (DNS); fully qualified domain name (FQDN);
resource record (RR); zone
remote
access
Part of the integrated Routing and Remote Access service that provides
remote networking for telecommuters, mobile workers, and system
administrators who monitor and manage servers at multiple branch offices.
Users with a computer running Windows and Network Connections can dial in to
remotely access their networks for services such as file and printer
sharing, electronic mail, scheduling, and SQL database access.
See also:
remote access server;
response; Serial Line Internet Protocol
(SLIP); service
remote
access server
remote
administration
The management of one computer by an administrator working at another
computer connected to the first computer across a network.
Remote
Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS)
A security authentication protocol based on clients and servers and widely
used by Internet service providers (ISPs) on remote servers in
non-Windows-brand operating systems. RADIUS is the most popular means of
authenticating and authorizing dial-up and tunneled network users today.
See also: authentication;
tunnel
remote
computer
A computer that you can access only by using a communications line or a
communications device, such as a network card or a modem.
Remote
Installation Services
Software services that allow an administrator to set up new client computers
remotely, without having to visit each client. The target clients must
support remote booting.
See also:
Single Instance Store (SIS)
remote
procedure call (RPC)
A message-passing facility that allows a distributed application to call
services that are available on various computers on a network. Used during
remote administration of computers.
See also:
service
Remote
Storage
A data management service used to migrate infrequently accessed files from
local storage to remote storage. Migrated files are recalled automatically
and transparently upon user request when the file is opened.
Removable
Storage
A service used for managing removable media (such as tapes and discs) and
storage devices (libraries). Removable Storage allows applications to access
and share the same media resources.
See also:
library; service
rendering
intent
In color management, the approach used to map the colors specified in an
image file to the color gamut of your monitor or printer. The color gamut is
the range of color that a device can produce.
See also:
color gamut
replica
replica set
One or more shared folders that participates in replication.
See also:
replication
replication
The process of copying data from a data store or file system to multiple
computers to synchronize the data. Active Directory provides multimaster
replication of the directory between domain controllers within a given
domain. The replicas of the directory on each domain controller are
writable. This allows updates to be applied to any replica of a given
domain. The replication service automatically copies the changes from a
given replica to all other replicas.
See also:
Active Directory;
replica; replication policy;
topology
replication
policy
Rules that define how and when replication is performed.
See also:
replication
replication
topology
A description of the physical connections between replicas and sites. In
contrast, DFS topologies describe the logical connections.
See also:
replica
report
message
For Message Queuing, a message that contains status information and is sent
to report queues on the source computer. Examples include test messages and
route tracking messages.
See also:
Message Queuing; report queue
report queue
For Message Queuing, a queue on the source computer that contains report
messages. Report queues can be used when sending test messages and tracking
message routes.
See also: Message
Queuing; report message
Request for
Comments (RFC)
reservation
A specific IP address within a scope permanently reserved for leased use to
a specific DHCP client. Client reservations are made in the DHCP database
using DHCP Manager and based on a unique client device identifier for each
reserved entry.
In Admission Control Service, an allocation of network resources,
contained in a Resource Reservation Protocol (RSVP) reservation request
administered by the Admission Control Service.
See also: Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP);
lease;
Resource Reservation Protocol (RSVP); scope;
IP address
resolver
DNS client programs used to look up DNS name information. Resolvers can be
either a small
stub (a limited set of programming routines that
provide basic query functionality) or larger programs that provide
additional lookup DNS client functions, such as caching.
See also:
caching; caching
resolver; Domain Name System (DNS)
resource
Generally, any part of a computer system or network, such as a disk drive,
printer, or memory, that can be allotted to a running program or a process.
For Device Manager, any of four system components that control how the
devices on a computer work. These four system resources are interrupt
request (IRQ) lines, direct memory access (DMA) channels, input/output (I/O)
ports, and memory addresses.
For server clusters, a physical or logical entity that is capable of
being managed by a cluster, brought online and taken offline, and moved
between nodes. A resource can be owned only by a single node at any point in
time.
See also: direct memory access (DMA);
input/output (I/O) port;
interrupt request (IRQ) lines;
memory address;
offline; online;
resource; server cluster
resource
allocation
The process of distributing a computer system's facilities to different
components of a job in order to perform the job.
Resource DLL
resource
domain
A Windows NT 4.0 domain that is used for hosting file, print, and other
application services.
See also: domain;
service
Resource
Monitor
A cluster software component that facilitates communication between a node's
server cluster and one or more of its resources.
See also:
resource; server
cluster
resource
record (RR)
Standard DNS database structure containing information used to process DNS
queries. For example, an address (A) type resource record contains IP
address corresponding to a host name. Most of the basic resource record
types are defined in RFC 1035, but additional RR types have been defined in
other RFCs and approved for use with DNS.
See also:
Domain Name System (DNS);
Request for Comments (RFC);
retry interval; zone
resource
record set (RRset)
A collection of more than one resource record returned in a query response
by a DNS server. Resource record sets (RRsets) are used in responses where
more than one record is part of the answer.
See also:
DNS Server; resource record
(RR)
Resource
Reservation Protocol (RSVP)
A signaling protocol that allows the sender and receiver in a communication
to set up a reserved highway for data transmission with a specified quality
of service.
See also: protocol
response
In Windows remote access, strings expected from the device, which can
contain macros.
See also: string;
remote access
response
message
For Message Queuing, a message sent by a receiving application to the
response queue specified by a sending application. Any available queue can
be specified as a response queue.
See also:
Message Queuing;
response queue;
queue
response
queue
For Message Queuing, a queue that is created by the sending application and
used by the receiving application to reply to messages. For example, an
application might send a response message to a response queue every time the
application receives a message.
See also:
Message Queuing;
response message;
queue
Restore
Point
A representation of a stored state of your computer. Restore point is
created by System Restore at specific intervals and when System Restore
detects the beginning of a change to your computer. Also, restore point can
be created by you manually at any time.
retry
interval
reverse
lookup
RGB color
space
Multidimensional color space consisting of the red, green, and blue
intensities that make up a given color. This system is typically used in
scanners, digital cameras, computer monitors, and computer printers.
See
also: color management;
color space
right-click
To position the mouse over an object, and then press and release the
secondary (right) mouse button. Right-clicking opens a shortcut menu that
contains useful commands, which change depending on where you click.
roaming user
profile
A server-based user profile that is downloaded to the local computer when a
user logs on and that is updated both locally and on the server when the
user logs off. A roaming user profile is available from the server when
logging on to a workstation or server computer. When logging on, the user
can use the local user profile if it is more current than the copy on the
server.
See also: local user profile;
mandatory user profile;
user profile
rolling
upgrade
In a cluster, the process of upgrading cluster nodes by turns while the
other nodes continue to provide service.
See also:
cluster
ROM
An acronym for Read-Only Memory, a semiconductor circuit into which code or
data is permanently installed by the manufacturing process. ROM contains
instructions or data that can be read but not modified.
root
The highest or uppermost level in a hierarchically organized set of
information. The root is the point from which further subsets are branched
in a logical sequence that moves from a broad or general focus to narrower
perspectives.
root
authority
root
certificate
root domain
The beginning of the Domain Name System (DNS) namespace. In Active
Directory, the initial domain in an Active Directory tree. Also the initial
domain of a forest.
root hints
root servers
round robin
A simple mechanism used by DNS servers to share and distribute loads for
network resources. Round robin is used to rotate the order of resource
records (RRs) returned in a response to a query when multiple RRs of the
same type exist for a queried DNS domain name.
See also:
DNS Server; resource record
(RR)
router
In a Windows environment, hardware that helps LANs and WANs achieve
interoperability and connectivity, and can link LANs that have different
network topologies (such as Ethernet and Token Ring). Routers match packet
headers to a LAN segment and choose the best path for the packet, optimizing
network performance.
In the Macintosh environment, routers are necessary for computers on
different physical networks to communicate with each other. Routers maintain
a map of the physical networks on a Macintosh internet (network) and forward
data received from one physical network to other physical networks.
Computers running the Server version of Windows with AppleTalk network
integration can act as routers, and you can also use other routing hardware
on a network with AppleTalk network integration.
See also: local area network (LAN);
packet header; Routing
Information Protocol over IPX (RIPX); routing;
static routes;
wide area network (WAN)
routing
The process of forwarding a packet through an internetwork from a source
host to a destination host.
See also: host;
packet
Routing
Information Protocol over IPX (RIPX)
routing link
For Message Queuing, a communications link established between Windows sites
for routing messages. Specially configured Message Queuing servers with
routing services enabled are used to create a routing link between sites.
See also: Message Queuing;
routing-link cost;
routing services
routing
services
For Message Queuing, a service on a Message Queuing server that provides
message routing services. If so configured, this feature can be used on a
Message Queuing server to:
- Enable computers that use different network protocols to communicate.
- Reduce the number of sessions by acting as a gateway for all incoming
or outgoing messages for independent clients.
- Route messages between sites over a routing link.
See also: session concentration;
service;
independent client; Message Queuing;
Message Queuing server;
routing link
routing-link
cost
For Message Queuing, a number used to determine the route messages can take
between two sites. This number represents the relative monetary cost of
communication over a link. A routing link has a default routing-link cost of
1 and should not be changed unless you have multiple routing links between
two sites and you want to enforce message routing over a specific routing
link.
See also: Message Queuing;
routing link
RS-232-C
standard
An accepted industry standard for serial communication connections. Adopted
by the Electric Industries Association, this Recommended Standard (RS)
defines the specific lines and signal characteristics used by serial
communications controllers to standardize the transmission of serial data
between devices. The letter C signifies the third in a series.
RSA
A widely used public/private key algorithm. It is the default cryptographic
service provider (CSP) for Microsoft Windows. It was patented by RSA Data
Security, Inc. in 1977.
See also: cryptographic service
provider (CSP)
S
saturation
In color management, the purity of a color's hue, moving from gray to the
pure color.
See also: hue
scalability
A measure of how well a computer, service, or application can grow to meet
increasing performance demands. For server clusters, the ability to
incrementally add one or more systems to an existing cluster when the
overall load of the cluster exceeds its capabilities.
See also:
server cluster
scan
interval
For Process Control, the time between successive checks for new processes
started on the server. You can configure this in the Process Control
snap-in.
schema
A description of the object classes and attributes stored in Active
Directory. For each object class, the schema defines the attributes an
object class must have, the additional attributes it may have, and the
object class that can be its parent.
The Active Directory schema can be updated dynamically. For example, an
application can extend the schema with new attributes and classes and use
the extensions immediately. Schema updates are accomplished by creating or
modifying the schema objects stored in Active Directory. Like every object
in Active Directory, schema objects have an access control list, so only
authorized users may alter the schema.
See also: Active Directory;
attribute; object;
parent object
schema
master
The domain controller assigned to control all updates to the schema within a
forest. At any time, there can be only one schema master in the forest.
See also: domain controller;
forest; schema
scope
scope of
influence
In a domain environment, a site, domain, or organizational unit; in a
workgroup environment, the local disk.
See also:
domain; organizational unit
scrap
A file that is created when you drag part of a document to the desktop.
screen fonts
A typeface designed for display on a computer monitor screen. Screen fonts
often have accompanying PostScript fonts for printing to
PostScript-compatible printers.
See also: font;
PostScript
screen
resolution
The setting that determines the amount of information that appears on your
screen, measured in pixels. Low resolution, such as 640 x 480, makes items
on the screen appear large, although the screen area is small. High
resolution, such as 1024 x 768, makes the overall screen area large,
although individual items appear small.
See also:
pixel
screen saver
A moving picture or pattern that appears on your screen when you have not
used the mouse or keyboard for a specified period of time.
script
A type of program consisting of a set of instructions to an application or
tool program. A script usually expresses instructions by using the
application's or tool's rules and syntax, combined with simple control
structures such as loops and if/then expressions. "Batch program" is often
used interchangeably with "script" in the Windows environment.
second-level
domains
Domain names that are rooted hierarchically at the second tier of the domain
namespace directly beneath the top-level domain names such as
.com
and
.org. When DNS is used on the Internet, second-level domains are
names such as
microsoft.com that are registered and delegated to
individual organizations and businesses according to their top-level
classification. The organization then assumes further responsibility for
parenting management and growth of its name into additional subdomains.
See also: domain name;
Domain Name System (DNS);
namespace; parent
domain; top-level domains
secondary
master
An authoritative DNS server for a zone that is used as a source for
replication of the zone to other servers. Secondary masters update their
zone data only by transferring zone data from other DNS servers. They do not
have the ability to perform zone updates.
See also:
authoritative;
DNS Server; master server;
primary master; zone;
zone transfer
secondary
mouse button
The button that you use to display shortcut menus or other program-specific
features. The secondary mouse button is the right button on most mice and
trackball devices, and the upper button on other trackball devices, but you
can switch the function of the buttons in the Mouse Control Panel.
Secure Hash
Algorithm (SHA-1)
Secure
Sockets Layer (SSL)
A proposed open standard for establishing a secure communications channel to
prevent the interception of critical information, such as credit card
numbers. Primarily, it enables secure electronic financial transactions on
the World Wide Web, although it is designed to work on other Internet
services as well.
Secure/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (S/MIME)
A protocol for secure electronic mail over the Internet.
See also:
protocol
security
On a network, protection of a computer system and its data from harm or
loss, implemented especially so that only authorized users can gain access
to shared files.
security
descriptor
security
group
A group that can be listed in discretionary access control lists (DACLs)
used to define permissions on resources and objects. A security group can
also be used as an e-mail entity. Sending an e-mail message to the group
sends the message to all the members of the group.
See also:
discretionary access control
list (DACL)
security
host
An authentication device, supplemental to standard Windows and remote access
server security, that verifies whether a caller from a remote client is
authorized to connect to the remote access server.
See also:
authentication;
remote access server; remote access
security ID
(SID)
A data structure of variable length that identifies user, group, and
computer accounts. Every account on a network is issued a unique SID when
the account is first created. Internal processes in Windows refer to an
account's SID rather than the account's user or group name.
See also:
group account;
group name; user account;
user name
security log
An event log containing information on security events that are specified in
the audit policy.
security
principal
An account holder that is automatically assigned a security identifier for
access to resources. A security principal can be a user, group, service, or
computer.
See also: group;
security principal name;
service
security
principal name
A name that uniquely identifies a user, group, or computer within a single
domain. This name is not guaranteed to be unique across domains.
See also:
domain; group;
security principal
select
To specify a block of data or text on screen by highlighting it or otherwise
marking it, with the intent of performing some operation on it.
Serial Line
Internet Protocol (SLIP)
An older industry standard that is part of Windows remote access client to
ensure interoperability with other remote access software.
See also:
remote access
serial port
An interface on the computer that allows asynchronous transmission of data
characters one bit at a time. Also called a communication or COM port.
See
also: communication port;
port
SerialKey
device
Enables you to attach an alternate input device (also called an augmentative
communication device) to your computer's serial port. This feature is
designed for people who are unable to use the computer's standard keyboard
and mouse.
server
In general, a computer that provides shared resources to network users.
See also: client;
shared resource
server
cluster
A group of independent computer systems, known as nodes, working together as
a single system to ensure that mission-critical applications and resources
remain available to clients. A server cluster is the type of cluster that
Cluster service implements.
See also: cluster
Server
Message Block (SMB)
A file-sharing protocol designed to allow networked computers to
transparently access files that reside on remote systems over a variety of
networks. The SMB protocol defines a series of commands that pass
information between computers. SMB uses four message types: session control,
file, printer, and message.
server zone
The AppleTalk zone on which a server appears. On a Phase 2 network, a server
appears in the default zone of the server's default network.
See also:
server; zone
service
A program, routine, or process that performs a specific system function to
support other programs, particularly at a low (close to the hardware) level.
When services are provided over a network, they can be published in Active
Directory, facilitating service-centric administration and usage. Some
examples of services are the Security Accounts Manager service, File
Replication service, and Routing and Remote Access service.
See also:
Active Directory;
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP); Service
Profile Identifier (SPID)
service (SRV)
resource record
Service
Profile Identifier (SPID)
An 8-digit to 14-digit number that identifies the services that you ordered
for each B-channel. For example, when you order Primary Rate ISDN, you
obtain two phone numbers and two SPIDs from your ISDN provider. Typical ISDN
adapters cannot operate without configuring SPIDs.
See also:
Integrated Services
Digital Network (ISDN); service;
B-channel
Service
Provider Interface
Calling conventions that back-end services use to make themselves accessible
to front-end applications.
See also: service
service
ticket
session
A logical connection created between two hosts to exchange data. Typically,
sessions use sequencing and acknowledgments to send data reliably.
In the context of load balancing TCP/IP traffic, a set of client requests
directed to a server. These requests can be invoked with multiple, possibly
concurrent, TCP connections. The server program sometimes maintains state
information between requests. To preserve access to the server state,
Network Load Balancing needs to direct all requests within a session to the
same cluster host when load balancing.
See also: client request;
load balancing;
server; Transmission Control
Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
session
concentration
Session
Description Protocol (SDP)
Set
Applies any changes you have made without closing the dialog box.
set-by-caller callback
In Network Connections, a form of callback in which the user supplies the
telephone number that the remote access server uses for callback. This
setting spares the user any long-distance telephone charges.
See also:
remote access server;
connected, user authenticated
share
To make resources, such as folders and printers, available to others.
See
also: resource
share name
A name that refers to a shared resource on a server. Each shared folder on a
server has a share name used by personal computer users to refer to the
folder. Users of Macintosh computers use the name of the
Macintosh-accessible volume that corresponds to a folder, which may be the
same as the share name.
shared
folder
A folder on another computer that has been made available for other people
to use on the network.
shared
folder permissions
Permissions that restrict a shared resource's availability over the network
to only certain users.
See also:
permission
shared
printer
A printer that receives input from more than one computer. For example, a
printer attached to another computer on the network can be shared so that it
is available for you to use. Shared printer is also called a network
printer.
See also: printer
shared
resource
Any device, data, or program that is used by more than one other device or
program. For Windows, shared resources refer to any resource that is made
available to network users, such as folders, files, printers, and named
pipes. A shared resource can also refer to a resource on a server that is
available to network users.
See also: device;
resource; server
shortcut
A link to any item accessible on your computer or on a network, such as a
program, file, folder, disk drive, Web page, printer, or another computer.
You can put shortcuts in various areas, such as on the desktop, on the
Start menu, or in specific folders.
See also:
desktop
ShowSounds
A feature that instructs programs that usually convey information only by
sound to also provide all information visually, such as by displaying text
captions or informative icons.
Simple Mail
Transfer Protocol (SMTP)
Simple
Network Management Protocol (SNMP)
Simple
Network Time Protocol (SNTP)
A protocol used to synchronize clocks over the Internet. SNTP enables client
computers to synchronize their clocks with a time server over the Internet.
Simple
TCP/IP Services
simple
volume
A dynamic volume made up of disk space from a single dynamic disk. A simple
volume can consist of a single region on a disk or multiple regions of the
same disk that are linked together. You can extend a simple volume within
the same disk or onto additional disks. If you extend a simple volume across
multiple disks, it becomes a spanned volume. You can create simple volumes
only on dynamic disks. Simple volumes are not fault tolerant, but you can
mirror them to create mirrored volumes.
See also:
dynamic disk;
dynamic volume; fault tolerance;
mirrored volume;
spanned volume;
volume
Single
Instance Store (SIS)
A component that saves disk space on the server by maintaining a single
physical copy of all identical files found. If SIS finds a duplicate file on
the server, it copies the original file into the SIS store and leaves a link
where the original resided. This technology is used only with Remote
Installation Services.
See also:
Remote Installation Services
single
sign-on
A process that allows a user with a domain account to log on to a network
once, using a password or smart card, and to gain access to any computer in
the domain.
See also: domain;
smart card
single
switch device
An assistive computer technology for people with mobility impairments. A
single switch device allows users to interact with a computer by using
slight body movements.
site
SLIP (Serial
Line Internet Protocol)
small
computer system interface (SCSI)
A standard high-speed parallel interface defined by the American National
Standards Institute (ANSI). A SCSI interface is used for connecting
microcomputers to peripheral devices such as hard disks and printers, and to
other computers and local area networks (LANs).
See also:
device;
local area network (LAN)
smart card
A credit card-sized device that is used with an access code to enable
certificate-based authentication and single sign-on to the enterprise. Smart
cards securely store certificates, public and private keys, passwords, and
other types of personal information. A smart card reader attached to the
computer reads the smart card.
See also:
authentication; single sign-on;
smart card reader
smart card
reader
A device that is installed in computers to enable the use of smart cards for
enhanced security features.
See also: smart card
snap-in
A type of tool you can add to a console supported by Microsoft Management
Console (MMC). A stand-alone snap-in can be added by itself; an extension
snap-in can only be added to extend the function of another snap-in.
See
also: Microsoft Management Console (MMC)
socket
An identifier for a particular service on a particular node on a network.
The socket consists of a node address and a port number, which identifies
the service. For example, port 80 on an Internet node indicates a Web
server. There are two kinds of sockets: streams (bidirectional) and
datagrams.
See also: datagram;
process; raw socket;
port
software
decoder
A type of digital video disc (DVD) decoder that allows a DVD drive to
display movies on your computer screen. A software decoder uses only
software to display movies.
See also: DVD
decoder; DVD drive;
hardware decoder
Sound card
Accessory expansion board for personal computers that permits recording and
playing back sound.
sound file
A sound file contains information that Windows uses to play sounds on your
computer. Sound files have the file name extension .wav.
SoundSentry
A Windows feature that produces a visual cue, such as a screen flash or a
blinking title bar, whenever the computer plays a system sound.
source
document
source
journaling
For Message Queuing, the process of storing a copy of an outgoing message.
Source journaling is configured on a message basis and is set by the sending
application. When source journaling is enabled, a copy of the message is put
in the source journal queue of the source computer when the message arrives
at the destination (target) queue.
See also:
journal queue;
Message Queuing;
target journaling
spanned
volume
A dynamic volume consisting of disk space on more than one physical disk.
You can increase the size of a spanned volume by extending it onto
additional dynamic disks. You can create spanned volumes only on dynamic
disks. Spanned volumes are not fault tolerant and cannot be mirrored.
See
also: dynamic disk;
dynamic volume;
fault tolerance;
mirrored volume;
simple volume; volume
special
access permissions
On NTFS volumes, a custom set of permissions. You can customize permissions
on files and directories by selecting the individual components of the
standard sets of permissions.
See also: volume;
permission; NTFS
file system
speech
recognition
The ability to interpret spoken words and convert them into
computer-readable text. Speech recognition programs allow you to enter text
by speaking into a microphone, rather than using a keyboard.
splitting
A Briefcase command that separates the copy of the file inside Briefcase
from the copy outside Briefcase.
spooling
A process on a server in which print documents are stored on a disk until a
printer is ready to process them. A spooler accepts each document from each
client, stores it, then sends it to a printer when the printer is ready.
See also: print spooler
standby
A state in which your computer consumes less power when it is idle, but
remains available for immediate use. While your computer is on standby,
information in computer memory is not saved on your hard disk. If there is
an interruption in power, the information in memory is lost.
Start
Application Enable
When checked, the server DDE application automatically starts when a client
DDE application attempts to initiate a DDE conversation. When cleared,
attempts to open a DDE conversation succeed only if the server DDE
application is already running.
start-of-authority (SOA) resource record
A record that indicates the starting point or original point of authority
for information stored in a zone. The SOA resource record (RR) is the first
RR created when adding a new zone. It also contains several parameters used
by other computers that use DNS to determine how long they will use
information for the zone and how often updates are required.
See also:
zone; authoritative;
Domain Name System (DNS);
resource record (RR)
startup
environment
In dual-boot or multiple-boot systems, the configuration settings that
specify which system to start and how each system should be started.
See
also: dual boot;
multiple boot
static
dialog box
A scripted dialog box between the client computer and an intermediary
device. This kind of dialog box requires no response from the user.
See
also: client
static
routes
Routes in the routing table that are permanent. Static routes are manually
configured by a network administrator. They change only if the network
administrator changes them. If the routing protocol is configured to support
auto-static routes (automatically added static routes), then the router can
issue a request to a protocol to get an update of routing information on a
specific interface. The results of such an update are then converted and
kept as static routes.
See also: routing;
protocol; router
status area
status bar
A line of information related to the current program. The status bar is
usually located at the bottom of a window. Not all windows have a status
bar.
StickyKeys
A keyboard feature that enables you to press a modifier key (CTRL, ALT, or
SHIFT), or the Windows logo key, and have it remain active until a
non-modifier key is pressed. This is useful for people who have difficulty
pressing two keys simultaneously.
See also:
ToggleKeys; FilterKeys;
MouseKeys
Stop error
A serious error that affects the operating system and that could place data
at risk. The operating system generates an obvious message, a screen with
the Stop error, rather than continuing on and possibly corrupting data. Stop
error is also called a fatal system error.
strict RFC
checking
For DNS, a form of domain name checking that examines characters used in DNS
names for compliance with DNS naming requirements and valid character usage
as specified in RFC 1123,
Requirements for Internet Hosts - Applications
and Support. For strict RFC compliance, DNS domain names will use name
labels made up only of valid uppercase and lowercase letters, number
characters, and hyphens (A through Z, a through z, 0 through 9, -),
separated by periods.
See also: domain name;
Domain Name System (DNS);
label; loose
name checking; Request for Comments (RFC)
string
A group of characters or character bytes handled as a single entity.
Computer programs use strings to store and transmit data and commands. Most
programming languages consider strings (such as 2674:gstmn) as distinct from
numeric values (such as 470924).
See also:
transmitting station ID (TSID)
string
subkey
A key within a key. In the registry structure, subkeys are subordinate to
subtrees and keys. Keys and subkeys are similar to the section header in .ini
files; however, subkeys can carry out functions.
See also:
registry;
descendent key; key;
subkey
subnet
A subdivision of an IP network. Each subnet has its own unique subnetted
network ID.
subnet
bandwidth management (SBM)
An IETF standard that enables administrative control at the subnet level.
subnet mask
A 32-bit value that enables the recipient of IP packets to distinguish the
network ID and host ID portions of the IP address. Typically, subnet masks
use the format 255.x.x.x.
subtree
Any node within a tree, along with any selection of connected descendant
nodes. In the registry structure, subtrees are the primary nodes that
contain keys, subkeys, and value entries.
See also:
registry; key;
subkey; value entry
switch type
switching
hub
A central network device (multiport hub) that forwards packets to specific
ports rather than, as in conventional hubs, broadcasting every packet to
every port. In this way, the connections between ports deliver the full
bandwidth available.
See also: hub;
packet
symmetric
encryption
An encryption algorithm that requires the same secret key to be used for
both encryption and decryption. Because of its speed, symmetric encryption
is typically used when a message sender needs to encrypt large amounts of
data. Symmetric encryption is also called secret key encryption.
See also:
public key encryption
synchronize
To reconcile the differences between files stored on one computer and
versions of the same files on another computer. Once the differences are
determined, both sets of files are updated.
system
access control list (SACL)
system area
network
A network configuration, usually on a separate Internet Protocol (IP)
subnet, that gives data a direct path to system hardware.
See also:
subnet
system disk
system files
Files used by Windows to load, configure, and run the operating system.
Generally, system files must never be deleted or moved.
System menu
A menu that contains commands you can use to manipulate a window or close a
program. You click the program icon at the left of the title bar to open the
System menu.
system
partition
The partition that contains the hardware-specific files needed to load
Windows (for example, Ntldr, Osloader, Boot.ini, Ntdetect.com). The system
partition can be, but does not have to be, the same as the boot partition.
See also: boot partition;
partition
System
Policy
A Windows NT 4.0-style policy based on registry settings made using
Poledit.exe, the System Policy Editor.
See also:
policy; registry
system queue
For Message Queuing, a queue that stores various types of administrative
messages. Message Queuing uses up to five system queues, all of which are
private queues. System queues cannot be deleted.
See also:
Message Queuing;
queue; private queue;
system queue
System
Restore
A tool that tracks changes to your computer and creates a restore point when
it detects the beginning of a change. You can use the System Restore Wizard
to select a restore point to restore your computer to an earlier state when
your computer was functioning the way you like.
system
volume
The volume that contains the hardware-specific files that are needed to load
Windows on x86-based computers with a BIOS. The system volume can be, but
does not have to be, the same volume as the boot volume.
See also:
basic input/output system (BIOS);
boot volume; volume;
x86
systemroot
The path and folder name where the Windows system files are located.
Typically, this is C:\Windows, although you can designate a different drive
or folder when you install Windows. You can use the value %systemroot%
to replace the actual location of the folder that contains the Window system
files. To identify your systemroot folder, click Start, click Run,
type %systemroot%, and then click OK.
SYSVOL
A shared directory that stores the server copy of the domain's public files,
which are replicated among all domain controllers in the domain.
See also:
domain; domain
controller
T
tag
For Indexing Service, one or more terms that identify an element in a query,
such as weight, phrase, property, or regular expression. For example, the
tag {prop name=created} specifies the
Created property in a query.
See also: property; query
target
The mapping destination of a DFS root or link, which corresponds to a
physical folder that has been shared on the network.
target
journaling
For Message Queuing, the process of storing a copy of incoming messages.
Target journaling is configured on a queue basis. When target journaling is
enabled, a copy of each incoming message is placed in the target journal
queue when the message is retrieved (read) from the destination queue.
See
also: journal queue;
Message Queuing;
source journaling
Task Manager
A utility that provides information about programs and processes running on
the computer. Using Task Manager, you can end or run programs and end
processes, and display a dynamic overview of your computer's performance.
taskbar
The bar that contains the
Start button and appears by default at the
bottom of the desktop. You can click the taskbar buttons to switch between
programs. You can also hide the taskbar, move it to the sides or top of the
desktop, and customize it in other ways.
See also:
desktop; taskbar button;
notification area
taskbar
button
A button that appears on the taskbar and corresponds to a running
application.
See also: taskbar
TCP
Transmission Control Protocol.
TCP/IP
Telephony
API (TAPI)
An application programming interface (API) used by communications programs
to work with telephony and network services. Communications programs like
HyperTerminal and Phone Dialer use TAPI to dial, answer, and route telephone
calls on conventional telephony devices, including PBXs, modems, and fax
machines. TAPI 3.0 also provides Internet Protocol (IP) telephony support,
which Phone Dialer and other programs use to transmit, route, and control
real-time audio and video signals over IP-based networks such as the
Internet.
See also: service;
Internet Protocol (IP);
modem (modulator/demodulator);
application programming interface (API)
Telnet
A terminal-emulation protocol that is widely used on the Internet to log on
to network computers. Telnet also refers to the application that uses the
Telnet protocol for users who log on from remote locations.
See also:
protocol
terminal
A device consisting of a display screen and a keyboard that is used to
communicate with a computer.
terminate-and-stay-resident (TSR) program
A program running under
MS-DOS that remains loaded in memory
even when it is not running, so that it can be quickly invoked for a
specific task performed while any other application is operating.
See
also: MS-DOS (Microsoft Disk Operating System)
test queue
text box
In a dialog box, a box in which you type information needed to carry out a
command. The text box may be blank or may contain text when the dialog box
opens.
text service
A program that enables a user to enter or edit text. Text services include
keyboard layouts, handwriting and speech recognition programs, and Input
Method Editors (IMEs). IMEs are used to enter East Asian language characters
with a keyboard.
theme
A set of visual elements that provide a unified look for your computer
desktop. A theme determines the look of the various graphic elements of your
desktop, such as the windows, icons, fonts, colors, and the background and
screen saver pictures. It can also define sounds associated with events such
as opening or closing a program.
Thread Count
In Task Manager, the number of threads running in a process.
See also:
Task Manager
thumbnail
A miniature version of an image that is often used for quick browsing
through multiple images.
ticket
ticket-granting service (TGS)
ticket-granting ticket (TGT)
time server
A computer that periodically synchronizes the time on all computers within a
network. This ensures that the time used by network services and local
functions remains accurate.
time slice
A brief period of time during which a particular task is given control of
the microprocessor in a time-sharing multitasking environment. A computer's
processor is allocated to an application, usually measured in milliseconds.
Time slice is also called quantum.
time stamp
A certification by a trusted third party specifying that a particular
message existed at a specific time and date. In a digital context, trusted
third parties generate a trusted time stamp for a given message by having a
time stamping service append a time value to a message and then digitally
signing the result.
See also: digital
signature; service
Time to Live
(TTL)
time-out
error
A condition where an expected character is not received in time. When this
condition occurs, the software assumes that the data has been lost and
requests that it be resent.
time-out
interval
For Process Control, the time the server waits, when a command cannot be
successfully completed, before canceling the command. You can configure this
in the Process Control snap-in.
title bar
The horizontal bar at the top of a window that contains the name of the
window. On many windows, the title bar also contains the program icon, the
Maximize,
Minimize, and
Close buttons, and the optional
? button for context-sensitive Help. To display a menu with commands
such as
Restore and
Move, right-click the title bar.
See
also: maximize; minimize
ToggleKeys
token
Any nonreducible textual element in data that is being parsed. For example,
the use in a program of a variable name, a reserved word, or an operator.
Storing tokens as short codes shortens program files and speeds execution.
For networking, a unique structured data object or message that
circulates continuously among the nodes of a token ring and describes the
current state of the network. Before any node can send a message on the
network, it must first wait to control the token. See also token ring.
toolbar
In a program in a graphical user interface, a row, column, or block of
on-screen buttons or icons. When clicked, these buttons or icons activate
certain functions, or tasks, of the program. For example, the toolbar in
Microsoft Word contains buttons for, among other actions, changing text to
italic or boldface, and for saving or opening a document. Users can often
customize toolbars and move them around on the screen.
top-level
domains
Domain names that are rooted hierarchically at the first tier of the domain
namespace directly beneath the root (.) of the DNS namespace. On the
Internet, top-level domain names such as
.com and
.org are
used to classify and assign second-level domain names (such as
microsoft.com) to individual organizations and businesses according to
their organizational purpose.
See also: domain;
domain name;
domain namespace; Domain Name System
(DNS); root;
second-level domains
topology
In Windows, the relationships among a set of network components. In the
context of Active Directory replication, topology refers to the set of
connections that domain controllers use to replicate information among
themselves.
See also: Active Directory;
domain controller;
replication
touch-tone
dialing
A form of dialing that uses multiple-tone signaling. The user hears a series
of tones (beeps) when dialing. Push-button telephones usually use touch-tone
dialing.
See also: pulse dialing
trace log
A type of log generated when the user selects a trace data provider using
Performance. Trace logs differ sdff from counter-data logs in that they
measure data continuously rather than take periodic samples.
training
The process of teaching the speech recognition engine to recognize your
voice and manner of speaking. The speech engine looks for patterns in the
way you speak, enabling it to provide better accuracy when you dictate text.
You train the engine by reading text in the training wizard, and continue to
train the engine as you dictate text while working.
transaction
For Message Queuing, the pairing of two or more actions that are performed
together as a single action; the action succeeds or fails as a whole. Using
Microsoft Distributed Transaction Coordinator (MS DTC) ensures t