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Access Control – Methodology used to manage what users can access secure network resources and how those users can utilize them.
AC Power Systems – Alternating Current (AC) is the power supplied when plugging into a wall socket. The amount of power supplied is defined as the rate of energy flow past a defined point, but energy storage elements within the AC circuit cause periodic reversals of the energy flow, called “reactive” power.
Active Directory – Microsoft’s directory service present in Windows versions starting with Windows 2000. It is a system management tool used to manage computer users and IT resources on a single PC or corporate-wide and those users’ access to IT resources.
Agent – Client software that runs on computer hardware and networking hardware such as a switch or router that collects Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) information and supplies it as requested to a Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) system.
Air Handling – A method for handling airflow, generally for keeping air at a specific temperature range using fans, etc.
Antivirus – A term used to describe software that identifies and eliminates threats from software that has malicious intent to the computer system. Named for early versions designed to only combat viruses, today’s antivirus software includes protection from a wide variety of threats.
Application Server – Server software that puts content on the Internet. An application server constructs Web pages based on a dynamic content repository that is customized for the visitor to the site. For example, users who log into a site with a username and password can have a unique home page once they are logged in.
Application Service Provider (ASP) – A term used to describe businesses that offer application services to business customers across the Internet. The term is commonly used to describe custom application development using outsourcing.
Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) – Broadband data transmission originating in the late 1970s based on packet switching and multiplexing. Unlike Internet Protocol (IP), ATM uses fixed-size packets or “cells” that allow the high-speed transfer of data.
Availability – The amount of time network resources are available. Issues that affect network availability include power outages, server crashes and hardware/software upgrades or replacements that require the network to have downtime.
Automatic Call Distribution (ACD) – Hardware or software that distributes incoming telephone calls to end-user terminals. ACD is commonly used at call centers to handle a large volume of incoming calls.
Backbone – Typically present in larger networks, backbones carry most of the network traffic as a whole. Cabling within a backbone must have the highest bandwidth rating of the network to function properly or else data bottlenecks may occur.
Bandwidth – A term used to describe data=carrying capacity capability of a technology or medium. The term is commonly used to describe and compare the capacities of these different technologies and mediums.
Basic Input Output System (BIOS) – A term that refers to the firmware running on a computer when it boots up. The firmware is used to identify and initiate computer component devices.
Biometrics – Methodology used to describe means for uniquely identifying computerized system users using unique physical characteristics of that person. Biometrics has been explored as the “next level” in computer security that does not rely on encryption methods.
Blackberry Enterprise Server (BES) – The application package of the Blackberry wireless communications platform that enables connections to other communications software like e-mail and text messaging.
Blade Server – A server unit designed for high scalability for large corporations. Blade servers are designed to save space with the enclosure containing multiple mounted blade servers providing needs like power, networking and cooling to the individual “blades.”
Blanking Panels – Devices manufactured by many companies that promote good airflow within a server enclosure by filling in unused spaces.
Bridge – Networking hardware that can be used to connect independent networks together or to segment a large network into smaller, more easily manageable ones.
Building Local Exchange Carrier (BLEC) – Telecommunications units that are focused on broadband communications within Multi-Tenant Units (MTUs).
Cable Plant – The connectors and wiring that tie a network together.
Category 3 (CAT3) – Unshielded Twisted-Pair (UTP) cabling rated to handle data transmissions of up to 10 Mbps.
Category 5 (CAT5) – Unshielded Twisted-Pair (UTP) cabling rated to handle data transmissions of up to 100 Mbps.
Category 6 (CAT6) – Unshielded Twisted-Pair (UTP) cabling rated to handle data transmission of up to 1 Gbps.
Central Processing Unit (CPU) – The main processor in a computer where most calculations occur.
Channel Service Unit/Data Service Unit (CSU/DSU) – Hardware devices functioning between the customer and the telecom network at the point of demarcation. These serve as the local interface between data terminals at the customer end and the telecom’s communication lines.
Citrix – Software from Citrix Systems focused on connecting to Web applications using remote access via the Internet. Many of the applications are based on the thin client/terminal server architecture. The company was founded by former IBM developers in 1989.
Clear Channel Signaling (CSS) – No channels in the T-1 or E-1 transmission lines are used for signaling; allows the access of telephony channels to be configured as call control protocols defined by the user or to leave them “clear.” Clear channels allow resources for media routing requirements that may require a lot of bandwidth or for signaling detection, and signal and tone generation, if needed or desired.
Communications Server – A server that provides access to outside networks that cannot be connected to the internal network.
Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC) – A telecommunications unit that competes with other established telecommunications units within a geographical area. These were created after the Telecommunications Act of 1996 went into effect.
Computer Aided Design (CAD) – Computer applications used to assist in the precise design of numerous physical assets (i.e., buildings, homes, land development, etc.), using graphical representations of that on the aforementioned.
Computer Room Air Conditioning (CRAC) Unit – An air conditioning unit that manages temperature, humidity and airflow within a special server room.
Computer-Telephony Integration (CTI) Gateway – Hardware where computer and telephone technologies are integrated.
Converging Technologies – A term used interchangeably with the term “emerging technologies” used to describe the convergence and emergence of new technologies that can present future development issues for IT professionals. Examples of these technologies include nanotechnology, biotechnology, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics.
Crossover Cable – Twisted-pair cabling used to cross transmission and receiving lines used to connect switches and hubs together.
Dark Fiber – Installed fiber-optic cabling not currently being used.
Database Server – A server that runs the Database Management System (DBMS) to store database records and retrieve these records from a dedicated server or through a hosted solution.
Data Local Exchange Carrier (DLEC) – A Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC) primarily focused on providing DSL services.
DC Power Systems – Direct Current (DC) power is electric current that flows in only one direction. Voltages are constant and unchanging. DC power is commonly used in motor drives that are speed adjustable. DC power is commonly rectified from AC current through DC power adapters.
Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) – Packet filtering that inspects data, rather than only headers, for having properties that could be against protocols, a virus, a network intrusion, spam or other criteria as defined by the network administrator. DPI scans network traffic from the data link layer all the way to the physical layer.
Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) – The DMZ functions as a boundary between the corporate network and the Internet as a whole. Also called a “perimeter network,” this boundary is implemented with firewall hardware and software guarding against outside intrusion.
DFX Trunk – Fiber-optic cabling used to patch connections inside a frame or cabinet.
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) – Broadband communications technologies that are available over copper loop connections. Uses the same physical layer as ISDN, but specifies a signaling process for higher speed transmission over existing copper twisted-pair wiring.
Digital Video Recorder (DVR) – A device that stores video on a hard disk.
Disaster Avoidance – A methodology used to avoid the disruption of critical network operation that a business depends on to function. Disaster avoidance can include Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS), redundancy and online storage.
Disaster Recovery – A methodology used to restore network operations critical to resuming normal business operations after a network failure or natural disaster.
Disparate Network – A network composed of differing platforms and technologies commonly brought about through corporate mergers and acquisitions. Disparate networks present troubling issues for companies regarding reporting, billing, purchasing, training and deployment of sophisticated applications.
DMARC – (Pronounced “dee-mark”) An acronym that stands for “demarcation” or the “line of demarcation” that, in general terms, means the end of one “thing” and the beginning of another “thing.” For instance, the line of demarcation in telecommunications would refer to the place where the telephone company’s wiring stops and yours begins. With a T1 or other DSL-type line, this would generally be wherever their circuit terminates within your building.
Domain Name System (DNS) – The distributed naming system for Transmission Control/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) name servers. Name servers on the Internet resolve domain names into their numeric Internet Protocol (IP) addresses.
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) Server – A server using the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) to dynamically provide Internet Protocol (IP) addressing to its client computers.
Dynamic Storage Expansion – Network storage that can be dynamically expanded in real time as needed by an application. These setups are often present in server farms meeting the needs of multiple Internet users accessing online resources simultaneously.
E-mail Server – A server functioning as a Mail Transfer Agent (MTA) that routes e-mail to its proper destination. E-mail servers can also store e-mails from all users.
Emergency Power Systems – These provide electricity to a site through the use of generators should power go out and are configured to automatically kick on should the need arise so there is no downtime.
Ethernet aka IEEE 802.3 – Standards as developed by IEEE for local area networks (LANS). The standard defines the physical means of data transmission and the media access control (MAC) method that enables multiple terminals to communicate within the LAN.
Exchange Server – Part of Microsoft’s BackOffice server applications, Exchange functions as a communications and e-mail server. Features include efficient message routing, directory services, calendaring, message storage, tools for server and link monitoring, and gateways for connecting to outside mail systems.
Facility Analysis – A process where a facility with a network or needing a network is audited for its construction including floor layout, airflow, electrical infrastructure, alarm and security systems, etc. Upon completion of analysis, a findings report is generated.
Facility Survey – A survey checklist used to determine what type of network or network upgrades a facility may need. It encompasses the construction of the facility including the floor layout, wiring, Internet connection point, etc.
Fast Ethernet – The standard developed by IEEE for transmission of 100 Mbps Ethernet over copper cabling. It was ratified by the IEEE as the 802.3u standard in 1995.
Fiber Data Distributed Interface (FDDI) – A high-speed networking capability developed in the early 1980s that enabled processor-to-processor communications. FDDI uses token-passing methods to transmit data at speeds of up to 100 Mbps using fiber-optic cables. This technology became obsolete when Gigabit Ethernet was introduced.
Fiber Optic – Cabling constructed of glass fibers used to send data at very high speeds using a laser.
File Server – A server that contains shared files and applications and provides access to them to all authorized users on the network.
File Transfer Protocol (FTP) – A protocol operating on the application layer that allows the transmission of files between hosts on a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) network.
Fire Suppression – After a fire is detected, fire suppression is concerned with controlling and extinguishing the fire.
Flat Network – A network where all connected stations can access each other without going through hardware routing devices such as bridges or routers.
Flexible Single Master Operations (FSMO) – Special rule sets for Microsoft Server domain controllers, these are domain controllers that take on one of five specialized roles: Schema Operations Master, Domain Naming Master, PDC Emulator/PDC Operations master to provide backward compatibility to older versions of Microsoft Server, RID master for domain security identification (SIDs) and infrastructure master that updates SIDS when objects are referenced in different domains.
FM 100 – A sealant manufactured by the Great Lakes Chemical Corporation that forms a gasket made of a rubber blend commonly used to seal roof seams and wall panel joints.
FM 200 – A fire suppression chemical manufactured by the Great Lakes Chemical Corporation chemically known as “heptafluoropropane.”
Frame Relay – A service offered by telecom companies that gives high-speed packet switching over leased lines that are used primarily for Wide Area Network (WAN) backbone links.
FTC TSR – The Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC’s) Telemarketing Sales Rules (TSRs) created with the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 to enforce ethics and standards on the telemarketing industry.
Full-Duplex (FDX) – Network communications where data can be simultaneously received and transmitted at any time.
Gateway – Networking technology that allows connections between differing network protocols such as e-mail gateways for transferring SMTP e-mail into X.400 format.
Generators – Devices that produce electricity, usually referring to gas-powered machines to provide a backup energy source should the primary source of power go down.
Gigabit Ethernet (1000BaseT) – The IEEE standard for Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) data transmission over standard, Category 5 (CAT5) copper cables. The standard was ratified by the IEEE as the 802.3ab standard in June 1999.
Global Positioning System (GPS) – The only available Global Navigation Satellite System, GPS uses a network of approximately 48 satellites that transmit microwave signaling to enable a GPS hardware receiver to precisely determine its location, direction, time and speed. GPS was originally developed by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), from a directive issued by President Ronald Reagan in1983, who aimed to make this technology available to the public.
Graphical User Interface (GUI) – An interface between computer and user visually based instead of using a command line to enter text commands.
Half-Duplex (HDX) – Network communications where data can be received or transmitted at any time, but transmission and reception cannot occur simultaneously.
Hardware Firewall – A hardware device that can give a network protection against outside attacks by using packet filtering methodology to examine network traffic.
Harmonics – Frequency multiples that cause distortion and inefficiency in a network environment. They are often caused by voltage distortions.
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) – An act passed by Congress in 1996 to provide health care coverage for workers when they change or lose their jobs and the creation of standards for electronic health care records and the security of those records.
Heterogeneous Network – A network composed of computers running on different operating systems; for example, a LAN composed of PCs running Windows and Linux, and Apple computers.
Homogenous Network – A network with a single, uniform architecture and a single operating system. When configured, these types of networks are the easiest to maintain.
Hub – Hardware that connects Ethernet connections together into a workgroup or several workgroups into a larger Local Area Network (LAN). Hubs, both managed and unmanaged, are popular configurations in 10/1000BaseT Ethernet networks.
HVAC – An acronym standing for “heating,” “ventilating” and “air conditioning,” this is the site’s central heat and air system.
Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) – The predominant method used for Web page creation and design published on Web servers. The method was first created by Tim Berners-Lee in 1991.
Hyper Text Transport Protocol (HTTP) – A protocol operating with the application layer that enables usage of domain names to access Web resources.
Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier (ILEC) – A telecommunications unit in existence before the Telecommunications Act of 1996 went into effect.
Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) – An association of more than 365,000 worldwide professionals in the technology industry, the group has played a central part in developing standard protocols and serves as a springboard for technological breakthroughs throughout the world.
Interactive Voice Response (IVR) – Telephony methodology that enables a computer to detect voice and touch tones. IVR systems are commonly used to answer incoming calls and automate how they are distributed using dynamic, prerecorded audio.
Intermediate Distribution Frame (IDF) – Cable connections that connect the telecom’s MDF to a company’s networked devices.
Internet Information Server (IIS) – A protocol from Microsoft packaged in Windows starting with Windows 2000 that enables computers to function as Web servers.
Internetwork Packet Exchange (IPX) – A protocol operating within the network layer that provides datagram services for Token Ring, Ethernet and other networks without requiring a connection. This protocol was present in Netware LANs prior to Netware 5.x but has been replaced by the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP).
Internet Protocol (IP) – The part of Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) concerned with the transmission of data from one point in a network to another.
Internet Service Provider (ISP) – A business that provides access to the Internet for individual consumers and businesses.
Interoperability – A term used to describe the ability of systems based on different platforms to operate together and exchange information.
Intrusion Protection Systems – Hardware or software aimed at preventing intrusions to the network.
IPv6 – The latest definition of Internet Protocol (IP) from the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) developed as an enhancement to IPv4. The most obvious difference between IPv6 and IPv4 is the extension of the 32-bit IP address to 128 bits, thus allowing continued exponential growth of the Internet.
Java – A programming language developed by Sun Microsystems that is not platform-dependent like other programming languages and has a high level of security and reliability. Java has been a particularly popular platform for developing Web applications that can run on any platform.
KVM Switching – Keyboard Video Mouse (KVM) switching is a device that allows several different computers to be accessed using a single keyboard, monitor and mouse.
Latency – The time period that occurs as information travels between two points on a network. A network said to have high latency has users experiencing intermittent transmission delays that hinder network performance. Latency is especially noticeable in VoIP conversations where pauses occur during the conversation, and both parties end up talking at the same time.
Layer 1 Physical Layer – The layer of the OSI reference model responsible for establishing the physical hardware interface that place raw streams of data bits onto the transmission medium. Voltage, current, modulation, bit synchronization, connection activation/deactivation, transmission medium type all occur here. IEEE protocols 802.3, RS-232C and X.21 refer to the physical layer of the OSI reference model.
Layer 2 Data Link Layer – The layer of the OSI reference model responsible for converting frames of data into raw data bits for use at the physical layer. IEEE protocols such as Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection (CSMA/CD), token-passing, Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP), High-Level Data Link (HDLC), frame relay, Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), Switched Multimegabit Data Services (SMDS) and X.25 all occur at this layer.
Layer 3 Network Layer – The layer of the OSI reference model concerned with finding the best path through the network to the destination. Logical addressing, packet fragmentation, packet reassembly and congestion control all occur here.
Layer 4 Transport Layer – The layer of the OSI reference model responsible for transporting data to the upper layers of the model. Flow control, packet sequencing, error handling, multiplexing and virtual circuits all occur at this layer.
Layer 5 Session Layer – After data is formatted in a transmittable format, the Session layer starts the session for transmission and ends the session after transmission is complete. NetBIOS functions at the session layer of the OSI reference model.
Layer 6 Presentation Layer – The layer of the OSI reference model that structures the data from the application layer into a format ready for transmission. Encryption and compression, for example, work at this layer.
Layer 7 Application Layer – The highest layer of the OSI reference model, this layer is where networked, user-controlled software does its work. File Transfer Protocol (FTP) and Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) work at this layer.
Leased Line – Communications lines installed between a customer and the telecom central office (CO) that are dedicated to that customer.
Linux – An operating system developed from the UNIX platform, Linux is an open-source operating system, meaning that the source code is freely distributed across the Internet. Linux enjoys widespread popularity, particularly in Web servers utilizing Apache, which comes prepackaged in Linux.
Load Balancing – A phrase used to describe the practice of distributing client connections to multiple servers with the goal of increasing server reliability. Load balancing is primarily present in server farms where multiple users from across the Internet are accessing data simultaneously. Balancing the load to multiple servers increases the Web site uptime.
Local Area Network (LAN) – Physical network of interconnected computers within close proximity to each other such as the same building or room. A LAN allows users to share resources on the network.
MAC OS – Apple’s operating system for its Macintosh brand of computers. The current version of MAC OS is commonly referred to as MAC OS X. MAC OS was the first operating system available based on a Graphical User Interface (GUI) as opposed to MS-DOS, which was largely maintained with command prompts.
Main Distribution Frame (MDF) – The termination point between telecom exchange and local loop terminations for connecting a network to the subscriber carrier’s equipment.
Mainframe – A highly sophisticated, high-speed computer that can handle many processing tasks simultaneously. Mainframes were the original computer platform when computers were first developed in the 1950s. Today, governments and large corporations still use mainframes.
Malware – A term used to describe software designed to infiltrate or cause damage to a computer system without being authorized to do so. Malware includes a wide variety of software commonly referred to as viruses including Trojan horses, worms and malicious adware.
Media Access Control (MAC) – A unique identifier of nodes within the network identified with a 6-byte code. These are also known as Ethernet addresses, physical addresses and hardware addresses.
Media Access Control (MAC) Address – Within an Ethernet network, the MAC address is a unique identifier of nodes within the network indentified with a 6-byte code. These are also known as Ethernet addresses, physical addresses and hardware addresses.
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) – Can describe a network encompassing an entire metropolitan area such as a telecom service, several LANs interconnecting using fiber-optic cables or even LANs connected between several buildings.
Minimum Manufacturing Quantity (MMQ) – A term used in cabling grades that describes how many individual wires are together in the cable.
MODEM – Short for “modulator/demodulator,” the term refers to analog data communications that convert digital signals used by computers into analog signals to be transmitted over the local analog loop of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). These are commonly referred to as “dial-up” modems connected to the Internet directly over phone lines.
Multi-Mode Fiber – Fiber-optic cabling that can simultaneously carry multiple signals at very high speeds.
Multiplexer (MUX) – Hardware capable of combining multiple data streams into a single data stream for network efficiency. These devices are commonly used in Wide Area Networks (WANs) to ensure efficient use of the bandwidth available in leased lines. Multiplexers eliminate the need for expensive Channel Service Unit/Data Service Units (CSU/DSUs).
Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) – A means for routing traffic efficiently across a broad Internet Protocol (IP) range, such as the Internet. The method is being standardized by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), a community of networking professionals. This method operates between the data link and network layers, and is designed with unified data-carrying capabilities for leased-line customers and packet-switching customers alike.
Name Server – A server that resolves domain names into Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, name servers are present throughout the Internet that enable the friendly use of domain names instead of having to type in IP addresses to surf around the Internet.
National Television System Committee (NTSC) – The television standard set for the U.S. that is also used in Japan, South Korea, Canada and other countries in the Western Hemisphere. Standard calls for broadcasts to be at 59.94 half frames per second and an image with 480 lines of image resolution.
Network Access Control (NAC) Technology – A concept and set of standards to secure network computers prior to hooking them up on the network. NAC technology aims to keep PCs without antivirus or firewall protection from accessing the network, for example. Another goal of NAC technology involves defining and enforcing network policies uniformly across the network. Hardware and software companies offer products capable of enforcing NAC including Cisco and Symantec.
Network Address Translation (NAT) – A methodology that substitutes Internet Protocol (IP) addresses. It is usually present at the network perimeter and used to translate IP addresses from an outside network to the internal network IP address. NAT provides a level of security that “hides” the true IP addresses of networked computers.
Network Critical Physical Infrastructure (NCPI) – A term used to describe a network with high availability and redundancy.
Network Operating System (NOS) – An operating system present throughout a network, these are used to construct LANS by authenticating users, sharing files and devices, providing administration to IT staff and running distributed applications across the network.
Network Sniffer – A hardware device or software application that examines network traffic for security performance issues. Sniffers are often used by network security personnel and hackers alike to detect weak points in the network.
Network Topology – The method chosen to network computers together. There are basically four main types: Bus, where all computers connect to the same cable; Ring, where computers are connected in a cable loop; Star, where multiple computers are connected to a centralized server or hub; and FDDI networks using Fast Ethernet connected in a loop.
Network Video Recorder (NVR) – Network storage used to store video from networked cameras.
Non-Proprietary – A term used to describe technology not privately owned that can be reproduced with similar features and functionality.
NTFS – The file system found in the Windows Operating System, NTFS was first developed within Windows NT in the 1980s as an enhancement for the FAT file system developed for the Microsoft Disk Operating System (MS-DOS).
OSI Reference Model – Stands for Open Systems Interconnection model and is an architectural representation developed for computer networking by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The model addresses the various issues that differing networks have communicating with each other. The OSI reference model serves as a standard to which other protocols, such as Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), adhere as they are developed. The model is broken down to seven layers representing different levels of data transmission: the physical data-link, network, transport, session, presentation and application layers.
Packet Switching – A method that allows data to be broken down into smaller, more easily transmitted parts to be sent over a network. Once at the network destination, the sequence numbering within the packets allows them to be reassembled into the original data.
Patch Panel – Panels usually mounted next to, within or directly to equipment racks used for cable connections in a wired infrastructure. Patch panels serve as a branching-out point for the network cables.
Pedestal – A computer form factor type for computer workstations and servers.
Peer to Peer – Networks that evolved in the 1980s that were too small to require server processing such as multiple PCs within a home where there would be little security requirements. PC end users are able to directly share files, etc., with each other using peer-to-peer networking.
Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) – A handheld computer that functions as a Personal Information Manager (PIM) and has messaging capability.
Phone System – The system used throughout a site that supports voice communications over a distance through telephone connections.
Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) – A term used to describe basic telephone services available since the public telephone system was first introduced in the latter years of the 19th century.
Plenum Cable – Networking cable used to cross extensive distances in a building as in elevator shafts, for example. Another term for plenum cable is Communications Multipurpose Plenum (CMP) cabling.
Point to Point – A single communications connection between one sending station and one receiving station.
Point of Sale Terminal (POS) – Hardware that gives merchants the ability to accept credit cards. Customers are able to swipe their credit or debit cards in the POS, thus initiating the transaction with their creditor bank.
Post Office Protocol (POP) – A protocol for storing e-mail messages sent to users that are received from SMTP mail servers. Messages are stored on the mail server using the POP protocol until the designated user accesses and retrieves the messages.
Postscript – Text added after the signature of a letter or after the main text of an essay or other published work.
Power over Ethernet (PoE) – Power provided to a networked device using the same connection as the network connection.
Power Sequencing – Technology that is able to sequentially control power flow over leased lines to the network for load balancing purposes and fault monitoring.
Primary Domain Controller (PDC) – A Microsoft Windows server that defines the domain as a whole. Microsoft replaced PDCs with Active Directory services in the release of Windows NT 2000.
Print Server – A primary server that manages networked printing services. These printers are also known as “shared” printers.
Private Bank Exchange (PBX) – Telephone line switches at the customer’s site that enable multiple line extensions, saving the cost of constructing a local loop for each employee.
Proprietary – A term used to describe private ownership of a property and excluding ownership of outside parties.
Protocol – Rules established to enable network communications.
Proxy Server Software – A term used to describe applications that grant the computer user access to a proxy server where network requests are requested by the server on behalf of the client instead of the client itself.
Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) – The network managed by local telecommunications carriers. PSTNs are commonly used by businesses to create Wide Area Networks (WANs) by using their leased lines.
Quality of Service (QoS) – Networking mechanisms that guarantee a company’s services are operating as expected. These mechanisms monitor bandwidth, latency and variation delays that may have an adverse effect on the performance of the network as a whole.
Rack Mount – A common form factor for mounting rack-mount server units and numerous other types of computer equipment into racks.
Rack- Mount PDU – A Power Distribution Unit (PDU) that follows the standard form factor to be mounted on a server rack.
Rack-Mount Server – Servers designed to be mounted into racks. Each individual server has a uniform form factor to fit on a standard 19 inch rack.
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) – A method for automated identification detection using an RFID tag that contains an integrated circuit for storing a Radio Frequency (RF) signal transmitted to a receiver for identification purposes.
Redundancy – A property of networks where data and connections have backups.
Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID) – Computer configurations, generally present in servers, which prevent data bottlenecks and increase reliability by distributing data across multiple disk drives. RAID configurations also offer the ability to back up data by mirroring it at the moment it is written to another disk.
Remote Access Services (RAS) – Technologies that enable IT administrators to manage computer resources from a remote location and grant remote users secure access to the corporate network.
Remote Procedure Calls (RPC) – First developed by Sun Microsystems, RPC enables an application residing on one computer to run procedures interactively on a remote, networked computer.
Remote Protocol RPC/IP – First developed by Sun Microsystems, RPC enables an application residing on one computer to run procedures interactively on a remote, networked computer using the Telnet protocol within the application layer.
Reprographer – An entity that reproduces or copies graphic material.
Reprography – A generic term for certain types of reproduction and copying.
Router – Devices used to connect multiple small networks into a larger all-encompassing network or to segment large networks into smaller, higher-performing and more easily managed networks. Routers can either be static where routing tables are manually configured or dynamic where routing tables are automatically configured while concurrently monitoring network traffic.
Sarbanes-Oxley Compliance – The Sarbanes-Oxley Act, passed by Congress in 2002, was established to shore up accounting loopholes in light of the major corporate scandals of the time including those of Enron, Tyco International, WorldCom and others. The Act establishes enhanced methods to which all U.S. publicly traded companies must comply.
Satellite Broadband – Internet access provided by satellite companies. Access is granted through a link established between a satellite and a receiver dish. This is a service option for customers who live outside the access grid of DSL or cable services.
Secure Socket Layer (SSL) – A protocol operating on the transport layer that allows for secure Internet connections.
Server Farm – A group of servers managed together collectively. Generally, server farms are used in large companies for handling large transaction loads that would overload an individual server.
Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) – A protocol used in Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) developed by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) that performs telephony tasks such as initiating and terminating calls and invitations to conferencing sessions.
Shallow Packet Inspection (SPI) – Packet filtering that only inspects headers against predefined criteria as set by the network administrator. Headers do not contain information regarding what applications are being sought by the data.
Shareware – A marketing means for software where the software is downloaded by a user from the Internet or contained in freely disbursed CD for a trial installation. If the user wants to purchase the full version of the software, a purchase payment is made.
Shielded – Cable that has a metallic material added to reduce line inefficiencies caused by Electromagnetic Interference (EMI).
Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) – A protocol operating within the application layer used to collect information from a network and to configure shared devices on the network. SNMP uses Internet Protocol (IP) to configure shared devices. Information gathered can include network performance and error trapping.
Single Phase Power – Electric power supply that varies in unison, typically between 50 and 60 Hz.
Site Decommission – A process where computers or other aspects of a network are removed/relocated from the network.
Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) – A hardware specification for connecting peripherals, most commonly storage devices, to a computer using an ANSI standard interface. SCSI has a faster transfer rate than IDE connected storage and supports multiple device installation through daisy-chaining.
Soft Costs – Soft costs may be defined as those indirect additional expenses that form part of the construction or repair of property. They not only impact building costs but also on business revenues.
Software Firewall – A software application that can give a network strong protection against outside attacks by using packet-filtering methodology to examine network traffic.
Spyware – A term used to describe software often installed without the computer user’s knowledge and intercepts data contained on the computer or gains partial control over that computer without the user’s knowledge.
Standard Ethernet (10BaseT) – The standard developed by IEEE for transmission of 10 Mbps Ethernet over standard, twisted pair cables and is based upon the 802.3 standards.
Static IP Address – An Internet Protocol (IP) address manually configured and assigned to a network host. Routers commonly have static IP addresses.
Storage Area Network (SAN) – A network separate from network servers that is primarily dedicated to storage of data. SANs are typically used in large corporate networks, Consumer Relationship Management (CRM), data warehousing and other applications requiring large, scalable data storage capability.
Striping – Common various RAID configurations, striping distributes data across multiple physical hard disk drives instead of a single drive to increase system reliability and reduce risk should a drive fail.
Structured Query Language (SQL) – A programming language used to manipulate and manage relational databases. Vendors, including Microsoft, Sun and IBM have developed their own versions of SQL.
Switch – A device capable of controlling electrical signal flow. Different types of switches include network matrix switches with keypads for mapping input ports to output ports, code-operated switches that select proper printer ports, scanning switches that have multiple input ports routed to a single output port and keyboard video mouse (KVM) switches that give the ability to use one keyboard, monitor or mouse on several servers.
Synchronous Optical Network (SONET) – A specification on the physical layer that allows very high-speed data transmission exceeding 1 Gbps over fiber-optic lines.
T1 – A leased line made up of 24 channels, each capable of carrying 64 Kbps for a total of 1.544 Mbps.
T3 – A leased line made of fiber-optic cables that are capable of handling speeds up to 44.736 Mbps.
Telnet – An application layer protocol established to enable uniform remote command execution across multiple platforms.
Terminal Server – A server configured to allow access of applications on a server remotely. Historically, these developed as “dumb” terminals that connected to applications on a central mainframe.
Thick Client – A full-featured server client that can function as a computer without a terminal server.
Thin Client – A server client designed for terminal computing, a thin client is a stripped-down computer that only has the processing power necessary to function as a client of a terminal server where all applications reside and all computer transactions are processed.
Three Phase Power – Electric power supply where the frequency is offset by 120 degrees, commonly used in supplying AC electric power.
Transient Voltage Surge Suppressor (TVSS) – Devices that passively suppress power surges.
True/Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) – An estimate that aims to help consumers and managers to allocate direct and indirect costs of owning particular hardware and software.
Trunk Line – The communications lines installed between central offices.
Tunneling – This uses methodology to move packets between networks functioning with different network protocols. This is achieved through encapsulated and de-encapsulated frames of packets carried within the protocols of the differing networks.
Twisted-Pair Wiring – Cabling constructed of multiple copper wires twisted together. Twisted –pair cabling can consist of one to four pairs of insulated copper wiring that is twisted together in pairs.
Unified Communications (UC) – A term used to describe the integration of networks running on different platforms to increase network performance.
Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) – Backup power supplies that ensure network components are always on, even in times of power interruption.
UNIX – One of the first available operating systems, UNIX was developed by AT&T’s Bell Laboratories in 1969. UNIX is still commonly used today in academics and midrange/mainframe computing. The UNIX operating system is largely maintained using a command line.
Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) – The most commonly used form of twisted-pair cable, it does not have internal shielding and is commonly referred to as “Cat” cable.
Value-Added Reseller (VAR) – A firm that adds additional functionality and features to existing hardware and software, and then sells the product to the public.
Virtualization – A term used to describe the ability to create multiple “virtual” server environments on the same physical server hardware.
Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) – Allows logical segmentation of networks without having to physically rewire the network through segmentation of ports on an Ethernet switch. VLAN allows the segmentation of large networks into smaller, easily manageable domains without additional network hardware.
Virtual Private Network (VPN) – Allows secure connection of a member user’s computer to a remotely located network over the Internet.
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) – The term used to describe technologies that enable voice communications over a computer network by digitizing analog voice signals so they can be transmitted using Internet Protocol (IP).
Volume Shadow Copy – A feature introduced in Windows Server 2003 that enables the capability to take snapshots of files or directories within a specified volume at a specified time for backup purposes. These snapshots can also be automated.
Web Server – A server that hosts content to be viewed and/or published on the Internet to be delivered by users via Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP).
Wi-Fi – A certification from the Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance (WECA) that wireless networking devices are present that are compliant with the IEE 802.11b protocol. Wi-Fi guarantees that devices operating on different platforms will be able to access the Internet wirelessly.
Windows Internet Naming Service (WINS) Server – Microsoft’s version of NetBIOS Name Server (NBNS) in Windows that serves to resolve Windows names to network addresses.
Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) – An add-on within Windows that allows management of updates and patches to Windows Operating Systems.
Windows Vista – Microsoft’s latest operating system for general-purpose computers released worldwide to the public in January 2007. The most obvious upgrades to Vista include a better Graphical User Interface (GUI), better searching capabilities and redesigned networking features. Microsoft’s primary goal with the Vista release was to increase the level of security in the operating system.
Windows XP – The operating system from Microsoft released in October 2001 as an upgrade and replacement to Windows 98 on general-purpose computers throughout the world. Windows XP offers the computer user a level of stability never before seen in earlier versions of Windows.
Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) – A technique for data encryption across the 802.11b IEEE standard for Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANS). Encryption is provided at the data-link layer using shared-key algorithms.
Wireless Access Point (WAP) – Hardware that grants access to the Internet wirelessly. Wireless devices are interconnected through the WAP to form a wireless network using Internet Protocol (IP) addressing for configuration.
Workflow Template (WFT) – Used to create an efficient way to reuse workflows or repeatable patterns of activity that uses networked resources.
WYSIWYG – An acronym standing for “What You See is What You Get.” The term is used to describe a visual editor that displays content very similar to the final product. It is commonly used in word processing and HTML editors that display a visual of the HTML code.
Copyright © 2007 – 2008 Michael G Perry All Rights Reserved
