Glossary of Terms

Software For The Open Enterprise™. Words, words, words. They're all here. Sorted and described for those who need to know.

Glossary A to Z

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.aot

In ZENworks Desktop Management, one of two file extensions (the other being .axt) denoting an Application object template file. The .aot file, generated by the snAppShot.

.axt

In ZENworks Desktop Management, one of two file extensions (the other being .aot) denoting an Application object template file. The .axt file, generated by the snAppShot utility, is a text file that can be edited with a text editor in order to modify the Application object template after it has been created.

.cab

A file extension denoting a "cabinet."

.cpk

In ZENworks Server Management, a file extension indicating a compiled Server Software Package, which means that the files and applications and their configurations have been compressed into one file for distribution.

.csv

In ZENworks Desktop Management and ZENworks Server Management, a file extension indicating that the file is in a comma-separated value format.

.exp

In ZENworks Desktop Management, a file extension denoting inventory configuration settings that have been saved so administrators can easily reload the settings to generate .csv files for inventory data export.

.fil

In ZENworks Desktop Management, a file extension denoting an application source file created by the snAppShot utility. During distribution of an application, Novell Application Launcher (NAL) uses the .fil files to install the application files.

.jar

In ZENworks, a file format that contains the class, image, and sound files for a Java applet gathered into a single file and compressed for faster downloading to a Web browser, a Novell ConsoleOne view, or Java applications.

.msi

In ZENworks, a file extension denoting an installation package created by the Microsoft Windows Installer application. ZENworks Desktop Management, through the use of Novell Application Launcher (NAL) and Microsoft Windows Installer, supports the distribution of MSI-based applications to workstations.

.mst

The file type extension for a Microsoft Windows Installer transform. A transform adds, deletes, or changes properties in a Microsoft Windows Installer (.msi) package to enable customization of the installation for different groups of users. ZENworks Desktop Management supports both MSI packages and transforms.

.pdb

In ZENworks Handheld Management, a file extension denoting a database file that can be downloaded to a Palm OS device.

.pnc

In ZENworks Handheld Management, a file extension denoting a configuration file that can be downloaded to a Palm OS device.

.pqa

In ZENworks Handheld Management, a file extension denoting a query application file that can be downloaded to a Palm OS device.

.prc

In ZENworks Handheld Management, a file extension denoting an application file that can be downloaded to a Palm OS device.

.scp

In ZENworks Handheld Management, a file extension denoting a configuration file that can be downloaded to a Palm OS device.

.spk

In ZENworks Server Management, a file extension indicating a software package that has not yet been compiled. The file contains all of the software package components and configuration information.

.str

In ZENworks Desktop Management and Server Management, a file extension denoting a scan data file.

@

Execute External Program

A NetWare login script command that executes an external program on a Windows 95 or Windows NT workstation.

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abend

ABnormal END

A serious software failure that halts (brings down) the server. Multitasking operating systems (like UNIX) allow other programs to continue running while only stopping the one causing trouble.

abort

To terminate a process before it is completed.

ABORT REMIRROR

A NetWare Loadable Module (NLM) that stops the process of synchronizing data between logical disk partitions.

absolute path

Relating to file systems, the location of a directory or file that can be accessed regardless of the current working location of a user or program. Absolute paths are called that because they refer to the very specific location of a file, including the domain name. The absolute path to a Web element is also often referred to as the URL.

See also relative path; URL.

Accelerated Graphics Port

A high-speed point-to-point channel for attaching a single device (generally a graphics card) to a computer's motherboard, primarily to assist in the acceleration of 3D computer graphics. Some motherboards have been built with multiple independent AGP slots. (Also called Advanced Graphics Port.)

access

1. (verb) In software, to view, retrieve, or otherwise invoke objects, including files, properties, aliases, user lists, and file structures.

2. (noun) Permission granted to a user or group of users to perform various operations.

Access Control

Short for "Access Control right."

access control List

1. Extension of the conventional permission concept for files and directories. These allow a more fine-grained control of the access permissions.

2. In eDirectory, an optional, multivalued property of every object. The ACL lists the objects (trustees) that can access the object, along with their explicit rights assignments. Each value contains a complete object (trustee) name, an indication of the type of rights held by the trustee, the specific rights settings, and an indication of whether the rights are inheritable. Any inherited rights filters that have been set on this object are also included.

3. In Novell exteNd, the association of an access right with one or more principals. Called an ACL. You use ACLs to specify known users and groups that have a particular type of access to a particular element. See also Locksmith; principal.

4. In NetWare for SAA, a list of users or groups that have exclusive rights to a dedicated LU, OS/2 downstream PU, or LU pool.

5. In ZENworks OnDemand Services, an optional, multivalued property of every Novell eDirectory object. The ACL lists the objects (trustees) that can access the object, along with their explicit rights assignments.

Access Control right

A file system right that grants the ability to change the trustee assignments and inherited rights filter of a directory or file.

access permissions

1. Determine whether a user or group can read, write to, or execute a file or directory. They are set by the system administrator or the owner of a file.

2. In Linux, define to which user group a new user is assigned. The user receives permissions from the group assignment. The access permissions are generally set by the system administrator.

access rate

The data rate, in bits per second (bps), of the user access channel in a Frame Relay network. The speed of the access channel determines how fast (maximum rate) the end user can inject data into a Frame Relay network.

access right

A pairing of an element and a permission (for example, a document and the READ permission). In an access control list (ACL), access rights are associated with users and groups.

account

The username (or login name) and password that together define a user. An account corresponds to a user ID (UID).

account

See access permissions.

account balance

A value assigned by a NetWare network administrator, after installing Accounting services, to limit the amount of network services a user can use.

Account Balance

Short for "Account Balance property."

Accounting

A NetWare option that allows a network administrator to charge users for network resources and services by assigning each user an account balance. The account balance diminishes as the user uses the network. Five network resources or services can be controlled through Accounting:

Blocks read from server hard disks
Blocks written to server hard disks
Amount of time the user is logged in to the server
Amount of data stored on server hard disks
Number of requests serviced by the server

acknowledge

In telecommunications, a code sent by the destination station to the origination station. The code indicate that the destination station is ready to accept data or to acknowledge error-free receipt of data. In certain network protocols, ACK is the name of the field, frame, or packet that contains such a code. ACK is the mnemonic for the ACKnowledge character, ASCII code 6.

ACL

Access Control List

Extension of the conventional permission concept for files and directories.

ACL Rule object

An eDirectory object that has been configured to allow or limit access to an application in ZENworks OnDemand Services.

ACL-based security

The process of controlling access to parts of an application or to individual objects using access control lists (ACLs). The Security subsystem uses ACL-based security to control administrative access to subsystem objects. By default, a deployed exteNd Director project allows anyone to access security settings. To secure access, you first need to set a Locksmith user. The Content Management subsystem uses ACL-based security to restrict access to individual documents, folders, categories, and so on.

See also access control list; Locksmith; role-based security.

ACPI

Advanced Configuration and Power Interface

An open industry specification co-developed by Hewlett-Packard, Intel, Microsoft, Phoenix, and Toshiba that establishes industry-standard interfaces for OS-directed configuration and power management on laptops, desktops, and servers.

See http://www.acpi.info/.

acronym

A word (such as GUI, DOS, or LAN) formed from the initial letter or letters of each of the successive parts or major parts of a compound term. In information technology, people tend to use the term "acronym" to refer to both acronyms and abbreviations (such as amt for amount).

You can look up the meanings of computer-related acronyms at TUCAA (The Ultimate Computer Acronyms Archive).

You might also enjoy the Jargon File .

action

A reusable JavaBean class with a doAction() method that sets values in the rule context. The component that fires a rule queries the rule context to get the values the action sets. An action can have properties whose values you set in the Rule Editor. exteNd Director supplies an installed set of general-purpose conditions and actions. You can also code your own custom actions.

See also condition; rule.

Active Directory

An advanced, hierarchical directory service that is an integral part of the Microsoft Windows 2000 architecture. It is LDAP-compliant and built on the Internet.

active hub

A device that amplifies transmission signals in network topologies. Active hubs are used to add workstations to a network or to extend the cable distance between stations and the server.

ActiveSync

In ZENworks Handheld Management, third-party synchronization software that transfers data between the ZENworks Handheld Management Desktop Sync and a Windows CE handheld device.

activity

In pageflow and workflow processes, an object that represents a task or step. There are several types of activities:

Presentation activities
Database activities
System activities
Directive activities

You can set properties to control the way an activity works. You can also program custom activities to provide new functionality.

ad-hoc network

Also called Mobile Ad-Hoc Network (MANET). Describes an autonomous collection of mobile users that communicate over bandwidth-constrained wireless links for a wide range of purposes such as establishing survivable, efficient, dynamic communication for emergency/rescue operations, disaster relief efforts, and military networks.

Such network scenarios cannot rely on centralized and organized connectivity, and can be conceived as applications of Mobile Ad-Hoc Networks.

(See the official charter of IETF working group on MANET at http://www.ietf.org/html.charters/manet-charter.html.)

Adaptive Quality of Service

A feature of the Novell Multimedia Server component that adjusts the required bandwidth for multimedia features depending on the network conditions. It regulates the multimedia data being transferred to the workstation so that the congestion in the network minimally affects the performance of the multimedia files being played from the Multimedia Server.

Add Self right

A property right that grants a trustee the right to add or remove itself as a value of the property. This right is used only for properties that contain object names as values, such as lists of group members or mailing lists.

add-on image

In ZENworks Desktop Management, an archived collection of files that will be applied to an existing Windows installation on a target computer. The existing partitions and files on the target computer are left intact, except for any files that the add-on image might update.

additive group policy

In ZENworks Desktop Management, settings from multiple Windows Group policies are cumulatively effective, rather than individually. Settings from multiple Windows Group policies can affect users and workstations. Policies start with the local Windows Group policy settings and are applied in reverse of the policy search order. This means that a setting in a policy applied first has lowest priority and its value is overwritten by any other policy with the same setting.

address

1. Short for "email address."

2. In GroupWise, a unique identifier that specifies the email location of a user, resource, group, or distribution list, in order to facilitate the delivery of electronic messages. Address components include the Internet domain if one has been assigned, and the GroupWise domain, post office, and user ID.

3. A value that uniquely identifies and specifies the location of an element in a computer or computer network. For example, a location in memory or disk storage, a network or portion of a network, or a station or other device on a network.

Address and Control Field compression

In frame relay, the process of eliminating the All Stations Address and the Unnumbered Information fields from high-level data link control (HDLC) framing, on a per-data-link basis, so that unneeded overhead is reduced when low-bandwidth links are used.

address field

1. In GroupWise, the field in an item where you type or place usernames or IDs.

2. In NetWare, a frame field specifying a physical address in a LAN topology. It is comprised of the control and management fields, specifying the virtual circuit numbering or Data Link Connection Identifier (DLCI), the flow control and the frame discard eligibility (DE).

address resolution cache

An area of software memory that contains entries that map the IP address to the physical address.

Address Resolution Protocol

A protocol in the Internet Protocol (IP) suite that enables a host to find the media access control (MAC) address of a target host on the same physical network when it knows only the target's IP address. ARP dynamically maps Internet addresses to MAC (hardware) addresses on local networks. It is limited to networks that support hardware broadcast.

To create entries, the ARP broadcasts a request with the target's IP address. The target responds with its physical address. After the network board adds the physical address to its ARP table, it can then send packets to the target.

adjacency

The record that a NetWare Link Services Protocol (NLSP) router keeps about the state of its connection with a neighbor and about the attributes of that neighbor.

adjacent node

A node connected to another node without intervening nodes.

ADM

In ZENworks, a legacy Microsoft policy editor (POLEDIT) template. Can be imported into Novell ConsoleOne and used to create User or Workstation extensible policies. Newer ADM templates can be imported into Group Policies and deployed in that manner.

administrator

The person who sets up a server, creates user login accounts and passwords, creates groups, sets security, and maintains the server.

AdminStudio ZENworks Edition

The software that enables you to manage Microsoft Windows Installer (MSI) packages, including the ability to convert legacy-based installs, ZENworks AOT packages, and ZENworks AXT packages to MSI packages; customize MSI packages for your organization's varying needs; and automate creation of directory objects used for management and distribution of the MSI package.

ADSL

Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line

Delivers and receives information on current telephone lines at higher bandwidth speeds.

ADSP

AppleTalk Data Stream Protocol

A symmetric, connection-oriented AppleTalk protocol that provides reliable, full-duplex, byte-stream service between sockets. It guarantees that data bytes are delivered in the same order as they were sent, and that they are free of duplicates.

Advanced Configuration and Power Interface

An open industry specification co-developed by Hewlett-Packard, Intel, Microsoft, Phoenix, and Toshiba that establishes industry-standard interfaces for OS-directed configuration and power management on laptops, desktops, and servers.

See http://www.acpi.info/.

Advanced Graphics Port

Advanced Interactive Executive

An IBM version of the UNIX operating system.

advanced peer-to-peer networking

A variant of Systems Network Architecture (SNA) that allows network nodes to exchange topology information dynamically, which leads to simplified parameter definitions.

Advanced Power Management

Advanced Power Management or APM is the name given to the component in some operating systems (such as Windows 95) that works with the BIOS to control the power management features of the PC. For example, APM allows you to set parameters in the operating system to control when various power management features will be activated.

The Linux APM Daemon is an advanced power management (APM) daemon and works in conjunction with the APM BIOS driver in the kernel. It can execute a command when certain events are reported by the driver.

Most uses of this daemon will use the proxy command to support power conservation activities. This command is searched for in "/etc/apmd/apmd_proxy" and is invoked with one or two arguments.

See http://www.comptechdoc.org/os/linux/startupman/linux_suapmd.html.

Advanced Program-to-Program Communications

A part of the Systems Network Architecture (SNA) protocol. APPC establishes the conditions that enable programs to communicate across the network. This capability, involving LU 6.2 and its associated protocols, allows two or more processes in an SNA network to communicate without involving a common host system or terminal emulation.

Advanced Research Projects Agency Network

The packet-switched internetwork created by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) in the early 1970s. ARPANET later evolved into the Internet.

Advanced Technology Attachment Packet Interface

Advanced Technology Attachment (ATA), is a standard interface for connecting storage devices such as hard disk drives and CD-ROM drives inside personal computers. It is referred to in many ways, including abbreviations such as IDE, ATAPI, and UDMA. ATA standards only allow cable lengths in the range of 18 to 36 inches, so it is normally used as an internal computer storage interface. It is the most common and the least expensive interface for this application.

Advanced Trending Agent

In ZENworks Server Management, an application that gathers and stores the trend data (historic data) for any parameter instrumented by an SNMP agent, if it is defined by a MIB variable and not just pre-configured MIB variables.

advertising

The process by which devices or services on a network inform other devices on the network of their existence. NetWare uses the Service Advertising Protocol (SAP) to do this.

AFP

AppleTalk Filing Protocol

An AppleTalk protocol that provides the rules for communication and data transmission between file servers and clients in an AppleShare network.

AFP server

AppleTalk Filing Protocol server

A server that enables workstations to share files and programs using the AppleTalk protocol.

AFP Server

Short for "AFP Server object."

AFP Server object

A leaf object in the eDirectory tree that represents an AppleTalk Filing Protocol (AFP) server. The AFP server enables workstations to share files and programs using the AppleTalk protocol.

Agent

SIF-enabled software that interfaces with an application on one side and a Zone Integration Server on the other side. The Agent is used to make the application.

See also SIF.

Agent-Initiated Connection

In ZENworks Desktop Management and ZENworks Server Management, a feature that allows users on the managed workstations or servers to request the remote operators to remotely manage the machines and to troubleshoot problems.

AGP

Accelerated Graphics Port or Advanced Graphics Port

A high-speed point-to-point channel for attaching a single device (generally a graphics card) to a computer's motherboard, primarily to assist in the acceleration of 3D computer graphics. Some motherboards have been built with multiple independent AGP slots.

AIO

asynchronous I/O; asynchronous input/output

In NetWare, an I/O model in which processing overlaps input and output. This data transmission method uses start bits and stop bits to coordinate the flow of data so that the time intervals between individual characters do not need to be equal. Parity can be enabled to check the accuracy of the transmission.

AIOPAD

Asynchronous Input/Output Packet Assembler/Disassembler

In NetWare, a module that provides an AIO interface to an X.25 driver. It assembles data for asynchronous transmission using a synchronous protocol and then disassembles the data that has been transmitted. Using this module, remote workstations attached to a network can dial out to host computers and can dial in to network resources.

AIOTSM

Asynchronous Input/Output Topology Support Module
An NLM that provides the interface between AIO and ISDN drivers.

AIX

Advanced Interactive Executive

An IBM version of the UNIX operating system.

alarm

1. An audible signal from the computer to notify the user of the condition it was configured to specify. For example, an alarm can warn a user of an error condition, or it can notify the user that a certain program is being started or shut down.

2. A record of a network event that is specific to remote access. The record is logged in a database.

alarm disposition

In ZENworks Server Management, configuration of the Alarm Management System to set the characteristics for each type of SNMP trap or proprietary alarm. The functions include launching applications, sending email notification, and forwarding SNMP traps to other network management systems.

Alarm Management System

In ZENworks Server Management, the component that alerts administrators to important events such as the SNMP traps, threshold alarms, network discovery events, and ping and connectivity testing faults occurring on the network. AMS provides a centralized location for processing and viewing the events and alarms generated by devices and systems throughout the network.

Alarm Monitor

A real-time display of all alarms that are specific to remote access.

Alarm Report

A display of all alarms that are specific to remote access and that have been logged to the database.

alarms

In ZENworks, events such as SNMP traps, alerts indicating when a threshold is exceeded, and ping and connectivity testing faults are forwarded to ConsoleOne, which subscribes to the alarm.

Alarms Purge

In ZENworks Server Management, a utility provided by the Alarm Management System (AMS) for automatic deletion of alarms.

alarms view

In ZENworks Server Management, the screen display used for alarm information in ConsoleOne, including the Active Alarm view, Alarm History view, and Alarm Summary view.

algorithm

A procedure for solving a problem in a finite number of steps, frequently involving repetition of an operation, as by a computer. Compressing data and creating lists of random numbers are examples of algorithms.

alias

1. An alternative name assigned to a system, a program, an electronic mail address, or another object.

2. In an operating system, a name, usually short and easy to remember and type, that is translated into another name or string, usually long and difficult to remember or type. Most command interpreters (e.g. UNIX's csh) allow the user to define aliases for commands, e.g. "alias l ls -al". These are loaded into memory when the interpreter starts and are expanded without needing to refer to any file.

3. In networking, one of several alternative hostnames with the same Internet address. For example, in the UNIX hosts database (/etc/hosts or NIS map), the first field on a line is the Internet address, and the next is the official hostname (the "canonical name" or "CNAME"). Any others are aliases.

4. Used with hostnames, often indicates that the host with that alias provides a particular network service such as archie, finger, FTP, or World Wide Web. The assignment of services to computers can then be changed simply by moving an alias from one Internet address to another, without the clients needing to be aware of the change.

5. In the Common Desktop Environment (CDE), a named electronic mail address in Mailer for mailing to a group of users. By creating an alias for a group of users, you can type one name instead of each individual name to send electronic mail messages to the group.

Alias

Short for "Alias object."

Alias object

An eDirectory object that points to another object at a different location in the Novell Directory Services (NDS) tree. An Alias object allows a user to access an object outside of the user's normal working context.

All Properties

Short for "All Properties rights."

All Properties rights

In NetWare, a type of rights assignment that applies to all the properties of an object. A specific (individual) property rights assignment overrides an All Properties rights assignment, but only for the specific property. The All Properties rights assignment still applies to all the other properties.

American National Standards Institute

The organization that sets the standards for many technical fields and provides the most common standard for computer terminals.

American Standard Code for Information Interchange

Character set and code described by the America National Standard Code for Information Interchange. Each ASCII character is encoded with seven bits. ASCII consists of both control and printable characters. These characters are the same as the first 128 characters of the ANSI character set.

The Extended ASCII Character Set consists of 128 decimal numbers and ranges from 128 through 255, representing additional special, mathematical, graphic, and international characters --the elements vary with different computer manufacturers and with different languages.

On this page you can look up ASCII characters and descriptions.

AMS

Alarm Management System

In ZENworks Server Management, the component that alerts administrators to important events such as the SNMP traps, threshold alarms, network discovery events, and ping and connectivity testing faults occurring on the network. AMS provides a centralized location for processing and viewing the events and alarms generated by devices and systems throughout the network.

Annex D

An implementation standard (ANSI T1.617) that addresses signaling and other network management functions.

Anonymous FTP

A type of file transfer protocol. It allows website visitors to download information from a website without entering a username and password. Regular FTP, in contrast, requires a username and password. Anonymous FTP is useful if you plan to distribute software, images, PDF documents, or other types of files to your website visitors.

Anonymous FTP allows the public to log in to an FTP server with a common login (usually "ftp" or "anonymous") and any password (usually the person's email address is used as the password). Anonymous FTP is beneficial for the distribution of large files to the public, avoiding the need to assign large numbers of login and password combinations for FTP access.

ANSI

American National Standards Institute

The organization that sets the standards for many technical fields and provides the most common standard for computer terminals.

AOLserver

America Online's open source web server. AOLserver is multithreaded, Tcl-enabled, and used for large-scale, dynamic web sites.

Apache Web Server

An open source HTTP web server. Apache runs on all major platforms and is capable of hosting even the most complex Web sites and can scale to handle thousands of simultaneous connections.

For information on how to install, configure, and manage the Apache Web Server on NetWare using Apache Manager, click here.

API

application programming interface

A set of functions, procedures, values, or other defined interface standards that an application uses to request and carry out services performed by another program or by an operating system. A single API typically specifies how input should be requested and obtained, and how output should be done.

applet

1. A small application that performs a specific task.

2. Short for "Java applet": small Java programs that are application-oriented rather than server-oriented. Java applets can be embedded in an HTML page and executed by a browser without waiting for server processing. This means that Java applets are particularly useful for processing intensive or time-sensitive elements of a Web page, such as multimedia, animation, or user-interactive forms.

AppleTalk

A networking protocol developed by Apple Computer for communication between Apple Computer products and other computers. This protocol is independent of the network layer on which it runs.

AppleTalk console

A diagnostic console utility that provides access to statistics and information about the status of various components of the AppleTalk protocol. ATCON uses SNMP to access this information from the local system.

AppleTalk Data Stream Protocol

A symmetric, connection-oriented Apple Talk protocol that provides full-duplex, byte-stream service between sockets. It guarantees that data bytes are delivered in the same order as they were sent and that they are free of duplicates.

AppleTalk Filing Protocol

An AppleTalk protocol that provides the rules for communication and data transmission between file servers and clients in an AppleShare network.

AppleTalk network

A collection of connected, individually controlled computers, printers, and other devices, together with the hardware and AppleTalk software used to link them.

AppleTalk NLM

A NetWare Loadable Module (NLM) that combines the AppleTalk Phase 2 protocol stack and Phase 2 router for NetWare for Macintosh and the NetWare AppleTalk Support Package.

AppleTalk Phase 2

A version of the AppleTalk protocols introduced in 1989 to provide support for AppleTalk networks with thousands of nodes, for multiple AppleTalk zones on a network, and for token ring. AppleTalk Phase 2 also provides support for cabling for more efficient routing techniques that improve performance in multiprotocol environments.

AppleTalk Print Services NLM

The NetWare Loadable Module (NLM) that enables Macintosh clients to print to NetWare queues and enables non-Macintosh clients to print to AppleTalk printers.

AppleTalk Remote Access

Software that enables remote Macintosh computers to communicate with AppleTalk networks over standard telephone lines.

AppleTalk Remote Access Service

A service that provides the software that enables remote Macintosh computers to communicate with AppleTalk networks over standard telephone lines.

ARAS supports remote Macintosh clients using Apples ARA 1.0 or ARA 2.0. The Macintosh clients dial in to become remote nodes on the network.

AppleTalk stack

Short for "AppleTalk protocol stack": a suite of AppleTalk Phase 2 protocols in appletlk.nlm that handles the transmission and receipt of packets, in order to enable Macintosh users to use NetWare file and print services.

AppleTalk Transaction Protocol

An AppleTalk connection-oriented protocol that adds reliability to lower-layer services by providing loss-free delivery of packets from a source socket to a destination socket.

AppleTalk Update-based Routing Protocol

An AppleTalk routing protocol that operates the same as the Routing Table Maintenance Protocol (RTMP) but sends updates only when a change occurs on the network.

The principal features of AURP are AppleTalk tunneling in TCP/IP, which enables two AppleTalk networks to be connected through a TCP/IP network.

Update-based routing through tunnels, reduces the amount of bandwidth by sending updates to peer routers only when network routing information changes, rather than sending periodic broadcasts of the routing table.

appliance

A computer or other piece of hardware that is dedicated to a specialized task or set of tasks. Often, additional functionality is limited or prohibited. For example, a server appliance is a computer that is dedicated to being a specific type of server. This server appliance might have a specific function such as storage. Depending on how the appliance was configured, additional functions such as printing or users' accounts management might not be controlled from this appliance.

See also soft appliance.

application

A program (or set of programs) that makes calls to the operating system and manipulates data files, allowing a user to perform a specific job (such as accounting, networking, sending email, etc.).

Application Browser

In ZENworks Desktop Management, a Web browser view similar to the Application Window and the Application Explorer window.

The primary purpose of the Application Browser is to provide applications in a Web browser environment. You can enable users to launch the Application Browser independently, or you can integrate it into a Web portal, such as Novell Portal Services or Novell exteNd Director, so that your applications are presented alongside Web content you've made available to users.

application dependency

In ZENworks Desktop Management, a requirement that a second application be distributed and run before the first application can run.

For example, if Application A has a dependency on Application B and a user launches Application A, Novell Application Launcher (NAL) distributes Application B (if necessary) and launches it before launching Application A. If Application B fails to distribute or launch, Application A does not launch.

Application Explorer

In ZENworks Desktop Management, one of three Novell Application Launcher (NAL) views. Application Explorer (nalview.exe) integrates with Microsoft Windows Explorer to make applications available through a standalone window, similar to the Application Window, and from the Windows desktop, the Start menu, the system tray, and the Quick Launch bar.

Application Explorer window

In ZENworks Desktop Management, a standalone window similar to the Application Window, in which applications can be displayed when using Application Explorer.

Application Launcher

Novell Application Launcher (NAL)

In ZENworks Desktop Management, the user workstation software that displays applications and performs various application management functions such as installing, uninstalling, and caching applications. NAL consists of three different user views, the engine application, a Windows service, and a Workstation Manager plug-in.

Application Launcher Service for Windows

NAL Service, NAL NT Service

In ZENworks Desktop Management, a Windows service (nalntsrv.exe) that runs in the workstation's system space to enable NAL to install, uninstall, cache, and run applications when the user does not have the required workstation file system access or when an application has been configured to run in the system space rather than the user space.

Application Launcher Workstation Helper

NAL Workstation Helper

In ZENworks Desktop Management, the user workstation software that plugs in to Workstation Manager and enables workstation-associated applications to be installed, uninstalled, cached, and run. This allows for application management based on the workstation rather than on a user logged in to the workstation.

application layer

In the OSI and TCP/IP network architecture reference models, the topmost network layer, responsible for giving applications access to the network.

Application object

1. In ZENworks Desktop Management, an eDirectory object used to control user access to an application and to configure the distribution and launch (as well as all other management aspects) of the application.

2. In ZENworks Handheld Management, an eDirectory object used to distribute collections of files (applications or content) to be copied to handheld devices. Handheld Application objects usually consist of applications to install on handheld devices, for example, .prc files (for Palm* OS* devices), .cab files (for Windows CE devices), and .alx, .ali, and .dll files (for BlackBerry&z-3rdParty; devices).

Application object class

A Novell Directory Services (NDS) object class representing an application, for example, Application (DOS), Application (Windows 3.x), Application (Windows 95), and Application (Windows NT).

Application object macro

In ZENworks Desktop Management, a macro that has been defined for use with an Application object. The macro is simply a variable with an assigned value. The macro can then be used in various Application object fields to define the field value.

Application object template

In ZENworks Desktop Management, a file that can be used to create an Application object in eDirectory. The file, generated by the snAppShot utility, contains configuration information used to populate the Application object fields. The file is identified by either an .aot or .axt extension.

application package

In ZENworks Web Self-Service, applications that have been grouped together into a Package object so they can be made available to users, and so that costs and usage can be tracked, reported, and billed.

application programming interface

A set of functions, procedures, values, or other defined interface standards that an application uses to request and carry out services performed by another program or by an operating system. A single API typically specifies how input should be requested and obtained, and how output should be done.

Application Search policy

ZENworks Handheld Management Application Search policy

In ZENworks Handheld Management, a policy used to minimize tree walking by specifying how far up the tree Handheld Management will search for Handheld Application objects. This policy is contained in the Container package.

application WAR

A WAR (Web ARchive) that contains the custom functionality of your application.

Application Window

In ZENworks Desktop Management, one of three Novell Application Launcher (NAL) views. The Application Window (nalwin.exe) is a standalone desktop window from which applications can be viewed and launched.

APPN

Advanced Peer-to-Peer Networking
A variant of IBM's Systems Network Architecture (SNA) that allows network nodes to exchange topology information dynamically, which leads to simplified parameter definitions.

Approval gadget

OD_ApprovalGadget.

In ZENworks Web Self-Service, an OnDemand Services gadget used to approve or deny user requests for application packages.

AR

1. access rate: The maximum data rate of an access channel, in bits per second (bps), usually referring to network access.

2. address register.

ARA

AppleTalk Remote Access

Software that enables remote Macintosh computers to communicate with AppleTalk networks over standard telephone lines.

ARAS

Appletalk Remote Access Service

A service that provides the software that enables remote Macintosh computers to communicate with AppleTalk networks over standard telephone lines. ARAS supports remote Macintosh clients using Apple's ARA 1.0 or ARA 2.0. The Macintosh clients dial in to become remote nodes on the network.

architecture

The overall design or structure of a computer system, including the hardware and the software required to run it, especially the internal structure of the microprocessor.

Archive Needed

Short for "Archive Needed attribute."

Archive Needed attribute

A file system attribute indicating that the file has been changed since the last time it was backed up. NetWare sets this attribute when the file is modified, and clears it when the file is backed up. It is shown in attribute listings but can't be set by users.

area

1. In the Common Desktop Environment (CDE), a selected portion of the drawing pane in the Icon Editor primary window.

2. routing area: An administrative domain of connected IPX networks with the same area address. Users in a routing area have network-layer access to the same services.

area address

The area network number and mask that together define a NetWare Link Services Protocol (NLSP) routing area.

area boundary router

A type of router that attaches an Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) area to the backbone area. An area boundary router has at least one interface in an OSPF area and one interface in the backbone area.

area mask

A 32-bit hexadecimal number that indicates how much of an area network number identifies a routing area, and how much identifies a network within the routing area. A typical area mask is FFFFFF00.

ARP

Address Resolution Protocol

A protocol in the Internet Protocol (IP) suite that enables a host to find the media access control (MAC) address of a target host on the same physical network when it knows only the target's IP address. ARP dynamically maps Internet addresses to MAC (hardware) addresses on local networks. It is limited to networks that support hardware broadcast. To create entries, the ARP broadcasts a request with the target's IP address. The target responds with its physical address. After the network board adds the physical address to its ARP table, it can then send packets to the target.

ARPANET

Advanced Research Projects Agency Network

The packet-switched internetwork created by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) in the early 1970s. ARPANET was the forerunner of the Internet. ARPANET was designed to be a military command and control center that could withstand nuclear attack.

ARPANET's founders designed it so that authority was distributed over a large number of geographically dispersed computers. This concept of a computer network with distributed authority is also the basis of the Internet. Theoretically, if 90% of the Internet were destroyed by nuclear attack, the remaining servers would be able to continue on.

AS

autonomous system

A collection of routers and networks that exchange routing information using a routing protocol, such as RIP or OSPF.

ASBR

autonomous system boundary router

A router that exchanges routing information with routers from other autonomous systems, from exterior gateway protocols, or from other routing protocols (such as RIP). By amassing information about external links, ASBRs can distribute routing information to the autonomous system (AS) about external destinations. ASBRs can be internal routers or area boundary routers and are not required to participate in the backbone area.

ASCII

American Standard Code for Information Interchange

Character set and code described by the America National Standard Code for Information Interchange. Each ASCII character is encoded with seven bits. ASCII consists of both control and printable characters. These characters are the same as the first 128 characters of the ANSI character set.

The Extended ASCII Character Set consists of 128 decimal numbers and ranges from 128 through 255, representing additional special, mathematical, graphic, and international characters --the elements vary with different computer manufacturers and with different languages.

On this page you can look up ASCII characters and descriptions.

Assign Ownership

An option on the Novell Storage Services (NSS) Administration menu that provides a way for a consumer to take storage free space from the NSS object bank and claim it for NSS storage group and NSS volume creation.

Assistant

A tool that guides a user through a series of steps, usually to configure or set up a program. Equivalent to Wizard and Druid.

association

1. A functional connection between an element and a data object or an action object. For example, if an icon and an action are associated, clicking the icon invokes the action associated with it.

2. In ZENworks Desktop Management, a link between a user/workstation and an application/policy that enables the application to be available to the user or workstation or the policy to be applied to the user or workstation.

3. In ZENworks Server Management, an action within an eDirectory object's property page that allows policies to be applied to a ZENworks Distributor object. Subscriber objects must receive their polices through Policy Package Distributions.

Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line

Delivers and receives information on current telephone lines at higher bandwidth speeds.

asynchronous

Describes a data transmission method in which each character is synchronized individually, usually by means of start and stop elements. The gap between each character is not a fixed length.

asynchronous input/output

AIO, asynchronous I/O

An I/O model in which processing overlaps input and output. This data transmission method uses start bits and stop bits to coordinate the flow of data so that the time intervals between individual characters do not need to be equal. Parity can be enabled to check the accuracy of the transmission.

Asynchronous Input/Output Packet Assembler/Disassembler

In NetWare, a module that provides an AIO interface to an X.25 driver. It assembles data for asynchronous transmission using a synchronous protocol and then disassembles the data that has been transmitted. Using this module, remote workstations attached to a network can dial out to host computers and can dial in to network resources.

Asynchronous Input/Output Topology Support Module

An NLM that provides the interface between AIO and ISDN drivers.

Asynchronous Transfer Mode

A network technology based on transferring data in cells or packets of a fixed size. The cell used with ATM is relatively small compared to units used with older technologies. The small, constant cell size allows ATM equipment to transmit video, audio, and computer data over the same network, and assure that no single type of data hogs the line.

ATAPI

Advanced Technology Attachment Packet Interface

A type of CD-ROM drive that is connected to an (E)IDE controller. Apart from ATAPI drives, there are SCSI CD-ROM drives, handled by a SCSI controller, and proprietary CD-ROM drives that use their own controller or are connected to a sound card.

ATCON

A NetWare Loadable Module (NLM) that allows a network administrator to monitor the activity of and see other information about the server's AppleTalk stack and router It also allows the administrator to see information about other AppleTalk networks on the internetwork.

atlas

In ZENworks Server Management, a graphical display of information within ConsoleOne, showing discovered network topology, node configuration information, and alarm information. Also called a map.

Atlas Manager

In ZENworks Server Management, discovery software that creates a system atlas and provides a graphical view of the database in ConsoleOne.

ATM

Asynchronous Transfer Mode

A network technology based on transferring data in cells or packets of a fixed size. The cell used with ATM is relatively small compared to units used with older technologies. The small, constant cell size allows ATM equipment to transmit video, audio, and computer data over the same network, and assure that no single type of data hogs the line.

atomic

In computer processing, being indivisible. For example, an atomic action is an action that has no intermediate condition between initiation and completion.

atomic clock

A highly accurate clock that regulates its time by the vibration frequency of atoms or molecules.

ATP

AppleTalk Transaction Protocol

An AppleTalk connection-oriented protocol that adds reliability to lower-layer services by providing loss-free delivery of packets from a source socket to a destination socket.

ATPS

AppleTalk Print Services

The NetWare Loadable Module (NLM) that enables Macintosh clients to print to NetWare queues, and non-Macintosh clients to print to AppleTalk printers.

attach

1. In GroupWise, to encapsulate an object, such as an image, data, or executable file, within an electronic mail message.

2. In NetWare, to establish a connection between a workstation and a NetWare server. The server assigns each client a connection number and attaches each to the server's login directory. For Macintosh clients, this restricts the user to viewing server resources without connecting to the server.

ATTACH

The login script command that authenticates users to additional servers. The format for this command is ATTACH [server[/username[;password]]]

attachment

In the exteNd Content Management subsystem, a document that can be associated with one or more parent documents. An example of an attachment is a GIF image of a corporate logo that must be attached to all white papers submitted to a portal Web site by a particular company.

attachment

Any file sent with an e-mail. Attachments can be embedded in a message or appended to it.

attribute

1. In the NetWare file system, any of the characteristics assigned to directories and files that dictate what can be done with the directories or files. Attributes include the following:
Archive Needed (A)
Can't Compress (Cc)
Compressed (Co)
Copy Inhibit (Ci)
Delete Inhibit (Di)
Don't Compress (Dc)
Don't Migrate (Dm)
Don't Suballocate (Ds)
Execute Only (X)
Hidden (H)
Immediate Compress (Ic)
Indexed (I)
Migrated (M)
Normal (N)
Purge (P)
Read Only (Ro)
Read Write (Rw)
Rename Inhibit (R)
Shareable (S)
System (Sy)
Transactional (T)

2. In the ZENworks Desktop SNMP Services interface, a part of an abstract object that describes one aspect of the object. For example, in a table listing system management contacts, one attribute might describe a contact's last name.

3. In eDirectory, a property belonging to a class. An attribute consists of a type identifier together with one or more values. Also known as a property.

4. In GroupWise, the elements that determine the appearance of a character (for example, bold, italic, Times New Roman, 10-point) or a graphic (for example, fill, line width, background color).

audit

1. To examine and verify records.

2. In the Product Life Cycle (PLC) process, a methodology used to do an assessment. This method examines a representative sample of documents in determining whether the organization complies with a defined standard.

audit file

A system log created when auditing is enabled at the volume or Directory Services container level. At the volume level, the audit file stores a record of all audited transactions; at the Directory Services level, the audit file also stores all activities performed by the auditor. Also called "audit data file."

Audit File object

An eDirectory leaf object that represents an audit trail's log of events associated with a container, workstation, or volume. The Audit File object can have access to various objects in an eDirectory tree through properties assigned to those objects. For example, a container object that is audited has an Audit File Link property pointing to the Audit File object.

The Audit File object is created by an auditing program and can be viewed using NetWare Administrator.

auditing

In NetWare, the collecting and examining of records to make sure that the server's resources are protected by the server Trusted Computing Base (TCB).

AURP

AppleTalk Update-Based Routing Protocol

An AppleTalk routing protocol that operates the same as the Routing Table Maintenance Protocol (RTMP), but sends updates only when a change occurs on the network.

authentication

The process of identifying an individual, usually based on a username and password.

In security systems, authentication is distinct from authorization, which is the process of giving individuals access to system objects based on their identity. Authentication merely ensures that the individual is who he or she claims to be, but says nothing about the access rights of the individual.

Authentication in the Novell eDirectory full service directory allows for both anonymous and user-specific access.

For more information, see this page.

authentication database

A list of valid remote system IDs or associated data terminal equipment (DTE) addresses and a password. Each entry represents a valid partner that can communicate with a given interface.

Authentication Store

Various Login Method Object or User objects.

authoritative

Describes Domain Name Service (DNS) data that is served by either the primary or secondary resident DNS server. Authoritative DNS data belongs to a resident domain and is managed by the administrator of that domain, or it is DNS data that is imported through a zone transfer.

authorization

The process by which a principal's access to application resources is determined. In an exteNd Director application, authorization is performed by verifying that the principal has sufficient permission to perform the requested operation.

authorization system

Provides access authorization for file objects in Novell Storage Services (NSS). The NSS system is designed such that the authorization system is modular. NSS is shipped with a default traditional NetWare trustee-based authorization system.

Auto mode

In ZENworks Desktop Management, an imaging mode where a computer is imaged automatically, based on any applicable eDirectory policies and settings. Also called auto-imaging.

auto-imaging

In ZENworks Desktop Management, an imaging mode where a computer is imaged automatically, based on any applicable eDirectory policies and settings. Also called Auto mode.

AutoAdminLogon

In ZENworks Desktop Management, an automated logon process that can be configured for selected Windows NT/2000/XP users by using the Windows Registry Editor (regedit.exe) to enter user ID and password credentials in the Registry. The result for the user is immediate access to the desktop and network resources without the need to pause to enter logon information.

autoexec.bat

A batch file that, if present in the root directory of a DOS computer, executes automatically when DOS or OS/2 is booted.

autoexec.ncf

A NetWare server executable batch file, located on the NetWare partition of the server's hard disk, used to load modules and set the NetWare operating system configuration.

automated hot replacement

In PCI Hot Plug technology, the process of removing a failed PCI adapter and inserting an identical adapter without removing power to the server and without reconfiguring or reloading software support.

Automatic Application Update

In ZENworks Handheld Management, recurring software distributions where ZENworks Handheld Management automatically scans the application.

Automatic Client Upgrade

A group of three utilities that provides a way to automatically upgrade systems using VLM, NETx, or Client 32 software to newer Novell Client software. The three utilities are NWDETECT, NWSTAMP, and NWLOG.

ACU is executed as a series of instructions that the network administrator has put in a login script. The client is then seamlessly and silently upgraded at login time.

automatic flow control

A means of controlling the flow of data across a virtual circuit. This is done by setting the window size and the packet size. Automatic flow control can be negotiated in each direction on a per-call basis.

automatic indexing

A pre-downloading procedure that allows Novell Evolution to quickly refer to data. It enables faster searches and decreases memory usage for data displays.

automatic rollback

A feature of the Transaction Tracking System (TTS) that returns a database to its original state. When a network running under TTS fails during a transaction, the database is "rolled back" to its most recent complete state.

Automatic Workstation Import

In ZENworks Desktop Management, a component that allows administrators to create Workstation objects and use them to manage the workstation by pushing software and computer settings from eDirectory to the workstation.

Automatic Workstation Removal

In ZENworks Desktop Management, a component that removes obsolete workstation data from the directory and from the Inventory database.

automount

A Linux/UNIX command. The automount program is used to configure a mount point for autofs, the inlined Linux automounter. Automount works by taking a base mount-point and map file, and using these (combined with other options) to automatically mount filesystems within the base mount-point when they are accessed in any way. The filesystems are then auto-unmounted after a period of inactivity.

autonomous system

A collection of routers and networks that exchange routing information using a routing protocol, such as RIP or OSPF.

autonomous system boundary router

A router that exchanges routing information with routers from other autonomous systems, from exterior gateway protocols, or from other routing protocols (such as RIP). By amassing information about external links, ASBRs can distribute routing information to the autonomous system (AS) about external destinations. ASBRs can be internal routers or area boundary routers and are not required to participate in the backbone area.

B top

B-tree

Abbreviation for "balanced tree."

A compact structure that allows the Novell Storage Services (NSS) system to retrieve an object from disk in no more than four I/O cycles. B-trees also allow the system to locate an object anywhere in storage without loading the entire directory entry table (DET) into memory.

backbone

The central part of a network, which carries the heaviest traffic, transmits at the fastest rate, and connects smaller networks that have lower data-transfer rates.

backbone network

The primary connectivity mechanism of a hierarchical distributed system. It ensures that all systems that have connectivity to an intermediate system on the backbone have connectivity to one another.

background process

In Linux/UNIX, a process that runs without monopolizing the shell. A command that initiates a background process is referred to as a background command or a command run in the background. To run a command in the background, append a space and ampersand (&) to the end of the command.

backlink

1. In NetWare, a pointer to a Novell Directory Services (NDS) object on another server. A backlink indicates that an object in a replica has an ID on a server where the replica doesn't exist. Also, the NDS process that verifies backlinks.

2. backward link: On the Internet, a hypertext link from the current page back to any page containing a link to the current page.

backup

(verb) To copy files to a second medium (a disk or tape) as a precaution in case the first medium fails.

(noun) A copy of data (file, directory, volume), copied to a storage device (floppy diskette, cartridge tape, hard disk). A backup can be retrieved and restored if the original is corrupted or destroyed.

backup host

A NetWare server that has a storage device and a storage device controller attached.

backward compatible

A system that is compatible with (e.g. can share data with) earlier versions of itself, or with other earlier systems, particularly systems it intends to supplant.

A new version of a program is said to be backward compatible if it can use files and data created with an older version of the same program. A backward-compatible word processor, for instance, allows you to edit documents created with a previous version of the program.

Backward Explicit Congestion Notification

The notification from the frame relay network to indicate that the network experienced congestion when the packet forwarding direction was reversed.

backward link

On the Internet, a hypertext link from the current page back to any page containing a link to the current page.

bandwidth

Maximum transfer rate of a channel for data transmission. Usually used with network connections.

The carrying capacity of a circuit, usually measured in bits per second (bps) for digital circuits, or hertz (Hz) for analog circuits.

bandwidth-on-demand

In frame relay, the capacity in an individual virtual circuit to burst above the committed information rate (CIR); also known as dynamic allocation of bandwidth.

banner

In online presentations such as a menu utility, a browser window, or online help, information about the online presentation, which could include such data as software name, date and time, title or current context, or version number.

banner page

1. The first page of a print job that supplies information about a print job, such as the name of the user who initiated the job, and the time and date of printing.

2. In the Common Desktop Environment (CDE), a field in the Print dialog box for specifying the text that is sent to the print command to be used as the title of the print job.

base image

In ZENworks Desktop Management, an image of the base Windows operating system prepared to replace the contents of the target computer's hard disk. Also called the workstation image.

base servlet

See portal controller servlet.

bash

The GNU version of the standard shell (the Bourne-Again shell). This is the Linux shell used in the ZENworks Desktop Management imaging environment.

Basic Input Output System

The built-in software that determines what a computer can do without accessing programs from a disk. On PCs, the BIOS contains all the code required to control the keyboard, display screen, disk drives, serial communications, and a number of miscellaneous functions.

The BIOS is typically placed in a ROM chip that comes with the computer (it is often called a ROM BIOS). This ensures that the BIOS will always be available and will not be damaged by disk failures. It also allows a computer to boot itself.

batch file

An executable file containing a sequence of several commands that are carried out in turn when the file is run. A DOS batch file has a .bat extension.

baud rate

In serial communication, the speed at which a signal changes when data is transmitted asynchronously from one digital device to another, such as over a modem or between a computer and printer.

Bc

committed burst size

The maximum number of data bits that a network agrees to transfer under typical conditions over a measured time interval.

Bcc (Blind Carbon Copy)

Blind copy recipients (Bcc) receive a copy of an item. Other recipients receive no information about blind copies. Only the sender and the blind copy recipient know that a blind copy was sent. If a recipient replies and chooses Reply to All, the blind copy recipient does not receive the reply.

BCUG

bilateral closed user group

A virtual private network, consisting of two data terminals, within a larger open network. The pair of terminals are configured to share unrestricted access with each other, but access to or by any other data terminal in the open network is not possible.

Be

excess burst size

The maximum number of uncommitted data bits that the network attempts to deliver over a measured time interval.

BeanInfo class

A companion class for a custom condition or action that specifies the appearance of properties in its property panel.

BECN

Backward Explicit Congestion Notification

The notification from the frame relay network to indicate that the network experienced congestion when the packet forwarding direction was reversed.

behavioral policy

In ZENworks Server Management, a policy that holds a set of rules to be followed in certain situations. The policy engine carries out these rules, along with any of its supporting modules. For example, the Server Down Process policy defines criteria that must be met before the server can be brought down.

Berkeley Internet Name Domain

An implementation of the Domain Name System (DNS) protocols which provides an openly redistributable reference implementation of the major components of the Domain Name System.

The BIND DNS Server is used on the vast majority of name serving machines on the Internet, providing a robust and stable architecture on top of which an organization's naming architecture can be built. The resolver library included in the BIND distribution provides the standard APIs for translation between domain names and Internet addresses and is intended to be linked with applications requiring name service.

Bilateral Closed User Group

A virtual private network, consisting of two data terminals, within a larger open network. The pair of terminals are configured to share unrestricted access with each other, but access to or by any other data terminal in the open network is not possible.

binary

1. The name of the number system in which there are only zeros and ones. This is important to computers because all computer data is ultimately a series of zeros and ones, and thus can be represented by binary numbers.

2. Data that is not meant to be intepreted through a common character set (like ASCII). Pure binary data is typically 8-bit data. Transferring a binary file through ASCII channels without prior modification will result in corruption and loss of data. Binary data can be turned into ASCII data via uucoding or bcoding.

BIND

1. The NetWare command that links a protocol and a board or network interface.

2. (Berkeley Internet Name Domain) An implementation of the Domain Name System (DNS) protocols which provides an openly redistributable reference implementation of the major components of the Domain Name System.

3. An SNA request (initiated by the APPC verb CNOS) sent from one logical unit (LU) to another to establish a session. For LU6.2, BINDs are negotiated between two LUs. The LU that initiates the BIND is known as the "primary LU," and the LU that receives the BIND is known as the "secondary LU."

Bindery

Short for "Bindery object."

bindery application

An application that makes calls to the NetWare bindery. eDirectory supports bindery applications with bindery services.

bindery context

The container object in the eDirectory tree that enables eDirectory to provide network information to servers and programs that depend on using the NetWare bindery.

bindery context level

A relative position within the eDirectory tree where bindery services are in effect. This position depends upon how the eDirectory tree was set up.

Bindery object

A leaf object placed in the Novell Directory Services (NDS) tree during an upgrade or migration from an earlier version of NetWare. Usually, NDS cannot identify the specific object, and bindery-based clients must access it with older NetWare utilities by using bindery services.

Bindery Queue object

A leaf object in the eDirectory tree that represents a print queue. The object is placed in the eDirectory tree during a migration or upgrade from a previous version of NetWare. eDirectory cannot identify such objects, so they must be accessed using older NetWare utilities.

bindery services

An eDirectory feature that creates bindery context, allowing bindery-based servers, clients, and utilities to coexist on an eDirectory network. In bindery services, eDirectory simulates a flat (nonhierarchical) structure for the objects within a container object. Only the leaf objects of the container are represented in this structure, creating limitations for bindery services users that other eDirectory users do not have.

Biometric

Novell Modular Authentication Services

Biological measurements of the eyes, voice, fingerprints, and face used for logging in and authenticating to the network.

BIOS

System BIOS

The part of a computer's memory that makes it possible for the computer to boot itself after the computer is turned on, without accessing programs from a disk. This essential procedure is complete when the boot menu appears on the screen.

bit

From Binary + digit, it is a unit of information; the amount of information obtained by asking a yes-or-no question; a computational quantity that can take on one of two values, such as false and true or 0 and 1. A bit is the smallest unit of storage--it is sufficient to hold one bit.

A bit is said to be "set" if its value is true or 1, and "reset" or "clear" if its value is false or 0. To toggle or "invert" a bit is to change it, either from 0 to 1 or from 1 to 0.

There are 8 bits in a byte.

bit rate

The rate at which bits (binary digits) are transmitted over a communications line. Bit rate is usually expressed in bits per second (bps).

BlackBerry client

In ZENworks Handheld Management, the software which manages devices that use the BlackBerry wireless platform.

BlackBerry Configuration policy

In ZENworks Handheld Management, a policy used to change the configuration of associated BlackBerry devices, including the owner name for the device and any additional information that should be included. This policy is contained in the Handheld and Handheld User packages.

BlackBerry device

In ZENworks Handheld Management, any handheld device running Research In Motion (RIM) OS 2.1 and newer. Handheld Management supports BlackBerry 850/857 devices using the DataTAC 3rdParty network and 950/957 devices using the Mobitex 3rdParty network.

BlackBerry Device Lockout

In ZENworks Handheld Management, a feature that disables a BlackBerry device that might be lost or stolen. After the device is locked, no applications can run on the device other than ZENworks Handheld Management, which can be used to unlock the device.

BlackBerry Inventory policy

In ZENworks Handheld Management, a policy used to enable the collection of hardware and software inventory from associated BlackBerry devices. This policy is contained in the Handheld and Handheld User packages.

BlackBerry Security policy

In ZENworks Handheld Management, a policy used to ensure that a password is set on associated BlackBerry devices. This policy is contained in the Handheld and Handheld User packages.

BLANK

In the AS/400 system, a default mode used to minimize configuration of network attributes.

block

1. The smallest amount of disk space that the server reads or writes at a time. All disk accesses are measured in blocks. The block size for a volume is defined at installation, and is usually between 4 KB and 64 KB.

2. In NetWare, to render inoperable, untouchable, or unchangeable; to obstruct access to an eDirectory object, such as a directory or file.

3. To select or highlight text.

block ID

A 3-digit hexadecimal number assigned to a physical unit (PU).

In NetWare Link/SNA, this number denotes the device type and responds to IDBLK in the VTAM PU definition statement.

In NetWare for SAA, it is the same ID assigned to the PU on the host.

block suballocation

The division of partially used disk blocks into smaller, 512-byte blocks. Block suballocation allows the last part of several files to share one disk block rather than using one disk block for each file, thus using disk space more efficiently.

board

1. A category under the Internetworking Configuration utility (INETCFG) where interface board parameters are configured.

2. A hardware interface card, installed in a computer, that connects the computer to other hardware or devices. Boards can add memory or graphics capabilities, or connect to modems, printers, or other devices.

bookmark

In Web browsers, used to save the URL of frequently visited or important Web sites. Bookmarks can be sorted in folders or renamed.

boolean

A system used frequently in search engines and directories for searching and retrieving information using and combining terms such as AND, OR, and NOT for the purpose of sorting data.

"Boolean logic" is used to restrict an informational or statistical search to certain parameters. Boolean characters can be helpful when searching the Internet. For example, searching for "healthcare agency" produces more than 4 million matches, or all entries that contain either "healthcare" or "agency." But a search for "healthcare & agency" locates only the matches that contain both words, significantly limiting the results.

boot

To start or restart a computer and ready it for use. Based on the phrase 'pull up by the bootstraps'.

During the boot (or boot-up) process, the operating system is read from disk into RAM, under control of a small ROM "bootstrap loader" program. Until a computer is booted, it can process no information.

If a computer will not respond to the keyboard, mouse, or reset button, you can cold boot the computer. Shut the machine down; then turn off the power and restart.

You can "warm" boot a running computer by pressing CTRL-ALT-DEL or by pressing the "reset" button on the console. When a machine is re-booted (cold or warm), information in RAM and any information that hasn't been saved to disk is lost.

boot directory

In the NetWare operating system, the directory where the server.exe file is stored. Executing server.exe starts (boots) the server operating system.

boot diskette

A diskette that contains the parts of an operating system needed to start the operating system. You can use it to boot your computer.

boot file

A file, such as autoexec.bat or config.sys, that starts up a computer by loading its operating system and drivers, setting environment variables, and handling other initialization tasks.

boot loader

Loads a program by initializing program/data memory from either a serial or parallel port. Convenient for prototyping.

boot partition

The partition mounted on the /boot directory that contains the operating system kernel, as well as files used during the boot process. The boot partition can be (but does not have to be) the same as the system partition. Both a primary partition and a logical drive in an extended partition can be used as a boot partition.

bootconf.sys

In a NetWare diskless workstation, the configuration file that is used by Remote Reset to determine which remote boot image file to use to boot the operating system and access the network.

booting

The sequence of computer operations from power-on until the system is ready for use.

BOOTP

Bootstrap Protocol

A TCP/IP protocol that enables an internet node (for example, a diskless workstation) to discover certain start-up information, such as its IP address.

BOOTP relay agent

An Internet host or router that passes BOOTP messages between BOOTP clients and BOOTP servers. Because the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is designed to use the same relay agent behavior as specified in the BOOTP protocol specification, a BOOTP relay agent also passes DHCP messages between DHCP clients and DHCP servers.

Bootstrap Protocol

The Bootstrap Protocol allows a host to configure itself dynamically at boot time. This protocol provides three services:

IP address assignment
Detection of the IP address for a serving machine
The name of a file to be loaded and executed by the client machine

This protocol is the basis for DHCP. It allows a client computer to receive an IP address from a BootP server without having a static IP address defined beforehand on the client machine.

bound-in NLM

Any NetWare Loadable Module (NLM) that is part of the server.exe file, which is the core of the NetWare operating system.

Bourne Shell

The standard shell (`/bin/sh') on UNIX and UNIX-like systems, originally written by Steven R. Bourne. Many shells (Bash, ksh, pdksh, zsh) are generally upwardly compatible with the Bourne shell.

See also Bash.

bridge

A device that connects two or more physical networks, forwarding frames between networks based on information in the data-link header. Because it operates at the data-link layer, the bridge is transparent to the network layer protocols.

bridge discovery

In ZENworks Server Management, the service that gathers details about bridges and switches so an accurate map of the network can be built.

broadcast

1. To send a message to all possible recipients. Broadcast can be implemented as a repeated send but is more efficiently implemented by using spanning trees and having each node in the tree propagate the message to its descendants. See also multicast and process group.

2. A packet delivery service in which all hosts on a network receive a copy of any frame that is designated for broadcast.

3. In Novell GroupWise Workflow, to send workflow steps to all recipients at once.

Broker

Short for "Broker object."

Broker object

An eDirectory object associated with Novell Distributed Print Services (NDPS) that represents broker.nlm and provides three network support services not previously available in NetWare:

Service Registry Service (SRS)
Event Notification Service (ENS)
Resource Management Service (RMS)

brouter

bridging router

A device that routes some protocols and bridges others.

browse

To scan a collection of items, such as a database, a file manager view, a list box, Web pages, or text files, for a particular item or for items of interest. To browse implies observing rather than changing information.

Browse

1. In NetWare, short for "Browse right."

2. In the Common Desktop Environment (CDE), a menu-bar item in Calendar used to look at the calendar appointments of others.

Browse right

An object right that grants the right to see an object in the eDirectory tree. The name of the object is returned when a search is made that matches the object.

browser

1. Software used to explore or navigate. For example, a Web browser (such as Firefox or Internet Explorer) allows a user to access pages on the World Wide Web; a NetWare Administrator browser window allows a user to access the eDirectory tree. Web browsers with a particular encryption capability called Secure Socket Layer (SSL) are sometimes called SSL browsers.

2. In the Common Desktop Environment (CDE) Application Builder, a window that provides a symbolic, hierarchical view of a module in a user interface. The browser shows parent-child relationships and groups. It can also be used to find objects in complex modules and to edit a user interface.

Btrieve

A key-indexed record management system used in NetWare 3.0 and later that allows the user to access, update, create, delete, or save records in a database. Btrieve consists of several programs that can run in either a client-based or server-based version.

bucket

In ZENworks Server Management, the number of samples taken for a particular trend parameter over a given period. Also called trend bucket.

budget holder

In ZENworks Web Self-Service, an individual responsible for approving or denying users' requests for access to an application package.

buffer

A temporary storage location in memory where data can be held for processing. A buffer can be used to hold data in an area where it can be easily accessed. It is often used to compensate for differences in data-flow rates (for example, between a terminal and its transmission line). A buffer can also be used as a backup mechanism, holding data that can then be retransmitted if an error is detected during transmission.

buffer underflow

A condition in which a program receives an end-of-data error before it has received and read enough bytes to return the information that was requested. This usually occurs when the requested data is corrupted.

Build schedule

In ZENworks Server Management, the schedule for the Distribution object. It determines when the Distributor owning the Distribution can begin building the Distribution file.

bus

A term used for a kind of electronic device in which a number of elements are wired together with a single wire in such a way that all the elements can use the same wire to transmit information to other devices on the wire. Buses are used internally in computers and used to attach computers to peripherals.

Bus is also a term for a LAN topology which has the same characteristic: the same wire is attached to a number of devices which all share that wire to transmit to other devices on the LAN. ThickWire and ThinWire Ethernet, Localtalk, and ARCnet are examples of LAN technologies with a bus topology.

bus interrupt

A device I/O interrupt used by such devices as disk or LAN drivers.

bus topology

The linear LAN used by Ethernet networks.

business process

A set of procedures that define how a business does its work. It has well-defined starting and ending points and can be a combination of manual, partially automated, or completely automated tasks. Workflow is the computer automation of a business process.

See also Workflow subsystem.

byte

Contraction of BinarY digiT Eight, a unit of storage capable of holding a single character. A byte is equal to 8 bits. Computer storage space is measured in bytes. A Kilobyte (or 1 K) represents 1024 bytes and a Megabyte (1 Mb) represents one thousand kilobytes, or one million bytes. For example, a computer that has 256 KB main memory can store approximately 256,000 bytes (or characters) in memory at one time. Kilobyte is usually abbreviated as K or KB. A megabyte is 1,048,576 bytes, but it is often used loosely as a synonym for one million bytes. Megabyte is frequently abbreviated as M or MB. A gigabyte is equal to 1,024 megabytes.
Gigabyte is often abbreviated as G or GB.

C top

CA

Certificate authority

An entity that issues the digital certificates used in public-key cryptography. It attests to the identity of the person or organization to whom it issues the digital certificates. It also is called certification authority or certifying authority.

cache

1. (verb) To hold data in a temporary storage area, such as in RAM. The data can be accessed more quickly from RAM than from the hard disk.

2. (noun) A quickly accessible area of RAM or a directory or a disk that stores frequently used information.

3. (noun) On the Web, refers to the area where the browser stores downloaded graphics on the user's computer. That way, when the user has to reload the graphics, the browser retrieves it from the computer faster than ite would reloading the graphics from the Internet.

cache buffer

A block of NetWare server memory (RAM) that temporarily stores data.

cache buffer pool

The amount of memory available for use by the operating system after the server.exe file has been loaded into memory.

cache hit

A successful search for data in a memory cache.

cache memory

Available random access memory (RAM) that NetWare uses to improve NetWare server access time. Cache memory allocates memory for the hash table, the FAT, the Turbo FAT, suballocation tables, the directory cache, a temporary data storage area for files and NLM programs, and available memory for other functions.

cache, NAL

NAL cache

In ZENworks Desktop Management, a hidden directory (nalcache) that Novell Application Launcher creates on the root of the Windows drive. The cache directory contains subdirectories for each application associated with the workstation's user.

For example, c:
nalcache
novell_tree.app1.apps.novell and c:
nalcache
novell_tree.app2.apps.novell.

These subdirectories contain the information used by Novell Application Launcher (NAL) to install, launch, verify, and uninstall applications while the user is disconnected from Novell eDirectory.

cache-only server

A server that has no database; it must query other name servers to obtain information. After a cache-only server receives information for a query, it caches the information and can respond to subsequent queries (for the same information) without querying other name servers.

call

A request by one network node to establish communications with another network node; also, the resulting communication session or the virtual circuit over which it is conducted.

call authentication

A method of protecting against unauthorized access into a system by inbound remote calls.

call control agent

A software module that works in tandem with the call support layer (CSL). The CCA contains wide area network (WAN) media-specific connection management logic.

Call Manager utility

The NetWare utility used to monitor the status of the WAN connections or to start and stop WAN calls manually.

Call Request packet

In X.25, a type of control packet sent to data terminal equipment (DTE) to request initiation of a virtual call.

call support layer

The software module that provides a general-purpose interface for controlling wide area network (WAN) calls. Call control refers to a set of actions taken to establish, maintain, and disconnect a WAN connection.

CALLMGR

The NetWare utility used to monitor the status of the wide area network (WAN) connections or to start and stop WAN calls manually.

Can't Compress

Short for "Can't Compress attribute."

Can't Compress attribute

A file system attribute indicating that a file can't be compressed because of insignificant space savings. It is shown in attribute listings but can't be set by users.

CAPTURE

A NetWare command line utility used to print to a network printer from an application that is not designed to run on a network. CAPTURE can also print screen displays and save data to a network file.

Capture Packets

In ZENworks Server Management, software that enables the system administrator to collect packets in order to analyze traffic in a particular LAN segment, using the Novell LANalyzer Agent or the standard RMON Agent.

case

A section of a rule made up of conditions and actions. The actions are executed when the group of conditions evaluate to true. A case is shown in the Rule Editor as a pair of When and Do headings. Also called a decision node.

case sensitive

A program or function that differentiates between capital and non-capitalized letters or words. Something that is not case sensitive would view 'novell' and 'Novell' as the same word. A case sensitive program would see two different words.

CC

1. Customer Connections

2. Carbon copy recipients (CC) receive a copy of an item. CC recipients are users who would benefit from the information in an item, but are not affected by or directly responsible for it. All recipients can see that a carbon copy was sent. They can also see the names of the CC recipients.

3. Cooperative Console. (A Sun Microsystems, Inc. management tool.)

4. correction ceiling

CCA

1. Compatible Communications Architecture

2. Computer Corporation of America

3. common cryptographic architecture

4. communications control architecture

5. call control agent: A software module that works in tandem with the call support layer (CSL). The CCA contains wide area network (WAN) media-specific connection management logic.

CD-ROM

compact disc read-only memory

A computer storage medium which can store large amounts of information; generally used to distribute software or multi-media for use on computers with CD-ROM drives. CD-ROM disks look just like music CDs and cannot be altered by a user. Most CD-ROMs can store 650 megabytes of data.

A single CD-ROM has the storage capacity of 700 floppy disks, enough memory to store about 300,000 text pages. CD-ROMs are stamped by the vendor, and once stamped, they cannot be erased and filled with new data. To read a CD, you need a CD-ROM player. All CD-ROMs conform to a standard size and format, so you can load any type of CD-ROM into any CD-ROM player. In addition, CD-ROM players are capable of playing audio CDs, which share the same technology. CD-ROMs are particularly well-suited to information that requires large storage capacity. This includes large software applications, graphics, sound, and especially video.

CDM

custom device module

1. The driver component in the NetWare Peripheral Architecture (NPA) used to drive specific storage devices attached to the host adapter.

2. code division multiplexing

Central Processing Unit

The most powerful microprocessor chip in your computer. The actual CPU is about 1.5 inches square, yet it is the most critical part of the computer. Having a fast CPU (measured in MegaHertz) greatly aids in the overall speed of your computer.

Sometimes the term CPU is used to describe the whole box that contains the chip (along with the motherboard, expansion cards, disk drives, power supply, and so on). In this sense, it comprises the part of the computer apart from the monitor, keyboard, and mouse.

Sometimes referred to as the heart or the brains of a traditional computer. The CPU coordinates all activity in the machine by following a precise set of instructions--the software.

Central Processing Unit Cache Memory

The cache on your CPU is an expensive, high-speed piece of memory, which is used to speed up the memory retrieval process. Due to its expense, CPUs come with a relatively small amount of cache compared with the main system memory.

The extremely fast memory in CPU cache stores any data that is frequently accessed and also, if possible, the data that is around it. This achieves the quickest possible response time to the CPU. Otherwise, every time the CPU requested data, it would send a request to the main memory which would then be sent back across the memory bus to the CPU. This can be a slow process.

CEPT

Conference Europeenne des Postes et des Telecommunications (European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administration)

The association of the European Post, Telephone, and Telegraph agencies (PTT) that recommends communication specifications to the International Telecommunication Union Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T). This governing body created the facility used to transport 30 voice channels at 64 Kbs (for a total of 2.048 Mbps); also known as "E1."

certificate

In public-key cryptography, a digital document attesting to the binding of a public key to an owner (such as an individual or a Web server). A certificate verifies claims that a given public key does in fact belong to a given individual. It is used to prevent unauthorized users from using phony keys to impersonate legitimate users.

Certificates contain, at a minimum, a public key and a name. Normally they also contain the expiration date of the key, the name of the certifying authority that issued the certificate, and the serial number of the certificate. They can also contain the digital signature of the certificate issuer.

Also called "digital certificate," "digital ID," "digital passport," and "public key certificate."

certificate

In ZENworks Server Management, an inter-server communications security file issued by an internal certificate signer. Valid only within the context of the ZENworks family of products.

certificate authority

An entity that issues the digital certificates used in public-key cryptography and attests to the identity of the person or organization to whom it issues the digital certificates. For example, a company may issue certificates to its employees, a university to its students, or a town to its citizens. Also called certification authority or certifying authority.

certificate signer

In ZENworks Server Management, the trusted certificate source responsible for digitally signing certificates. In ZENworks, this can be local source, in which case the certificate is valid only within the context of the ZENworks family of products.

certificate signing request

1. An electronic document that contains distinguishing information about a Web server or service and its associated organization. A CSR must be submitted to a certificate authority (CA) in order to receive a certificate for a service. When an external certificate authority is used, the CSR must be submitted to the CA to be digitally signed.

2. In ZENworks Server Management, when a CA internal to the product (such as a Distributor) receives a CSR and digitally signs a certificate, that certificate is valid only within the context of the ZENworks family of products.

certification authority

CGI

1. Common Gateway Interface: A standard for how a Web server communicates with external programs. CGI specifies how to pass arguments to the executing program as part of the HTTP request and defines a set of environment variables. Commonly, the program generates HTML that is passed back to the browser, but it can also request redirection to a different URL. This interfacing allows for interactive sites instead of just static text and images.

2. color graphics interface

Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol

An inbound call protection method that enables the receiving node to issue a challenge sequence that must be modified by the caller to use a "secret" known by both peer nodes.

Change Number of Sessions

An Advanced Program-to-Program Communication (APPC) verb used to perform session-related operations.

channel

A path that allows the transmission of electromagnetic signals between a computer and a device; the path can consist of cables and storage devices and can include a host bus adapter.

Channel

In ZENworks Server Management, an eDirectory object (TED Channel) that is used to connect distributions with subscribers, external subscribers, and subscriber groups. Multiple distributors can list distributions in a given channel. Channels must be scheduled using the Send schedule. All distributions listed in a channel are sent to any ZENworks entity subscribed to the channel.

channel service unit

A digital signal processing device used to connect an external digital channel (such as a T-1, DDS, or Switched 56 line) to a multiplexer or to another device that produces a digital signal (such as a digital PBX or a PC).

At the customer's end of the telephone connection, CSUs perform much the same function for digital circuits that modems provide for analog connections. A CSU performs certain line-coding, line-conditioning, equalization, and monitoring functions, including transmit and receive filtering, signal shaping, longitudinal balance, voltage isolation, and remote loopback testing for digital transmission.

channel-attached

Describes devices attached to a controller by cables, rather than by telecommunication lines.

CHAP

Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol

An inbound call protection method that enables the receiving node to issue a challenge sequence that must be modified by the caller to use a "secret" known by both peer nodes.

character

A letter, numeral, punctuation mark, control character, blank, or other such symbol. One character usually occupies one byte when stored on a computer.

A single location on a computer system capable of holding one alphabetic character or numeric digit. One or more characters are held in a field. One or more fields make up a record, and one or more records may be held in a file or database table.

character device

A data storage or transfer device that manipulates data in increments of a single character; for example, a terminal. Contrast with block device.

character length

In serial communication, the number of bits used to form a character.

character set

The letters, numbers, and characters a computer uses for display and printing. Alphabet-based languages, such as English, usually have a character set of 256 symbols (the number of combinations one byte can hold). Unicode, with 16 bits, has a possible character set of 65,536 symbols.

charge rate

The number that is subtracted from a NetWare user's account balance for a unit of service. For example, a charge rate of 2/3 for connection time means that 2 is subtracted from the user's account balance for every 3 minutes of connection time.

checkpoint restart

In ZENworks Desktop Management, a distribution download mechanism used by Novell Application Launcher (NAL) while the user is connected to eDirectory through a remote connection. If an application download is postponed or interrupted, the download is resumed at the point where it left off, not at the beginning.

checksum

The numeric computation that combines the bits of a transmitted message; also the resulting value. The value is transmitted with the message; the receiver recalculates the checksum and compares it to the received value to detect transmission errors.

CHGNETA

In the AS/400 system, a command used to change network attributes.

child document

In the Content Management subsystem, a document that is associated with one parent document. An example of a child document is a reply in a discussion thread. Each reply is a response to only one other discussion item in the thread.

child VLM

A Virtual Loadable Module (VLM) that receives calls from and returns calls to a parent VLM. A child VLM handles a particular implementation of a logical grouping of functionality. For example, each of the following is a child VLM of NWP.VLM:
- BIND.VLM for NetWare 2 and 3 bindery servers
- NDS.VLM for NetWare 4 NDS servers
- PNW.VLM for Personal NetWare (NetWare desktop)

chording

The simultaneous pressing of two or more buttons or keys on an input device such as a keyboard or mouse that produces one set action.

CI

1. component integration

2. Computer Intelligence: A group that contracted with Novell to provide online information about LAN sites.

3. congestion indicator

4. configuration item: In the Product Life Cycle (PLC) process, an aggregation of hardware, software, or both, that is designated for configuration management and treated as a single entity in the configuration management process.

Ci

Short for "Copy Inhibit attribute."

CIFS

Common Internet File System

A protocol that lets programs make requests for files and services on remote computers on the Internet. CIFS uses the client/server programming model. A client program makes a request of a server program (usually in another computer) for access to a file or to pass a message to a program that runs in the server computer. The server takes the requested action and returns a response. CIFS is a public or open variation of the Server Message Block Protocol developed and used by Microsoft.

CIM

Common Information Model

An approach to system and network management defined by the Distributed Management Task Force. CIM describes the components of a managed computing and networking environment using an object-oriented modeling approach. In ZENworks Server Management and ZENworks Desktop Management, it is used to define the Inventory database schema.

CIM schema

1. A collection of class definitions used to represent managed objects that occur in every management environment.

2. In ZENworks Desktop Management and ZENworks Server Management, an approach to system and network management that is used to apply object-oriented structuring and conceptualization techniques to the Inventory database. The Inventory database schema in ZENworks is based on the CIM schema.

CIR

committed information rate

The rate, in bits per second, at which a network offering frame relay services (FRS) agrees to transfer data on a particular virtual circuit under normal operating conditions. The rate is averaged over a minimum increment of time.

circuit

1. Any path that can carry an electrical current.

2. In the context of NetWare Link Services Protocol (NLSP), an internal logical representation of network connectivity between two NetWare Link Services Protocol (NLSP) routers (or between two SNA/NetBIOS end stations).

circuit switching

A procedure for establishing a connection between two end devices. Once established, the connection uses a nonsharable path through the network.

Clear Request packet

In X.25, a type of control packet sent to a data terminal equipment (DTE) to request the termination of a virtual call.

clear text password

A password that has not been encrypted. In contrast, ciphertext is data that has been encrypted.

Clear To Send

A control signal generated by data communications equipment (DCE) to indicate that it can transmit data.

CLI

1. command line interpreter: The main interface between a user and a computer. A CLI accepts commands and then performs functions.
2. call level interface: A database standard, as in SQL/CLI.
3. Common Layer Interface: A layer in the Novell Storage Services (NSS) software architecture that provides naming, object, and management services. The CLI layer defines the interfaces that Semantic Agents use to access the object engine layer.
4. Compression Labs, Inc.: A vendor for video conference equipment.

CLIB

C-Library

The dynamically loaded Runtime NetWare C library that provides an interface to the NetWare operating system.

client

1. A software program that is used to contact and obtain data from a server software program on another computer, often across a great distance. Each client program is designed to work with one or more specific kinds of server programs, and each server requires a specific kind of client. A web browser and an FTP program are specific kinds of clients.

2. A system or software application that requests services from another application, usually across a network. For example, a Novell Client is workstation software that provides NetWare connectivity to Windows. Once installed on workstations, Novell Client enables users to enjoy the full range of NetWare services such as Novell eDirectory, integrated messaging, single synchronized login, and multiprotocol support.

client/server network

A network having at least one personal computer configured as a server. The server runs the client/server network operating system and controls communication and shared network resources. The clients are workstations that are connected to the network and are running client software.

Client32

Novell Client

Novell software that provides basic connectivity and access to NetWare network resources for workstations. Additionally, it provides advanced networking services such as rapid data transfer, file and print management, and access to eDirectory.

clientless architecture

In ZENworks Desktop Management, the lack of dependence on the Novell Client for workstations to authenticate to eDirectory.

clock

1. In the NetWare Common Desktop Environment (CDE), both a software application that displays the time, and a control option in Front Panel that displays the local time.

2. A software or hardware algorithm that provides time stamps for computer events.

clocking

A method of time synchronization of communication information.

clone

A complete DIB (Directory Information Base) fileset duplicate of a tree and all of its objects.

closed user group

A facility that allows the configuration of virtual private networks within a larger public network. It allows a user to collect data terminal equipment (DTEs) into a single logical group, and restricts the ability of the group to receive or make outgoing calls to the restricted "open" portion of the network. The number of CUGs is network-dependent. A single DTE can belong to one or more CUGs.

cluster

1. A group of servers that are each connected to the same storage device and are running Novell Cluster Services software. A cluster increases availability and fault tolerance for network applications and services by providing the ability for servers to automatically load and run applications and services from other servers which fail.

2. In ZENworks Desktop Management and ZENworks Server Management, a grouping of from 2 to 32 NetWare servers configured using Novell Cluster Services so that data storage locations and applications can transfer from one server to another without interrupting their availability to users.

Cluster Membership

A dynamic group of nodes that comprise the current cluster, which is updated when nodes leave or join the cluster.

cluster resource

A NetWare application, service, or volume that has been set up for high availability by being configured to work with Novell Cluster Services.

cluster server

A server that is connected to a shared storage device and is running Novell Cluster Services software.

cluster volume

A volume on shared storage or a shared disk system.

Cluster Volume

A specialized location-transparent cluster resource that provides access to NetWare file services.

cluster-enabled shared volume

In ZENworks Server Management, a shared volume for which a Volume Resource object has been created in eDirectory.

cluster-enabled volume

A volume on shared storage that has been set up as a cluster resource, with its own IP address and load and unload scripts.

See also cluster resource; load script; unload script.

cluster-safe

In ZENworks Desktop Management, being able to install the Desktop Management services in a Novell Cluster Services environment; if the cluster volume goes down, an interruption in services will occur while the cluster fails over.

CM

Content Management subsystem

Allows you to create, label, categorize, and display content. Your application can retrieve, display, and update content and display it in various formats based on style sheets. Content is stored in a database associated with your application. Sometimes called CM.

See also document; Search subsystem; style sheet (XSL); WebDAV subsystem.

CMFS

Continuous Media File System

A disk storage system used by the NetWare MultiMedia Server component that provides Disk QoS on the NetWare server. This allows multiple file accesses, delivering data at a guaranteed rate while sharing a single disk drive.

CMOS

complementary metal oxide semiconductor

A technology for making integrated circuits, widely used for processors and memory because it minimizes power needed for operation. The term is loosely used to refer to the CMOS RAM in a PC.

CMOS RAM

complementary metal oxide semiconductor random access memory

A small, battery-backed memory bank in a personal computer used to contain the PC's configuration information (time, date, and system information, such as drive types). CMOS RAM is memory made of CMOS chips, which, because of their low power requirements, are increasingly being used for main memory in portable computers.

CMSAC

Content Management System Administration Console

A Web application for setting up and maintaining a document management infrastructure and creating, editing, securing, and publishing HTML and XML content for your portal applications. The CMSAC uses the services of the Content Management subsystem.

CNOS

Change Number of Stations

An Advanced Program-to-Program Communication (APPC) verb used to perform session-related operations.

Co

Short for "Compressed attribute."

CO

1. central office: A local hub for the public switched telephone network (PSTN).
2. connection-oriented.

code page

A table that lists the possible combinations for a character set used by a computer. For example, a DOS code page that defines the extended ASCII character set consists of 256 character combinations, using an 8-bit code. Unicode, using a 16-bit code, allows up to 65,536 unique characters. Separate code pages apply to different languages.

collection

In the WebDAV subsystem, a resource that serves as a container for other resources, including other collections. Collections provide a paradigm for grouping and searching resources, such as folders and directories.

COM port

communications port

A connection device between a computer and another compone