Windows95.com Internet Hyper-Glossary
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To help those of you who are wondering what all those acronyms and
funny-sounding words used by "computer types" really mean when they
talk about the Internet, I've put together this simple glossary of
common Internet terms. Some of the terms here may help you if you've
been following the instructions at Windows95.com. As the Internet
develops (and as more funny-sounding words are used), I will add to
this glossary. If you have any suggestions for new glossary items, or
would just like to tell me how you liked my pages, please email me!
The glossary items are listed in alphabetical order, with hyperlinks
embedded in the definitions. That way, if there is an Internet term in
a definition that you don't understand, you can probably link directly
to another definition that explains it. I plan to add search
capabilities to this page soon. A PDF (portable document file) version
of this file is available. Click here to download it now. Using
Adobe's free Acrobat Reader software, you can view this document
offline.
_________________________________________________________________
Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)
This refers to policies that restrict the way in which a network may
be used. Usually, a network administrator makes and enforces decisions
dealing with acceptable use.
_________________________________________________________________
Address
See either IP Address or Email Address.
_________________________________________________________________
Address Mask
The address mask is used to identify the parts of an IP address that
correspond to the different sections (separated by dots). It's also
known as the "subnet mask" since the network portion of an address can
be determined by the encoding inherent in an IP address.
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Advanced Research Projects Agency Network (ARPANET)
A pioneering long-haul network funded by what's now-called DARPA
(formerly known as ARPA). It was the foundation on which the Internet
was built.
_________________________________________________________________
Agent
The part of a system that performs information preparation and
exchange on behalf of an application.
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Alias
A type of nickname (usually short and easy to remember) that refers to
a type of network resource. Aliases are used so you won't have to
remember the long and difficult names typical of network resources.
_________________________________________________________________
Anonymous FTP
By using the word "anonymous" as your user ID and your email address
as the password when you login to an FTP site, you can bypass local
security checks and gain limited access to public files on the remote
computer. This type of access is available on most FTP sites, but not
all.
_________________________________________________________________
Application
Sometimes known as a client or an "app," it's a program that performs
a specific function. FTP, Mail, Gopher, Mosaic, and Telnet clients are
the most common examples of Internet applications.
_________________________________________________________________
Archie
You'll usually hear this term referred to in the phrase "archie
search." Archie is a way of automatically gathering, indexing and
sometimes even retrieving files on the Internet. Most good archie
clients are able to FTP files once you've found the information you're
looking for.
_________________________________________________________________
Archive
A collection of files stored on an Internet machine. FTP sites are
known as archives.
_________________________________________________________________
ARPANET
See Advanced Research Projects Agency Network.
_________________________________________________________________
Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)
A transfer method that dynamically allocates bandwidth using a
fixed-size "packet," or "cell." Also known as "fast packet."
_________________________________________________________________
ATM
See Asynchronous Transfer Mode.
_________________________________________________________________
AUP
See Acceptable Use Policy.
_________________________________________________________________
Authentication
Any process that ensures that users are who they say they are. When
you type your name and password, you are authenticated and allowed
access.
_________________________________________________________________
Bandwidth
This refers to the difference (measured in Hz), between the highest
and lowest frequencies of a transmission. Most people loosely refer to
bandwidth as the amount of data that can be transferred over a network
connection.
_________________________________________________________________
BBS
See Bulletin Board System.
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Berkeley lnternet Name Domain (BIND)
An early version of a DNS server developed by the University of
California at Berkeley. Most Internet hosts run a version of BIND.
_________________________________________________________________
Bitnet
An computer network devoted to academic use that provides email and
file transfer services using a store-and-forward protocol. It is based
on the IBM Network Job Entry protocols. A more recent version of
Bitnet (known as Bitnet-II) encapsulates the Bitnet protocol within IP
packets.
_________________________________________________________________
Bounce
If you send email and it fails to arrive at its intended recipient for
any reason (incorrect user name, network failure, etc.), the message
"bounces" and returns to you. The subject line in a bounced message
usually says something like: "Undeliverable Mail" or "Message
Undeliverable."
_________________________________________________________________
BTW
Acronym meaning "By The Way." Seen mostly in IRC sessions.
_________________________________________________________________
Bulletin Board System (BBS)
A computer which typically provides email services, file archives, and
announcements of interest to the bulletin board system's operator
(known as a sysop). BBS's started out as hobbies for computer
enthusiasts, and were mostly accessible by modem. Recently, however,
more and more BBS's are being connected to the Internet.
_________________________________________________________________
CCIRN
See Coordinating Committee for Intercontinental Research Networks.
_________________________________________________________________
CCITR
See Comite Consultatif International de Telegraphique et Telephonique.
_________________________________________________________________
CERT
See Computer Emergency Response Team.
_________________________________________________________________
Challenge-Handshake Authentication Protocol (CHAP)
An authentication method that can be used when connecting to an
Internet Service Provider. CHAP allows you to login to your provider
automatically, without the need for a terminal screen. It is more
secure than the Password Authentication Protocol (another widely used
authentication method) since it does not send passwords in text
format.
_________________________________________________________________
CHAP
See Challenge-Handshake Authentication Protocol.
_________________________________________________________________
Chat
Another term for IRC . Also, an acronym meaning "Conversational
Hypertext Access Technology."
_________________________________________________________________
CIX
An acronym meaning "Commercial Internet Exchange."
_________________________________________________________________
Client
In Internet terms, it's an application that performs a specific
function, such as Telnet or FTP. It's the "front-end" to an Internet
process. In more general terms, a client is computer system or process
that requests a service of another computer system or process. The
much talked about "client-server architecture" refers to a workstation
requesting the contents of a file from a server.
_________________________________________________________________
Comite Consultatif International de Telegraphique et Telephonique (CCITT)
French for "International Telephone and Telegraph Advisory Council."
It's an organization that plays a major role in the United National
International Telecommunications Union (ITU). The CCITT is responsible
for making technical recommendations about communications systems
worldwide. Every four years, CCITT updates the standards, most
recently in 1992.
_________________________________________________________________
Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT)
The CERT was formed by DARPA in November 1988 in response to the
Internet worm incident. CERT exists to facilitate Internet-wide
response to computer security events involving Internet hosts and to
conduct research targeted at improving the security of existing
systems. They maintain an archive of security-related issues on their
FTP server at "cert.org." Their email address is "cert@cert.org" and
their 24-hour telephone Hotline for reporting Internet security issues
is (412) 268-7090.
_________________________________________________________________
Coordinating Committee for Intercontinental Research Networks (CCIRN)
A committee that provides a forum for North American and European
network research organizations to cooperate and plan.
_________________________________________________________________
Corporation for Research and Educational Networking (CREN)
An organization formed in October 1989, when Bitnet and CSNET were
combined. CSNET is no longer around, but CREN still operates Bitnet.
_________________________________________________________________
Cracker
Substantially different from "hackers," crackers are users who try to
gain illegal access to computers. They are usually malicious in their
intentions.
_________________________________________________________________
Cyberspace
The "world of computers and the society that gathers around them," as
referred to by William Gibson in his fantasy novel "Neuromancer." It
now loosely refers to the online world and even more loosely to the
Internet.
_________________________________________________________________
Data Encryption Key (DEK)
Much like an actual key used for locking and re-opening doors, DEKs
are used for the encryption and decoding of message text, sometimes in
the form of a digital signature.
_________________________________________________________________
Data Encryption Standard (DES)
A standardized encryption method widely used on the Internet.
_________________________________________________________________
Datagram
A block of data that is "smart" enough (actually, which carries enough
information) to travel from one Internet site to another without
having to rely on earlier exchanges between the source and destination
computers (not to be confused with a Candygram).
_________________________________________________________________
DDN
See Defense Data Network.
_________________________________________________________________
DECnet
The proprietary network protocol designed by Digital Equipment
Corporation.
_________________________________________________________________
Dedicated Line
A communications line that is used solely for computer connections. If
you buy an additional phone line for your modem, that's a dedicated
line. There are other types of dedicated lines (such as T3s and T1s)
that are used for larger network entities.
_________________________________________________________________
Defense Data Network (DDN)
A global communications network that serves the US Department of
Defense. It is made up of a network called MILNET, other portions of
the Internet, and classified networks which are not part of the
Internet. The DDN is used to connect military installations and is
managed by the Defense Information Systems Agency. It was originally
developed by DARPA.
_________________________________________________________________
Dialup
A widely-used method of accessing the Internet. A dialup connection
uses regular phone lines to connect one computer to another via modem.
_________________________________________________________________
Distributed Computing Environment (DCE)
An architecture based on standard programming interfaces, conventions,
and server functionalities used for distributing applications
transparently across networks. The DCE is controlled and promoted by
the Open Software Foundation (OSF), a consortium of vendors including
DEC, IBM and Hewlett Packard.
_________________________________________________________________
DNS
See Domain Name Service.
_________________________________________________________________
Domain
A "logical" region of the Internet. People sometimes refer to them
loosely as "sites." Generally, a domain corresponds to an IP address
or an area on a host.
_________________________________________________________________
Domain Name System (DNS)
The DNS is a static, hierarchical name service used with TCP/IP hosts,
and is housed on a number of servers on the Internet. Basically, it
maintains a database for figuring out and finding (or resolving) host
names and IP addresses on the Internet. This allows users to specify
remote computers by host names rather than numerical IP addresses (if
you've used UNIX, you may have heard the DNS referred to as the BSD
UNIX BIND service). For example, go to a DOS prompt in Windows 95, the
% prompt in UNIX, or use a ping client for Windows 3.1 or Mac, and
type "PING UTW.COM". This will check the DNS server you have
configured, look up the numerical IP address for UTW.COM, and then
ping UTW's IP address. The advantage of the DNS is that you don't have
to remember numerical IP addresses for all the Internet sites you want
to access.
_________________________________________________________________
Dot Address (or Dotted Decimal Notation)
The common notation for IP addresses of the form 1.2.3.4; where each
number represents one byte in the four-byte IP address.
_________________________________________________________________
Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF)
A foundation that addresses social and legal issues arising from the
impact of computers on society.
_________________________________________________________________
Electronic Mail (Email)
A method by which computer users can exchange messages with each other
over a network. Email is probably the most widely-used communications
tool on the Internet. There are many quirky conventions to Email, but
most entail a "To:", "From:", and "Subject:" line. One of Email's
advantages is its ability to be forwarded and replied to easily. If an
email is badly received by a group or user, the sender is likely to
get "flamed."
_________________________________________________________________
Email
See Electronic Mail.
_________________________________________________________________
Email Address
Your email address is made up of several parts. By convention,
addresses use lowercase letters with no spaces. The first part of the
address, the username, identifies a unique user on a server. The "@"
(pronounced "at") separates the username from the host name. The host
name uniquely identifies the server computer and is the last part of
the Internet email address (for example, my email address is
sjj@utw.com). Large servers, such as those used at universities or
large companies sometimes contain multiple parts, called subdomains.
Subdomains and the host name are separated by a "." (pronounced
"dot"). The three-letter suffix in the host name identifies the kind
of organization operating the server (some locations use a two-letter
geographical suffix). The most common suffixes are: .com (commercial)
.edu (educational) .gov (government) .mil (military) .net (networking)
.org (non-commercial). Addresses outside of the U.S. sometimes use a
two-letter suffix that identifies the country in which the server is
located. Some examples are: .jp (Japan) .nl (The Netherlands) .uk
(United Kingdom) .ca (Canada) .tw (Taiwan).
_________________________________________________________________
Encryption
The basis of network security. Encryption encodes network packets to
prevent anyone except the intended recipient from accessing the data.
_________________________________________________________________
Ethernet
A standard and probably the most popular connection type for Local
Area Networks (LANs). It was first developed by Xerox, and later
refined by Digital, Intel and Xerox (see also "DIX"). In an Ethernet
configuration, computers are connected by coaxial or twisted-pair
cable where they contend for network access using a Carrier Sense
Multiple Access with Collision Detection (CSMA/CD) paradigm. Ethernet
can transfer information at up to 10 Megabit-per-second (Mb/s).
_________________________________________________________________
FAQ
Acronym for "Frequently Asked Questions." FAQs are widely available on
the Internet and usually take the form of large, instructional text
files. They are written on a wide variety of topics, and are usually
the most up-to-date source for specialized information.
_________________________________________________________________
Federal Networking Council (FNC)
A collection of federal agencies that have heavy interests in federal
networks using TCP/IP and the Internet. Representatives from DoD, DOE,
DARPA, NSF, NASA and HHS are the major members of the FNC.
_________________________________________________________________
File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
The most widely-used way of downloading and uploading (getting and
putting) files across an Internet connection. The File Transfer
Protocol is a standardized way to connect computers so that files can
be shared between them easily. There is a set of commands in FTP for
making and changing directories, transferring, copying, moving, and
deleting files. Formerly, all FTP connections were text based, but
graphical applications are now available that make FTP commands as
easy as dragging and dropping. Numerous FTP clients exist for a number
of platforms.
_________________________________________________________________
Finger
A UNIX command that shows information about a user or group of users
on the Internet. When executed, the Finger command usually returns the
user's real name, whether or not they have unread mail, and the time
and date of their last login. Finger also displays two files (if they
exist) located in the home directory of the user you fingered. These
two files (the .PLAN and the .PROJECT files.) are simply ASCII text
files that can be entered by the user to display any information upon
being fingered. To try this out, download a finger client (or type
"FINGER" at the UNIX prompt) and try fingering "sjj@utw.com".
_________________________________________________________________
Flame
A negative response to an email message or newsgroup posting. If you
post an article or send an email to an audience that deems your
message inappropriate, expect to get "flamed." The most common
recipients of flames are users who post commercial messages in public
forums, those who post adult material in non-adult areas of the
Internet, and users who post or send make racial or gender-biased
comments. The worst sort of flame is known as a "mail-bomb," which
occurs when the user being flamed open his or her email and receives a
flood of letters with unusually long file attachments that make his or
her computer "crash."
_________________________________________________________________
Follow-up
A reply to an email or newsgroup posting that continues the
conversation or idea, known as a "thread."
_________________________________________________________________
Freenet
A network system made up of community-based bulletin board systems
with email, information services, interactive communications, and
conferencing. They are usually funded and operated by individuals or
organizations much like public television. Freenet providers are part
of the National Public Telecomputing Network (NPTN), a Cleveland-based
organization that works to make computer networking services as freely
available as public libraries.
_________________________________________________________________
FTP
See File Transfer Protocol.
_________________________________________________________________
Gateway
A kind of "go-between" device or program that passes information
between networks that normally couldn't communicate. What used to be
called a gateway is now called a router. Not to be confused with a
protocol converter.
_________________________________________________________________
Gopher
An information search and retrieval tool used widely for research.
Gopher information is stored hierarchically on computers across the
Internet. It uses a simple protocol that allows a client to access
information from a multitude of numerous Gopher servers at one time,
creating what's known as "gopher space." The most common search tools
in gopher are Veronica and Jughead. Gopher clients exist for most
platforms.
_________________________________________________________________
Hacker
A computer user who works to understand the "ins and outs" of
computers, networks, and the Internet in general. Hackers are
generally benign, and are not to be confused with crackers.
_________________________________________________________________
Host
A computer that is attached to a network or the Internet. Hosts allow
users on client machines to connect and share files or transfer
information. Individual users communicate with hosts by using client
application programs.
_________________________________________________________________
Host Address
The address of a host computer on the Internet.
_________________________________________________________________
Hostname
The name given a host computer connected to the Internet.
_________________________________________________________________
HTML
See HyperText Markup Language.
_________________________________________________________________
Hypermedia
The combination of hypertext and multimedia in an online document.
_________________________________________________________________
Hypertext
A type of text that allows embedded "links" to other documents.
Clicking on or selecting a hypertext link displays another document or
section of a document. Most World Wide Web documents contain
hypertext.
_________________________________________________________________
Hypertext Markup Language (HTML)
The standard way to mark text documents for publishing on the World
Wide Web. HTML is marked-up using "tags" surrounded by brackets. To
see what tagged HTML text looks like, select the View Source feature
from the menus in the program you are using to view this document now,
and you'll see a display of the HTML text used to create this page.
_________________________________________________________________
IMHO
Acronym for "In My Humble Opinion." Generally seen in IRC, email, or
Usenet postings.
_________________________________________________________________
Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)
A relatively new technology which combines voice and digital network
services in a single medium. ISDN makes it possible for communications
carriers to offer their customers digital data services as well as
voice connections through a single line. CCITT defines the standards
relating to ISDN.
_________________________________________________________________
International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
An organization of 89 member countries (founded in 1946) responsible
for setting world standards in many electronics areas. Members of the
ISO are the national standards organizations of the member countries.
_________________________________________________________________
Internet
A large, uncontrolled, unadministered, anarchic cyber-state that will
soon take over the world! Basically, it's just everyone's computers
hooked together. It's not a corporation, organization, or entity in
itself. When you connect to the Internet, you actually become part of
it. Always capitalized, the word Internet can also be referred to
colloquially as the "Net."
_________________________________________________________________
Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA)
The central registry for various Internet protocol parameters, such as
port, protocol and enterprise numbers, and options, codes and types.
The currently assigned values are listed in the "Assigned Numbers"
document. If you'd like more information or want to request a number
assignment, you can email IANA at "iana@isi.edu".
_________________________________________________________________
Internet Protocol (IP)
An industry standard, connectionless, best-effort packet switching
protocol used as the network layer in the TCP/IP Protocol Suite.
_________________________________________________________________
Internet Protocol Address (IP Address)
The 32-bit address defined by the Internet Protocol. Every resource on
the Internet has a unique numerical IP address, represented in dotted
decimal notation. IP addresses are the closest thing the Internet has
to phone numbers. When you "call" that number (using any number of
connection methods such as FTP, HTTP, Gopher, etc.) you get connected
to the computer that "owns" that IP address.
_________________________________________________________________
Internet Service Provider (ISP)
An ISP is a company that maintains a network that is linked to the
Internet via a dedicated communication line, usually a high-speed link
known as a T1. An ISP offers use of its dedicated communication lines
to companies or individuals (like me) who can't afford $1,300 a month
for a direct connection. Using a modem, you can dial up to a service
provider whose computers will connect you to the Internet, typically
for a fee.
_________________________________________________________________
Internet Society (ISOC)
A non-profit, professional organization that supports the technical
evolution of the Internet and stimulates the interest of members of
the scientific and academic communities, industry, and the public
regarding technology and the applications of the Internet. The ISOC
also promotes the development of new applications for the Internet by
publishing a quarterly newsletter, the Internet Society News, and by
and holding an annual conference, called INET.
_________________________________________________________________
InterNIC
Meaning "Internet information Center," InterNIC is the combined name
for the providers of registration, information, and database services
to the Internet. InterNIC is who you contact if you want to register a
domain name on the Internet.
_________________________________________________________________
IP
See Internet Protocol.
_________________________________________________________________
IP Address
See Internet Protocol Address.
_________________________________________________________________
IRC
The world-wide "party line" of the '90s. IRC allows multiple users to
converse in real time on different "channels." Channels (which have a
"#" sign preceding their name) vary in traffic and content. Channel
operators (or Ops) moderate the conversation, and have the ability to
"kick" people from channels, or even ban them if their actions warrant
it. IRC clients are available for nearly all platforms.
_________________________________________________________________
ISDN
See Integrated Services Digital Network.
_________________________________________________________________
ISO
See International Organization for Standardization.
_________________________________________________________________
ISOC
See Internet Society.
_________________________________________________________________
LAN
Acronym for "Local Area Network." LANs are now commonplace in most
businesses, allowing users to send email and share resources such as
files, printers, modems, etc. Currently, most larger companies are
connection their LANs to the Internet, allowing users to connect to
resources within or outside the LAN.
_________________________________________________________________
Leased Line
A dedicated, full-time connection used to link a user or network to an
Internet Service Provider or another network.
_________________________________________________________________
Listserv
An automated mailing list distribution system. Listservs exist for a
multitude of professional, educational, and special interest groups.
Usually, you have to send an email to a Listserver with the subject
"SUBSCRIBE listname" or something to that effect. You are then
"subscribed" to that "mailing list" and (depending on the service)
will receive regular mail from a single source or from all members who
send email to the Listserver. Listserv was originally designed for the
Bitnet/EARN network.
_________________________________________________________________
Lurking
Non-active participation on the part of a subscriber to an mailing
list, a Usenet newsgroup, and IRC channel, a CUSEEME connection, or
any other Internet communication device. If you're "lurking," you're
generally just listening to the discussion. It's usually best to lurk
if you're a beginner or if you are new to a communication group. This
allows you to "get up to speed" on the history or acceptable behavior
of the group.
_________________________________________________________________
Mail Reflector
A program that distributes files or information in response to
requests sent via email. Many Listservs have mail reflectors. You can
request documents of a reflector by sending message with the subject
"SEND document name" or a similar command. Mail reflectors are also
being used to provide FTP-like services for users with limited
Internet access.
_________________________________________________________________
Mailing List
A list of email addresses used to forward messages to groups of
people. When you subscribe to a mailing list, you receive all mail
sent to that list (see also Listserv).
_________________________________________________________________
MIME Encoding
See Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions Encoding.
_________________________________________________________________
Mirror Site
Due to the popularity of some FTP and Web sites, mirror sites came
into existence. They are areas on a computer that "mirror" or contain
an exact replica of the directory structure of another computer. If
you have trouble getting connected to an FTP site, for example,
because of the high amount of traffic, you can usually connect to a
mirror site that contains the same information on a different
computer. Mirror sites are usually updated once a day.
_________________________________________________________________
Moderator
The person who manages moderated mailing lists, newsgroups, or online
discussion forums for services such as AOL, CompuServe, or the
Microsoft Network.
_________________________________________________________________
Mosaic
A graphical browser for the World Wide Web that supports hypermedia.
The NCSA (National SuperComputer Association) invented the Mosaic
browser, which quickly became the industry standard. Recently,
however, Netscape Communications has stormed the market with its
freeware release of their Netscape Browser, which has radically
redefined the Web. The term "Mosaic" is sometimes used incorrectly as
a synonym for the World Wide Web.
_________________________________________________________________
MUD
Acronym for Multi-User Dungeon or Domain. MUDs are role-playing games
that take place on a computer. Users can Telnet to a MUD host, and
create a character. MUDs can be action-, adventure-, or fantasy-based
games, and allow you to save your character for future play. Some MUDs
have thousands of registered characters, and most foster a community
or culture of their own. These are highly-addictive areas of the
Internet, and users can spend many hours enthralled in this type of
activity.
_________________________________________________________________
Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions Encoding (MIME Encoding)
MIME is a standardized method for organizing divergent file formats.
The method organizes file formats according to the file's MIME type.
When Internet (usually email) software retrieves a file from a server,
the server provides the MIME type of the file, and the file is decoded
correctly when transferred to your machine.
_________________________________________________________________
Netiquette
The combination of the words "Net" and "etiquette," this refers to the
proper behavior on a network, and more generally the Internet. The key
element in Netiquette is remembering that actual people are on the
other end of a computer connection, and offensive comments or actions
are just as offensive even if you can't see your recipient.
_________________________________________________________________
Network File System (NFS)
A protocol developed by Sun Microsystems. NFS allows a computer to
access and use files over a network as if they were local. This
protocol has been incorporated into the products of more two-hundred
companies, and is now a de facto Internet standard.
_________________________________________________________________
Network News Transfer Protocol (NNTP)
An industry standard protocol for the distribution, inquiry,
retrieval, and posting of news articles.
_________________________________________________________________
NFS
See Network File System.
_________________________________________________________________
NNTP
See Network News Transfer Protocol.
_________________________________________________________________
Open Systems Interconnection (OSI)
A suite of protocols, designed by ISO committees to be the
international standard computer network architecture.
_________________________________________________________________
OSI
See Open System Interconnection.
_________________________________________________________________
Packet
The common term for the standard unit of data sent across a network.
_________________________________________________________________
Packet Internet Gopher (PING)
The simplest way to test or time the response of an Internet
connection. PING sends a request to an Internet host and waits for a
reply (called a...yep.. you guessed it: PONG). When you PING an
address, you get a response telling you the number of seconds it took
to make the connection. PING clients exist for a number of platforms,
or you can use a UNIX or Windows 95 prompt to issue a PING command
directly.
_________________________________________________________________
PAP
See Password Authentication Protocol.
_________________________________________________________________
Password Authentication Protocol (PAP)
One of the many authentication methods that can be used when
connecting to an ISP. PAP allows you to login automatically, without
having to use a terminal window to type in your username and password.
One warning about PAP: passwords are sent over the connection in text
format, which means there is no protection if someone is
"listening-in" on your connection.
_________________________________________________________________
Point Of Presence (POP)
An installation of telecommunications equipment, usually digital
leased lines and multi-protocol routers.
_________________________________________________________________
Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP)
A protocol that provides a method for transmitting packets over serial
point-to-point links. PPP is one of the most popular methods for
dialup connections to the Internet, since it allows you to use other
standard protocols (such as IPX, TCP/IP, and Netbeui) over a standard
telephone connection, but it can also be used for LAN connections.
_________________________________________________________________
POP
See either Point Of Presence or Post Office Protocol.
_________________________________________________________________
Post Office Protocol (POP)
A protocol designed to allow single users to read mail from a server.
There are three versions: POP, POP2, and POP3. When email is sent to
you, it is stored on the server until accessed by you. Once you are
authenticated, the POP is used to transmit the stored mail from the
server to your local mailbox on your client machine.
_________________________________________________________________
Posting
The sending of an article to a Usenet newsgroup or the placing of a
message on a BBS.
_________________________________________________________________
PPP
See Point-to-Point Protocol.
_________________________________________________________________
Protocol
Simply, the "language" spoken between computers to help them exchange
information. More technically, it's a formal description of message
formats and the rules that two computers must follow to exchange those
messages. Protocols can describe low-level details of
machine-to-machine interfaces (like the order in which bits and bytes
are sent across a wire) or high-level exchanges between allocation
programs (the way in which two programs transfer a file across the
Internet).
_________________________________________________________________
Read the Flippin' Manual (RTFM)
An acronym used to respond to a simple or common question.
_________________________________________________________________
Request For Comments (RFC)
A document series, begun in 1969, which describes the Internet suite
of protocols and related experiments. Not all (actually, very few)
RFCs describe Internet standards, but all Internet standards are
written up as RFCs.
_________________________________________________________________
RFC
See Request for Comments.
_________________________________________________________________
Router
A device that forwards traffic between networks. Forwarding decisions
are made based on network layer information and routing tables, often
constructed by routing protocols.
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Serial Line lnternet Protocol (SLIP)
Similar to PPP, SLIP is another standard protocol used to run TCP/IP
over serial lines, such as telephone circuits or RS-232 cables. Unlike
PPP, however, SLIP does not work on a LAN connections. SLIP is
probably the most popular way for dialup users to access the Internet.
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Server
Simply, a computer that provides resources, such as files or other
information. Common Internet servers include file servers and name
servers Domain Name Service.
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Service Provider
See Internet Service Provider.
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SIG
Acronym for "Special Interest Group." SIGs sponsor a variety of
Listservs, IRC channels, and Internet sites.
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Signature
An ASCII text file that can be automatically attached to the bottom of
a piece of email or newsgroup posting that identifies the sender. Many
signatures (or "sigs") use symbols and characters to create images or
words to make the sig more interesting.
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Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP)
A protocol used to transfer email. SMTP transfers mail from server to
server, and the end user must use POP (see also Post Office Protocol)
to transfer the messages to their machine.
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Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)
Developed to manage nodes on an IP network, SNMP is an Internet
standard protocol. It can be used to manage wiring hubs, video
toasters, CD ROM jukeboxes, and many other devices.
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SLIP
See Serial Line Internet Protocol.
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Smiley
The use of punctuation marks and other symbols or characters to
portray moods when typing, especially in email messages and IRC.
Here's an example of a simple smiley :) . If you don't see it, tilt
your head to the left and look at it. The colon makes the eyes and the
parenthesis makes the smiley mouth. The smile means happiness (like if
someone says something funny) or it often denotes sarcasm. Other
combinations of characters can express many other emotions. You may
also hear them referred to as "emoticons".
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SRI
A research institute based in California that runs the Network
Information Center (NISC).
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Subnet Mask
See Address Mask.
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T1
One of AT&T's terms used to denote the type of connection of a host to
the Internet. A T1 transmits a DS-1 formatted digital signal at 1.544
megabits per second.
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T3
One of AT&T's terms used to denote the type of connection of a host to
the Internet. A T3 transmits a DS-3 formatted digital signal at 44.746
megabits per second.
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TCP/IP
See Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol.
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TCP/IP Stack
To properly use the TCP/IP protocol, PCs require a TCP/IP stack. This
consists of TCP/IP software, sockets software (such as WINSOCK.DLL for
Windows machines), and hardware driver software (known as packet
drivers). Windows 95 comes with Microsoft's own built-in TCP/IP stack,
including version 1.1 of Microsoft's WINSOCK.DLL and packet drivers.
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Telnet
The Internet standard protocol to connect to remote terminals. Telnet
clients are available for most platforms. When you Telnet to a UNIX
site, for example, you can issue commands at the prompt as if the
machine were local.
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TN3270
A slight variation of Telnet used to connect the user to an IBM
mainframe. TN3270 clients exist for most platforms.
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Token Ring
A type of LAN in which networked computers are wired into a "ring."
Each computer (or node) is in constant contact with the next node in
the ring. A control message, called a "token", is passed from one node
to another, allowing the node with the token to send a message out to
the network. If the ring is "broken" by one computer losing contact,
the network can no longer communicate. The IEEE 802.5 token ring
standard is the most common.
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Topology
The "layout" of all the computers on a network and the links that join
them.
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Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
TCP/IP is the standard communications protocol required for Internet
computers. To communicate using TCP/IP, PCs need a set of software
components called a TCP/IP stack. Macintoshes typically use a
proprietary software called MacTCP. Most UNIX systems are built with
TCP/IP capabilities.
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UNIX-to-UNIX Copy (UUCP)
Originally, UUCP was a program that allowed UNIX systems to transfer
files over phone lines. Currently, the term is used to describe the
protocol that passes news and email across the Internet.
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Usenet
Usenet groups are more commonly known as "newsgroups." There are
thousands of groups hosted on hundreds of servers around the world,
dealing with various topics. Newsreader software is required to
properly download and view "articles" in the groups, but you can
usually "post" and article to a group simply by emailing to it.
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UUCP
See UNIX-to-UNIX Copy.
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Veronica
A search engine (not unlike Archie) that is built into Gopher. It
allows searches of all gopher sites for files, directories and other
resources.
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Universal Resource Locator (URL)
More commonly referred to as the URL, the Universal Resource Locator
refers to the entire address that is recognized "universally" as the
address for an Internet resource. Each resource on the Internet has a
unique URL. URLs begin with letters that identify the resource type,
such as http, ftp, gopher, etc. These types are followed by a colon
and two slashes. Next, the computer's name is listed, followed by the
directory and filename of the remote resource. For example, the URL
for this glossary is http://www.windows95.com/glossary.html.
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W3
See World Wide Web.
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WAIS
See Wide Area Information Service.
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White Pages
Databases containing email addresses, telephone numbers, and postal
addresses of Internet users. You can search the Internet White Pages
to find information about particular users.
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WHOIS
An Internet program (related to Finger and the White Pages) that lets
you enter an Internet entity (such as domains, networks, and hosts)
and display information such as a person's company name, address,
phone number and email address.
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Wide Area Information Service (WAIS)
A distributed information service and search engine that allows
natural language input and indexed searching. Many Web search
utilities use a WAIS engine.
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Winsocks
Stands for "Windows Sockets." Winsocks is a set of specifications or
standards for programmers creating TCP/IP applications for use with
Windows.
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World Wide Web (WWW or W3)
The "Web" is a collection of online documents housed on Internet
servers around the world. The concept of the Web was created by
researchers at CERN in Switzerland. Web documents are written or
"coded" in HTML. To access these documents, you have to use a Web
browser, such as Netscape or Mosaic. When these browsers access (or
hit) a page, the server uses the HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) to
send the document to your computer.
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Worm
A computer program that replicates itself and is self-propagating.
While viruses are designed to cause problems on a local system and are
passed through boot sectors of disks and through files, worms are
designed to thrive in network environments. Network worms were first
defined by Shoch & Hupp of Xerox in ACM Communications (March 1982).
The most famous (or infamous) worm was the Internet Worm of November
1988. It successfully propagated itself on over 6,000 systems across
the Internet.
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WWW
See World Wide Web.
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©1995 Steve Jenkins
Microsoft, MS, Windows, Windows 95, and the Windows logo are either
registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Microsoft Corporation in no way endorses or is affiliated with
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