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author | Thomas Voss <mail@thomasvoss.com> | 2024-11-27 20:54:24 +0100 |
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committer | Thomas Voss <mail@thomasvoss.com> | 2024-11-27 20:54:24 +0100 |
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tree | e3989f47a7994642eb325063d46e8f08ffa681dc /doc/rfc/rfc1392.txt | |
parent | ea76e11061bda059ae9f9ad130a9895cc85607db (diff) |
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diff --git a/doc/rfc/rfc1392.txt b/doc/rfc/rfc1392.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..bcc984a --- /dev/null +++ b/doc/rfc/rfc1392.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2971 @@ + + + + + + +Network Working Group G. Malkin +Request for Comments: 1392 Xylogics, Inc. +FYI: 18 T. LaQuey Parker + UTexas + Editors + January 1993 + + + Internet Users' Glossary + +Status of this Memo + + This memo provides information for the Internet community. It does + not specify an Internet standard. Distribution of this memo is + unlimited. + + +Abstract + + There are many networking glossaries in existence. This glossary + concentrates on terms which are specific to the Internet. Naturally, + there are entries for some basic terms and acronyms because other + entries refer to them. + + +Acknowledgements + + This document is the work of the User Glossary Working Group of the + User Services Area of the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). + Special thanks go to Jon Postel for his definitive definition of + "datagram". + + +Table of Contents + + non-letter . . 2 I . . . . . . . 23 R . . . . . . . 40 + A . . . . . . . 2 J . . . . . . . 29 S . . . . . . . 43 + B . . . . . . . 6 K . . . . . . . 29 T . . . . . . . 45 + C . . . . . . . 9 L . . . . . . . 29 U . . . . . . . 48 + D . . . . . . . 12 M . . . . . . . 30 V . . . . . . . 49 + E . . . . . . . 16 N . . . . . . . 33 W . . . . . . . 49 + F . . . . . . . 18 O . . . . . . . 36 X . . . . . . . 50 + G . . . . . . . 20 P . . . . . . . 37 Y . . . . . . . 51 + H . . . . . . . 21 Q . . . . . . . 40 Z . . . . . . . 51 + + References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 + Security Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 + Authors' Addresses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 + + + +User Glossary Working Group [Page 1] + +RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993 + + +Glossary + + 10BaseT + A variant of Ethernet which allows stations to be attached via + twisted pair cable. See also: Ethernet, twisted pair. + + 802.x + The set of IEEE standards for the definition of LAN protocols. + See also: IEEE. + + 822 + See: RFC 822 + + :-) + This odd symbol is one of the ways a person can portray "mood" in + the very flat medium of computers--by using "smiley faces". This + is "metacommunication", and there are literally hundreds of such + symbols, from the obvious to the obscure. This particular example + expresses "happiness". Don't see it? Tilt your head to the left + 90 degrees. Smiles are also used to denote sarcasm. + [Source: ZEN] + + abstract syntax + A description of a data structure that is independent of machine- + oriented structures and encodings. + [Source: RFC1208] + + Abstract Syntax Notation One (ASN.1) + The language used by the OSI protocols for describing abstract + syntax. This language is also used to encode SNMP packets. ASN.1 + is defined in ISO documents 8824.2 and 8825.2. See also: Basic + Encoding Rules. + + Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) + Many transit networks have policies which restrict the use to + which the network may be put. A well known example is NSFNET's + AUP which does not allow commercial use. Enforcement of AUPs + varies with the network. See also: National Science Foundation. + + Access Control List (ACL) + Most network security systems operate by allowing selective use of + services. An Access Control List is the usual means by which + access to, and denial of, services is controlled. It is simply a + list of the services available, each with a list of the hosts + permitted to use the service. + + ACK + See: Acknowledgment + + + +User Glossary Working Group [Page 2] + +RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993 + + + acknowledgment (ACK) + A type of message sent to indicate that a block of data arrived at + its destination without error. See also: Negative + Acknowledgement. + [Source: NNSC] + + ACL + See: Access Control List + + AD + See: Administrative Domain + + address + There are three types of addresses in common use within the + Internet. They are email address; IP, internet or Internet + address; and hardware or MAC address. See also: email address, IP + address, internet address, MAC address. + + address mask + A bit mask used to identify which bits in an IP address correspond + to the network and subnet portions of the address. This mask is + often referred to as the subnet mask because the network portion + of the address can be determined by the encoding inherent in an IP + address. + + address resolution + Conversion of an internet address into the corresponding physical + address. + + Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) + Used to dynamically discover the low level physical network + hardware address that corresponds to the high level IP address for + a given host. ARP is limited to physical network systems that + support broadcast packets that can be heard by all hosts on the + network. It is defined in RFC 826. See also: proxy ARP. + + Administrative Domain (AD) + A collection of hosts and routers, and the interconnecting + network(s), managed by a single administrative authority. + + Advanced Research Projects Agency Network (ARPANET) + A pioneering longhaul network funded by ARPA (now DARPA). It + served as the basis for early networking research, as well as a + central backbone during the development of the Internet. The + ARPANET consisted of individual packet switching computers + interconnected by leased lines. See also: Defense Advanced + Research Projects Agency. + [Source: FYI4] + + + +User Glossary Working Group [Page 3] + +RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993 + + + agent + In the client-server model, the part of the system that performs + information preparation and exchange on behalf of a client or + server application. + [Source: RFC1208] + + alias + A name, usually short and easy to remember, that is translated + into another name, usually long and difficult to remember. + + American National Standards Institute (ANSI) + This organization is responsible for approving U.S. standards in + many areas, including computers and communications. Standards + approved by this organization are often called ANSI standards + (e.g., ANSI C is the version of the C language approved by ANSI). + ANSI is a member of ISO. See also: International Organization for + Standardization. + [Source: NNSC] + + American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) + A standard character-to-number encoding widely used in the + computer industry. See also: EBCDIC. + + anonymous FTP + Anonymous FTP allows a user to retrieve documents, files, + programs, and other archived data from anywhere in the Internet + without having to establish a userid and password. By using the + special userid of "anonymous" the network user will bypass local + security checks and will have access to publicly accessible files + on the remote system. See also: archive site, File Transfer + Protocol. + + ANSI + See: American National Standards Institute + + API + See: Application Program Interface + + 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 is + run. Current implementations exist for Localtalk, a 235Kb/s local + area network; and Ethertalk, a 10Mb/s local area network. + [Source: NNSC] + + application + A program that performs a function directly for a user. FTP, mail + + + +User Glossary Working Group [Page 4] + +RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993 + + + and Telnet clients are examples of network applications. + + application layer + The top layer of the network protocol stack. The application + layer is concerned with the semantics of work (e.g., formatting + electronic mail messages). How to represent that data and how to + reach the foreign node are issues for lower layers of the network. + [Source: MALAMUD] + + Application Program Interface (API) + A set of calling conventions which define how a service is invoked + through a software package. + [Source: RFC1208] + + archie + A system to automatically gather, index and serve information on + the Internet. The initial implementation of archie provided an + indexed directory of filenames from all anonymous FTP archives on + the Internet. Later versions provide other collections of + information. See also: archive site, Gopher, Prospero, Wide Area + Information Servers. + + archive site + A machine that provides access to a collection of files across the + Internet. An "anonymous FTP archive site", for example, provides + access to this material via the FTP protocol. See also: anonymous + FTP, archie, Gopher, Prospero, Wide Area Information Servers. + + ARP + See: Address Resolution Protocol + + ARPA + See: Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency + + ARPANET + See: Advanced Research Projects Agency Network + + AS + See: Autonomous System + + ASCII + See: American Standard Code for Information Interchange + + ASN.1 + See: Abstract Syntax Notation One + + assigned numbers + The RFC [STD2] which documents the currently assigned values from + + + +User Glossary Working Group [Page 5] + +RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993 + + + several series of numbers used in network protocol + implementations. This RFC is updated periodically and, in any + case, current information can be obtained from the Internet + Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA). If you are developing a + protocol or application that will require the use of a link, + socket, port, protocol, etc., please contact the IANA to receive a + number assignment. See also: Internet Assigned Numbers Authority, + STD. + [Source: STD2] + + Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) + A method for the dynamic allocation of bandwidth using a fixed- + size packet (called a cell). ATM is also known as "fast packet". + + ATM + See: Asynchronous Transfer Mode + + AUP + See: Acceptable Use Policy + + authentication + The verification of the identity of a person or process. + [Source: MALAMUD] + + Autonomous System (AS) + A collection of routers under a single administrative authority + using a common Interior Gateway Protocol for routing packets. + + backbone + The top level in a hierarchical network. Stub and transit + networks which connect to the same backbone are guaranteed to be + interconnected. See also: stub network, transit network. + + bandwidth + Technically, the difference, in Hertz (Hz), between the highest + and lowest frequencies of a transmission channel. However, as + typically used, the amount of data that can be sent through a + given communications circuit. + + bang path + A series of machine names used to direct electronic mail from one + user to another, typically by specifying an explicit UUCP path + through which the mail is to be routed. See also: email address, + mail path, UNIX-to-UNIX CoPy. + + baseband + A transmission medium through which digital signals are sent + without complicated frequency shifting. In general, only one + + + +User Glossary Working Group [Page 6] + +RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993 + + + communication channel is available at any given time. Ethernet is + an example of a baseband network. See also: broadband, Ethernet. + [Source: NNSC] + + Basic Encoding Rules (BER) + Standard rules for encoding data units described in ASN.1. + Sometimes incorrectly lumped under the term ASN.1, which properly + refers only to the abstract syntax description language, not the + encoding technique. See also: Abstract Syntax Notation One. + [Source: NNSC] + + BBS + See: Bulletin Board System + + BCNU + Be Seein' You + + BER + See: Basic Encoding Rules + + Berkeley Internet Name Domain (BIND) + Implementation of a DNS server developed and distributed by the + University of California at Berkeley. Many Internet hosts run + BIND, and it is the ancestor of many commercial BIND + implementations. + + Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD) + Implementation of the UNIX operating system and its utilities + developed and distributed by the University of California at + Berkeley. "BSD" is usually preceded by the version number of the + distribution, e.g., "4.3 BSD" is version 4.3 of the Berkeley UNIX + distribution. Many Internet hosts run BSD software, and it is the + ancestor of many commercial UNIX implementations. + [Source: NNSC] + + BGP + See: Border Gateway Protocol + + big-endian + A format for storage or transmission of binary data in which the + most significant bit (or byte) comes first. The term comes from + "Gulliver's Travels" by Jonathan Swift. The Lilliputians, being + very small, had correspondingly small political problems. The + Big-Endian and Little-Endian parties debated over whether soft- + boiled eggs should be opened at the big end or the little end. + See also: little-endian. + [Source: RFC1208] + + + + +User Glossary Working Group [Page 7] + +RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993 + + + binary + 11001001 + + BIND + See: Berkeley Internet Name Domain + + Birds Of a Feather (BOF) + A Birds Of a Feather (flocking together) is an informal discussion + group. It is formed, often ad hoc, to consider a specific issue + and, therefore, has a narrow focus. + + Bitnet + An academic computer network that provides interactive electronic + mail and file transfer services, using a store-and-forward + protocol, based on IBM Network Job Entry protocols. Bitnet-II + encapsulates the Bitnet protocol within IP packets and depends on + the Internet to route them. + + BOF + See: Birds Of a Feather + + BOOTP + The Bootstrap Protocol, described in RFCs 951 and 1084, is used + for booting diskless nodes. See also: Reverse Address Resolution + Protocol. + + Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) + The Border Gateway Protocol is an exterior gateway protocol + defined in RFCs 1267 and 1268. It's design is based on experience + gained with EGP, as defined in STD 18, RFC 904, and EGP usage in + the NSFNET Backbone, as described in RFCs 1092 and 1093. See + also: Exterior Gateway Protocol. + + bounce + The return of a piece of mail because of an error in its delivery. + [Source: ZEN] + + bridge + A device which forwards traffic between network segments based on + datalink layer information. These segments would have a common + network layer address. See also: gateway, router. + + broadband + A transmission medium capable of supporting a wide range of + frequencies. It can carry multiple signals by dividing the total + capacity of the medium into multiple, independent bandwidth + channels, where each channel operates only on a specific range of + frequencies. See also: baseband. + + + +User Glossary Working Group [Page 8] + +RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993 + + + broadcast + A special type of multicast packet which all nodes on the network + are always willing to receive. See also: multicast. + + broadcast storm + An incorrect packet broadcast onto a network that causes multiple + hosts to respond all at once, typically with equally incorrect + packets which causes the storm to grow exponentially in severity. + + brouter + A device which bridges some packets (i.e., forwards based on + datalink layer information) and routes other packets (i.e., + forwards based on network layer information). The bridge/route + decision is based on configuration information. See also: bridge, + router. + + BSD + See: Berkeley Software Distribution + + BTW + By The Way + + Bulletin Board System (BBS) + A computer, and associated software, which typically provides + electronic messaging services, archives of files, and any other + services or activities of interest to the bulletin board system's + operator. Although BBS's have traditionally been the domain of + hobbyists, an increasing number of BBS's are connected directly to + the Internet, and many BBS's are currently operated by government, + educational, and research institutions. See also: Electronic + Mail, Internet, Usenet. + [Source: NWNET] + + Campus Wide Information System (CWIS) + A CWIS makes information and services publicly available on campus + via kiosks, and makes interactive computing available via kiosks, + interactive computing systems and campus networks. Services + routinely include directory information, calendars, bulletin + boards, databases. + + CCIRN + See: Coordinating Committee for Intercontinental Research Networks + + CCITT + See: Comite Consultatif International de Telegraphique et + Telephonique + + + + + +User Glossary Working Group [Page 9] + +RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993 + + + CERT + See: Computer Emergency Response Team + + checksum + A computed value which is dependent upon the contents of a packet. + This value is sent along with the packet when it is transmitted. + The receiving system computes a new checksum based upon the + received data and compares this value with the one sent with the + packet. If the two values are the same, the receiver has a high + degree of confidence that the data was received correctly. + [Source: NNSC] + + circuit switching + A communications paradigm in which a dedicated communication path + is established between two hosts, and on which all packets travel. + The telephone system is an example of a circuit switched network. + See also: connection-oriented, connectionless, packet switching. + + client + A computer system or process that requests a service of another + computer system or process. A workstation requesting the contents + of a file from a file server is a client of the file server. See + also: client-server model, server. + [Source: NNSC] + + client-server model + A common way to describe the paradigm of many network protocols. + Examples include the name-server/name-resolver relationship in DNS + and the file-server/file-client relationship in NFS. See also: + client, server, Domain Name System, Network File System. + + CNI + See: Coalition for Networked Information + + Coalition for Networked Information (CNI) + A consortium formed by American Research Libraries, CAUSE, and + EDUCOM to promote the creation of, and access to, information + resources in networked environments in order to enrich scholarship + and enhance intellectual productivity. + + Comite Consultatif International de Telegraphique et Telephonique + (CCITT) + This organization is part of the United National International + Telecommunications Union (ITU) and is responsible for making + technical recommendations about telephone and data communications + systems. Every four years CCITT holds plenary sessions where they + adopt new standards; the most recent was in 1992. + [Source: NNSC] + + + +User Glossary Working Group [Page 10] + +RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993 + + + Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) + The CERT was formed by DARPA in November 1988 in response to the + needs exhibited during the Internet worm incident. The CERT + charter is to work with the Internet community to facilitate its + response to computer security events involving Internet hosts, to + take proactive steps to raise the community's awareness of + computer security issues, and to conduct research targeted at + improving the security of existing systems. CERT products and + services include 24-hour technical assistance for responding to + computer security incidents, product vulnerability assistance, + technical documents, and tutorials. In addition, the team + maintains a number of mailing lists (including one for CERT + Advisories), and provides an anonymous FTP server, at "cert.org", + where security-related documents and tools are archived. The CERT + may be reached by email at "cert@cert.org" and by telephone at + +1-412-268-7090 (24-hour hotline). See also: Defense Advanced + Research Projects Agency, worm. + + congestion + Congestion occurs when the offered load exceeds the capacity of a + data communication path. + + connection-oriented + The data communication method in which communication proceeds + through three well-defined phases: connection establishment, data + transfer, connection release. TCP is a connection-oriented + protocol. See also: circuit switching, connectionless, packet + switching, Transmission Control Protocol. + + connectionless + The data communication method in which communication occurs + between hosts with no previous setup. Packets between two hosts + may take different routes, as each is independent of the other. + UDP is a connectionless protocol. See also: circuit switching, + connection-oriented, packet switching, User Datagram Protocol. + + Coordinating Committee for Intercontinental Research Networks (CCIRN) + A committee that includes the United States FNC and its + counterparts in North America and Europe. Co-chaired by the + executive directors of the FNC and the European Association of + Research Networks (RARE), the CCIRN provides a forum for + cooperative planning among the principal North American and + European research networking bodies. See also: Federal Networking + Council, RARE. + [Source: MALAMUD] + + core gateway + Historically, one of a set of gateways (routers) operated by the + + + +User Glossary Working Group [Page 11] + +RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993 + + + Internet Network Operations Center at Bolt, Beranek and Newman + (BBN). The core gateway system formed a central part of Internet + routing in that all groups must advertise paths to their networks + from a core gateway. + [Source: MALAMUD] + + Corporation for Research and Educational Networking (CREN) + This organization was formed in October 1989, when Bitnet and + CSNET (Computer + Science NETwork) were combined under one + administrative authority. CSNET is no longer operational, but + CREN still runs Bitnet. See also: Bitnet. + [Source: NNSC] + + cracker + A cracker is an individual who attempts to access computer systems + without authorization. These individuals are often malicious, as + opposed to hackers, and have many means at their disposal for + breaking into a system. See also: hacker, Computer Emergency + Response Team, Trojan Horse, virus, worm. + + CRC + See: cyclic redundancy check + + CREN + See: Corporation for Research and Educational Networking + + CWIS + See: Campus Wide Information system + + Cyberspace + A term coined by William Gibson in his fantasy novel Neuromancer + to describe the "world" of computers, and the society that gathers + around them. + [Source: ZEN] + + Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) + A number derived from a set of data that will be transmitted. By + recalculating the CRC at the remote end and comparing it to the + value originally transmitted, the receiving node can detect some + types of transmission errors. + [Source: MALAMUD] + + DARPA + See: Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency + + Data Encryption Key (DEK) + Used for the encryption of message text and for the computation of + message integrity checks (signatures). See also: encryption. + + + +User Glossary Working Group [Page 12] + +RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993 + + + Data Encryption Standard (DES) + A popular, standard encryption scheme. See also: encryption. + + datagram + A self-contained, independent entity of data carrying sufficient + information to be routed from the source to the destination + computer without reliance on earlier exchanges between this source + and destination computer and the transporting network. See also: + frame, packet. + [Source: J. Postel] + + DCA + See: Defense Information Systems Agency + + DCE + Data Circuit-terminating Equipment + + DCE + See: Distributed Computing Environment + + DDN + See: Defense Data Network + + DDN NIC + See: Defense Data Network Network Information Center + + DECnet + A proprietary network protocol designed by Digital Equipment + Corporation. The functionality of each Phase of the + implementation, such as Phase IV and Phase V, is different. + + default route + A routing table entry which is used to direct packets addressed to + networks not explicitly listed in the routing table. + [Source: MALAMUD] + + Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) + An agency of the U.S. Department of Defense responsible for the + development of new technology for use by the military. DARPA + (formerly known as ARPA) was responsible for funding much of the + development of the Internet we know today, including the Berkeley + version of Unix and TCP/IP. + [Source: NNSC] + + Defense Data Network (DDN) + A global communications network serving the US Department of + Defense composed of MILNET, other portions of the Internet, and + classified networks which are not part of the Internet. The DDN + + + +User Glossary Working Group [Page 13] + +RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993 + + + is used to connect military installations and is managed by the + Defense Information Systems Agency. See also: Defense Information + Systems Agency. + + Defense Data Network Network Information Center (DDN NIC) + Often called "The NIC", the DDN NIC's primary responsibility is + the assignment of Internet network addresses and Autonomous System + numbers, the administration of the root domain, and providing + information and support services to the DDN. It is also a primary + repository for RFCs. See also: Autonomous System, network + address, Internet Registry, Network Information Center, Request + For Comments. + + Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) + Formerly called the Defense Communications Agency (DCA), this is + the government agency responsible for managing the DDN portion of + the Internet, including the MILNET. Currently, DISA administers + the DDN, and supports the user assistance services of the DDN NIC. + See also: Defense Data Network. + + DEK + See: Data Encryption Key + + DES + See: Data Encryption Standard + + dialup + A temporary, as opposed to dedicated, connection between machines + established over a standard phone line. + + Directory Access Protocol + X.500 protocol used for communication between a Directory User + Agent and a Directory System Agent. + [Source: MALAMUD] + + Directory System Agent (DSA) + The software that provides the X.500 Directory Service for a + portion of the directory information base. Generally, each DSA is + responsible for the directory information for a single + organization or organizational unit. + [Source: RFC1208] + + Directory User Agent (DUA) + The software that accesses the X.500 Directory Service on behalf + of the directory user. The directory user may be a person or + another software element. + [Source: RFC1208] + + + + +User Glossary Working Group [Page 14] + +RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993 + + + DISA + See: Defense Information Systems Agency + + Distributed Computing Environment (DCE) + An architecture of standard programming interfaces, conventions, + and server functionalities (e.g., naming, distributed file system, + remote procedure call) for distributing applications transparently + across networks of heterogeneous computers. Promoted and + controlled by the Open Software Foundation (OSF), a consortium led + by Digital, IBM and Hewlett Packard. + [Source: RFC1208] + + distributed database + A collection of several different data repositories that looks + like a single database to the user. A prime example in the + Internet is the Domain Name System. + + DIX Ethernet + See: Ethernet + + DNS + See: Domain Name System + + domain + "Domain" is a heavily overused term in the Internet. It can be + used in the Administrative Domain context, or the Domain Name + context. See also: Administrative Domain, Domain Name System. + + Domain Name System (DNS) + The DNS is a general purpose distributed, replicated, data query + service. The principal use is the lookup of host IP addresses + based on host names. The style of host names now used in the + Internet is called "domain name", because they are the style of + names used to look up anything in the DNS. Some important domains + are: .COM (commercial), .EDU (educational), .NET (network + operations), .GOV (U.S. government), and .MIL (U.S. military). + Most countries also have a domain. For example, .US (United + States), .UK (United Kingdom), .AU (Australia). It is defined in + STD 13, RFCs 1034 and 1035. See also: Fully Qualified Domain + Name. + + dot address (dotted decimal notation) + Dot address refers to the common notation for IP addresses of the + form A.B.C.D; where each letter represents, in decimal, one byte + of a four byte IP address. See also: IP address. + [Source: FYI4] + + + + + +User Glossary Working Group [Page 15] + +RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993 + + + DS1 + A framing specification for T-1 synchronous lines. See also: T1 + + DS3 + A framing specification for T-3 synchronous lines. See also: T3 + + DSA + See: Directory System Agent + + DTE + Data Terminal Equipment + + DUA + See: Directory User Agent + + dynamic adaptive routing + Automatic rerouting of traffic based on a sensing and analysis of + current actual network conditions. NOTE: this does not include + cases of routing decisions taken on predefined information. + [Source: J. Postel] + + EARN + See: European Academic and Research Network + + EBCDIC + See: Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code + + Ebone + A pan-European backbone service. + + EFF + See: Electronic Frontier Foundation + + EFLA + See: Extended Four Letter Acronym + + EGP + See: Exterior Gateway Protocol + + Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) + A foundation established to address social and legal issues + arising from the impact on society of the increasingly pervasive + use of computers as a means of communication and information + distribution. + + Electronic Mail (email) + A system whereby a computer user can exchange messages with other + computer users (or groups of users) via a communications network. + + + +User Glossary Working Group [Page 16] + +RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993 + + + Electronic mail is one of the most popular uses of the Internet. + [Source: NNSC] + + email + See: Electronic mail + + email address + The domain-based or UUCP address that is used to send electronic + mail to a specified destination. For example an editor's address + is "gmalkin@xylogics.com". See also: bang path, mail path, UNIX- + to-UNIX CoPy. + [Source: ZEN] + + encapsulation + The technique used by layered protocols in which a layer adds + header information to the protocol data unit (PDU) from the layer + above. As an example, in Internet terminology, a packet would + contain a header from the physical layer, followed by a header + from the network layer (IP), followed by a header from the + transport layer (TCP), followed by the application protocol data. + [Source: RFC1208] + + encryption + Encryption is the manipulation of a packet's data in order to + prevent any but the intended recipient from reading that data. + There are many types of data encryption, and they are the basis of + network security. See also: Data Encryption Standard. + + Ethernet + A 10-Mb/s standard for LANs, initially developed by Xerox, and + later refined by Digital, Intel and Xerox (DIX). All hosts are + connected to a coaxial cable where they contend for network access + using a Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection + (CSMA/CD) paradigm. See also: 802.x, Local Area Network, token + ring. + + Ethernet meltdown + An event that causes saturation, or near saturation, on an + Ethernet. It usually results from illegal or misrouted packets + and typically lasts only a short time. + [Source: COMER] + + European Academic and Research Network (EARN) + A network connecting European academic and research institutions + with electronic mail and file transfer services using the Bitnet + protocol. See also: Bitnet + + + + + +User Glossary Working Group [Page 17] + +RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993 + + + Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code (EBCDIC) + A standard character-to-number encoding used primarily by IBM + computer systems. See also: ASCII. + + Extended Four Letter Acronym (EFLA) + A recognition of the fact that there are far too many TLAs. See + also: Three Letter Acronym. + [Source: K. Morgan] + + Exterior Gateway Protocol (EGP) + A protocol which distributes routing information to the routers + which connect autonomous systems. The term "gateway" is + historical, as "router" is currently the preferred term. There is + also a routing protocol called EGP defined in STD 18, RFC 904. + See also: Autonomous System, Border Gateway Protocol, Interior + Gateway Protocol. + + eXternal Data Representation (XDR) + A standard for machine independent data structures developed by + Sun Microsystems and defined in RFC 1014. It is similar to ASN.1. + See also: Abstract Syntax Notation One. + [Source: RFC1208] + + FARNET + A non-profit corporation, established in 1987, whose mission is to + advance the use of computer networks to improve research and + education. + + FAQ + Frequently Asked Question + + FDDI + See: Fiber Distributed Data Interface + + Federal Information Exchange (FIX) + One of the connection points between the American governmental + internets and the Internet. + [Source: SURA] + + Federal Networking Council (FNC) + The coordinating group of representatives from those federal + agencies involved in the development and use of federal + networking, especially those networks using TCP/IP and the + Internet. Current members include representatives from DOD, DOE, + DARPA, NSF, NASA, and HHS. See also: Defense Advanced Research + Projects Agency, National Science Foundation. + + + + + +User Glossary Working Group [Page 18] + +RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993 + + + Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI) + A high-speed (100Mb/s) LAN standard. The underlying medium is + fiber optics, and the topology is a dual-attached, counter- + rotating token ring. See also: Local Area Network, token ring. + [Source: RFC1208] + + file transfer + The copying of a file from one computer to another over a computer + network. See also: File Transfer Protocol, Kermit. + + File Transfer Protocol (FTP) + A protocol which allows a user on one host to access, and transfer + files to and from, another host over a network. Also, FTP is + usually the name of the program the user invokes to execute the + protocol. It is defined in STD 9, RFC 959. See also: anonymous + FTP. + + finger + A program that displays information about a particular user, or + all users, logged on the local system or on a remote system. It + typically shows full name, last login time, idle time, terminal + line, and terminal location (where applicable). It may also + display plan and project files left by the user. + + FIX + See: Federal Information Exchange + + flame + A strong opinion and/or criticism of something, usually as a frank + inflammatory statement, in an electronic mail message. It is + common to precede a flame with an indication of pending fire + (i.e., FLAME ON!). Flame Wars occur when people start flaming + other people for flaming when they shouldn't have. See also: + Electronic Mail + + FNC + See: Federal Networking Council + + For Your Information (FYI) + A subseries of RFCs that are not technical standards or + descriptions of protocols. FYIs convey general information about + topics related to TCP/IP or the Internet. See also: Request For + Comments, STD. + + FQDN + See: Fully Qualified Domain Name + + + + + +User Glossary Working Group [Page 19] + +RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993 + + + fragment + A piece of a packet. When a router is forwarding an IP packet to + a network that has a maximum packet size smaller than the packet + size, it is forced to break up that packet into multiple + fragments. These fragments will be reassembled by the IP layer at + the destination host. + + fragmentation + The IP process in which a packet is broken into smaller pieces to + fit the requirements of a physical network over which the packet + must pass. See also: reassembly. + + frame + A frame is a datalink layer "packet" which contains the header and + trailer information required by the physical medium. That is, + network layer packets are encapsulated to become frames. See + also: datagram, encapsulation, packet. + + freenet + Community-based bulletin board system with email, information + services, interactive communications, and conferencing. Freenets + are funded and operated by individuals and volunteers -- in one + sense, like public television. They are part of the National + Public Telecomputing Network (NPTN), an organization based in + Cleveland, Ohio, devoted to making computer telecommunication and + networking services as freely available as public libraries. + [Source: LAQUEY] + + FTP + See: File Transfer Protocol + + Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN) + The FQDN is the full name of a system, rather than just its + hostname. For example, "venera" is a hostname and + "venera.isi.edu" is an FQDN. See also: hostname, Domain Name + System. + + FYI + See: For Your Information + + gross + A dozen dozen (144). + + gated + Gatedaemon. A program which supports multiple routing protocols + and protocol families. It may be used for routing, and makes an + effective platform for routing protocol research. The software is + freely available by anonymous FTP from "gated.cornell.edu". + + + +User Glossary Working Group [Page 20] + +RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993 + + + Pronounced "gate-dee". See also: Exterior Gateway Protocol, Open + Shortest Path First..., Routing Information Protocol, routed. + + gateway + The term "router" is now used in place of the original definition + of "gateway". Currently, a gateway is a communications + device/program which passes data between networks having similar + functions but dissimilar implementations. This should not be + confused with a protocol converter. By this definition, a router + is a layer 3 (network layer) gateway, and a mail gateway is a + layer 7 (application layer) gateway. See also: mail gateway, + router, protocol converter. + + Gopher + A distributed information service that makes available + hierarchical collections of information across the Internet. + Gopher uses a simple protocol that allows a single Gopher client + to access information from any accessible Gopher server, providing + the user with a single "Gopher space" of information. Public + domain versions of the client and server are available. See also: + archie, archive site, Prospero, Wide Area Information Servers. + + GOSIP + See: Government OSI Profile + + Government OSI Profile + A subset of OSI standards specific to U.S. Government + procurements, designed to maximize interoperability in areas where + plain OSI standards are ambiguous or allow excessive options. + [Source: BIG-LAN] + + hacker + A person who delights in having an intimate understanding of the + internal workings of a system, computers and computer networks in + particular. The term is often misused in a pejorative context, + where "cracker" would be the correct term. See also: cracker. + + header + The portion of a packet, preceding the actual data, containing + source and destination addresses, and error checking and other + fields. A header is also the part of an electronic mail message + that precedes the body of a message and contains, among other + things, the message originator, date and time. See also: + Electronic Mail, packet. + + heterogeneous network + A network running multiple network layer protocols. See also: + DECnet, IP, IPX, XNS. + + + +User Glossary Working Group [Page 21] + +RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993 + + + hierarchical routing + The complex problem of routing on large networks can be simplified + by reducing the size of the networks. This is accomplished by + breaking a network into a hierarchy of networks, where each level + is responsible for its own routing. The Internet has, basically, + three levels: the backbones, the mid-levels, and the stub + networks. The backbones know how to route between the mid-levels, + the mid-levels know how to route between the sites, and each site + (being an autonomous system) knows how to route internally. See + also: Autonomous System, Exterior Gateway Protocol, Interior + Gateway Protocol, stub network, transit network. + + High Performance Computing and Communications (HPCC) + High performance computing encompasses advanced computing, + communications, and information technologies, including scientific + workstations, supercomputer systems, high speed networks, special + purpose and experimental systems, the new generation of large + scale parallel systems, and application and systems software with + all components well integrated and linked over a high speed + network. + [Source: HPCC] + + High Performance Parallel Interface (HIPPI) + An emerging ANSI standard which extends the computer bus over + fairly short distances at speeds of 800 and 1600 Mb/s. HIPPI is + often used in a computer room to connect a supercomputer to + routers, frame buffers, mass-storage peripherals, and other + computers. See also: American National Standards Institute + [Source: MALAMUD] + + HIPPI + See: High Performance Parallel Interface + + hop + A term used in routing. A path to a destination on a network is a + series of hops, through routers, away from the origin. + + host + A computer that allows users to communicate with other host + computers on a network. Individual users communicate by using + application programs, such as electronic mail, Telnet and FTP. + [Source: NNSC] + + host address + See: internet address + + hostname + The name given to a machine. See also: Fully Qualified Domain + + + +User Glossary Working Group [Page 22] + +RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993 + + + Name. + [Source: ZEN] + + host number + See: host address + + HPCC + See: High Performance Computing and Communications + + hub + A device connected to several other devices. In ARCnet, a hub is + used to connect several computers together. In a message handling + service, a hub is used for the transfer of messages across the + network. + [Source: MALAMUD] + + I-D + See: Internet-Draft + + IAB + See: Internet Architecture Board + + IANA + See: Internet Assigned Numbers Authority + + ICMP + See: Internet Control Message Protocol + + IEEE + Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers + + IEEE 802 + See: 802.x + + IEN + See: Internet Experiment Note + + IESG + See: Internet Engineering Steering Group + + IETF + See: Internet Engineering Task Force + + IINREN + See: Interagency Interim National Research and Education Network + + IGP + See: Interior Gateway Protocol + + + +User Glossary Working Group [Page 23] + +RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993 + + + IMHO + In My Humble Opinion + + IMR + See: Internet Monthly Report + + Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) + An emerging technology which is beginning to be offered by the + telephone carriers of the world. ISDN combines voice and digital + network services in a single medium, making it possible to offer + customers digital data services as well as voice connections + through a single "wire". The standards that define ISDN are + specified by CCITT. See also: CCITT. + [Source: RFC1208] + + Interagency Interim National Research and Education Network (IINREN) + An evolving operating network system. Near term (1992-1996) + research and development activities will provide for the smooth + evolution of this networking infrastructure into the future + gigabit NREN. + [Source: HPCC] + + Interior Gateway Protocol (IGP) + A protocol which distributes routing information to the routers + within an autonomous system. The term "gateway" is historical, as + "router" is currently the preferred term. See also: Autonomous + System, Exterior Gateway Protocol, Open Shortest Path First..., + Routing Information Protocol. + + Intermediate System (IS) + An OSI system which performs network layer forwarding. It is + analogous to an IP router. See also: Open Systems + Interconnection, router. + + Intermediate System-Intermediate System (IS-IS) + The OSI IGP. See also: Open Systems Interconnection, Interior + Gateway Protocol. + + International Organization for Standardization (ISO) + A voluntary, nontreaty organization founded in 1946 which is + responsible for creating international standards in many areas, + including computers and communications. Its members are the + national standards organizations of the 89 member countries, + including ANSI for the U.S. See also: American National Standards + Institute, Open Systems Interconnection. + [Source: TAN] + + + + + +User Glossary Working Group [Page 24] + +RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993 + + + internet + While an internet is a network, the term "internet" is usually + used to refer to a collection of networks interconnected with + routers. See also: network. + + Internet + (note the capital "I") The Internet is the largest internet in the + world. Is a three level hierarchy composed of backbone networks + (e.g., NSFNET, MILNET), mid-level networks, and stub networks. + The Internet is a multiprotocol internet. See also: backbone, + mid-level network, stub network, transit network, Internet + Protocol, Corporation for Research and Educational Networks, + National Science Foundation. + + internet address + A IP address that uniquely identifies a node on an internet. An + Internet address (capital "I"), uniquely identifies a node on the + Internet. See also: internet, Internet, IP address. + + Internet Architecture Board (IAB) + The technical body that oversees the development of the Internet + suite of protocols. It has two task forces: the IETF and the + IRTF. "IAB" previously stood for Internet Activities Board. See + also: Internet Engineering Task Force, Internet Research Task + Force. + + 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 [STD2]. To request a number + assignment, contact the IANA at "iana@isi.edu". See also: + assigned numbers, STD. + + Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) + ICMP is an extension to the Internet Protocol. It allows for the + generation of error messages, test packets and informational + messages related to IP. It is defined in STD 5, RFC 792. + [Source: FYI4] + + Internet-Draft (I-D) + Internet-Drafts are working documents of the IETF, its Areas, and + its Working Groups. As the name implies, Internet-Drafts are + draft documents. They are valid for a maximum of six months and + may be updated, replaced, or obsoleted by other documents at any + time. Very often, I-Ds are precursors to RFCs. See also: + Internet Engineering Task Force, Request For Comments. + + + + +User Glossary Working Group [Page 25] + +RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993 + + + Internet Engineering Steering Group (IESG) + The IESG is composed of the IETF Area Directors and the IETF + Chair. It provides the first technical review of Internet + standards and is responsible for day-to-day "management" of the + IETF. See also: Internet Engineering Task Force. + + Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) + The IETF is a large, open community of network designers, + operators, vendors, and researchers whose purpose is to coordinate + the operation, management and evolution of the Internet, and to + resolve short-range and mid-range protocol and architectural + issues. It is a major source of proposals for protocol standards + which are submitted to the IAB for final approval. The IETF meets + three times a year and extensive minutes are included in the IETF + Proceedings. See also: Internet, Internet Architecture Board. + [Source: FYI4] + + Internet Experiment Note (IEN) + A series of reports pertinent to the Internet. IENs were + published in parallel to RFCs and are no longer active. See also: + Internet-Draft, Request For Comments. + + Internet Monthly Report (IMR) + Published monthly, the purpose of the Internet Monthly Reports is + to communicate to the Internet Research Group the accomplishments, + milestones reached, or problems discovered by the participating + organizations. + + internet number + See: internet address + + Internet Protocol (IP) + The Internet Protocol, defined in STD 5, RFC 791, is the network + layer for the TCP/IP Protocol Suite. It is a connectionless, + best-effort packet switching protocol. See also: packet + switching, Request For Comments, TCP/IP Protocol Suite. + + Internet Registry (IR) + The IANA has the discretionary authority to delegate portions of + its responsibility and, with respect to network address and + Autonomous System identifiers, has lodged this responsibility with + an IR. The IR function is performed by the DDN NIC. See also: + Autonomous System, network address, Defense Data Network..., + Internet Assigned Numbers Authority. + + Internet Relay Chat (IRC) + A world-wide "party line" protocol that allows one to converse + with others in real time. IRC is structured as a network of + + + +User Glossary Working Group [Page 26] + +RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993 + + + servers, each of which accepts connections from client programs, + one per user. See also: talk. + [Source: HACKER] + + Internet Research Steering Group (IRSG) + The "governing body" of the IRTF. See also: Internet Research + Task Force. + [Source: MALAMUD] + + Internet Research Task Force (IRTF) + The IRTF is chartered by the IAB to consider long-term Internet + issues from a theoretical point of view. It has Research Groups, + similar to IETF Working Groups, which are each tasked to discuss + different research topics. Multi-cast audio/video conferencing + and privacy enhanced mail are samples of IRTF output. See also: + Internet Architecture Board, Internet Engineering Task Force, + Privacy Enhanced Mail. + + Internet Society (ISOC) + The Internet Society is a non-profit, professional membership + organization which facilitates and supports the technical + evolution of the Internet, stimulates interest in and educates the + scientific and academic communities, industry and the public about + the technology, uses and applications of the Internet, and + promotes the development of new applications for the system. The + Society provides a forum for discussion and collaboration in the + operation and use of the global Internet infrastructure. The + Internet Society publishes a quarterly newsletter, the Internet + Society News, and holds an annual conference, INET. The + development of Internet technical standards takes place under the + auspices of the Internet Society with substantial support from the + Corporation for National Research Initiatives under a cooperative + agreement with the US Federal Government. + [Source: V. Cerf] + + Internetwork Packet eXchange (IPX) + Novell's protocol used by Netware. A router with IPX routing can + interconnect LANs so that Novell Netware clients and servers can + communicate. See also: Local Area Network. + + interoperability + The ability of software and hardware on multiple machines from + multiple vendors to communicate meaningfully. + + IP + See: Internet Protocol + + + + + +User Glossary Working Group [Page 27] + +RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993 + + + IP address + The 32-bit address defined by the Internet Protocol in STD 5, RFC + 791. It is usually represented in dotted decimal notation. See + also: dot address, internet address, Internet Protocol, network + address, subnet address, host address. + + IP datagram + See: datagram + + IPX + See: Internetwork Packet eXchange + + IR + See: Internet Registry + + IRC + See: Internet Relay Chat + + IRSG + See: Internet Research Steering Group + + IRTF + See: Internet Research Task Force + + IS + See: Intermediate System + + IS-IS + See: Intermediate System-Intermediate System + + ISDN + See: Integrated Services Digital Network + + ISO + See: International Organization for Standardization + + ISO Development Environment (ISODE) + Software that allows OSI services to use a TCP/IP network. + Pronounced eye-so-dee-eee. See also: Open Systems + Interconnection, TCP/IP Protocol Suite. + + ISOC + See: Internet Society + + ISODE + See: ISO Development Environment + + + + + +User Glossary Working Group [Page 28] + +RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993 + + + JKREY + Joyce K. Reynolds + + KA9Q + A popular implementation of TCP/IP and associated protocols for + amateur packet radio systems. See also: TCP/IP Protocol Suite. + [Source: RFC1208] + + Kerberos + Kerberos is the security system of MIT's Project Athena. It is + based on symmetric key cryptography. See also: encryption. + + Kermit + A popular file transfer protocol developed by Columbia University. + Because Kermit runs in most operating environments, it provides an + easy method of file transfer. Kermit is NOT the same as FTP. See + also: File Transfer Protocol + [Source: MALAMUD] + + Knowbot + An experimental directory service. See also: white pages, WHOIS, + X.500. + + LAN + See: Local Area Network + + layer + Communication networks for computers may be organized as a set of + more or less independent protocols, each in a different layer + (also called level). The lowest layer governs direct host-to-host + communication between the hardware at different hosts; the highest + consists of user applications. Each layer builds on the layer + beneath it. For each layer, programs at different hosts use + protocols appropriate to the layer to communicate with each other. + TCP/IP has five layers of protocols; OSI has seven. The + advantages of different layers of protocols is that the methods of + passing information from one layer to another are specified + clearly as part of the protocol suite, and changes within a + protocol layer are prevented from affecting the other layers. + This greatly simplifies the task of designing and maintaining + communication programs. See also: Open Systems Interconnection, + TCP/IP Protocol Suite. + + listserv + An automated mailing list distribution system originally designed + for the Bitnet/EARN network. See also: Bitnet, European Academic + Research Network, mailing list. + + + + +User Glossary Working Group [Page 29] + +RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993 + + + little-endian + A format for storage or transmission of binary data in which the + least significant byte (bit) comes first. See also: big-endian. + [Source: RFC1208] + + LLC + See: Logical Link Control + + Local Area Network (LAN) + A data network intended to serve an area of only a few square + kilometers or less. Because the network is known to cover only a + small area, optimizations can be made in the network signal + protocols that permit data rates up to 100Mb/s. See also: + Ethernet, Fiber Distributed Data Interface, token ring, Wide Area + Network. + [Source: NNSC] + + Logical Link Control (LLC) + The upper portion of the datalink layer, as defined in IEEE 802.2. + The LLC sublayer presents a uniform interface to the user of the + datalink service, usually the network layer. Beneath the LLC + sublayer is the MAC sublayer. See also: 802.x, layer, Media + Access Control. + + Lurking + No active participation on the part of a subscriber to an mailing + list or USENET newsgroup. A person who is lurking is just + listening to the discussion. Lurking is encouraged for beginners + who need to get up to speed on the history of the group. See + also: Electronic Mail, mailing list, Usenet. + [Source: LAQUEY] + + MAC + See: Media Access Control + + MAC address + The hardware address of a device connected to a shared media. See + also: Media Access Control, Ethernet, token ring. + [Source: MALAMUD] + + mail bridge + A mail gateway that forwards electronic mail between two or more + networks while ensuring that the messages it forwards meet certain + administrative criteria. A mail bridge is simply a specialized + form of mail gateway that enforces an administrative policy with + regard to what mail it forwards. See also: Electronic Mail, mail + gateway. + [Source: NNSC] + + + +User Glossary Working Group [Page 30] + +RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993 + + + Mail Exchange Record (MX Record) + A DNS resource record type indicating which host can handle mail + for a particular domain. See also: Domain Name System, Electronic + Mail. + [Source: MALAMUD] + + mail exploder + Part of an electronic mail delivery system which allows a message + to be delivered to a list of addresses. Mail exploders are used + to implement mailing lists. Users send messages to a single + address and the mail exploder takes care of delivery to the + individual mailboxes in the list. See also: Electronic Mail, + email address, mailing list. + [Source: RFC1208] + + mail gateway + A machine that connects two or more electronic mail systems + (including dissimilar mail systems) and transfers messages between + them. Sometimes the mapping and translation can be quite complex, + and it generally requires a store-and-forward scheme whereby the + message is received from one system completely before it is + transmitted to the next system, after suitable translations. See + also: Electronic Mail. + [Source: RFC1208] + + mail path + A series of machine names used to direct electronic mail from one + user to another. This system of email addressing has been used + primarily in UUCP networks which are trying to eliminate its use + altogether. See also: bang path, email address, UNIX-to-UNIX + CoPy. + + mail server + A software program that distributes files or information in + response to requests sent via email. Internet examples include + Almanac and netlib. Mail servers have also been used in Bitnet to + provide FTP-like services. See also: Bitnet, Electronic Mail, + FTP. + [Source: NWNET] + + mailing list + A list of email addresses, used by a mail exploder, to forward + messages to groups of people. Generally, a mailing list is used + to discuss certain set of topics, and different mailing lists + discuss different topics. A mailing list may be moderated. This + means that messages sent to the list are actually sent to a + moderator who determines whether or not to send the messages on to + everyone else. Requests to subscribe to, or leave, a mailing list + + + +User Glossary Working Group [Page 31] + +RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993 + + + should ALWAYS be sent to the list's "-request" address (e.g., + ietf-request@cnri.reston.va.us for the IETF mailing list). See + also: Electronic Mail, mail exploder. + + MAN + See: Metropolitan Area Network + + Management Information Base (MIB) + The set of parameters an SNMP management station can query or set + in the SNMP agent of a network device (e.g., router). Standard, + minimal MIBs have been defined, and vendors often have Private + enterprise MIBs. In theory, any SNMP manager can talk to any SNMP + agent with a properly defined MIB. See also: client-server model, + Simple Network Management Protocol. + [Source: BIG-LAN] + + Martian + A humorous term applied to packets that turn up unexpectedly on + the wrong network because of bogus routing entries. Also used as + a name for a packet which has an altogether bogus (non-registered + or ill-formed) internet address. + [Source: RFC1208] + + Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU) + The largest frame length which may be sent on a physical medium. + See also: fragmentation, frame. + + Media Access Control (MAC) + The lower portion of the datalink layer. The MAC differs for + various physical media. See also: MAC Address, Ethernet, Logical + Link Control, token ring. + + message switching + See: packet switching + + Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) + A data network intended to serve an area approximating that of a + large city. Such networks are being implemented by innovative + techniques, such as running fiber cables through subway tunnels. + A popular example of a MAN is SMDS. See also: Local Area Network, + Switched Multimegabit Data Service, Wide Area Network. + [Source: NNSC] + + MIB + See: Management Information Base + + mid-level network + Mid-level networks (a.k.a. regionals) make up the second level of + + + +User Glossary Working Group [Page 32] + +RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993 + + + the Internet hierarchy. They are the transit networks which + connect the stub networks to the backbone networks. See also: + backbone, Internet, stub network, transit network. + + MIME + See: Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions + + moderator + A person, or small group of people, who manage moderated mailing + lists and newsgroups. Moderators are responsible for determining + which email submissions are passed on to list. See also: + Electronic Mail, mailing list, Usenet. + + MTU + See: Maximum Transmission Unit + + MUD + See: Multi-User Dungeon + + multicast + A packet with a special destination address which multiple nodes + on the network may be willing to receive. See also: broadcast. + + multihomed host + A host which has more than one connection to a network. The host + may send and receive data over any of the links but will not route + traffic for other nodes. See also: host, router. + [Source: MALAMUD] + + Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (MIME) + An extension to Internet email which provides the ability to + transfer non-textual data, such as graphics, audio and fax. It is + defined in RFC 1341. See also: Electronic Mail + + Multi-User Dungeon (MUD) + Adventure, role playing games, or simulations played on the + Internet. Devotees call them "text-based virtual reality + adventures". The games can feature fantasy combat, booby traps + and magic. Players interact in real time and can change the + "world" in the game as they play it. Most MUDs are based on the + Telnet protocol. See also: Telnet. + [Source: LAQUEY] + + MX Record + See: Mail Exchange Record + + NAK + See: Negative Acknowledgment + + + +User Glossary Working Group [Page 33] + +RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993 + + + name resolution + The process of mapping a name into its corresponding address. See + also: Domain Name System. + [Source: RFC1208] + + namespace + A commonly distributed set of names in which all names are unique. + [Source: MALAMUD] + + National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) + United States governmental body that provides assistance in + developing standards. Formerly the National Bureau of Standards. + [Source: MALAMUD] + + National Research and Education Network (NREN) + The NREN is the realization of an interconnected gigabit computer + network devoted to Hign Performance Computing and Communications. + See also: HPPC, IINREN. + [Source: HPCC] + + National Science Foundation (NSF) + A U.S. government agency whose purpose is to promote the + advancement of science. NSF funds science researchers, scientific + projects, and infrastructure to improve the quality of scientific + research. The NSFNET, funded by NSF, is an essential part of + academic and research communications. It is a highspeed "network + of networks" which is hierarchical in nature. At the highest + level, it is a backbone network currently comprising 16 nodes + connected to a 45Mb/s facility which spans the continental United + States. Attached to that are mid-level networks and attached to + the mid-levels are campus and local networks. NSFNET also has + connections out of the U.S. to Canada, Mexico, Europe, and the + Pacific Rim. The NSFNET is part of the Internet. + + Negative Acknowledgment (NAK) + Response to receipt of a corrupted packet of information. See + also: Acknowledgement. + + netiquette + A pun on "etiquette" referring to proper behavior on a network. + + Netnews + See: Usenet + + network + A computer network is a data communications system which + interconnects computer systems at various different sites. A + network may be composed of any combination of LANs, MANs or WANs. + + + +User Glossary Working Group [Page 34] + +RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993 + + + See also: Local Area Network, Metropolitan Area Network, Wide Area + Network, internet. + + network address + The network portion of an IP address. For a class A network, the + network address is the first byte of the IP address. For a class + B network, the network address is the first two bytes of the IP + address. For a class C network, the network address is the first + three bytes of the IP address. In each case, the remainder is the + host address. In the Internet, assigned network addresses are + globally unique. See also: Internet, IP address, subnet address, + host address, Internet Registry. + + Network File System (NFS) + A protocol developed by Sun Microsystems, and defined in RFC 1094, + which allows a computer system to access files over a network as + if they were on its local disks. This protocol has been + incorporated in products by more than two hundred companies, and + is now a de facto Internet standard. + [Source: NNSC] + + Network Information Center (NIC) + A NIC provides information, assistance and services to network + users. See also: Network Operations Center. + + Network Information Services (NIS) + A set of services, generally provided by a NIC, to assist users in + using the network. See also: Network Information Center. + + Network News Transfer Protocol (NNTP) + A protocol, defined in RFC 977, for the distribution, inquiry, + retrieval, and posting of news articles. See also: Usenet. + + network number + See: network address + + Network Operations Center (NOC) + A location from which the operation of a network or internet is + monitored. Additionally, this center usually serves as a + clearinghouse for connectivity problems and efforts to resolve + those problems. See also: Network Information Center. + [Source: NNSC] + + Network Time Protocol (NTP) + A protocol that assures accurate local timekeeping with reference + to radio and atomic clocks located on the Internet. This protocol + is capable of synchronizing distributed clocks within milliseconds + over long time periods. It is defined in STD 12, RFC 1119. See + + + +User Glossary Working Group [Page 35] + +RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993 + + + also: Internet. + [Source: NNSC] + + NFS + See: Network File System + + NIC + See: Network Information Center + + NIC.DDN.MIL + This is the domain name of the DDN NIC. See also: Defense Data + Network..., Domain Name System, Network Information Center. + + NIS + See: Network Information Services + + NIST + See: National Institute of Standards and Technology + + NNTP + See: Network News Transfer Protocol + + NOC + See: Network Operations Center + + Nodal Switching System (NSS) + Main routing nodes in the NSFnet backbone. See also: backbone, + National Science Foundation. + [Source: MALAMUD] + + node + An addressable device attached to a computer network. See also: + host, router. + + NREN + See: National Research and Education Network + + NSF + See: National Science Foundation + + NSS + See: Nodal Switching System + + NTP + See: Network Time Protocol + + OCLC + See: Online Computer Library Catalog + + + +User Glossary Working Group [Page 36] + +RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993 + + + octet + An octet is 8 bits. This term is used in networking, rather than + byte, because some systems have bytes that are not 8 bits long. + + Online Computer Library Catalog + OCLC is a nonprofit membership organization offering computer- + based services to libraries, educational organizations, and their + users. The OCLC library information network connects more than + 10,000 libraries worldwide. Libraries use the OCLC System for + cataloging, interlibrary loan, collection development, + bibliographic verification, and reference searching. + [Source: OCLC] + + Open Shortest-Path First Interior Gateway Protocol (OSPF) + A link state, as opposed to distance vector, routing protocol. It + is an Internet standard IGP defined in RFC 1247. See also: + Interior Gateway Protocol, Routing Information Protocol. + + Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) + A suite of protocols, designed by ISO committees, to be the + international standard computer network architecture. See also: + International Organization for Standardization. + + OSI + See: Open Systems Interconnection + + OSI Reference Model + A seven-layer structure designed to describe computer network + architectures and the way that data passes through them. This + model was developed by the ISO in 1978 to clearly define the + interfaces in multivendor networks, and to provide users of those + networks with conceptual guidelines in the construction of such + networks. See also: International Organization for + Standardization. + [Source: NNSC] + + OSPF + See: Open Shortest-Path First Interior Gateway Protocol + + packet + The unit of data sent across a network. "Packet" a generic term + used to describe unit of data at all levels of the protocol stack, + but it is most correctly used to describe application data units. + See also: datagram, frame. + + Packet InterNet Groper (PING) + A program used to test reachability of destinations by sending + them an ICMP echo request and waiting for a reply. The term is + + + +User Glossary Working Group [Page 37] + +RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993 + + + used as a verb: "Ping host X to see if it is up!" See also: + Internet Control Message Protocol. + [Source: RFC1208] + + Packet Switch Node (PSN) + A dedicated computer whose purpose is to accept, route and forward + packets in a packet switched network. See also: packet switching, + router. + [Source: NNSC] + + packet switching + A communications paradigm in which packets (messages) are + individually routed between hosts, with no previously established + communication path. See also: circuit switching, connection- + oriented, connectionless. + + PD + Public Domain + + PDU + See: Protocol Data Unit + + PEM + See: Privacy Enhanced Mail + + PING + See: Packet INternet Groper + + Point Of Presence (POP) + A site where there exists a collection of telecommunications + equipment, usually digital leased lines and multi-protocol + routers. + + Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) + The Point-to-Point Protocol, defined in RFC 1171, provides a + method for transmitting packets over serial point-to-point links. + See also: Serial Line IP. + [Source: FYI4] + + POP + See: Post Office Protocol and Point Of Presence + + port + A port is a transport layer demultiplexing value. Each + application has a unique port number associated with it. See + also: Transmission Control Protocol, User Datagram Protocol. + + + + + +User Glossary Working Group [Page 38] + +RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993 + + + Post Office Protocol (POP) + A protocol designed to allow single user hosts to read mail from a + server. There are three versions: POP, POP2, and POP3. Latter + versions are NOT compatible with earlier versions. See also: + Electronic Mail. + + Postal Telegraph and Telephone (PTT) + Outside the USA, PTT refers to a telephone service provider, which + is usually a monopoly, in a particular country. + + postmaster + The person responsible for taking care of electronic mail + problems, answering queries about users, and other related work at + a site. See also: Electronic Mail. + [Source: ZEN] + + PPP + See: Point-to-Point Protocol + + Privacy Enhanced Mail (PEM) + Internet email which provides confidentiality, authentication and + message integrity using various encryption methods. See also: + Electronic Mail, encryption. + + Prospero + A distributed filesystem which provides the user with the ability + to create multiple views of a single collection of files + distributed across the Internet. Prospero provides a file naming + system, and file access is provided by existing access methods + (e.g., anonymous FTP and NFS). The Prospero protocol is also used + for communication between clients and servers in the archie + system. See also: anonymous FTP, archie, archive site, Gopher, + Network File System, Wide Area Information Servers. + + protocol + A formal description of message formats and the rules two + computers must follow to exchange those messages. Protocols can + describe low-level details of machine-to-machine interfaces (e.g., + the order in which bits and bytes are sent across a wire) or + high-level exchanges between allocation programs (e.g., the way in + which two programs transfer a file across the Internet). + [Source: MALAMUD] + + protocol converter + A device/program which translates between different protocols + which serve similar functions (e.g., TCP and TP4). + + + + + +User Glossary Working Group [Page 39] + +RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993 + + + Protocol Data Unit (PDU) + "PDU" is internationalstandardscomitteespeak for packet. See + also: packet. + + protocol stack + A layered set of protocols which work together to provide a set of + network functions. See also: layer, protocol. + + proxy ARP + The technique in which one machine, usually a router, answers ARP + requests intended for another machine. By "faking" its identity, + the router accepts responsibility for routing packets to the + "real" destination. Proxy ARP allows a site to use a single IP + address with two physical networks. Subnetting would normally be + a better solution. See also: Address Resolution Protocol + [Source: RFC1208] + + PSN + See: Packet Switch Node. + + PTT + See: Postal, Telegraph and Telephone + + queue + A backup of packets awaiting processing. + + RARE + See: Reseaux Associes pour la Recherche Europeenne + + RARP + See: Reverse Address Resolution Protocol + + RBOC + Regional Bell Operating Company + + RCP + See: Remote copy program + + Read the F*cking Manual (RTFM) + This acronym is often used when someone asks a simple or common + question. + + reassembly + The IP process in which a previously fragmented packet is + reassembled before being passed to the transport layer. See also: + fragmentation. + + + + + +User Glossary Working Group [Page 40] + +RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993 + + + recursive + See: recursive + + regional + See: mid-level network + + remote login + Operating on a remote computer, using a protocol over a computer + network, as though locally attached. See also: Telnet. + + Remote Procedure Call (RPC) + An easy and popular paradigm for implementing the client-server + model of distributed computing. In general, a request is sent to + a remote system to execute a designated procedure, using arguments + supplied, and the result returned to the caller. There are many + variations and subtleties in various implementations, resulting in + a variety of different (incompatible) RPC protocols. + [Source: RFC1208] + + repeater + A device which propagates electrical signals from one cable to + another. See also: bridge, gateway, router. + + Request For Comments (RFC) + The document series, begun in 1969, which describes the Internet + suite of protocols and related experiments. Not all (in fact very + few) RFCs describe Internet standards, but all Internet standards + are written up as RFCs. The RFC series of documents is unusual in + that the proposed protocols are forwarded by the Internet research + and development community, acting on their own behalf, as opposed + to the formally reviewed and standardized protocols that are + promoted by organizations such as CCITT and ANSI. See also: For + Your Information, STD. + + Reseaux Associes pour la Recherche Europeenne (RARE) + European association of research networks. + [Source: RFC1208] + + Reseaux IP Europeenne (RIPE) + A collaboration between European networks which use the TCP/IP + protocol suite. + + Reverse Address Resolution Protocol (RARP) + A protocol, defined in RFC 903, which provides the reverse + function of ARP. RARP maps a hardware (MAC) address to an + internet address. It is used primarily by diskless nodes when + they first initialize to find their internet address. See also: + Address Resolution Protocol, BOOTP, internet address, MAC address. + + + +User Glossary Working Group [Page 41] + +RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993 + + + RFC + See: Request For Comments + + RFC 822 + The Internet standard format for electronic mail message headers. + Mail experts often refer to "822 messages". The name comes from + "RFC 822", which contains the specification (STD 11, RFC 822). + 822 format was previously known as 733 format. See also: + Electronic Mail. + [Source: COMER] + + RIP + See: Routing Information Protocol + + RIPE + See: Reseaux IP Europeenne + + Round-Trip Time (RTT) + A measure of the current delay on a network. + [Source: MALAMUD] + + route + The path that network traffic takes from its source to its + destination. Also, a possible path from a given host to another + host or destination. + + routed + Route Daemon. A program which runs under 4.2BSD/4.3BSD UNIX + systems (and derived operating systems) to propagate routes among + machines on a local area network, using the RIP protocol. + Pronounced "route-dee". See also: Routing Information Protocol, + gated. + + router + A device which forwards traffic between networks. The forwarding + decision is based on network layer information and routing tables, + often constructed by routing protocols. See also: bridge, + gateway, Exterior Gateway Protocol, Interior Gateway Protocol. + + routing + The process of selecting the correct interface and next hop for a + packet being forwarded. See also: hop, router, Exterior Gateway + Protocol, Interior Gateway Protocol. + + routing domain + A set of routers exchanging routing information within an + administrative domain. See also: Administrative Domain, router. + + + + +User Glossary Working Group [Page 42] + +RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993 + + + Routing Information Protocol (RIP) + A distance vector, as opposed to link state, routing protocol. It + is an Internet standard IGP defined in STD 34, RFC 1058 (updated + by RFC 1388). See also: Interior Gateway Protocol, Open Shortest + Path First.... + + RPC + See: Remote Procedure Call + + RTFM + See: Read the F*cking Manual + + RTT + See: Round-Trip Time + + Serial Line IP (SLIP) + A protocol used to run IP over serial lines, such as telephone + circuits or RS-232 cables, interconnecting two systems. SLIP is + defined in RFC 1055. See also: Point-to-Point Protocol. + + server + A provider of resources (e.g., file servers and name servers). + See also: client, Domain Name System, Network File System. + + SIG + Special Interest Group + + signature + The three or four line message at the bottom of a piece of email + or a Usenet article which identifies the sender. Large signatures + (over five lines) are generally frowned upon. See also: + Electronic Mail, Usenet. + + Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) + A protocol, defined in STD 10, RFC 821, used to transfer + electronic mail between computers. It is a server to server + protocol, so other protocols are used to access the messages. See + also: Electronic Mail, Post Office Protocol, RFC 822. + + Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) + The Internet standard protocol, defined in STD 15, RFC 1157, + developed to manage nodes on an IP network. It is currently + possible to manage wiring hubs, toasters, jukeboxes, etc. See + also: Management Information Base. + + SLIP + See: Serial Line IP + + + + +User Glossary Working Group [Page 43] + +RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993 + + + SMDS + See: Switched Multimegabit Data Service + + SMI + See: Structure of Management Information + + SMTP + See: Simple Mail Transfer Protocol + + SNA + See: Systems Network Architecture + + snail mail + A pejorative term referring to the U.S. postal service. + + SNMP + See: Simple Network Management Protocol + + STD + A subseries of RFCs that specify Internet standards. The official + list of Internet standards is in STD 1. See also: For Your + Information, Request For Comments. + + stream-oriented + A type of transport service that allows its client to send data in + a continuous stream. The transport service will guarantee that + all data will be delivered to the other end in the same order as + sent and without duplicates. See also: Transmission Control + Protocol. + [Source: MALAMUD] + + Structure of Management Information (SMI) + The rules used to define the objects that can be accessed via a + network management protocol. This protocol is defined in STD 16, + RFC 1155. See also: Management Information Base. + [Source: RFC1208] + + stub network + A stub network only carries packets to and from local hosts. Even + if it has paths to more than one other network, it does not carry + traffic for other networks. See also: backbone, transit network. + + subnet + A portion of a network, which may be a physically independent + network segment, which shares a network address with other + portions of the network and is distinguished by a subnet number. + A subnet is to a network what a network is to an internet. See + also: internet, network. + + + +User Glossary Working Group [Page 44] + +RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993 + + + [Source: FYI4] + + subnet address + The subnet portion of an IP address. In a subnetted network, the + host portion of an IP address is split into a subnet portion and a + host portion using an address (subnet) mask. See also: address + mask, IP address, network address, host address. + + subnet mask + See: address mask + + subnet number + See: subnet address + + Switched Multimegabit Data Service (SMDS) + An emerging high-speed datagram-based public data network service + developed by Bellcore and expected to be widely used by telephone + companies as the basis for their data networks. See also: + Metropolitan Area Network. + [Source: RFC1208] + + Systems Network Architecture (SNA) + A proprietary networking architecture used by IBM and IBM- + compatible mainframe computers. + [Source: NNSC] + + T1 + An AT&T term for a digital carrier facility used to transmit a + DS-1 formatted digital signal at 1.544 megabits per second. + + T3 + A term for a digital carrier facility used to transmit a DS-3 + formatted digital signal at 44.746 megabits per second. + [Source: FYI4] + + TAC + See: Terminal Access Controller (TAC) + + talk + A protocol which allows two people on remote computers to + communicate in a real-time fashion. See also: Internet Relay + Chat. + + TCP + See: Transmission Control Protocol + + TCP/IP Protocol Suite + Transmission Control Protocol over Internet Protocol. This is a + + + +User Glossary Working Group [Page 45] + +RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993 + + + common shorthand which refers to the suite of transport and + application protocols which runs over IP. See also: IP, ICMP, + TCP, UDP, FTP, Telnet, SMTP, SNMP. + + TELENET + A public packet switched network using the CCITT X.25 protocols. + It should not be confused with Telnet. + + Telnet + Telnet is the Internet standard protocol for remote terminal + connection service. It is defined in STD 8, RFC 854 and extended + with options by many other RFCs. + + Terminal Access Controller (TAC) + A device which connects terminals to the Internet, usually using + dialup modem connections and the TACACS protocol. + + terminal emulator + A program that allows a computer to emulate a terminal. The + workstation thus appears as a terminal to the remote host. + [Source: MALAMUD] + + terminal server + A device which connects many terminals to a LAN through one + network connection. A terminal server can also connect many + network users to its asynchronous ports for dial-out capabilities + and printer access. See also: Local Area Network. + + Three Letter Acronym (TLA) + A tribute to the use of acronyms in the computer field. See also: + Extended Four Letter Acronym. + + Time to Live (TTL) + A field in the IP header which indicates how long this packet + should be allowed to survive before being discarded. It is + primarily used as a hop count. See also: Internet Protocol. + [Source: MALAMUD] + + TLA + See: Three Letter Acronym + + TN3270 + A variant of the Telnet program that allows one to attach to IBM + mainframes and use the mainframe as if you had a 3270 or similar + terminal. + [Source: BIG-LAN] + + + + + +User Glossary Working Group [Page 46] + +RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993 + + + token ring + A token ring is a type of LAN with nodes wired into a ring. Each + node constantly passes a control message (token) on to the next; + whichever node has the token can send a message. Often, "Token + Ring" is used to refer to the IEEE 802.5 token ring standard, + which is the most common type of token ring. See also: 802.x, + Local Area Network. + + topology + A network topology shows the computers and the links between them. + A network layer must stay abreast of the current network topology + to be able to route packets to their final destination. + [Source: MALAMUD] + + transceiver + Transmitter-receiver. The physical device that connects a host + interface to a local area network, such as Ethernet. Ethernet + transceivers contain electronics that apply signals to the cable + and sense collisions. + [Source: RFC1208] + + transit network + A transit network passes traffic between networks in addition to + carrying traffic for its own hosts. It must have paths to at + least two other networks. See also: backbone, stub network. + + Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) + An Internet Standard transport layer protocol defined in STD 7, + RFC 793. It is connection-oriented and stream-oriented, as + opposed to UDP. See also: connection-oriented, stream-oriented, + User Datagram Protocol. + + Trojan Horse + A computer program which carries within itself a means to allow + the creator of the program access to the system using it. See + also: virus, worm. See RFC 1135. + + TTFN + Ta-Ta For Now + + TTL + See: Time to Live + + tunnelling + Tunnelling refers to encapsulation of protocol A within protocol + B, such that A treats B as though it were a datalink layer. + Tunnelling is used to get data between administrative domains + which use a protocol that is not supported by the internet + + + +User Glossary Working Group [Page 47] + +RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993 + + + connecting those domains. See also: Administrative Domain. + + twisted pair + A type of cable in which pairs of conductors are twisted together + to produce certain electrical properties. + + UDP + See: User Datagram Protocol + + Universal Time Coordinated (UTC) + This is Greenwich Mean Time. + [Source: MALAMUD] + + UNIX-to-UNIX CoPy (UUCP) + This was initially a program run under the UNIX operating system + that allowed one UNIX system to send files to another UNIX system + via dial-up phone lines. Today, the term is more commonly used to + describe the large international network which uses the UUCP + protocol to pass news and electronic mail. See also: Electronic + Mail, Usenet. + + urban legend + A story, which may have started with a grain of truth, that has + been embroidered and retold until it has passed into the realm of + myth. It is an interesting phenonmenon that these stories get + spread so far, so fast and so often. Urban legends never die, + they just end up on the Internet! Some legends that periodically + make their rounds include "The Infamous Modem Tax," "Craig + Shergold/Brain Tumor/Get Well Cards," and "The $250 Cookie + Recipe". + [Source: LAQUEY] + + Usenet + A collection of thousands of topically named newsgroups, the + computers which run the protocols, and the people who read and + submit Usenet news. Not all Internet hosts subscribe to Usenet + and not all Usenet hosts are on the Internet. See also: Network + News Transfer Protocol, UNIX-to-UNIX CoPy. + [Source: NWNET] + + User Datagram Protocol (UDP) + An Internet Standard transport layer protocol defined in STD 6, + RFC 768. It is a connectionless protocol which adds a level of + reliability and multiplexing to IP. See also: connectionless, + Transmission Control Protocol. + + UTC + See: Universal Time Coordinated + + + +User Glossary Working Group [Page 48] + +RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993 + + + UUCP + See: UNIX-to-UNIX CoPy + + virtual circuit + A network service which provides connection-oriented service + regardless of the underlying network structure. See also: + connection-oriented. + + virus + A program which replicates itself on computer systems by + incorporating itself into other programs which are shared among + computer systems. See also: Trojan Horse, worm. + + W3 + See: World Wide Web + + WAIS + See: Wide Area Information Servers + + WAN + See: Wide area network + + WG + Working Group + + white pages + The Internet supports several databases that contain basic + information about users, such as email addresses, telephone + numbers, and postal addresses. These databases can be searched to + get information about particular individuals. Because they serve + a function akin to the telephone book, these databases are often + referred to as "white pages. See also: Knowbot, WHOIS, X.500. + + WHOIS + An Internet program which allows users to query a database of + people and other Internet entities, such as domains, networks, and + hosts, kept at the DDN NIC. The information for people shows a + person's company name, address, phone number and email address. + See also: Defense Data Network Network ..., white pages, Knowbot, + X.500. + [Source: FYI4] + + Wide Area Information Servers (WAIS) + A distributed information service which offers simple natural + language input, indexed searching for fast retrieval, and a + "relevance feedback" mechanism which allows the results of initial + searches to influence future searches. Public domain + implementations are available. See also: archie, Gopher, + + + +User Glossary Working Group [Page 49] + +RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993 + + + Prospero. + + Wide Area Network (WAN) + A network, usually constructed with serial lines, which covers a + large geographic area. See also: Local Area Network, Metropolitan + Area Network. + + World Wide Web (WWW or W3) + A hypertext-based, distributed information system created by + researchers at CERN in Switzerland. Users may create, edit or + browse hypertext documents. The clients and servers are freely + available. + + worm + A computer program which replicates itself and is self- + propagating. Worms, as opposed to viruses, are meant to spawn in + network environments. Network worms were first defined by Shoch & + Hupp of Xerox in ACM Communications (March 1982). The Internet + worm of November 1988 is perhaps the most famous; it successfully + propagated itself on over 6,000 systems across the Internet. See + also: Trojan Horse, virus. + + WRT + With Respect To + + WWW + See: World Wide Web + + WYSIWYG + What You See is What You Get + + X + X is the name for TCP/IP based network-oriented window systems. + Network window systems allow a program to use a display on a + different computer. The most widely-implemented window system is + X11 - a component of MIT's Project Athena. + + X.25 + A data communications interface specification developed to + describe how data passes into and out of public data + communications networks. The CCITT and ISO approved protocol + suite defines protocol layers 1 through 3. + + X.400 + The CCITT and ISO standard for electronic mail. It is widely used + in Europe and Canada. + + + + + +User Glossary Working Group [Page 50] + +RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993 + + + X.500 + The CCITT and ISO standard for electronic directory services. See + also: white pages, Knowbot, WHOIS. + + XDR + See: eXternal Data Representation + + Xerox Network System (XNS) + A network developed by Xerox corporation. Implementations exist + for both 4.3BSD derived systems, as well as the Xerox Star + computers. + + XNS + See: Xerox Network System + + Yellow Pages (YP) + A service used by UNIX administrators to manage databases + distributed across a network. + + YP + See: Yellow Pages + + zone + A logical group of network devices (AppleTalk). + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +User Glossary Working Group [Page 51] + +RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993 + + +References + + BIG-LAN "BIG-LAN Frequently Asked Questions Memo", BIG-LAN DIGEST + V4:I8, February 14, 1992. + + COMER Comer, D., "Internetworking with TCP/IP: Principles, + Protocols and Architecture", Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, + NJ, 1991. + + FYI4 Malkin, G., and A. Marine, "FYI on Questions and Answers: + Answers to Commonly asked "New Internet User" Questions", FYI + 4, RFC 1325, Xylogics, SRI, May 1992. + + HACKER "THIS IS THE JARGON FILE", Version 2.9.8, January 1992. + + HPCC "Grand Challenges 1993: High Performance Computing and + Communications", Committee on Physical, Mathmatical and + Engineering Sciences of the Federal Coordinating Council for + Science, Engineering and Technology. + + MALAMUD Malamud, C., "Analyzing Sun Networks", Van Nostrand Reinhold, + New York, NY, 1992. + + NNSC "NNSC's Hypercard Tour of the Internet". + + LAQUEY LaQuey, T. (with J. Ryer), "The Internet Companion: A + Beginner's Guide to Global Networking", Addison-Wesley, + Reading, MA, 1992. + + NWNET Kochmer, J., and NorthWestNet, "The Internet Passport: + NorthWestNets Guide to Our World Online", NorthWestNet, + Bellevue, WA, 1992. + + RFC1208 Jacobsen, O., and D. Lynch, "A Glossary of Networking Terms", + RFC 1208, Interop, Inc., March 1991. + + STD1 Postel, J., "IAB Official Protocol Standards", STD 1, RFC + 1360, Internet Architecture Board, September 1992. + + STD2 Reynolds, J., and J. Postel, "Assigned Numbers", STD 2, RFC + 1340, USC/Information Sciences Institute, July 1992. + + TAN Tanenbaum, A., "Computer Networks; 2nd ed.", Prentice Hall, + Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1989. + + ZEN Kehoe, B., "Zen and the Art of the Internet", February 1992. + + + + + +User Glossary Working Group [Page 52] + +RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993 + + +Security Considerations + + While security is not explicitly discussed in this document, some of + the glossary's entries are security related. See the entries for + Access Control List (ACL), authentication, Computer Emergency + Response Team (CERT), cracker, Data Encryption Key (DEK), Data + Encryption Standard (DES), encryption, Kerberos, Privacy Enhanced + Mail (PEM), Trojan Horse, virus, and worm. + + +Authors' Addresses + + Gary Scott Malkin + Xylogics, Inc. + 53 Third Avenue + Burlington, MA 01803 + + Phone: (617) 272-8140 + EMail: gmalkin@Xylogics.COM + + + Tracy LaQuey Parker + University of Texas at Austin + Computation Center + Austin, TX 78712 + + Phone: (512) 471-2444 + EMail: tracy@utexas.edu + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +User Glossary Working Group [Page 53] +
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