|
|
| |
|
| A |
|
| above
the fold |
The
part of a web page that is visible once the page has loaded, normally
it is the top part of a web page. This term is derived from the
newspaper industry, referring to the portion of the front page that
is visible with the paper folded. |
| accelerator |
Hardware
that is added to improve performance of a computer, includes a combination
of an accelerator board and graphics accelerator. The accelerator
board replaces the CPU with a higher performance model CPU and the
graphics accelerator performs faster access to graphics. |
| access |
Ability
and means to communicate with (i.e. input to or receive output from),
or otherwise make use of any information, resource, or component
in an AIS. NOTE: An individual does not have "access"
if the proper authority or a physical, technical, or procedural
measure prevents them from obtaining knowledge or having an opportunity
to alter information, material, resources, or components. |
| access
provider |
A
company which provides its customers a service whereby they can
access the Internet. The user normally connects to the access provider’s
computer via a modem using a dial up connection. Some of the more
widely used access providers are: America Online (AOL), CompuServe,
AT&T Worldnet and Netcom. |
| Acrobat |
Acrobat
is a technology developed by Adobe Systems that allows documents
created on one computer system to be read and printed on other systems,
with the fonts, formatting, text attributes, and graphic elements
intact. It works in tandem with the Multiple Masters font technology,
in which a font that exists in one computer can emulate the font
in the document that was created in another computer system. |
| active
addressing |
A
technology that uses transistors, which are stored in chips on the
motherboard to improve passive matrix, LCD screens. This image compares
to active matrix but does not have the high cost. |
| active
attack |
A
persistent security assault by someone trying to gain restricted
access by altering data. There are multiple techniques, decryption
for example, which can be used to lead the attack. |
| ActiveX |
ActiveX
is Microsoft's answer to the Java technology created by Sun Microsystems
and is roughly equivalent to a Java applet. The main thing that
you create when writing a program to run in the ActiveX environment
is a component, a self-sufficient program that can be run anywhere
on your web page. This component, or ActiveX control, could be anything
from a scrolling marquis to an animation that is seen on the web
page. It could also be an area where the visitor enters information
about himself or his credit card. ActiveX is useful in marketing
because it can be used to make web pages much more interesting as
well as efficient and effective.. |
| Advanced
Research Projects Agency Network (ARPANET) |
Created
by the United States Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (ARPA),
ARPANET was an experimental Wide Area Network (WAN) established
in 1969. Being the testing phase for upcoming networks and network
technology, ARPANET would link universities and research centers.
Connecting these hosts together, two at UCLA and Stanford provided
communication links for researchers to exchange ideas. This later
became the forerunner to the Internet. |
| agents
(droids) |
Also
known as intelligent agents, knowbots and droids, an agent is a
software routine that waits in the background and automatically
seeks out online information based on your queries. |
| aggregator |
This
is a e-commerce business model in which the web site sells products
or services which it does not produce or warehouse. Rather, an Aggregator
creates an environment where multiple providers (sellers) must compete
on terms determined by the use. |
| anchor |
A
tag in HTML that marks the start and end of the object to be retrieved
by the browser from a server. |
| applets |
Applets
are miniature programs. The name comes from the term “appli-cations”
which is one variety of a software program. |
| application
server |
An
application server runs on both the development and the production
servers. The application server works in conjunction with the Web
server to serve content to end users. When a Web page is requested
by a Web browser, the Webserver will "hand off" the page
request to the application server for file with particular file
extensions. For example, a Webserver will natively handle all pages
with the extension *.html, but hand off all pages with a *.cfm extension
to the Allaire ColdFusion application server. When a file is handed
off to the application server, the Web server reads the file requested
from disk, passes it to the application server for processing, and
then waits to hear back from the application server before returning
content to the end user. The application server itself will read
the file and look for special commands included in the file. These
commands are specific to each vendor's application server solution.
These commands are then executed by the application server, and
include (a) making query calls to a database to look up a user profile,
look up metadata, and then dynamically generate a Web page and (b)
executing an entire sequence of transactions to process an online
purchase. Application servers are used because they provide an easier,
more scalable means for developers to build complex Web applications
than coding CGI scripts. Application servers make it easier to build
dynamic Web pages and conduct online commerce by reducing the development
cost and transaction cost of querying a database and by providing
transactional integrity with session failover, redundancy, and more.
|
| application
service provider (ASP) |
Application
Service Providers are third-party entities that manage and distribute
software-based services and solutions to customers across a wide
area network from a central data center. In essence, ASPs are a
way for companies to outsource some or almost all aspects of their
information technology needs. |
| applications |
There
are several varieties of computer programs, but the ones most of
us are familiar with are the applications. An application is a program
you use to get some practical work done, such as word processing
or accounting or illustrating. |
| Archie |
a
search utility that surveys all FTP sites once a month and builds
an index. The initial implementation of archie by McGill University
School of Computer Science provided an indexed directory of filenames
from all anonymous FTP archives on the Internet. Later versions
provide other collections of information. |
| asset
management system |
A
business process that includes software for tracking the life, maintenance,
location and utilization of a capital asset. Some definitions, however,
include inventory management systems. |
| asynchronous
transmission |
This
form of transmission is like sending packages through the mail with
a address and a return address. Each character of data is a self-contained
package with its own start and stop bits. In contrast to synchronous
transmission, asynchronous transmission sends data without special
timing information and the start and stop bits tell hardware and
software that an entire character has been received. Asynchronous
is the common form of transmission between modem and computer. |
| auditing
|
Auditing
involves records the sequence of activities that occur on any given
file or body of content within a content management system. This
sequence of events - an audit trail - can be used by content contributors,
managers, and auditors alike to determine how and why content was
changed. |
| authenticated |
Established
as being a genuine user or verifying the identify of a user. |
| authentication |
Security
measure designed to establish the validity of a transmission, message,
or originator, or a means of verifying an individual's eligibility
to receive specific categories of information. |
| authentication
certificates |
Authentication
Certificates contain information about who it belongs to, who it
was issued by, a unique serial number or other unique identification,
valid dates, and an encrypted “fingerprint” that can be
used to verify the contents of the certificate. |
| authentication
key |
A
key that consists of a short string of characters, such as unique
information from the message (i.e. date, time or dollar amount)
that is used to ensure that the data in a business transaction that
is sent electronically remains unaltered. An authentication key
can also be used as a form of digital signature on many financial
transactions sent electronically over the internet. This verifies
the identity of the sender. |
| authorization |
Access
rights granted to a user, program, or process. |
| B |
|
| backbone |
A
central high speed network that connects smaller, independent networks.
the NSFnet is an example. The connections between the primary computers
in a network. Stub networks branch off the backbone. |
| bandwidth
|
Used
to express the maximum possible throughput of a data link in bits
per second. A T1 line has a bandwidth of 1.544 Mbps. A 28.8k baud
modem has a nominal bandwidth of 0.0288 Mbps. |
| basic
rate interface (BRI) |
Targeted
primarily to residential customers, uses two bearer channels (64
Kbps) and one D channel (16 Kbps) to deliver service to the desktop.
|
| Bluetooth |
Formed
in 1997 by Ericcson, it is a special interest group made up of about
2,000 IT companies that are working to develop a standard, technological
infrastructure for the emerging technology. Bluetooth technology
permits high frequency communication among devices such as cellular
telephones, PCs, PDAs, CD players, etc. |
| BOT |
Derived
from the word "robot," a bot is a software program that
performs repetitive functions, such as indexing information on the
Internet. |
| broadband |
A
popular way to move large amounts of voice, data and video. Broadband
technology lets different networks coexist on a single piece of
heavy-duty wiring. It isolates signals as a radio does; each one
vibrates at a different frequency as it moves down the line. Its
opposite is baseband, which separates signals by sending them at
timed intervals. |
| bus
topology |
The
shape of a local-area network (LAN) or other communications system
in which all devices are connected to a central cable, called the
bus or backbone. Bus networks are relatively inexpensive and easy
to install for small networks. Ethernet systems use a bus topology.
|
| business
rules |
A
business rule is typically referenced in conjunction with personalization
engines. Business rules determine which users are delivered a specific
type of content. Business rules typically use a Broadvision or ATG
supplied interface to match content with user groups. A sample business
rule: any user working in the high-tech industry should see content
related to new Web technologies. Business rules can be stored in
a database (Broadvision) or file system (Microsoft, ATG) and are
evaluated at run-time by a personalization engine. |
| C |
|
| call-outs,
call-backs |
Call-outs
and call-backs are triggers from a server application to an external
program and vice versa. Call-outs typically occur during a workflow
process where the application logic for a specific task that must
execute is contained within a separate executable program. An example
of this would be a call-out to an external links checker during
a submit process to check for broken links. |
| categorization
|
The
process of assigning metadata to content. Categorizing content includes
determining whether a content element is related to, for example,
Sports or Finance, Hockey or Stocks. Metadata associated with categorized
content is used to generate navigational links to relevant content
(for example, a list of links to all Hockey articles for a self-described
Hockey fan). |
| certificate
authority |
An
issuer of security certificates used in SSL connections. |
| certification |
(1)
Comprehensive evaluation of the technical and nontechnical security
features of an AIS (automated information system) and other safeguards,
made in support of the approval/accreditation process, to establish
the extent to which a particular design and implementation meet
a set of specified security requirements. Note: There remain two
other definitions in active common usage that differ according to
circumstances. (2) The issue of a formal statement confirming the
results of an evaluation, and that the evaluation criteria used
were correctly applied. Synonym for IT (information technology)
security certification. |
| CGI |
A
set of rules that describe how a Web server communicates with another
piece of software on the same computer, and how the other piece
of software (the "CGI program") talks to the Web server.
Any piece of software can be a CGI program if it handles input and
output according to the CGI standard. |
| CGI
Scripts |
Common
Gateway Interface - are a set of scripts run on the server side
that process user data, insert or retrieve information for either
a database or a file, and return results to the Webserver. CGI scripts
are most commonly written in PERL, though they can be written in
any scripting language. CGI scripts are typically used to process
Web forms, taking data entered by the end-user, processing, and
dynamically writing HTML code on-the-fly to be returned to the end-user's
browser. |
| challenge
and reply authentication |
Prearranged
procedure in which one communicator requests authentication of another
and the latter establishes his/her validity with a correct reply. |
| chief
information officer (CIO) |
The
senior executive in a company responsible for information management
and for delivering IT services. |
| CIS |
Customer
Information System, a system designed to manage all aspects of billing,
payment, usage data, etc. Some systems permit online access to accounts,
allowing customers as well as individual departments, such as marketing,
accounting and sales, free access to real time information. |
| client |
A
software program that is used to contact and obtain data from a
server software program on another computer. Each client program
is designed to work with one or more specific kinds of server programs,
and each server requires a specific kind of client. A Web browser
is one type of client. |
| client/server
architecture |
A
network in which computer processing is distributed among many individual
PCs (clients) and a more powerful, central computer (server). Clients
can share files and retrieve data stored on the server. |
| co-axial
cables |
A
very commonly used transmission media. Co-axial cables contain a
very thick copper wire at the center surrounded by insulation material
encased in a cylyndrical conductor, wrapped in protective plastic.
These cables provide higher bandwidth (1-2 Gbps on short distances)
with superior noise immunity. |
| collaborative
software |
Groupware,
sus as Lotus Notes or Microsoft Exchange. |
| co-location
|
Most
often used to refer to having a server that belongs to one person
or group physically located on an Internet-connected network that
belongs to another person or group. Usually this is done because
the server owner wants his computer to be on a high-speed Internet
connection and/or he does not want the security risks of having
the server on his own network. |
| commerce
net |
A
consortium of companies that promotes the use of the Internet for
electronic commerce. Sponsored by Silicon valley vendors and US
government agencies, it was launched in 1994 with the aim of creating
infrastructure for business-to-business transactions on the Internet.
|
| computer-aided
design (CAD) |
Refers
to any computer-enabled method of design; also called Computer Assisted
Design. |
| content
delivery |
Serving
of Web assets by a Web server to an end user. Content delivery is
typically used in conjunction with Web content that is generated
on-the-fly by either the Webserver itself (server-side includes),
an application server (general database queries), or a personalization
engine (specific database queries to both user profile databases
and content databases for content matching). |
| content
targeting |
The
process of either (a) defining business rules about which customer
segments should receive which content or (b) categorizing a particular
content element so that it is available to a particular customer
audience. |
| cookie |
Cookies
are used to store state and user preferences information for more
interactive Website experiences. Because Webservers do not keep
track of content sent to different users, this information is stored
and accessed using cookies. Cookies are the piece of information
sent by a Web server to a Web browser that the browser software
is expected to save and send back to the server whenever the browser
makes additional requests from the server. Cookies might contain
information such as login or registration information, online "shopping
cart" information, or user preferences. When a server receives
a request from a browser that includes a cookie, the server is able
to use the information stored in the cookie. For example, the server
might customize what is sent back to the user, or keep a log of
particular user's requests. Depending on the type of cookie used,
and the browser's settings, the browser may or may not accept the
cookie, and may save the cookie for either a short time or a long
time. Cookies are usually set to expire after a predetermined amount
of time and are usually saved in memory until the browser software
is closed down, at which time they may be saved to disk if their
"expire time" has not been reached. |
| CORBA
(Common Object Request Broker Architecture) |
A
set of standard mechanisms for naming, locating, and defining objects
in a distributed computing environment. |
| Cryptosystems |
Cryptographic
Systems of Cryptosystems can be symmetric or asymmetric. The symmetric
system is based on a single secret key which is shared by the parties
engaging in secure communication. The asymmetric system hinges on
the possession by these parties of a pair of keys -- one private
and the other public. |
| D |
|
| data
access middleware |
Applies
the standard relational database language, normally SQL, and the
standard database transport interface. The standard database transport
packages application requests for data and transports them across
the network to a specific server system, which handles the request.
After processing the requested data, the middleware returns the
data to the end user. |
| data
mining |
The
process of discovering previously unknown information from the data
in data warehouses. |
| data
warehouse |
A
place - virtual or physical - in which business knowledge and information
is gathered. |
| database |
A
data storage mechanism managed independently of the operating system
by server applications. The applications can either store and retrieve
data natively from disk or store and retrieve data from a file system
object. Data stored within databases are only accessible from database
application interfaces. Databases are designed for rapid, efficient
search and queries for structured data. |
| database
schema |
The
overall structure of the database tables that store information:
user profile data, content metadata, or pure structured information.
In the simplest case, a database schema has a single database table
of user information. Each record (row) within this table might represent
a unique customer, with each field (column) representing relevant
customer information (address, city, phone number, etc.). More complex
schema would involve multiple database tables related to one another
through a common unique identifier. Such relational database tables
are necessary for more complex data schemas for performance and
easier administration. |
| DCE
(Distributed Computing Environment) |
DCE
is "middleware" or "enabling technology." It
is not intended to exist alone, but instead should be bundled into
a vendor's operating system offering, or integrated in by a third-party
vendor. DCE's security and distributed filesystem, for example,
can completely replace their current, non-network, analogs. DCE
is not an application in itself, but is used to build custom applications
or to support purchased applications. |
| decryption |
Cryptography
comprises encryption -- the process of making information unintelligible
to the unauthorized reader -- and decryption -- reversing encryption
to make the information readable once again. Conventional cryptography
uses a secret code or key to encrypt information. The same secret
key is used by the reciver to decrypt the information. |
| DES
(Data Encryption Standard) |
The
national encryption standard that has been prominent in all but
the most secret agencies and is offered in the products of most
federal contractors. For example, DES is embedded in all of the
government's secure telephones; the Energy Department has multiple
networks that use DES; it is the basis for the Treasury Department's
electronic funds transfer program; and the Federal Reserve uses
DES to encrypt connections between the depository financial institutions
and Federal Reserve banks. |
| dial-up
shell account |
In
this type of connection, a single user with a PC connects to the
ISP's computer. The user has to manually download his data from
the ISP's computer using a protocol such as X-modem, Z-modem or
Kermit. |
| Digital
Dashboard |
A digital
dashboard is a customized Microsoft Office 2000-based solution
that consolidates personal, team, corporate, and external knowledge
sources in a custom interface on the Windows desktop. The digital
dashboard can be implemented to provide knowledge workers with
decision-making tools and access to key business information.
|
| digital
signature |
Process
that operates on a message to assure message source authenticity
and integrity, and source non-repudiation. |
| domain |
A
domain is the main subdivision of internet addresses, the last three
letters after the final dot, and it tells you what kind of organization
you are dealing with. In the U.S. the standard domains are: DOMAIN
- MEANING .com - commercial .edu - educational .gov - governmental
.mil - military .org - non-profit organization .net - network |
| downstream |
The
direction of data flow on a data communications link, which occurs
from the network down to the user. In the case of Internet access,
it's the capacity of speed of data flowing from the Internet to
the end user's PC or LAN. |
| dynamic
content |
Content
that is updated frequently and is fresh and relevant for its appropriate
audience. Dynamic content can include content served as a flat HTML
page that is updated many times a day, content that includes sophisticated
Javascript or Shockwave for an interactive experience, or content
that is generated on-the-fly from either a file-system or a database
using server-side includes, CGI scripts, Java servlets, or an application
server. |
| E |
|
| e-commerce
(Electronic Commerce) |
The
end-to-end digital exchange of all information needed to conduct
business. Examples include EDI transactions, electronic mail, archives,
audit trails, and all forms of records, including graphical images.
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), Electronic Funds Transfer, (EFT)
and Continuous Acquisition and Life-cycle Support (CALS). |
| EDI
(Electronic Data Interchange) |
The
inter-organizational, computer-to-computer exchange of structured
information in a standard, machine-processible format. |
| EFT
(Electronic Funds Transfer) |
A
technology (one of the electronic commerce technologies) that allows
the transfer of funds from the bank account of one person or organization
to that of another. EFT is also used to refer to the action of using
this technology. It is an important addition in the organization
that implements EDI in their organization. |
| electronic
bulletin board |
A
shared file where users can enter information for other users to
read or download. Many bulletin boards are set up according to general
topics and are accessible throughout a network. |
| electronic
cash |
Also
known as digital cash, electronic cash (e-cash) is a new concept
used to execute payments using computers connected over networks.
Digital cash can be used for making and receiving payments between
customers and merchants or persons for any monetary transaction.
Real hard currency is typically used as a reserve, similar to the
way gold used to be held in country's central bank to back up its
own currency. |
| electronic
data interchange (EDI) |
EDI
is the computer to computer exchange of normal business transactions
including payments, information exchange and purchase order requests.
The most basic EDI line consists of a computer to computer link.
The second level incorporates an application to application design
where individual companies links a minimum of one of their in-house
systems to the EDI interface. The most elaborate version of EDI
actually transform the way business procedures are executed to gain
optimal productivity. These involve trend-institutions that evolve
into a centralized EDI based functions. |
| encryption |
A
method of ensuring data secrecy. The message is coded using a key
available only to the sender and the receiver. The coded message
is sent to the receiver and then decoded upon receipt. |
| enterprise
resourse planning (ERP) |
An
integrated system of operation applications combining logistics,
production, distribution, contract and order management, sales forecasting,
and financial and HR management. |
| ethernet |
A
local-area network protocol developed by Xerox Corporation in cooperation
with DEC and Intel in 1976. Ethernet uses a bus or star topography
and supports data transfer rates of 10 Mbps. The Ethernet specification
served as the basis for the IEEE 802.3 standard, which specifies
the physical and lower software layers. Ethernet uses the CSMA/CD
access method to handle simultaneous demands. It is one of the most
widely implemented LAN standards. A newer version of Ethernet, called
100Base-T (or Fast Ethernet), supports data transfer rates of 100
Mbps. And the newest version, Gigabit Ethernet supports data rates
of 1 gigabit (1,000 megabits) per second. |
| extranet |
An
extended intranet, based on internet standard protocols and services
allowing access via the internet by piople outside the organization.
|
| F |
|
| FAT |
A
table that the operating system uses to locate files on a disk.
Due to fragmentation, a file may be divided into many sections that
are scattered around the disk. The FAT keeps track of all these
pieces. In DOS systems, FATs are stored in hidden files, called
FAT files . The FAT system for older versions of Windows 95 is called
VFAT, and the one for new versions of Windows 95 and Windows 98
is called FAT32. |
| FDMA
(Frequency Division Multiple Access) |
With
FDMA users share the transponder by prior allocation of individual
channels. Single Channel Per Carrier (SCPC) is an FDMA scheme in
which the input data stream is used to modulate an RF (radio frequency)
carrier and assign dedicated carrier frequency to each client. |
| fiber
|
Fiber-optic
cable is made of glass fibers instead of copper strands. Data, expressed
as pulses of lighter rather than electrons, is transmitted by lasers
or other devices. Optical fiber can carry billions of bits a second,
many times more than coaxial or copper wire, and is less sensitive
to electrical interference. |
| fiber
optic networks |
Optical
fibers are made from ultra-thin fibers of glass. Information is
sent in the form of light pulses which, when detected, generate
electric pulses. Fiber-optics can be used for LANs (local area networks)
as well as long distance transmissions. Fiber optics have relatively
lower attenuation and is much more difficult to tap. |
| file
system |
A
data storage mechanism natively managed by the server operating
system. File systems allow operating systems to store and retrieve
data from disk. Data is stored on disk logically categorized using
into directories following a file cabinet metaphor. File systems
are designed for rapid, efficient, scalable disk I/O for most common
forms of saved data. |
| firewall |
A
computer system that sits between the Internet and a company's LAN.
It is a means of automatically limiting what a company's computer
system will pass along to outside computer systems. It acts as an
active gateway to keep non-company entities from accessing company
confidential data. |
| flat
technology monitor |
Often
abbreviated as FTM, flat technology monitors are monitors that have
a flat display screen to reduce glare. Conventional display screens
are curved, which makes them more susceptible to reflections from
external light sources. Do not confuse flat technology monitors
with flat-panel displays. Flat-panel displays are the display screens
used in laptops and other portable computers. |
| fractional
T1 |
Any
data transmission rate between 56/64 Kbps and 1.544 Mbps. Fractional
T1 lines are cheaper but have a fraction of the 24-channel capacity
of T1 lines. |
| FTP
(File Transfer Protocol) |
A
way of transferring files between computers. A protocol that describes
file transfers between a host and a remote computer. It is also
used to program based on this protocol. |
| G |
|
| GIF
(Graphic Interchange Format) |
A
common format for image files, especially suitable for images containing
large areas of the same color. GIF format files of simple images
are often smaller than the same file would be if stored in JPEG
format, but GIF format does not store photographic images as well
as JPEG. |
| groupware |
Software
that facilitates communication, coordination and collaboration among
people. Examples include Lotus Notes and Microsoft Exchange. |
| H |
|
| HTML
|
Hypertext
Mark-up Language. HTML is not a programming language, but a way
to format text by placing marks around the text. For example, HTML
allows you to make a word bold or underline it. HTML is the foundation
of most Web pages. |
| HTTP |
Hypertext
Transfer Protocol. A protocol that tells computers how to communicate
with each other. Most URLs begin with http:// |
| I |
|
| IMAP
(Internet Message Access Protocol) |
The
IMAP allows a client to access and manipulate electronic mail messages
on a server. It permits manipulation of remote message folders,
called 'mailboxes' in a way that is fuctionally equivalent to local
mailboxes. |
| index
engine |
A
server application that "walks" a file system, reads every
text file, and builds a mini-database of content elements (most
typically content metatags). Examples of index engines include Web
crawlers used by Excite, Lycos, and Altavista to index the Web.
Other examples include index engines used by ATG, Microsoft, NetPerceptions,
Verity, and Ultraseek for both search and content delivery. All
index engines work with a native file system and thus work out-of-the-box
with TeamSite. |
| information
mapping |
The
process of locating important information and knowledge in an organization,
then publishing a list or diagram showing where to find it. |
| integrated
services digital network (ISDN) |
A
communications protocol offered by telephone companies that permit
telephone networks to carry data, voice, and other source traffic.
ISDN is a digital symmetric service that comes in basic rate interface
(BRI) and primary rate interface (PRI). |
| Internet |
The
global computer network. |
| Internet
relay chat |
A
very popular service which is a multi-user implementation to of
the Unix 'Talk' program. Developed in 1988 by J. Oikarimen in Finland
, the IRC offers a unique type of talking experience over the Web.
|
| Internet
services provider (ISP) |
A
company that enables customers to access the Internet and the Web
via dial-up telephone lines, dedicated lines or high-speed access
(such as a digital subscriber line, or DSL). |
| intranet |
A
private network within an organization, often protected from internet
traffic by a firewall (a software that controls access from the
outside). |
| IP
(Internet protocol) |
The
Internet standard protocol that provides a common layer over dissimilar
networks, used to move packets among host computers and through
gateways if necessary. |
| IP
address |
The
numeric address of a computer connected to the Internet; also called
Internet address. |
| ISDN
(Integrated Services Digital Network) |
A communications protocol offered
by telephone companies that permit telephone networks to carry
data, voice, and other source traffic. ISDN is a digital symmetric
service that comes in basic rate interface (BRI) and primary rate
interface (PRI).
The technical standards and design
philosophy according to which digital networks will be designed.
ISDN provides high-speed, high-bandwidth channels to every subscriber
on the network, achieving end-to-end digital functions with standard
equipment interface devices. The networks will enable a variety
of mixed digital transmission services to be accommodated at a
single interface (including voice and circuit and packet switched
data).
|
| inventory
management systems |
Information
systems which allow remote users to determine the level of goods
in an inventory container or site. Systems may provide access to
third-party vendors or customers. |
| J |
|
| Java |
Java
is a simple, object-oriented, distributed, interpreted, robust,
secure, architecture neutral, portable, high-performance, multithreaded,
and dynamic language and software platform. Java is a network-oriented
programming language invented by Sun Microsystems that is specifically
designed for writing programs that can be safely downloaded to your
computer through the Internet and immediately run without fear of
viruses or other harm to your computer or files. Using small Java
programs (called "applets"), Web pages can include functions
such as animations, specialized calculators, and other programs. |
| JPEG
(Joint Photographic Experts Group) |
JPEG
is most commonly used as a format for image files. JPEG format is
preferred to the GIF format for photographic images as opposed to
line art or simple logo art. |
| K |
|
| key |
Information
(usually a sequence of random or pseudo-random binary digits) used
initially to set up and periodically change the operations performed
in crypto-equipment for the purpose of encrypting or decrypting
electronic signals, for determining electronic counter-countermeasures
patterns (e.g., frequency hopping or spread spectrum), or for producing
other key. NOTE: "Key" has replaced the terms "variable,"
"key(ing) variable," and "cryptovariable." |
| knowledge
management (KM) |
A
term with many meanings. It includes deliberate efforts to maximize
an organizations's performance through creating, sharing and leveraging
knowledge and experienece from internal and external sources. |
| L |
|
| LAN
( Local Area Network ) |
A
user-owned and operated data transmission facility connecting a
number of communicating devices (e.g. computers, terminals, word
processors, printers, and mass storage units) within a single building
or campus of buildings. |
| landline |
Terrestrial
circuits, such as wire, fiber or microwave, constitute landline
technology. |
| legacy
system |
An
old database or other application, technically superseded but still
in use. |
| load
balancing |
A
specialized function provided by third-party application providers.
Load balancing software designed to distribute Web content requests
from a single URL accessed by an end user to any number of production
servers. For example, a user requesting www.yahoo.com will access
a single server running specialized load-balancing software that
forwards the request and all subsequent requests to a second server.
In this manner, multiple production servers can be used to serve
Web content to a larger audience base. |
| M |
|
| mainframe |
The
central processing unit of a large computer, usually receiving input
from a number of terminals. |
| market
space |
A
term that refers to "Marketplace" in Electronic Commerce.
|
| master/slave |
Refers
to an architecture in which one device (the master) controls one
or more other devices (the slaves). |
| message-oriented
middleware (MOM) |
Products
which offer a very basic set of commands for sending and receiving
data over a network in real-time. Typically, application developers
create application-specific functions on top of MOM services. Examples
of MOM products include IBM MQ Series and Digital DECmessage. |
| messaging |
The
use of electronic mail (e-mail), voice mail, fax, electronic data
interchange (EDI), and other messaging technologies for secure global
electronic commerce. |
| metadata |
Metadata
is data about data. Metadata is commonly used to identify information
that describes a Web asset, most typically an HTML file. Metadata
that describes an HTML file might include the name of the author,
the language the file is written in, the source of the file, the
keywords that describe the file, and the audience the content is
targeted for. |
| micro
channel architecture |
A
bus architecture for older PCs. It is called a bus architecture
because it defines how peripheral devices and internal components
communicate across the computer's expansion bus. Introduced by IBM
in 1987, MCA was designed to take the place of the older AT bus,
the architecture used on IBM PC-ATs and compatibles. For a variety
of reasons, however, the industry never accepted the new architecture |
| middleware |
Middleware
processes network application requests for data, which can be stored
in a variety of database types. Because some middleware is designed
to be specific for a single type of application/ database connection,
different middleware to manage each application/ database combination
may be necessary. This means that managing middleware in environments
with diverse database types can be complex. |
| MIME
|
The
standard for how to send multi-part, multimedia, and binary data
using the world-wide Internet e-mail system. Typical uses of MIME
include sending images, audio, wordprocessing documents, programs,
or even plain text files when it is important that the mail system
does not modify any part of the file. MIME also allows for labeling
message parts so that a recipient (or mail program) may determine
what to do with them. |
| multimedia |
A
combination if sound, graphics, animation and video used to display
information on a computer. |
| N |
|
| network |
A
system of computers and other hardware and software that is connected
and allows users to transmit data and messages. |
| network
service provider (NSP) |
An
NSP is a company that provides Internet access to ISPs. Sometimes
called backbone providers, NSPs offer direct access to the Internet
backbone and the network access points. |
| node |
A
termination point for two or more communication links. The Node
serves as the control location for forwarding data among the elements
of a network or multiple networks, as well as perform other networking,
and in some cases, local processing functions. In systems network
architecture, a node is an end point of a link or a junction common
to two or more links in a network. Nodes can be host processors,
communications controllers, cluster controllers, work group computers
or terminals. |
| O |
|
| operating
system |
A
program that marshals the internal operations of the computer itself,
allocating memory to work files, for instance. |
| optical
character recognition |
Often
abbreviated OCR, optical character recognition refers to the branch
of computer science that involves reading text from paper and translating
the images into a form that the computer can manipulate (for example,
into ASCII codes). An OCR system enables you to take a book or a
magazine article, feed it directly into an electronic computer file,
and then edit the file using a word processor. |
| ORB |
(Object
Request Broker) is a component in CORBA. ORB is responsible for
all of the mechanisms required to find the object implementation
for the request, to prepare the object implementation to receive
the request, and to communicate the data making up the request.
|
| P |
|
| PERL |
An
intrepreted language used for the development of CGI scripts. PERL
provides easy means for Web developers to process text strings provided
by the Webserver according to the CGI standard. The vast majority
of scripted programs on Websites running on the UNIX operating system
are written in PERL. |
| personalization
|
The
process of matching categorized content with different end users
based on business rules. This personalization process occurs upon
page request to a Webserver and is handled by either (a) a general
application server (b) a specialized one-to-one application server
or (c) a specific personalization engine. |
| PGP
(Pretty Good Privacy) |
A
method of data-encryption that allows people to communicate on the
internet without fear of their private messages being read by high-tech
eavesdroppers. A simple message will be encrypted using the recipient's
public key. It will be sent encrypted to the recipient, who is able
to decrypt the message using a private key only known to her or
him. |
| piconet |
A
personal wireless network created by linking multiple devices, such
as wireless phones, laptops and PDAs, via Bluetooth technology. |
| platform |
The
sum of a computer's operating system, hardware architecture and
software. It defines the applications that can be run on the computer.
|
| port |
Often
refers to a number that is part of a URL, appearing after a colon
(:) right after the domain name. Every service on an Internet server
listens on a particular port number on that server. Most services
have standard port numbers, e.g. Web servers normally listen on
port 80. |
| portal |
An
integrated and personalized web-based interface to information,
applications and collaborative services. Access to most portals
is limited to corporate employees (an intracompany portal) or corporate
employees and certain qualified vendors, contractors, customers
and other parties within the extended enterprise (an intercompany
portal). |
| post
office protocol (POP) |
An
e-mail protocol used to retrieve e-mail from a service provider's
machine for dial-up accounts. If the destination PC is not connected
(it dials in periodically to an ISP), then a post office must be
used to temporarily store the mail. |
| pre-event
trigger |
A
call-out to an external program prior to an action completing within
the server application. The pre-event trigger supplies the external
program the information it needs to properly execute the external
program and return completion status information back to the calling
server process. An example of a pre-event trigger would be a pre-submit
trigger when, before a user can commit modified files to a TeamSite
staging area, an external links checker is run against those files
that are being submitted to ensure that there are no broken links. |
| primary
rate interface (PRI) |
In
North America, ISDN PRI is 1.544 Mbps (essentially "enhanced
T1") and is targeted primarily to business customers. PRI uses
24 bearer channels (64 Kbps) and is designed for telephone switches,
computer telephony, and voice-processing systems. |
| protocol |
The
language that one computer uses to communicate with another. |
| proxy
server |
A
server that sits between a client application, such as a Web browser
and a real server. It intercepts all requests to the real server
to see if it can fulfill the requests itself. If not, it forwards
the request to the real server. |
| public
key certificate |
Public
keys are normally distributed in the form of certificates which
are issued by certificate authorities. |
| public
key cryptography |
Type
of cryptography in which the encryption process is publicly available
and unprotected, but in which a part of the decryption key is protected
so that only a party with knowledge of both parts of the decryption
process can decrypt the cipher text. NOTE: Commonly called non-secret
encryption in professional cryptology circles. |
| Q |
|
| query
|
A
call to a database to retrieve a set of information. Typically made
via a Structured Query Language (SQL) call, an industry standard
for relational database queries. In the Web world, database queries
are specified in an HTML page and executed by an application server
which format the information retrieved from the database into HTML
to return to the end user. A sample query would be to select from
a database customer table all customers with city address equaling
"San Francisco". |
| R |
|
| RAID |
RAID
(Redundant Array of Inexpensive (or Independent) Disks) is a storage
mechanism that uses several optical or magnetic disks working in
tandem to increase I/O bandwidth and to provide redundancy. |
| remote
login |
The
network terminal protocol (TELNET) allows a user to login to any
other computer on the network by specifying the computer to connect
to. Once connected, all inputs are meant for the destination computer.
When the telnet program exits, the user is back on the local computer.
|
| replication |
Deployment
of a body of content from one server machine to another. Replication
typically involves specific rules about what gets deployed where,
and often represents a complete synchronization of two independent
bodies of content. |
| rich
HTML |
HTML
pages that are complex in data, design, and presentation. Rich HTML
pages contain any number of image or media assets, have dynamic
content sections, have complex layout that is unique to that page,
and have random collections of fresh, relevant content that is not
categorized and stored in a relational database. |
| ring
topology |
The
shape of a local-area network (LAN) or other communications system
in which all devices are connected to one another in the shape of
a closed loop, so that each device is connected directly to two
other devices, one on either side of it. Ring topologies are relatively
expensive and difficult to install, but they offer high bandwidth
and can span large distances. |
| router |
A
ubiquitious device that acts as a traffic cop to direct data traffic
among different networks. Unlike bridges, routers have software
that understand a wide number of protocols and can make more complex
decisions. For example, a router might choose the cheapest long-distance
carrier for sending data between two offices in different cities,
or select alternative routes if one path is crowded or out of service.
Routers are important to the Internet's functioning. |
| S |
|
| satellite
communication |
Provides
reliable data transmission over a network of a large number of geographically
distributed sites. Not only textual data, but images, voice and
video are transmitted over satellite networks. |
| schema
|
A
conceptual structure of how a digital asset shall be organized.
|
| scripts |
Scripts
are mini-programs that run on both the development and production
server. Scripts are written in interpreted languages like PERL and
TCL. Interpreted languages are those languages that get generated
into machine code that is used by the microprocessor as the code
is executed. Because they are generated into machine code on-the-fly,
interpreted languages execute more slowly than compiled programs
written in C or C++ (programs that are translated into non-readable
binary code that is used directly by the microprocessor for program
execution). Scripts are usually used for simple, lightweight applications
and are typically much easier to write than a standard program written
in C and C++. |
| SCSI
(scuzzy) |
Abbreviation
of Small Computer System Interface. Pronounced "scuzzy,"
SCSI is a parallel interface standard used by Apple Macintosh computers,
PCs, and many UNIX systems for attaching peripheral devices to computers.
Nearly all Apple Macintosh computers, excluding only the earliest
Macs and the recent iMac, come with a SCSI port for attaching devices
such as disk drives and printers. |
| security
certificate |
A
piece of information (often stored as a text file) that is used
by the SSL protocol to establish a secure connection. A security
certificate contains information about who it belongs to, who it
was issued by, a unique serial number or other unique identification,
valid dates, and an encrypted "fingerprint" that can be
used to verify the contents of the certificate. In order for an
SSL connection to be created, both sides must have a valid security
certificate. |
| server
|
A
computer, or a software package, that provides a specific kind of
service to client software running on other computers. The term
can refer to a particular piece of software, for example a Web server,
or to the machine on which the software is running. A single server
machine could have several different server software packages running
on it, thus providing many different servers to clients on the network.
|
| SET
protocol |
The
Secure Electronic Transaction (SET) protocol was developed by Visa
and MasterCard to provide security for credit-card based payment
transactions on the Internet. |
| smart
cards |
Smart
cards are similar to credit cards except that they have chips embedded
in them. These cards can be used to store value and carry authentication
information. |
| SQL
|
(Structured
Query Language) -- A specialized programming language for sending
queries to databases. Most industrial-strength and many smaller
database applications can be addressed using SQL. Each specific
application will have its own version of SQL implementing features
unique to that application, but all SQL-capable databases support
a common subset of SQL. |
| SSL
|
(Secure
Socket Layer) -- A protocol designed by Netscape Communications
to enable encrypted, authenticated communications across the Internet.
SSL is used mostly (but not exclusively) in communications between
Web browsers and Web servers. URLs that begin with https indicate
that an SSL connection will be used. SSL provides three important
things: privacy, authentication, and message integrity. In an SSL
connection each side of the connection must have a security certificate,
which each side's software sends to the other. Each side then encrypts
what it sends using information from both its own and the other
side's certificate, ensuring that only the intended recipient can
decry pt it, and that the other side can be sure the data came from
the place it claims to have come from, and that the message has
not been tampered with. |
| star
topology |
The
shape of a local-area network (LAN) or other communications system
in which all devices are connected to a central hub. Star networks
are relatively easy to install and manage, but bottlenecks can occur
because all data must pass through the hub. |
| suspend
to RAM |
Suspend-to-RAM
(STR) occurs when a system enters a low-power state. Information
on system configuration, open applications, and active files is
stored in main memory (RAM), while most of the system's other components
are turned off. A system in STR can use as little as 5 watts of
power, with most of it going to main memory for data maintenance.
If left in STR, a system may be programmed to waken, so it can perform
tasks at any given time. If the power is interrupted, then the system
will undergo a normal reboot, restoring full power to the machine
and loosing any information not saved to the hard disk. |
| T |
|
| T-1
carrier |
A
dedicated phone connection supporting data rates of 1.544Mbits per
second. A T-1 line actually consists of 24 individual channels,
each of which supports 64Kbits per second. Each 64Kbit/second channel
can be configured to carry voice or data traffic. Most telephone
companies allow you to buy just some of these individual channels,
known as fractional T-1 access. T-1 lines are a popular leased line
option for businesses connecting to the Internet and for Internet
Service Providers, ISPs, connecting to the Internet backbone. The
Internet backbone itself consists of faster T-3 connections. T-1
lines are sometimes referred to as DS1 lines. |
| T-3
carrier |
A
North American standard for communicating at speeds of 44 Mbps.
A T-3 line has the capacity for 672 voice and data channels at 64
Kbps each. The Internet backbone itself consists of T-3 connections.
|
| task |
A
task is a unit of work within a workflow. Workflows are composed
of multiple tasks with can be executed serially, in parallel, or
on a conditional basis. Examples of tasks include creation/editing
of a variety of Web assets, approval of a set of modified content,
automatic link checking of edited HTML content, automatic email
reminders of past due dates, and timed deployment to a bank of production
servers. |
| TCP/IP |
(Transmission
Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) -- This is the suite of protocols
that defines the Internet. Originally designed for the UNIX operating
system, TCP/IP is now natively supported on all major platforms.
|
| Telnet |
The
network terminal protocol that allows users to login to any other
computer on the network by specifying the computer to connect to.
Once connected, all inputs are meant for the destination computer.
When the telnet program exits, the user is back on the local computer.
|
| time-outs |
Time-outs
are conditional tasks that execute when a certain task has not been
completed for a given period of time. Time-outs are typically used
in conjunction with workflow approvals. If a user has not approved
a file within a set amount of time, the approval task will time
out and execute a conditional workflow task to proceed forward with
the production process - either emailing the user as a reminder,
escalating the approval to a senior manager, or simply proceeding
with the deployment of the unapproved content. |
| topology |
The
shape of a local-area network (LAN) or other communications system.
There are three principal topologies used in LANs: Bus topology,
ring topology and star topology. These topologies can also be mixed.
For example, a bus-star network consists of a high-bandwidth bus,
called the backbone, which connects a collections of slower-bandwidth
star segments. |
| transaction
processing |
The
hardware and software that is needed to successfully complete an
process or event invoked by an individual or software program. Features
include transaction commitment to respective database files with
a database management command signaling that the transaction has
"ended" successfully has occurred or a roll-back of a
transaction from one or more database files when an interruption
occurred, preventing successful updating. |
| twisted
pair |
The
most convenient and inexpensive sort of wiring for networks. It
looks similar to the wire that plugs your phone into the wall jack.
Though not suitable for handling heavy traffic over long distances,
network-hardware makers keep finding ways to boost the speed of
these narrow pipes for sending data around an office. |
| U |
|
| unix-to-unix
protocol |
A
facility for transferring e-mail and network news in batch form.
Part-time pooled connection is based on the UUCP. A user organization
may dial an ISP at periodic intervals, and transfer its mail, and
so on. Interactive Internet client-server applications are not possible
through UUCP. |
| upstream |
The
direction of information flow on a data communications link, from
the customer through the cable system or telephone network, to the
cable head end or the telphone central office. |
<
