Symbols

100baseT

The Ethernet standard for local area networks using twisted-pair cable carrying data at 100 megabits per second (Mbps).

10base2

The Ethernet and IEEE 802.3 standard for baseband local area networks using a thin coaxial cable up to 200 meters long and carrying data at 10 megabits per second (Mbps). Cables connect to network adapters by a BNC connector.

10baseT

The Ethernet standard for local area networks using twisted-pair cable carrying data at 10 megabits per second (Mbps).

A

active

Describes the window or icon that you are currently using or that is currently selected. The operating system always applies the next keystroke or command you choose to the active window. Windows or icons on the desktop that are not selected are inactive.

active content

Dynamic content, such as a stock ticker, a weather map, or news, that is usually updated from the World Wide Web or a channel.

Active Directory

The directory service that stores information about objects on a network and makes this information available to users and network administrators. Active Directory gives network users access to permitted resources anywhere on the network using a single logon process. It provides network administrators with an intuitive, hierarchical view of the network and a single point of administration for all network objects.

Active Directory Users and Computers

An administrative tool designed to perform day-to-day Active Directory administration tasks. These tasks include creating, deleting, modifying, moving, and setting permissions on objects stored in the directory. These objects include organizational units, users, contacts, groups, computers, printers, and shared file objects.

See also: permission; Active Directory; object

active partition

A partition from which an x86-based computer starts up. The active partition must be a primary partition on a basic disk. If you use Windows exclusively, the active partition can be the same as the system volume.

active volume

The volume from which the computer starts up. The active volume must be a simple volume on a dynamic disk. You cannot mark an existing dynamic volume as the active volume, but you can upgrade a basic disk containing the active partition to a dynamic disk. Once the disk is upgraded to dynamic, the partition becomes a simple volume that is active.

ActiveX

A set of technologies that allows software components to interact with one another in a networked environment, regardless of the language in which the components were created.

administrator

For Windows XP Professional, a person responsible for setting up and managing domain controllers or local computers and their user and group accounts, assigning passwords and permissions, and helping users with networking problems. Administrators are members of the Administrators group and have full control over the domain or computer.

For Windows XP Home Edition, a person who can make system-wide changes to the computer, install software, and who has access to all files on the computer. A person with a computer administrator account has full access to other user accounts on the computer.

Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI)

An open industry specification that defines power management on a wide range of mobile, desktop, and server computers and peripherals. ACPI is the foundation for the OnNow industry initiative that allows system manufacturers to deliver computers that will start at the touch of a keyboard. ACPI design is essential to take full advantage of power management and Plug and Play.

Advanced Program-to-Program Communication File Transfer Protocol (AFTP)

A file transfer protocol used in IBM host systems, the IBM Advanced Program-to-Program Communications equivalent to the TCP/IP File Transfer Protocol.

allocation unit

The smallest amount of disk space that can be allocated to hold a file. All file systems used by Windows organize hard disks based on allocation units. The smaller the allocation unit size, the more efficiently a disk stores information. If you do not specify an allocation unit size when formatting the disk, Windows picks default sizes based on the size of the volume. These default sizes are selected to reduce the amount of space that is lost and the amount of fragmentation on the volume. An allocation unit is also called a cluster.

American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII)

A standard single-byte character encoding scheme used for text-based data. ASCII uses designated 7-bit or 8-bit number combinations to represent either 128 or 256 possible characters. Standard ASCII uses 7 bits to represent all uppercase and lowercase letters, the numbers 0 through 9, punctuation marks, and special control characters used in U.S. English. Most current x86-based systems support the use of extended (or "high") ASCII. Extended ASCII allows the eighth bit of each character to identify an additional 128 special symbol characters, foreign-language letters, and graphic symbols.

AppleTalk

The Apple Computer network architecture and network protocols. A network that has Macintosh clients and a computer running Windows 2000 Server or Windows NT Server with Services for Macintosh functions as an AppleTalk network.

ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange)

See definition for: American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII)

attribute

For files, information that indicates whether a file is read-only, hidden, ready for archiving (backing up), compressed, or encrypted, and whether the file contents should be indexed for fast file searching.

In Active Directory, characteristics of an object and the type of information an object can hold. For each object class, the schema defines what attributes an instance of the class must have and what additional attributes it might have.

audio input device

An audio input device records music and voice input into your computer. Examples of audio input devices are CD-ROM players and microphones.

authentication

The process for verifying that an entity or object is who or what it claims to be. Examples include confirming the source and integrity of information, such as verifying a digital signature or verifying the identity of a user or computer.

See also: smart card; trust relationship

authorization

The process that determines what a user is permitted to do on a computer system or network.

B

background

The screen background image used on a graphical user interface such as Windows. Any pattern or picture that can be stored as a bitmap (.bmp) file can be set as a screen background.

bandwidth

In analog communications, the difference between the highest and lowest frequencies in a given range. For example, an analog telephone line accommodates a bandwidth of 3,000 hertz (Hz), the difference between the lowest (300 Hz) and highest (3,300 Hz) frequencies it can carry. In digital communications, bandwidth is expressed in bits per second (bps).

basic disk

A physical disk that can be accessed by MS-DOS and all Windows-based operating systems. Basic disks can contain up to four primary partitions, or three primary partitions and an extended partition with multiple logical drives. If you want to create partitions that span multiple disks, you must first convert the basic disk to a dynamic disk using Disk Management or the Diskpart.exe command-line utility.

basic input/output system (BIOS)

On x86-based computers, the set of essential software routines that test hardware at startup, start the operating system, and support the transfer of data among hardware devices. The BIOS is stored in read-only memory (ROM) so that it can be executed when you turn on the computer. Although critical to performance, the BIOS is usually invisible to computer users.

See also: Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI); x86

basic storage

A storage method in MS-DOS, Windows, Windows NT, and Windows 2000 for primary partitions, extended partitions, and logical drives.

basic volume

A primary partition or logical drive that resides on a basic disk.

batch program

An ASCII (unformatted text) file that contains one or more operating system commands. A batch program's file name has a .cmd or .bat extension. When you type the file name at the command prompt, or when the batch program is run from another program, its commands are processed sequentially. Batch programs are also called batch files.

baud rate

The speed at which a modem communicates. Baud rate refers to the number of times the condition of the line changes. This is equal to bits per second only if each signal corresponds to one bit of transmitted data.

Modems must operate at the same baud rate in order to communicate with each other. If the baud rate of one modem is set higher than that of the other, the faster modem usually alters its baud rate to match that of the slower modem.

binary

A base-2 number system in which values are expressed as combinations of two digits, 0 and 1.

BIOS

See definition for: basic input/output system (BIOS)

bit (binary digit)

The smallest unit of information handled by a computer. One bit expresses a 1 or a 0 in a binary numeral, or a true or false logical condition. A group of 8 bits makes up a byte, which can represent many types of information, such as a letter of the alphabet, a decimal digit, or other character. Bit is also called binary digit.

bits per second (bps)

The number of bits transmitted every second, used as a measure of the speed at which a device, such as a modem, can transfer data.

BNC connector

A connector for coaxial cables that locks when one connector is inserted into another and rotated 90 degrees.

boot

The process of starting or resetting a computer. When first turned on (cold boot) or reset (warm boot), the computer runs the software that loads and starts the computer's operating system, which prepares it for use.

boot partition

The partition that contains the Windows operating system and its support files. The boot partition can be, but does not have to be, the same as the system partition.

boot volume

The volume that contains the Windows operating system and its support files. The boot volume can be, but does not have to be, the same as the system volume.

broadband connection

A high-speed connection. Broadband connections are typically 256 kilobytes per second (KBps) or faster. Broadband includes DSL and cable modem service.

broadcast

An address that is destined for all hosts on a particular network segment.

browser

Software that interprets the markup of files in HTML, formats them into Web pages, and displays them to the end user. Some browsers also permit end users to send and receive e-mail, read newsgroups, and play sound or video files embedded in Web documents.

buffer

A region of RAM reserved for use with data that is temporarily held while waiting to be transferred between two locations, such as between an application's data area and an input/output device.

bus

A communication line used for data transfer among the components of a computer system. A bus essentially allows different parts of the system to share data. For example, a bus connects the disk-drive controller, memory, and input/output ports to the microprocessor.

bytes

A unit of data that typically holds a single character, such as a letter, a digit, or a punctuation mark. Some single characters can take up more than one byte.

C

cable modem

A device that enables a broadband connection to the Internet by using cable television infrastructure. Access speeds vary greatly, with a maximum throughput of 10 megabits per second (Mbps).

called subscriber ID (CSID) string

A string that specifies the called subscriber ID transmitted by the receiving fax machine when receiving an inbound fax. This string is usually a combination of the fax or telephone number and the name of the business. It is often the same as the transmitter subscriber ID.

capture

To assign a port to a printer. Documents that you print are sent to the printer through the captured port.

For Network Monitor, the process by which frames are copied.

cartridge font

A font contained in a plug-in cartridge and used to add fonts to laser, ink-jet, or high-end dot-matrix printers. Cartridge fonts are distinguished both from internal fonts, which are contained in ROM in the printer and are always available, and from downloadable (soft) fonts, which reside on disk and which can be sent to the printer as needed.

cascading hubs

A network configuration in which hubs are connected to other hubs.

CD-R

Recordable compact disc. Data can be copied to the CD on more than one occasion; however, data cannot be erased from the CD.

CD-RW

Rewritable compact disc. Data can be copied to the CD on more than one occasion and can be erased.

certificate

A digital document that is commonly used for authentication and secure exchange of information on open networks, such as the Internet, extranets, and intranets. A certificate securely binds a public key to the entity that holds the corresponding private key. Certificates are digitally signed by the issuing certification authority and can be issued for a user, a computer, or a service. The most widely accepted format for certificates is defined by the ITU-T X.509 version 3 international standard.

certificate revocation list (CRL)

A document maintained and published by a certification authority that lists certificates that have been revoked.

See also: certificate; certification authority (CA)

certificate store

Typically, a permanent storage where certificates, certificate revocation lists, and certificate trust lists are stored.

See also: certificate; certificate revocation list (CRL)

certification authority (CA)

An entity responsible for establishing and vouching for the authenticity of public keys belonging to users (end entities) or other certification authorities. Activities of a certification authority can include binding public keys to distinguished names through signed certificates, managing certificate serial numbers, and certificate revocation.

certification hierarchy

A model of trust for certificates in which certification paths are created by means of the establishment of parent-child relationships between certification authorities.

channel

A path or link through which noncontrol information passes between two devices. A single Basic Rate Interface (BRI) connection, for example, has one physical connection but two channels for exchanging information between devices. This is often called a bearer channel, implying a channel that carries information.

On the Internet, a Web site designed to deliver content from the Internet to your computer, similar to subscribing to a favorite Web site.

character mode

A display mode in which the monitor can display letters, numbers, and other text characters, but no graphical images or character formatting (italics, superscript, and so on).

checkpoints

See definition for: Restore Point

Class A IP address

A unicast IP address that ranges from 1.0.0.1 through 126.255.255.254. The first octet indicates the network, and the last three octets indicate the host on the network.

Class B IP address

A unicast IP address that ranges from 128.0.0.1 through 191.255.255.254. The first two octets indicate the network, and the last two octets indicate the host on the network.

Class C IP address

A unicast IP address that ranges from 192.0.0.1 to 223.255.255.254. The first three octets indicate the network, and the last octet indicates the host on the network. Network Load Balancing provides optional session support for Class C IP addresses (in addition to support for single IP addresses) to accommodate clients that make use of multiple proxy servers at the client site.

clear

To turn off an option by removing the X or check mark from a check box. You clear a check box by clicking it, or by selecting it and then pressing the SPACEBAR.

click

To position the mouse over an object, and then press and release the primary (left) mouse button.

client

Any computer or program connecting to, or requesting the services of, another computer or program. Client can also refer to the software that enables the computer or program to establish the connection.

For a local area network (LAN) or the Internet, a computer that uses shared network resources provided by another computer (called a server).

color depth

The number of colors per pixel your monitor and graphics adapter support.

color gamut

The particular range of colors that a device is able to produce. A device such as a scanner, monitor, or printer can produce a unique range of colors, which is determined by the characteristics of the device itself.

color profile

A profile that contains the data needed for translating the values of a color gamut. This data includes information about color, hue, saturation, and brightness.

command prompt window

A window displayed on the desktop used to interface with the MS-DOS operating system. MS-DOS commands are typed at an entry point identified by a blinking cursor.

common groups

Groups that appear in the program list on the Start menu for all users who log on to the computer. Only administrators can create or change common groups.

communication port

A port on a computer that allows asynchronous communication of one byte at a time. A communication port is also called a serial port.

communication settings

Operating parameters, such as bits per second (bps) and modem type, that apply to serial ports on a computer.

See also: bits per second (bps); modem (modulator/demodulator); serial port

compatibility mode

A feature of a computer or operating system that allows it to run programs written for a different system. Programs often run slower in compatibility mode.

Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS)

A specific type of semiconductor technology that requires very little power. The term has been popularized to mean a small storage area where your system keeps track of certain hardware parameters, such as the size of your hard disk, the number of serial ports your computer has, etc. CMOS is also called Setup RAM.

computer administrator

A user who manages a computer. The computer administrator makes system-wide changes to the computer, including installing programs and accessing all files on the computer, and can create, change and delete the accounts of other users.

connected, user authenticated

A user's status when a telephone connection has been established and the user has entered a correct user name and password. If the user has callback permission and has requested callback, the connection is followed by the calling-back phase. If the calling-back phase is followed by a waiting-for-call phase, then the server was unable to reach the user at the specified number. The user may have supplied an inaccurate callback number (in the case of set-by-caller callback), or an unauthorized attempt to access the network may be under way (in the case of preset-to callback).

console tree

The left pane in a Microsoft Management Console (MMC) that displays the items contained in the console. By default it is the left pane of a console window, but it can be hidden. The items in the console tree and their hierarchical organization determine the capabilities of a console.

D

default user

The profile that serves as a basis for all user profiles. Every user profile begins as a copy of the default user profile.

defragmentation

The process of rewriting parts of a file to contiguous sectors on a hard disk to increase the speed of access and retrieval. When files are updated, the computer tends to save these updates on the largest continuous space on the hard disk, which is often on a different sector than the other parts of the file. When files are thus fragmented, the computer must search the hard disk each time the file is opened to find all of the file's parts, which slows down response time.

desktop

The on-screen work area on which windows, icons, menus, and dialog boxes appear.

desktop pattern

A design that appears across your desktop. You can create your own pattern or select a pattern provided by Windows.

destination document

The document into which a package or a linked or embedded object is being inserted. For an embedded object, this is sometimes also called the container document.

device

Any piece of equipment that can be attached to a network or computer; for example, a computer, printer, joystick, adapter, or modem card, or any other peripheral equipment. Devices normally require a device driver to function with Windows.

device driver

A program that allows a specific device, such as a modem, network adapter, or printer, to communicate with the operating system. Although a device might be installed on your system, Windows cannot use the device until you have installed and configured the appropriate driver.

If a device is listed in the Hardware Compatibility List (HCL), a driver is usually included with Windows. Device drivers load automatically (for all enabled devices) when a computer is started, and thereafter run invisibly.

device fonts

Fonts that reside in your printer. They can be built into the printer itself or provided by a font cartridge or font card.

See also: font; font cartridge; printer fonts

Device Manager

An administrative tool that you can use to manage the devices on your computer. Using Device Manager, you can view and change device properties, update device drivers, configure device settings, and uninstall devices.

dial-up connection

The connection to your network if you are using a device that uses the telephone network. This includes modems with a standard phone line, ISDN cards with high-speed ISDN lines, or X.25 networks.

If you are a typical user, you may have one or two dial-up connections, for example, to the Internet and to your corporate network. In a more complex server situation, multiple network modem connections might be used to implement advanced routing.

dialog box

A secondary window that contains buttons and various kinds of options through which you can carry out a particular command or task.

dictionary attack

A method of guessing a user's password or PIN by trying every word in the dictionary until successful.

digital signature

A means for originators of a message, file, or other digitally encoded information to bind their identity to the information. The process of digitally signing information entails transforming the information, as well as some secret information held by the sender, into a tag called a signature. Digital signatures are used in public key environments, and they provide nonrepudiation and integrity services.

Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)

A type of high-speed Internet connection using standard telephone wires. This is also referred to as a broadband connection.

digital video disc (DVD)

A type of optical disc storage technology. A digital video disc (DVD) looks like a CD-ROM disc, but it can store greater amounts of data. DVDs are often used to store full-length movies and other multimedia content that requires large amounts of storage space.

direct cable connection

A link between the I/O ports of two computers created with a single cable rather than a modem or other interfacing devices. In most cases, a direct cable connection is made with a null modem cable.

directory partition

A contiguous subtree of the directory that forms a unit of replication. A given replica is always a replica of some directory partition. The directory always has at least three directory partitions:

The schema, which defines the object classes and attributes contained in Active Directory.
The configuration, which identifies the domain controllers, replication topology and other related information about the domain controllers within a specific implementation of Active Directory.
One or more domains that contain the actual directory object data.

A domain controller always stores the partitions for the schema, configuration, and its own (and no other) domain. The schema and configuration are replicated to every domain controller in the domain tree or forest. The domain is replicated only to domain controllers for that domain. A subset of the attributes for all domain objects is replicated to the global catalog.

DirectX

An extension of the Microsoft Windows operating system. DirectX technology helps games and other programs use the advanced multimedia capabilites of your hardware.

disk

A storage device that is attached to a computer.

dismount

To remove a removable tape or disc from a drive.

display adapter

See definition for: video adapter

DLL

See definition for: dynamic-link library (DLL)

DNS

See definition for: Domain Name System (DNS)

dock

To connect a laptop or notebook computer to a docking station.

See also: undock; docking station; hot docking

docking station

A unit for housing a portable computer that contains a power connection, expansion slots, and connections to peripherals, such as a monitor, printer, full-sized keyboard, and mouse. The docking station turns the portable computer into a desktop computer.

domain

A group of computers that are part of a network and share a common directory database. A domain is administered as a unit with common rules and procedures. Each domain has a unique name.

An Active Directory domain is a collection of computers defined by the administrator of a Windows network. These computers share a common directory database, security policies, and security relationships with other domains. An Active Directory domain provides access to the centralized user accounts and group accounts maintained by the domain administrator. An Active Directory forest is made up of one or more domains, each of which can span more than one physical location.

A DNS domain is any tree or subtree within the DNS namespace. Although the names for DNS domains often correspond to Active Directory domains, DNS domains should not be confused with Active Directory domains.

domain local group

A security or distribution group that can contain universal groups, global groups, and accounts from any domain in the domain tree or forest. A domain local group can also contain other domain local groups from its own domain. Rights and permissions can be assigned only at the domain containing the group.

domain name

The name given by an administrator to a collection of networked computers that share a common directory. Part of the Domain Name System (DNS) naming structure, domain names consist of a sequence of name labels separated by periods.

Domain Name System (DNS)

A hierarchical, distributed database that contains mappings of DNS domain names to various types of data, such as IP addresses. DNS enables the location of computers and services by user-friendly names, and it also enables the discovery of other information stored in the database.

domain namespace

The database structure used by the Domain Name System (DNS).

domain tree

In DNS, the inverted hierarchical tree structure that is used to index domain names. Domain trees are similar in purpose and concept to the directory trees used by computer filing systems for disk storage.

For example, when numerous files are stored on disk, directories can be used to organize the files into logical collections. When a domain tree has one or more branches, each branch can organize domain names used in the namespace into logical collections.

In Active Directory, a hierarchical structure of one or more domains, connected by transitive, bidirectional trusts, that forms a contiguous namespace. Multiple domain trees may belong to the same forest.

double-byte characters

A set of characters in which each character is represented by two bytes. Some languages, such as Japanese, Chinese, and Korean, require double-byte character sets.

download

To transfer a copy of a file from a remote computer to the requesting computer by means of a modem or network.

downloadable fonts

A set of characters stored on disk and sent (downloaded) to a printer's memory when needed for printing a document. Downloadable fonts are most commonly used with laser printers and other page printers, although many dot-matrix printers can accept some of them. Downloadable fonts are also called soft fonts.

drag

To move an item on the screen by selecting the item and then pressing and holding down the mouse button while moving the mouse. For example, you can move a window to another location on the screen by dragging its title bar.

drive

An area of storage that is formatted with a file system and has a drive letter. The storage can be a floppy disk, a CD, a hard disk, or another type of disk. You can view the contents of a drive by clicking its icon in Windows Explorer or My Computer.

See also: drive letter; file system; volume

drive letter

The naming convention for disk drives on IBM and compatible computers. Drives are named by letter, beginning with A, followed by a colon.

dual boot

A computer configuration that can start two different operating systems.

dynamic disk

A physical disk that can be accessed only by Windows 2000 and Windows XP. Dynamic disks provide features that basic disks do not, such as support for volumes that span multiple disks. Dynamic disks use a hidden database to track information about dynamic volumes on the disk and other dynamic disks in the computer. You convert basic disks to dynamic by using the Disk Management snap-in or the DiskPart command line utility. When you convert a basic disk to dynamic, all existing basic volumes become dynamic volumes.

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)

A TCP/IP service protocol that offers dynamic leased configuration of host IP addresses and distributes other configuration parameters to eligible network clients. DHCP provides safe, reliable, and simple TCP/IP network configuration, prevents address conflicts, and helps conserve the use of client IP addresses on the network.

DHCP uses a client/server model where the DHCP server maintains centralized management of IP addresses that are used on the network. DHCP-supporting clients can then request and obtain lease of an IP address from a DHCP server as part of their network boot process.

dynamic storage

A storage method in Windows that allows disk and volume management without requiring operating system restart.

dynamic volume

A volume that resides on a dynamic disk. Windows supports five types of dynamic volumes: simple, spanned, striped, mirrored, and RAID-5. A dynamic volume is formatted by using a file system, such as FAT or NTFS, and it has a drive letter assigned to it.

dynamic-link library (DLL)

An operating system feature that allows executable routines (generally serving a specific function or set of functions) to be stored separately as files with .dll extensions. These routines are loaded only when needed by the program that calls them.

E

EFI

See definition for: Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI)

EFI system partition

On Itanium-based computers, a portion on a GUID partition table (GPT) disk that is formatted with the FAT file system and contains the files necessary to start the computer. Every Itanium-based computer must have at least one GPT disk with an EFI system partition. The EFI system partition serves the same purpose as the system volume found on x86-based computers.

See also: Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI); Microsoft Reserved (MSR) partition; x86

embedded object

Information created in another program that has been pasted inside your document. When information is embedded, you can edit the information in the new document using toolbars and menus from the original program.

To edit the embedded information, double-click it and the toolbars and menus from the program used to create the information appear. Embedded information is not linked to the original source. If you change information in one place, it is not updated in the other.

Encrypting File System (EFS)

A feature in this version of Windows that enables users to encrypt files and folders on an NTFS volume disk to keep them safe from access by intruders.

encryption

The process of disguising a message or data in such a way as to hide its substance.

expanded memory

Type of memory that can be added to IBM personal computers. The use of expanded memory is defined by the Expanded Memory Specification (EMS), which supports memory boards containing RAM that can be enabled or disabled by software.

extended characters

Any of the 128 additional characters in the extended ASCII (8-bit) character set. These characters include those in several non-English languages, such as accent marks, and special symbols used for creating pictures.

extended memory

Memory beyond one megabyte in 80286, 80386, 80486, and Pentium computers.

extended partition

A type of partition that you can create only on basic master boot record (MBR) disks. Extended partitions are useful if you want to create more than four volumes on a basic MBR disk. Unlike primary partitions, you do not format an extended partition with a file system and then assign a drive letter to it. Instead, you create one or more logical drives within the extended partition. After you create a logical drive, you format it and assign it a drive letter. An MBR disk can have up to four primary partitions, or three primary partitions, one extended partition, and multiple logical drives.

Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI)

In computers with the Intel Itanium processor, the interface between a computer's firmware, hardware, and the operating system. The Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI) defines a new partition style called GUID partition table (GPT). EFI serves the same purpose for Itanium-based computers as the BIOS found in x86-based computers. However, it has expanded capabilities that provide a consistent way to start any compatible operating system and an easy way to add EFI drivers for new bootable devices without the need to update the computer's firmware.

Extensible Markup Language (XML)

A meta-markup language that provides a format for describing structured data. This facilitates more precise declarations of content and more meaningful search results across multiple platforms. In addition, XML will enable a new generation of Web-based data viewing and manipulation applications.

extract

When you extract a file, an uncompressed copy of the file that is created in a folder you specify. The original file remains in the compressed folder.

F

FAT

See definition for: file allocation table (FAT)

FAT32

A derivative of the file allocation table (FAT) file system. FAT32 supports smaller cluster sizes and larger volumes than FAT, which results in more efficient space allocation on FAT32 volumes.

Fax Service

A system service that provides fax services to local and remote network clients. Fax services include receiving faxes and faxing documents, fax wizard messages, and e-mail messages.

file

A complete, named collection of information, such as a program, a set of data used by a program, or a user-created document. A file is the basic unit of storage that enables a computer to distinguish one set of information from another. It is a collection of data that a user can retrieve, change, delete, save, or send to an output device, such as a printer or e-mail program.

file allocation table (FAT)

A file system used by MS-DOS and other Windows-based operating systems to organize and manage files. The file allocation table (FAT) is a data structure that Windows creates when you format a volume by using the FAT or FAT32 file systems. Windows stores information about each file in the FAT so that it can retrieve the file later.

See also: FAT32; file system; NTFS file system

file name extension

File name extensions follow the period in a file name and indicate the type of information stored in a file. For example, in the file name Example.txt, the file name extension is .txt, which indicates that the file is a text file.

file system

In an operating system, the overall structure in which files are named, stored, and organized. NTFS, FAT, and FAT32 are types of file systems.

File Transfer Protocol (FTP)

A member of the TCP/IP suite of protocols, used to copy files between two computers on the Internet. Both computers must support their respective FTP roles: one must be an FTP client and the other an FTP server.

file type

In the Windows environment, a designation of the operational or structural characteristics of a file. The file type identifies the program, such as Microsoft Word, that is used to open the file. File types are associated with a file name extension. For example, files that have the .txt or .log extension are of the Text Document type and can be opened using any text editor.

In the Macintosh environment, a four-character sequence that identifies the type of a Macintosh file. The Macintosh Finder uses the file type and file creator to determine the appropriate desktop icon for that file.

FilterKeys

A keyboard feature that instructs your keyboard to ignore brief or repeated keystrokes. You can also adjust the keyboard repeat rate, which is the rate at which a key repeats when you hold it down.

See also: StickyKeys; ToggleKeys; MouseKeys

firewall

A combination of hardware and software that provides a security system, usually to prevent unauthorized access from outside to an internal network or intranet. A firewall prevents direct communication between network and external computers by routing communication through a proxy server outside of the network. The proxy server determines whether it is safe to let a file pass through to the network. A firewall is also called a security-edge gateway.

floppy disk

A reusable magnetic storage medium. The floppy disk used today is the rigid 3.5-inch microfloppy that holds 1.44 MB. It is called a floppy because the first varieties were housed in bendable jackets.

folder

A container for programs and files in graphical user interfaces, symbolized on the screen by a graphical image (icon) of a file folder. A folder is a means of organizing programs and documents on a disk and can hold both files and additional folders.

font

A graphic design applied to a collection of numbers, symbols, and characters. A font describes a certain typeface, along with other qualities such as size, spacing, and pitch.

font cartridge

A plug-in unit available for some printers that contains fonts in several styles and sizes. As with downloadable fonts, printers using font cartridges can produce characters in sizes and styles other than those created by the fonts built into it.

fragmentation

The scattering of parts of the same disk file over different areas of the disk. Fragmentation occurs as files on a disk are deleted and new files are added. It slows disk access and degrades the overall performance of disk operations, although usually not severely.

FTP (File Transfer Protocol)

See definition for: File Transfer Protocol (FTP)

full name

A user's complete name, usually consisting of the last name, first name, and middle initial. The full name is information that Local Users and Groups or Active Directory Users and Computers can maintain as part of the information identifying and defining a user account.

G

game port

An input/output connector to which you attach a joy stick or other game device to your computer. It is typically a 15-pin socket on the back of a PC.

gateway

A device connected to multiple physical TCP/IP networks capable of routing or delivering IP packets between them. A gateway translates between different transport protocols or data formats (for example, IPX and IP) and is generally added to a network primarily for its translation ability.

In the context of interoperating with Novell NetWare networks, a gateway acts as a bridge between the server message block (SMB) protocol used by Windows networks and the NetWare core protocol (NCP) used by NetWare networks. A gateway is also called an IP router.

gigabyte (GB)

1,024 megabytes, though often interpreted as approximately one billion bytes.

global group

A security or distribution group that can have users, groups, and computers from its own domain as members. Global security groups can be granted rights and permissions on resources in any domain in the forest. Global groups cannot be created or maintained on computers running Windows XP Professional. However, for Windows XP Professional computers that participate in a domain, domain global groups can be granted rights and permissions at those workstations and can become members of local groups at those workstations.

group

A collection of users, computers, contacts, and other groups. Groups can be used as security or as e-mail distribution collections. Distribution groups are used only for e-mail. Security groups are used both to grant access to resources and as e-mail distribution lists.

See also: domain; global group; local group

group account

A collection of user accounts. By making a user account a member of a group, you give the related user all the rights and permissions granted to the group.

group memberships

The groups to which a user account belongs. Permissions and rights granted to a group are also provided to its members. In most cases, the actions a user can perform in Windows are determined by the group memberships of the user account to which the user is logged on.

group name

A unique name identifying a local group or a global group to Windows. A group's name cannot be identical to any other group name or user name in its own domain or computer.

Group Policy

The Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in that is used to edit Group Policy objects.

See also: Group Policy object; policy; snap-in

Group Policy object

A collection of Group Policy settings. Group Policy objects are essentially the documents created by the Group Policy snap-in, a Windows utility. Group Policy objects are stored at the domain level, and they affect users and computers contained in sites, domains, and organizational units. In addition, each Windows computer has exactly one group of settings stored locally, called the local Group Policy object.

H

handwriting input device

A tool, such as a digital pen and tablet, used to enter text by writing instead of typing. Along with writing tablets, you can use 3-D drawing or Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) tablets, or a tablet-PC. You can also write by moving your mouse on the mouse pad.

hard disk

A device, also called hard disk drive, that contains one or more inflexible platters coated with material in which data can be recorded magnetically with read/write heads. The hard disk exists in a sealed case that protects it and allows the head to fly 10 millionths to 25 millionths of an inch above the surface of a platter. Data can both be stored and accessed much more quickly than on a floppy disk.

hardware

The physical components of a computer system, including any peripheral equipment such as printers, modems, and mouse devices.

hardware compression

A feature available on some tape devices that automatically compresses the data that is being stored on the device. This is usually an option that is turned on or off in a backup program.

hardware configuration

Resource settings that have been allocated for a specific device. Each device on your computer has a hardware configuration, which may consist of IRQ lines, DMA, an I/O port, or memory address settings.

hardware profile

Data that describes the configuration and characteristics of specific computer equipment. This information can be used to configure computers for using peripheral devices.

hardware type

A classification for similar devices. For example, Imaging Device is a hardware type for digital cameras and scanners.

hibernation

A state in which your computer shuts down after saving everything in memory on your hard disk. When you bring your computer out of hibernation, all programs and documents that were open are restored to your desktop.

High Contrast

A display feature that instructs programs to change the color scheme to a high-contrast scheme and to increase legibility whenever possible.

hive

A section of the registry that appears as a file on your hard disk. The registry subtree is divided into hives (named for their resemblance to the cellular structure of a beehive). A hive is a discrete body of keys, subkeys, and values that is rooted at the top of the registry hierarchy. A hive is backed by a single file and a .log file, which are in the systemroot\System32\Config or the systemroot\Profiles\username folders.

By default, most hive files (Default, SAM, Security, and System) are stored in the systemroot\System32\Config folder. The systemroot\Profiles folder contains the user profile for each user of the computer. Because a hive is a file, it can be moved from one system to another. However, you must use the Registry Editor to edit the file.

home folder

A folder (usually on a file server) that administrators can assign to individual users or groups. Administrators use home folders to consolidate user files onto specific file servers for easy backup. Home folders are used by some programs as the default folder for the Open and Save As dialog boxes. Home folders are sometimes referred to as home directories.

host

A Windows computer that runs a server program or service used by network or remote clients. For Network Load Balancing, a cluster consists of multiple hosts connected over a local area network (LAN).

host name

The DNS name of a device on a network. These names are used to locate computers on the network. To find another computer, its host name must either appear in the Hosts file or be known by a DNS server. For most Windows computers, the host name and the computer name are the same.

host priority

For Network Load Balancing, a host's precedence for handling default network traffic for TCP and UDP ports. It is used if a host within the cluster goes offline, and it determines which host within the cluster will assume responsibility for the traffic previously handled by the offline host.

hot docking

The process of attaching a laptop computer to a docking station while the computer is running, and automatically activating the docking station's video display and other functions.

HTTP

See definition for: Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)

hub

A common connection point for devices in a network. Typically used to connect segments of a local area network (LAN), a hub contains multiple ports. When data arrives at one port, it is copied to the other ports so that all segments of the LAN can see the data.

hubbed mode

A mode in which the ARP/MARS provides ATM addresses to requesting clients in the form of a multicast server (MCS) list value. In this mode, the ARP/MARS acts as a multicast server, providing active forwarding of all multicast and broadcast traffic destined for IP addresses contained within the ranges specified in the list.

hue

The position of a color along the color spectrum. For example, green is between yellow and blue. This attribute can be set using Display in Control Panel.

hyperlink

Colored and underlined text or a graphic that you click to go to a file, a location in a file, an HTML page on the World Wide Web, or an HTML page on an intranet. Hyperlinks can also go to newsgroups and to Gopher, Telnet, and FTP sites.

In Windows folders, hyperlinks are text links that appear in the folder's left pane. You can click these links to perform tasks, such as moving or copying a file, or to go to other places on your computer, such as the My Documents folder or Control Panel.

Hypertext Markup Language (HTML)

A simple markup language used to create hypertext documents that are portable from one platform to another. HTML files are simple ASCII text files with codes embedded (indicated by markup tags) to denote formatting and hypertext links.

See also: American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII)

Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)

The protocol used to transfer information on the World Wide Web. An HTTP address (one kind of Uniform Resource Locator [URL]) takes the form: http://www.microsoft.com.

I

icon

A small image displayed on the screen to represent an object that can be manipulated by the user. Icons serve as visual mnemonics and allow the user to control certain computer actions without having to remember commands or type them at the keyboard.

IEEE 1394

A standard for high-speed serial devices such as digital video and digital audio editing equipment.

IEEE 1394 connector

A type of connector that enables you to connect and disconnect high-speed serial devices. An IEEE 1394 connector is usually on the back of your computer near the serial port or the parallel port.

If a device is IEEE 1394 compatible, you can connect the device to the IEEE 1394 connector while the computer is running and Windows will detect the device and inform you when it is ready for use. Similarly, you can unplug the device while the computer is running, but you should use the Add Hardware Wizard to inform Windows that you are unplugging the device. Windows will then inform you when the device can be unplugged from the computer.

The IEEE 1394 bus is used primarily to connect high-end digital video and digital audio devices to your computer; however, some hard disks, printers, scanners, and DVD drives can also be connected to your computer using the IEEE 1394 connector.

IEEE 1394 port

Ports that support either a 6-pin plug whose size is 11 mm by 5.4 mm or a 4-pin plug whose size is 5.35 mm by 3.45 mm.

infrared (IR)

Light that is beyond red in the color spectrum. While the light is not visible to the human eye, infrared transmitters and receivers can send and receive infrared signals.

Infrared Data Association (IrDA)

The industry organization of computer, component, and telecommunications vendors who establish the standards for infrared communication between computers and peripheral devices, such as printers.

infrared device

A computer, or a computer peripheral such as a printer, that can communicate using infrared light.

infrared file transfer

Wireless file transfer between a computer and another computer or device using infrared light.

infrared port

An optical port on a computer that enables communication with other computers or devices by using infrared light, without cables. Infrared ports can be found on some portable computers, printers, and cameras.

See also: infrared (IR); infrared device; port

Initial master

A shared folder whose existing files and folders are replicated to other shared folders when replication is initially configured. After replication is complete, there is no initial master, since any of the replicas can accept changes and propagate them to the other replicas. The initial master then becomes another replica.

See also: shared folder; replica; replication

initialize

In Disk Management, the process of detecting a disk or volume and assigning it a status (for example, healthy) and a type (for example, dynamic).

Ink

An option that allows you to enter text in handwritten form. Instead of converting your handwritten text to typed text, the text is converted to an object and displayed exactly as you wrote it. For example: hello .

input language

The specification of the language you want to type in. Some programs that are designed for Windows recognize this setting. When you add a new input language, a keyboard layout for that language is also added.

input/output (I/O) port

A channel through which data is transferred between a device and the microprocessor. The port appears to the microprocessor as one or more memory addresses that it can use to send or receive data.

insertion point

The place where text will be inserted when typed. The insertion point usually appears as a flashing vertical bar in an application's window or in a dialog box.

install

When referring to software, to add program files and folders to your hard disk and related data to your registry so that the software runs properly. Installing contrasts with upgrading, where existing program files, folders, and registry entries are updated to a more recent version.

When referring to hardware, to physically connect the device to your computer, to load device drivers onto your computer, and to configure device properties and settings.

See also: device driver; registry; uninstall

integrated device electronics (IDE)

A type of disk-drive interface in which the controller electronics reside on the drive itself, eliminating the need for a separate adapter card. IDE offers advantages such as look-ahead caching to increase overall performance.

Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)

A digital phone line used to provide higher bandwidth. ISDN in North America is typically available in two forms: Basic Rate Interface (BRI) consists of 2 B-channels at 64 kilobits per second (Kbps) and a D-channel at 16 Kbps; Primary Rate Interface (PRI) consists of 23 B-channels at 64 Kbps and a D-channel at 64 Kbps. An ISDN line must be installed by the phone company at both the calling site and the called site.

interconnect

A private network that connects nodes in a cluster.

internal network number

A 4-byte hexadecimal number used for addressing and routing purposes. The internal network number identifies a virtual network inside a computer. The internal network number must be unique to the IPX internetwork. Internal network number is also called virtual network number.

internet

internet. Two or more network segments connected by routers. Another term for internetwork.

Internet. A worldwide network of computers. If you have access to the Internet, you can retrieve information from millions of sources, including schools, governments, businesses, and individuals.

Internet address

An address for a resource on the Internet that is used by Web browsers to locate Internet resources. An Internet address typically starts with a protocol name, followed by the name of the organization that maintains the site; the suffix identifies the kind of organization it is. For example, the address http://www.yale.edu/ provides the following information:

http: This Web server uses the Hypertext Transfer Protocol.
www: This site is on the World Wide Web.
edu: This is an educational institution.

Internet address is also called Uniform Resource Locator (URL).

Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)

An open community of network designers, operators, vendors, and researchers concerned with the evolution of Internet architecture and the smooth operation of the Internet. Technical work is performed by working groups organized by topic areas (such as routing, transport, and security) and through mailing lists. Internet standards are developed in IETF Requests for Comments (RFCs), which are a series of notes that discuss many aspects of computing and computer communication, focusing on networking protocols, programs, and concepts.

Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP)

A protocol used by IP hosts to report their multicast group memberships to any immediately neighboring multicast routers.

See also: protocol; Internet Protocol multicasting

Internet Information Services (IIS)

Software services that support Web site creation, configuration, and management, along with other Internet functions. Internet Information Services include Network News Transfer Protocol (NNTP), File Transfer Protocol (FTP), and Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP).

Internet Protocol (IP)

A routable protocol in the TCP/IP protocol suite that is responsible for IP addressing, routing, and the fragmentation and reassembly of IP packets.

Internet Protocol multicasting

The extension of local area network multicasting technology to a TCP/IP network. Hosts send and receive multicast datagrams, the destination fields of which specify IP host group addresses rather than individual IP addresses. A host indicates that it is a member of a group by means of the Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP).

Internet service provider (ISP)

A company that provides individuals or companies access to the Internet and the World Wide Web. An ISP provides a telephone number, a user name, a password, and other connection information so users can connect their computers to the ISP's computers. An ISP typically charges a monthly or hourly connection fee.

interrupt

A request for attention from the processor. When the processor receives an interrupt, it suspends its current operations, saves the status of its work, and transfers control to a special routine known as an interrupt handler, which contains the instructions for dealing with the particular situation that caused the interrupt.

intranet

A network within an organization that uses Internet technologies and protocols, but is available only to certain people, such as employees of a company. An intranet is also called a private network.

IP address

A 32-bit address used to identify a node on an IP internetwork. Each node on the IP internetwork must be assigned a unique IP address, which is made up of the network ID, plus a unique host ID. This address is typically represented with the decimal value of each octet separated by a period (for example, 192.168.7.27). In this version of Windows, you can configure the IP address statically or dynamically through DHCP.

IPX/SPX

Transport protocols used in Novell NetWare networks, which together correspond to the combination of TCP and IP in the TCP/IP protocol suite. Windows implements IPX through NWLink.

ISA expansion slot

A connection socket for a peripheral designed to the Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) on a computer motherboard.

ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network)

A high-speed digital telephone service that can dramatically increase the speed at which you connect to the Internet or to your corporate LAN (local area network). ISDN can operate at 128 kilobytes per second (Kbps), which is five or more times faster than many analog modems.

ISP (Internet service provider)

See definition for: Internet service provider (ISP)

J

job object

A system-level structure that allows processes to be grouped together and managed as a single unit.

K

key

In Registry Editor, a folder that appears in the left pane of the Registry Editor window. A key can contain subkeys and value entries. For example, Environment is a key of HKEY_CURRENT_USER.

In IP security (IPSec), a value used in combination with an algorithm to encrypt or decrypt data. Key settings for IP security are configurable to provide greater security.

keyboard language

The language you want to use when you type. Some programs that are designed for the Windows platform recognize this setting. When you add a new keyboard language, a keyboard layout for that language is also added.

keyboard layout

The arrangement that accommodates the special characters and symbols used in different languages. Keyboard layouts affect which characters appear when you press the keys on your keyboard. After you change your keyboard layout, the characters that appear on your screen may no longer correspond to the characters that are printed on your keyboard keys.

kilobyte (KB)

1,024 bytes, though often interpreted as 1,000 bytes.

L

L2TP (Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol)

An industry-standard Internet tunneling protocol. Unlike Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP), L2TP does not require IP connectivity between the client workstation and the server. L2TP requires only that the tunnel medium provide packet-oriented point-to-point connectivity. The protocol can be used over media such as ATM, Frame Relay, and X.25. L2TP provides the same functionality as PPTP. Based on Layer 2 Forwarding (L2F) and PPTP specifications, L2TP allows clients to set up tunnels across intervening networks.

label

Each part of a full DNS domain name that represents a node in the domain namespace tree. Domain names are made up of a sequence of labels, such as the three labels (example, microsoft, and com) that make up the DNS domain name example.microsoft.com. Each label used in a DNS name must be 63 bytes or less in character length.

See also: domain name; Domain Name System (DNS)

LAN emulation (LANE)

A set of protocols that allow existing Ethernet and Token Ring LAN services to overlie an ATM network. LANE allows connectivity among LAN- and ATM-attached stations.

LAN emulation client (LEC)

The client on an ELAN that performs data forwarding, address resolution, and other control functions. The LEC resides on end stations in an ELAN.

LAN emulation configuration server

The service that assigns individual local area network emulation (LANE) clients to particular emulated local area networks (ELANs) by directing them to the LAN emulation server (LES).

LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)

See definition for: liquid crystal display (LCD)

library

A data-storage system, usually managed by Removable Storage. A library consists of removable media (such as tapes or discs) and a hardware device that can read from or write to the media. There are two major types of libraries: robotic libraries (automated multiple-media, multidrive devices) and stand-alone drive libraries (manually operated, single-drive devices). A robotic library is also called a jukebox or changer.

Line Printer Daemon (LPD)

A service on the print server that receives documents (print jobs) from Line Printer Remote (LPR) utilities running on client systems.

Line Printer Remote (LPR)

A connectivity utility that runs on client systems and is used to print files to a computer running an LPD server.

linked object

An object that is inserted into a document but still exists in the source file. When information is linked, the new document is updated automatically if the information in the original document changes. If you want to edit the linked information, double-click it. The toolbars and menus from the original program will appear. If the original document is on your computer, changes that you make to the linked information will also appear in the original document.

liquid crystal display (LCD)

A type of display used in digital watches and many portable computers. LCD displays utilize two sheets of polarizing material with a liquid crystal solution between them. An electric current passed through the liquid causes the crystals to align so that light cannot pass through them. Each crystal, therefore, is like a shutter, either allowing light to pass through or blocking the light.

load balancing

A technique used by Windows Clustering to scale the performance of a server-based program (such as a Web server) by distributing its client requests across multiple servers within the cluster. Each host can specify the load percentage that it will handle, or the load can be equally distributed across all the hosts. If a host fails, Windows Clustering dynamically redistributes the load among the remaining hosts.

local area network (LAN)

A communications network connecting a group of computers, printers, and other devices located within a relatively limited area (for example, a building). A LAN allows any connected device to interact with any other on the network.

See also: NetBIOS Extended User Interface (NetBEUI); virtual local area network (VLAN); workgroup

local group

For computers running Windows and member servers, a group that can be granted permissions and rights from its own computer and (if the computer participates in a domain) user accounts and global groups both from its own domain and from trusted domains.

log file

A file that stores messages generated by an application, service, or operating system. These messages are used to track the operations performed. For example, Web servers maintain log files listing every request made to the server. Log files are usually plain text (ASCII) files and often have a .log extension.

In Backup, a file that contains a record of the date the tapes were created and the names of files and directories successfully backed up and restored. The Performance Logs and Alerts service also creates log files.

logical drive

A volume that you create within an extended partition on a basic master boot record (MBR) disk. Logical drives are similar to primary partitions, except that you are limited to four primary partitions per disk, whereas you can create an unlimited number of logical drives per disk. A logical drive can be formatted and assigned a drive letter.

logical printer

The software interface between the operating system and the printer in Windows. While a printer is the device that does the actual printing, a logical printer is its software interface on the print server. This software interface determines how a print job is processed and how it is routed to its destination (to a local or network port, to a file, or to a remote print share). When you print a document, it is spooled (or stored) on the logical printer before it is sent to the printer itself.

logon script

Files that can be assigned to user accounts. Typically a batch file, a logon script runs automatically every time the user logs on. It can be used to configure a user's working environment at every logon, and it allows an administrator to influence a user's environment without managing all aspects of it. A logon script can be assigned to one or more user accounts.

See also: logon script path; user account

logon script path

A sequence of directory names that specifies the location of the logon script. When a user logs on, the authenticating computer locates the specified logon script (if one has been assigned to that user account) by following that computer's local logon script path (usually systemroot\System32\Repl\Import\Scripts).

long name

A folder name or file name longer than the 8.3 file name standard (up to eight characters followed by a period and an extension of up to three characters) of the FAT file system. This version of Windows supports long file names up to 255 characters.

In a Macintosh environment, users can assign long names to files and folders on the server and, using AppleTalk network integration, you can assign long names to Macintosh-accessible volumes when you create them. This version of Windows automatically translates long names of files and folders to 8.3 names for MS-DOS and Windows 3.x users.

See also: file allocation table (FAT); MS-DOS (Microsoft Disk Operating System)