Glossary

Application Server Any server that acts as a middle-tier in a multi-tiered application that uses transactional database data and processes client requests to use that data.

Artistic License Artistic license requires that any modifications to a software package remain in some control of the copyright holder.

BIOS (Basic Input Output System) A set of detailed instructions for system startup; usually stored in ROM on the system board.

Boot Manager A boot loader is used to boot the existing operating system into the intended operating system. The boot loader accomplishes this by loading a bootstrap onto the HDD. This bootstrap then tells the computer system where to find the next part of the operating system to be loaded.

Browser A computer program that uses the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), which is used to access hosts on the Web.

Cable A physical transmission medium that has a central conductor of wire or fiber, surrounded by a plastic jacket.

Closed Source The creators of Closed Source software are the only ones who are supposed to see the software code, and they are the only ones who are authorized to refine it, add to it, and fix bugs in the software.

CPU (Central Processing Unit) The main chip on the motherboard where instructions are executed.

Cron A utility that helps the system administrator automate repetitive tasks.

DAT A type of backup tape. Digital Audio Tape is a type of magnetic tape that uses a scheme called helical scan to

record data. This is the same type of recording that is used in common videotape recorders and is somewhat slower than the linear type.

632 Glossary

Database Server A server that stores structured data in a filing system that can be retrieved by multiple users simultaneously.

DHCP Server A DHCP server runs the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, which assigns network IP addresses to a client as the startup on the network. With this configuration, each client workstation does not need to be set up with a static IP address. When the client computer starts, it sends a request to the DHCP server to be assigned an IP address.

Differential Backup Backs up data that has changed since the last full backup.

Disk Druid A utility that can partition your hard drive.

DLT (Digital Linear Tape) A hardware solution for tape backup and storage that enables multiple tapes to be loaded into the system — provides unattended backups and easy access for keeping data in online storage.

DNS Server (Domain Name Service) A server that keeps a database of tables that translate fully qualified Internet domain names to their respective IP addresses.

Ethernet A networking technology defined by the Institute for Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) as the IEEE standard 802.3.

Father-Son The father-son backup media rotation method uses a combination of full and differential (or incremental) backups for a two-week schedule.

Fdisk A utility that can partition your hard drive.

File and Print Server A server that provides file storage and printing services to clients. Client files are stored on the server, then they are centralized in a common place that can be more easily backed up. Print services enable clients to send a request to a printer. The print requests are queued by the print server for delivery to the final destination printer.

Firewall Software that prevents unauthorized traffic between two networks by examining the IP packets that travel on both networks.

Freeware Freeware programs are free of charge, and consist of copyrighted games, applications, and utilities. You can copy them to as many PCs as you like but they have no technical support.

FTP File Transfer Protocol is used to download files from an FTP server to a client computer.

FTP Server FTP is an Internet-based protocol for file transfers. Its function is to facilitate these transfers with proper integrity, efficiency, and security. A client computer will connect to an FTP server (which supplies log on credentials) and then is granted access to retrieve files on the server.

Glossary 633

Full backup A full backup occurs when all the files on all the selected devices are backed up.

Gnome A windows-based desktop environment for users.

GNU GNU software is governed by its own license, which is included inside the folder of the GNU software. No restrictions exist on the distribution of this software.

Grandfather A type of backup method that typically uses 19 tapes.

Grandfather-Father-Son A type of backup method. The Son consists of daily backups, the Father consists of the last full backup of the week, and the Grandfather consists of the last full backup of the month.

GZIP A compression utility used to compress files into an archive.

Hardware Compatibility List (HCL) A list of supported devices that will work on a particular operating system.

Hub A central device that connects several computers together or several networks together.

Ifconfig Used to assign an address to a network interface and/or to configure network interface parameters.

Incremental Backup Backs up data that has changed since the last full or incremental backup.

Init The process that is the ultimate parent of all user processes on a Linux system. Init is started by the operating system kernel and is responsible for starting all other services provided by the system.

Inittab The primary configuration file for the init process; controls how your system starts up and configures the different run levels.

Internet A global network that consists of a large number of individual networks interconnected through the use of public telephone lines, cable lines, and satellites.

KDE A windows-based desktop environment for Linux users.

Kernel The core of the operating system; enables other software to access hardware.

Konqueror A Linux Web browser provided with the KDE desktop environment.

634 Glossary

LAN A Local Area Network is created when two or more computers in a limited geographic area are linked by high-performance cables. With a LAN, users can exchange information, share peripheral devices, or access a common server.

Link Light A small Light-Emitting Diode (LED) that is found on both the NIC and the Hub. It is usually green to indicate a successful connection; yellow indicates no connection.

Linux An Open Source implementation of UNIX that was created by Linus Torvalds, which runs on many different hardware platforms, including Intel, Sparc, PowerPC, and Alpha Processors.

Log File A file that keeps a running list of all errors and notices, the time and date that they occurred, and any other pertinent information.

lpd daemon (line printer daemon) Refers to the entire collection of programs that deal with print spooling. The lpd daemon is run when the Linux system first boots.

Mail Server A type of server that stores e-mail. Clients connect to the mail server by supplying their mail account information, with which they can send and receive e-mail.

Man Pages (Abbreviation for Manual Pages) Refers to the online documentation for a particular function call, program, or command.

Microsoft Internet Explorer A Web browser developed by Microsoft that is not available for Linux systems.

Minix A free UNIX clone that is available with all the source code. Minix is well suited to people who want to run a UNIX-like system on their personal computers and learn about the inner workings of such systems.

Netscape A Web browser that is available for Linux and Microsoft Windows.

Network Interface Card (NIC) A physical device that connects computers and other network equipment to the transmission media.

Network Media The physical cables that link computers in a network; also known as physical media.

Network Operating System (NOS) The software that runs on a network server and offers file, print, application, and other services to clients.

Offsite Storage A method for storing backup media in an off-site location. Protects the company’s data in the event of a disaster, such as a fire or flood in the main building. Also ensures the integrity of the data and improves the company’s ability to quickly resume operations.

Glossary 635

Open Source The creators of an Open Source program distribute the code along with the program so that other developers can view it and add to it.

Opera A Web browser available for Linux, Microsoft Windows, Macintosh, OS/2, and many others.

Operating System (OS) A set of computer instruction codes; its purpose is to define input and output device connections, and to provide instructions for the computer’s central processor to retrieve and display data.

Packages A collection of files necessary for combining a program or application into one installable file.

Partition A hard drive that is sectioned into separate virtual drives from one logical drive.

Plug-and-Play An Intel standard that allows components to be automatically configured when added to a PC. The standard requires support from the BIOS, the expansion card, and the operating system.

Proxy Server Forwards network requests on behalf of another client or server. A proxy server is typically configured to facilitate Web server requests between a client and a Web server.

RAM (Random Access Memory) The computer’s main workspace. Data stored in RAM can be accessed directly; it is not necessary to read information stored before or after the desired data.

ReadME file A text file that comes with most software and gives additional information that may not appear in the manual.

Root The main administration account on a Linux system; sometimes referred to as the Super user.

SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) A hardware interface that allows the connection of up to seven devices.

Shareware Shareware programs are fully functional, free trial versions of copyrighted programs. If you like particular programs, you can register with their authors for a nominal fee and receive licenses, enhanced versions, and technical support.

Son A backup method that performs a full backup every day.

Super User Another term for the Root user. The main administration account on a Linux system.

636 Glossary

Tape Drives A device that holds magnetic tape; enables the computer to read and write to it.

Tarball Archiving with Tar places several files or the contents of a directory (or directories) in one file, commonly called a Tarball.

TCP/IP A protocol suite that runs the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) on top of the Internet Protocol (IP). These protocols were developed by DARPA to enable communication between different types of computers and computer networks. The Internet Protocol is a connectionless protocol that provides packet routing. TCP is connection-oriented and provides reliable communication and multiplexing.

Third Party Refers to manufacturers other than the manufacturers of the specific application or hardware.

Topology The configuration of a network, or the pattern in which the computers are interconnected. Common network topologies are the Star, Bus, and Token-ring.

UNIX A 32-bit, multitasking operating system developed in the 1960s for use on mainframes and minicomputers.

Vi A text editor that is included with most popular distributions of Linux.

Web server A server that delivers Web pages to client computers. The client runs a Web browser, which requests an HTML Web page from the server. The server receives that request and sends the desired page, which is displayed in the\ client’s Web browser.

X Also known as X11 or the X Windows system; X is a protocol for exchanging information that is used to present a graphical user interface.