Microsoft Internet & Networking Dictionary

Microsoft Internet & Networking Dictionary

n. A widely used public/private key algorithm. It is the default cryptographic service provider (CSP) for Microsoft Windows. It was patented by RSA Data Security, Inc., in 1977. See also cryptographic service provider.

RSAC

n. See Recreational Software Advisory Council.

RSA encryption

n. Short for Rivest-Shamir-Adleman encryption. The public key encryption algorithm, introduced by Ronald Rivest, Adi Shamir, and Leonard Adleman in 1978, on which the PGP (Pretty Good Privacy) encryption program is based. See also PGP, public key encryption.

RSVP

n. See Resource Reservation Setup Protocol.

RTCP

n. See Real-Time Control Protocol.

RTF

n. See Rich Text Format.

RTFM

n. Acronym for read the flaming (or friendly) manual. A common answer to a question in an Internet newsgroup or product support conference that is adequately explained in the instruction manual. (The F in this acronym is not necessarily assumed to represent polite language.) Also called: RTM.

RTM

n. Acronym for read the manual. See RTFM.

RTOS

n. See real-time operating system.

RTP

n. See Real-Time Protocol.

RTS

n. Acronym for Request to Send. A signal sent, as from a computer to its modem, to request permission to transmit; the signal is often used in serial communications. RTS is a hardware signal sent over pin 4 in RS-232-C connections. See also RS-232-C standard. Compare CTS.

RTSP

n. See Real-Time Streaming Protocol.

RXD

n. Short for Receive (rx) Data. A line used to carry received serial data from one device to another, such as from a modem to a computer. Pin 3 is the RXD line in RS-232-C connections. See also RS-232-C standard. Compare TXD.

S: Samba—Systems Network

Architecture

Samba

Microsoft Internet & Networking Dictionary

n. A popular freeware program that provides file and print services, authentication and authorization, name resolution, and service announcement (browsing). As a file server, Samba enables the sharing of files, printers, and other resources on a UNIX Samba server with Windows clients over a network. Based on the Server Message Block (SMB) protocol, Samba originally was developed as a Network File System (NFS) for UNIX by Andrew Tridgell. See also NFS, SMB.

SAN

n. See storage area network.

sandbox

n. 1. Java Virtual Machine security area for downloaded (remote or untrusted) applets, an area in which such applets are confined and prevented from accessing system resources. Confinement to the sandbox prevents downloaded applets from carrying out potentially dangerous operations, maliciously or otherwise. They have to “play” inside the sandbox, and any attempt to “escape” is thwarted by the Java Security Manager. 2. Slang for the research and development department at many software and computer companies. See also applet, Java Virtual Machine.

SAOL

n. Acronym for Structured Audio Orchestra Language. Part of the MPEG-4 standard, SAOL describes a set of tools for producing computer music, audio for computer games, streaming Internet sound or music, and other multimedia applications. SAOL is a flexible computer language for describing music synthesis and integrating synthetic sound with recorded sound in an MPEG- 4 bit stream. See also bit stream, MPEG-4, streaming (definition 1).

SAP

n. See Service Advertising Protocol.

SASL

n. Acronym for Simple Authentication and Security Layer. An authentication support mechanism for use with connection-based protocols. SASL allows a client to request identification from a server and negotiate use of an added security layer for authentication during subsequent client/server interaction.

SAX

n. Acronym for Simple API for XML. An event-driven application program interface (API) used to interpret an XML file. SAX works with an XML parser, providing an interface between the parser and an XML application. SAX is used as an alternative to the more complex object-based Document Object Model (DOM) interface. See also DOM.

sci. newsgroups

n. Usenet newsgroups that are part of the sci. hierarchy and begin with “sci.” These newsgroups are devoted to discussions of scientific research and applications, except for computer science, which is discussed in the comp. newsgroups. See also newsgroup, traditional newsgroup hierarchy, Usenet. Compare comp. newsgroups, misc. newsgroups, news. newsgroups, rec. newsgroups, soc. newsgroups, talk. newsgroups.

SCP

n. Acronym for Simple Control Protocol. A lightweight peer-to-peer networking protocol for devices that have limited processing and memory resources and operate over limited-bandwidth networks such as powerline carrier (PLC) systems. Products using SCP can interoperate with products using the Universal Plug and Play (UPnP), CEBus, and Home Plug & Play (HPnP) standards. Developed by a team of companies including Microsoft and General Electric, SCP enables the interaction between UPnP devices, devices based on Internet Protocol (IP), and non- IP-capable devices such as coffeemakers and alarm clocks. SCP, which was designed as a

Microsoft Internet & Networking Dictionary

stand-alone protocol, can be used in residential, commercial, industrial, and utility applications. See also UPnP networking.

screen name

n. A name under which an America Online user is known. The screen name may be the same as the user’s real name. See also America Online.

screen phone

n. A type of Internet appliance combining a telephone with an LCD display screen, a digital fax modem, and a computer keyboard, with ports for a mouse, printer, and other peripheral devices. Screen phones can be used as regular telephones for voice communications and can also be used as terminals to gain access to the Internet and other online services.

script

n. A program consisting of a set of instructions to an application or a utility program. The instructions usually use the rules and syntax of the application or utility. On the World Wide Web, scripts are commonly used to customize or add interactivity to Web pages.

scriptlet

n. A reusable Web page based on the features of Dynamic HTML (DHTML) that can be created with HTML text and a scripting language and then inserted as a control in another Web page or in an application. Developed by Microsoft and introduced in Internet Explorer version 4, scriptlets are implemented as .htm files that give developers a relatively easy, object-based means of creating components that reflect the Web metaphor and that can be used to add interactivity and functionalityófor example, animation, color changes, pop-up menus, or drag-and-drop capabilityóto Web pages without requiring repeated trips to the server. Also called: Microsoft Scripting Component. See also dynamic HTML. Compare applet.

SCSI

n. Acronym for Small Computer System Interface, a standard high-speed parallel interface defined by the X3T9.2 committee of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). A SCSI (pronounced “scuzzy”) interface is used to connect microcomputers to SCSI peripheral devices, such as many hard disks and printers, and to other computers and local area networks. Also called: SCSI-1, SCSI I.

SCSI-1

n. See SCSI.

SCSI-2

n. An enhanced ANSI standard for SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) buses. Compared with the original SCSI standard (now called SCSI-1), which can transfer data 8 bits at a time at up to 5 MB per second, SCSI-2 offers increased data width, increased speed, or both. A SCSI-2 disk drive or host adapter can work with SCSI-1 equipment at the older equipment’s maximum speed. Also called: SCSI II. See also Fast SCSI, Fast/Wide SCSI, SCSI, Wide SCSI. Compare UltraSCSI.

SCSI bus

n. A parallel bus that carries data and control signals from SCSI devices to a SCSI controller. See also bus, SCSI device.

SCSI chain

n. A set of devices on a SCSI bus. Each device (except the host adapter and the last device) is connected to two other devices by two cables, forming a daisy chain. See also daisy chain, SCSI.

SCSI connector

n. A cable connector used to connect a SCSI device to a SCSI bus. See also bus, SCSI device.

Microsoft Internet & Networking Dictionary

SCSI device

n. A peripheral device that uses the SCSI standard to exchange data and control signals with a computer’s CPU. See also SCSI.

SCSI ID

n. The unique identity of a SCSI device. Each device connected to a SCSI bus must have a different SCSI ID. A maximum of eight SCSI IDs can be used on the same SCSI bus. See also bus, SCSI device.

SCSI network

n. A set of devices on a SCSI bus, which acts like a local area network. See also SCSI.

SCSI port

n. 1. A SCSI host adapter within a computer, which provides a logical connection between the computer and all of the devices on the SCSI bus. See also SCSI. 2. A connector on a device for a SCSI bus cable. See also SCSI.

SDH

n. See Synchronous Digital Hierarchy.

SDLC

n. Acronym for Synchronous Data Link Control, the data transmission protocol most widely used by networks conforming to IBM’s Systems Network Architecture (SNA). SDLC is similar to the HDLC (High-level Data Link Control) protocol developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). See also HDLC.

SDMI

n. See Secure Digital Music Initiative.

SDSL

n. Acronym for symmetric (or single-line) digital subscriber line, a digital telecommunications technology that is a variation of HDSL. SDSL uses one pair of copper wires rather than two pairs of wires and transmits at 1.544 Mbps. Compare ADSL.

search engine

n. 1. A program that searches for keywords in documents or in a database. 2. On the Internet, a program that searches for keywords in files and documents found on the World Wide Web, newsgroups, Gopher menus, and FTP archives. Some search engines are used for a single Internet site, such as a dedicated search engine for a Web site. Others search across many sites, using such agents as spiders to gather lists of available files and documents and store these lists in databases that users can search by keyword. Examples of the latter type of search engine are Lycos and Excite. Most search engines reside on a server. See also agent (definition 2), FTP, Gopher or gopher, newsgroup, spider, World Wide Web.

secondary service provider

n. An Internet service provider that provides a Web presence but not direct connectivity. See also ISP.

second-level domain

n. The level immediately beneath the top-level domain in the Internet’s DNS hierarchy. See also domain (definition 3).

secure channel

Microsoft Internet & Networking Dictionary

n. A communications link that has been protected against unauthorized access, operation, or use by means of isolation from the public network, encryption, or other forms of control. See also encryption.

Secure Digital Music Initiative

n. A coalition of companies from the recording, electronics, and information technology industries founded in February 1999 for the purpose of developing an open standard for the secure distribution of music in digital form. The Secure Digital Music Initiative specification is designed to provide consumers with flexibility and convenient access to electronically distributed music (that is, over the Internet) while also protecting the rights of artists. Acronym: SDMI. See also MP3, Windows Media Technologies.

Secure Electronics Transactions protocol

n. Protocol for conducting secure transactions over the Internet, the result of a joint effort by GTE, IBM, MasterCard, Microsoft, Netscape, SAIC, Terisa Systems, VeriSign, and Visa. Acronym: SET.

Secure Hash Algorithm n. See SHA.

Secure HTTP

n. See S-HTTP, HTTPS.

Secure Hypertext Transfer Protocol n. See S-HTTP.

Secure/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions n. See S/MIME.

Secure Password Authentication

n. A feature that allows a server to confirm the identity of the person logging on. Acronym: SPA.

secure site

n. A Web site having the capability of providing secure transactions, ensuring that credit card numbers and other personal information will not be accessible to unauthorized parties.

Secure Sockets Layer n. See SSL.

Secure Transaction Technology

n. The use of the SSL (Secure Sockets Layer), S-HTTP (Secure HTTP), or both in online transactions, such as form transmission or credit card purchases. Acronym: STT. See also S- HTTP, SSL.

secure wide area network

n. A set of computers that communicate over a public network, such as the Internet, but use security measures, such as encryption, authentication, and authorization, to prevent their communications from being intercepted and understood by unauthorized users. Acronym: S/WAN. See also authentication, authorization, encryption, virtual private network (definition 1).

security

n. The technologies used to make a service resistant to unauthorized access to the data that it holds or for which it is responsible. A major focus of computer security, especially on systems that are accessed by many people or through communications lines, is the prevention of system access by unauthorized individuals.

Microsoft Internet & Networking Dictionary

security log

n. A log, generated by a firewall or other security device, that lists events that could affect security, such as access attempts or commands, and the names of the users involved. See also firewall.

self-extracting archive

n. See self-extracting file.

self-extracting file

n. An executable program file that contains one or more compressed text or data files. When a user runs the program, it uncompresses the compressed files and stores them on the user’s hard drive.

sendmail

n. A popular open-source UNIX-based implementation of the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) for delivering e-mail. Written in 1981 by Eric Allman at the University of California at Berkeley, sendmail was the first Internet message transfer agent (MTA).

send statement

n. In SLIP and PPP scripting languages, a statement that tells the program that dials an Internet service provider’s number (a dialer program) to send certain characters. See also ISP, PPP, SLIP.

Sequenced Packet Exchange n. See SPX (definition 1).

Serial Line Internet Protocol n. See SLIP.

serial port

n. An input/output location (channel) that sends and receives data to and from a computer’s central processing unit or a communications device one bit at a time. Serial ports are used for serial data communication and as interfaces with some peripheral devices, such as mice and printers.

Serial Storage Architecture n. See SSA.

server

n. 1. On a local area network (LAN), a computer running administrative software that controls access to the network and its resources, such as printers and disk drives, and provides resources to computers functioning as workstations on the network. 2. On the Internet or other network, a computer or program that responds to commands from a client. For example, a file server may contain an archive of data or program files; when a client submits a request for a file, the server transfers a copy of the file to the client. See also application server (definitions 1 and 2), client/server architecture. Compare client.

server appliance

n. A device designed to deliver one or more specific network services in a single turnkey package that includes both hardware and software. All necessary programs are preinstalled on a server appliance, which has minimal, simplified options and controls. Server appliances can be used to complement or replace traditional servers on a network and can provide such services as file and printer sharing and Internet connectivity. Also called: appliance. See also information appliance.

server-based application

Microsoft Internet & Networking Dictionary

n. A program that is shared over a network. The program is stored on the network server and can be used at more than one client machine at a time.

server cluster

n. A group of independent computer systems, known as nodes, working together as a single system to ensure that mission-critical applications and resources remain available to clients. A server cluster is the type of cluster that Cluster service implements. See also cluster.

server control

n. See ASP.NET server control.

server error

n. A failure to complete a request for information through HTTP that results from an error at the server rather than an error by the client or the user. Server errors are indicated by HTTP status codes beginning with 5. See also HTTP.

server farm

n. A centralized grouping of network servers maintained by an enterprise or, often, an Internet service provider (ISP). A server farm provides a network with load balancing, scalability, and fault tolerance. Individual servers may be connected in such a way that they appear to represent a single resource.

serverlet

n. See servlet.

Server Message Block n. See SMB.

server push-pull

n. A combination of Web client/server techniques individually called “server push” and “client pull.” In server push, the server loads data to the client, but the data connection stays open. This allows the server to continue sending data to the browser as necessary. In client pull, the server loads data to the client, but the data connection does not stay open. The server sends an HTML directive to the browser telling it to reopen the connection after a certain interval to get more data or possibly to open a new URL. See also HTML, server (definition 2), URL.

server-side include

n. A mechanism for including dynamic text in World Wide Web documents. Server-side includes are special command codes that are recognized and interpreted by the server; their output is placed in the document body before the document is sent to the browser. Server-side includes can be used, for example, to include the date/time stamp in the text of the file. Acronym: SSI. See also server (definition 2).

service

n. 1. A customer-based or user-oriented function, such as technical support or network provision. 2. In reference to programming and software, a program or routine that provides support to other programs, particularly at a low (close to the hardware) level. 3. In networking, specialized, software-based functionality provided by network serversófor example, directory services that provide the network equivalent of “phone books” needed for locating users and resources.

Service Advertising Protocol

n. A method used by a service-providing node in a network (such as a file server or application server) to notify other nodes on the network that it is available for access. When a server boots, it uses the protocol to advertise its service; when the same server goes off line, it uses the protocol to announce that it is no longer available. Acronym: SAP. See also server (definition 1).

Microsoft Internet & Networking Dictionary

service provider n. See ISP.

servlet or servelet

n. A small Java program that runs on a server. The term is a companion to applet, a Java program that usually runs on the client. Servlets perform lightweight Web services, such as redirecting a Web user from an outdated address to the correct pageótasks traditionally handled by CGI (Common Gateway Interface) applications. Because servlets are automatically threaded and highly responsive, they execute quickly, thereby reducing system overhead. Also called: serverlet. See also applet, CGI.

servlet container

n. In Sun Microsystems’s J2EE network platform, a container that decodes requests, formats responses, and provides the network services over which requests and responses are sent. All servlet containers must support HTTP as a protocol for requests and responses, but they may also support additional request-response protocols such as HTTPS. See also container (definition 3), HTTP, HTTPS.

session

n. 1. The time during which a program is running. In most interactive programs, a session is the time during which the program accepts input and processes information. 2. In communications, the time during which two computers maintain a connection. 3. A specific protocol layer in the ISO/OSI reference model that manages communication between remote users or processes. See also ISO/OSI reference model, session layer.

session bean

n. In the Java programming language and J2EE network platform, an enterprise bean that is created by a client and usually exists only for the duration of a single client/server session. It performs operations, such as calculations or accessing a database, for the client. While a session bean may be transactional, it is not recoverable should a system crash occur. Session bean objects can either be stateless or can maintain conversational state across methods and transactions. If a session bean maintains state, the Enterprise JavaBean (EJB) container manages this state if the object must be removed from memory. However, the session bean object itself must manage its own persistent data. See also EJB.

session layer

n. The fifth of seven layers in the ISO/OSI reference model. The session layer handles the details that must be agreed on by the two communicating devices. See also ISO/OSI reference model.

SET protocol

n. See Secure Electronics Transactions protocol.

.sgm

n. The MS-DOS/Windows 3.x file extension that identifies files encoded in Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML). Because MS-DOS and Windows 3.x cannot recognize file extensions longer than three letters, the .sgml extension is truncated to three letters in those environments.

See also SGML.

.sgml

n. The file extension that identifies files encoded in Standard Generalized Markup Language. See also SGML.

SGML

n. Acronym for Standard Generalized Markup Language. An information management standard adopted by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in 1986 as a means of providing platformand application-independent documents that retain formatting, indexing, and

Microsoft Internet & Networking Dictionary

linked information. SGML provides a grammarlike mechanism for users to define the structure of their documents and the tags they will use to denote the structure in individual documents. See also ISO.

SHA

n. Acronym for Secure Hash Algorithm. A technique that computes a 160-bit condensed representation of a message or data file, called a message digest. The SHA is used by the sender and the receiver of a message in computing and verifying a digital signature, for security purposes. See also digital signature.

share

vb. To make files, directories, or folders accessible to other users over a network.

shared directory

n. See network directory.

shared folder

n. On a Macintosh computer connected to a network and running System 6.0 or higher, a folder that a user has made available to others on the network. A shared folder is analogous to a network directory on a PC. See also network directory.

shared medium

n. The communications medium shared by network nodes; essentially, the network bandwidth.

shared memory

n. 1. Memory accessed by more than one program in a multitasking environment. 2. A portion of memory used by parallel-processor computer systems to exchange information.

shared name

n. See strong name.

shared network directory n. See network directory.

shared resource

n. 1. Any device, data, or program used by more than one device or program. 2. On a network, any resource made available to network users, such as directories, files, and printers.

SharePoint team Web site

n. A customizable Web site with features that help a team work together. The default site has pages for document libraries, announcements, and team events. Only members, specified by the site creator, can use the site.

shareware

n. Copyrighted software that is distributed on a try-before-you-buy basis. Users who want to continue using the program after the trial period are encouraged to send a payment to the program’s author. Compare free software, freeware, public-domain software.

Shockwave

n. A format for multimedia audio and video files within HTML documents, created by Macromedia, which markets a family of Shockwave servers and plug-in programs for Web browsers. See also HTML.

shopping cart

n. In e-commerce programs, a file in which an online customer stores information on potential purchases until ready to order. Usually represented on screen with a drawing of a shopping cart,

Microsoft Internet & Networking Dictionary

the virtual shopping cart provides a recognizable point of reference to users new to the e- commerce experience. See also e commerce.

short-haul

adj. Of or pertaining to a communications device that transmits a signal over a communications line for a distance less than approximately 20 miles. Compare long-haul.

short message service

n. Service for wireless phones that allows users to send and receive brief messages consisting of text and numbers. Acronym: SMS.

shout

vb. To use ALL CAPITAL LETTERS for emphasis in e-mail or a newsgroup article. Excessive shouting is considered a violation of netiquette. A word can be more acceptably emphasized by placing it between *asterisks* or _underscores_. See also netiquette.

shovelware

n. A commercially sold CD-ROM containing a miscellaneous assortment of software, graphic images, text, or other data that could otherwise be obtained at little or no cost, such as freeware or shareware from the Internet and BBSs or public-domain clip art. See also BBS (definition 1), freeware, shareware.

SHS virus

n. Any of a class of viruses that infect a user’s system by hiding in files with an .shs extension. These viruses typically spread through e-mail attachments. A widely distributed e-mail warning cautions readers to beware of the “SHS virus,” but no one specific virus by that name exists.

SHTML

n. Short for server-parsed HTML. Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) text that contains embedded server-side include commands. SHTML documents are fully read, parsed, and modified by the server before being passed to the browser. See also HTML, server-side include.

S-HTTP or SHTTP

n. Acronym for Secure Hypertext Transfer Protocol. An extension to HTTP that supports various encryption and authentication measures to keep all transactions secure from end to end. S-HTTP is designed to ensure the security of individual transmissions over the Internet and has been approved as a standard by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). S-HTTP should not be confused with HTTPS, a Netscape-developed technology based on SSL (Secure Sockets Layer). HTTPS is also designed to ensure secure transmissions, but does so between communicating computers rather than on a message-by-message basis. Also called: Secure HTTP. See also SSL.

.sig

n. A file extension for a signature file for e-mail or Internet newsgroup use. The contents of this file are automatically appended to e-mail correspondence or newsgroup articles by their respective client software. See also signature file (definition 1).

SIG

n. Acronym for special interest group. An e-mail online discussion group or a group of users who meet and share information, especially one of the groups supported by the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), such as SIGGRAPH for computer graphics.

signature

n. 1. A sequence of data used for identification, such as text appended to an e-mail message or a fax. 2. A unique number built into hardware or software for authentication purposes.