Microsoft Internet & Networking Dictionary

Microsoft Internet & Networking Dictionary

Windows Movie Maker

n. Software from Microsoft for capturing, editing, and arranging audio and video source material to create movies. Acronym: WMM.

Windows .NET Server

n. The next generation of Windows servers. Built on Windows 2000, the Windows .NET Server family includes the functionality, dependability, scalability, and security options to serve as the computing foundation for businesses of all sizes. The flexible computing architecture, built on industry standards, allows businesses to create robust and innovative applications, improve collaboration across the organization, and connect securely with customers.

Windows NT

n. An operating system released by Microsoft Corporation in 1993. The Windows NT operating system, sometimes referred to as simply NT, is the high-end member of a family of operating systems from Microsoft. It is a completely self-contained operating system with a built-in graphical user interface. Windows NT is a 32-bit, preemptive multitasking operating system that features networking, symmetric multiprocessing, multithreading, and security. It is a portable operating system that can run on a variety of hardware platforms including those based on the Intel 80386, i486, and Pentium microprocessors and MIPS microprocessors; it can also run on multiprocessor computers. Windows NT supports up to 4 gigabytes of virtual memory and can run MS-DOS, POSIX, and OS/2 (character-mode) applications. See also Windows.

Windows NT Advanced Server

n. A superset of Windows NT that provides centralized, domain-based network management and security. Windows NT Advanced Server also offers advanced hard disk fault-tolerance features, such as mirroring and additional connectivity. See also Windows NT.

Windows NT Embedded

n. A version of the Microsoft Windows NT operating system designed for devices and other products that have embedded systems. Windows NT Embedded, released in 1999, targets devices in the midrange to high end of the embedded device industry, including high-speed copiers, patient monitors, private branch exchanges (PBXs), and point-of-sale terminals.

Windows NT Embedded features include headless operation (with no keyboard, mouse, or display devices needed), diskless operation, and remote management infrastructure. See also Windows NT.

Windows Open Services Architecture n. See WOSA.

Windows Open System Architecture n. See WOSA.

Windows Script Host

n. The language-independent scripting host for Microsoft Windows platforms. Windows Script Host is a tool that allows users to run VBScript, JScript, or any other scripting language to automate common tasks and to create macros and logon scripts.

Windows Sockets n. See Winsock.

Windows terminal

n. A thin-client solution from Microsoft, designed to enable terminals and minimally configured computers to display Windows applications even if they are not, in themselves, capable of running Windows software. Windows terminals work in conjunction with Windows NT Server, Terminal Server edition. See also thin client.

Microsoft Internet & Networking Dictionary

Windows XP

n. A member of the Microsoft Windows family of operating systems. Windows XP was released in 2001 in two versions: Windows XP Home Edition for home use and Windows XP Professional for advanced home computing, businesses, and larger organizations. Windows XP features a new visual design that simplifies navigation and search capabilities, improved file management, additional media and Web publishing capabilities, an improved system for device discovery and installation, and advanced features for mobile computing.

Winipcfg

n. Short for Windows IP Configuration. A Windows 9x utility that enables users to access information about their TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) and network adapter card settings. Running the Winipcfg program (winipcfg.exe) opens the IP Configuration window, which reveals the physical address, IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway settings of the primary TCP/IP adapter (or settings of multiple adapters if more than one is installed). This information is also helpful for troubleshooting. See also TCP/IP.

WINS

n. Acronym for Windows Internet Naming Service. A Windows NT Server method for associating a computer’s host name with its address. Also called: INS, Internet Naming Service. Compare DNS (definition 1).

Winsock

n. Short for Windows Sockets. An application programming interface standard for software that provides a TCP/IP interface under Windows. The Winsock standard developed out of a Birds of a Feather (BOF) discussion that arose among software vendors at a UNIX conference in 1991; it has gained the general support of software developers, including Microsoft. See also application programming interface, BOF, socket (definition 1), sockets API, TCP/IP.

wired

adj. 1. Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of an electronic circuit or hardware grouping in which the configuration is determined by the physical interconnection of the components (as opposed to being programmable in software or alterable by a switch). See also hardwired (definition 1). 2. Knowledgeable about Internet resources, systems, and culture. 3. Having access to the Internet.

Wired Equivalent Privacy n. See WEP.

wired home

n. See smart home.

wireless

adj. Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of communications that take place without the use of interconnecting wires or cables, such as by radio, microwave, or infrared light.

Wireless Application Protocol

n. A specification for a global standard for enabling digital cellular phones and other wireless devices to access Internet and other information services. The Wireless Application Protocol, or WAP, is supported by an organization known as WAP Forum, which includes such members as Motorola, Nokia, L. M. Ericsson, and Unwired Planet. The goal of the forum is to create an open standard that works with different wireless technologies. Acronym: WAP.

wireless communication

n. Communication between a computer and another computer or device without wires. The form of wireless communication provided as part of the Windows operating system uses infrared light

Microsoft Internet & Networking Dictionary

to transmit files. Radio frequencies, as used by cellular and cordless telephones, are another form of wireless communication. See also infrared, infrared device, infrared port.

Wireless Information Device n. See WID.

wireless Internet

n. Version of the Internet designed for use on wireless phones and handheld devices with small display screens, limited memory, and slower data transmission speeds than a personal computer. Most wireless Internet sites offer content as basic text with limited graphics.

wireless LAN

n. A LAN (local area network) that sends and receives data via radio, infrared optical signaling, or some other technology that does not require a physical connection between individual nodes and the hub. Wireless LANs are often used in office or factory settings where a user must carry a portable computer from place to place. Also called: WLAN.

Wireless Markup Language n. See WML.

Wireless Multimedia Forum n. See WMF (definition 2).

wireless phone

n. Telephone that operates by means of radio waves without a wire connection. A base station (cell tower) relays the phone’s signal to a wireless carrier’s network, where it is transmitted to another wireless phone or to a wired telephone network.

Wireless Services server component

n. A component that allows a content provider or carrier to configure and schedule any number of information acquisition/ encoding/transmission components to create a data stream to be transmitted by a carrier to a device. The server component builds on an open architecture to allow new server components to be installed in any part of the stream at any time.

Wireless Transaction Protocol

n. A lightweight request/reply transaction protocol for devices with limited resources over networks with low to medium bandwidth. It is not called the Wireless Transport Protocol or the Wireless Transfer Protocol. Acronym: WTP.

Wireless Transport Layer Security n. See WTLS.

wiring closet

n. A room or location in a building where telecommunications and/ or networking equipment such as hubs, switches, and routers are installed. Also called: data closet, telecom closet, telecommunications closet.

wizard

n. 1. Someone who is adept at making computers perform their “magic.” A wizard is an outstanding and creative programmer or a power user. Compare UNIX wizard. 2. A participant in a multiuser dungeon (MUD) who has permission to control the domain, even to delete other players’ characters. See also MUD.

wizzywig

n. See WYSIWYG.

Microsoft Internet & Networking Dictionary

WLAN

n. See wireless LAN.

.wmf

n. A file extension that identifies a vector image encoded as a Microsoft Windows Metafile.

WMF

n. 1. See Windows Metafile Format. 2. Acronym for Wireless Multimedia Forum. A consortium of technology companies formed to promote open standards for wireless streaming products. WMF members include Cisco Systems, Intel, and the Walt Disney Internet Group. See also ISMA.

WML

n. Acronym for Wireless Markup Language. A markup language developed for Web sites that are accessed with microbrowsers on Wireless Application Protocol (WAP)-enabled devices. A Web site written with WML would be viewable on handheld devices with small screens, such as cell phones. See also markup language, microbrowser, Wireless Application Protocol.

WMLScript

n. A scripting language derived from the JavaScript language for use in the development of Wireless Markup Language (WML).

Word

n. Microsoft’s word processing software, available for the Windows and Macintosh platforms. In addition to extensive editing, formatting, and customization features, Word provides such tools as automatic text completion and correction. The most recent version, Word 2002 (part of Office XP) adds Web functionalityófor example, the ability to save documents in HTML format. The first version, Microsoft Word for MS-DOS 1.00, was introduced in 1983.

WordPerfect Office

n. A suite of business application programs from Corel Corporation. The basic (Standard Edition) WordPerfect Office suite includes the WordPerfect word processor, Quattro Pro spreadsheet, Corel Presentations presentation software, CorelCENTRAL personal information manager, Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications scripting tools, and Trellix Web publisher. A home and small-business package, the Voice-Powered Edition, adds speech recognition and publishing products; a business and corporate package, the Professional Edition, adds database and Internet tools to all of the preceding.

workgroup

n. A group of users working on a common project and sharing computer files, typically over a LAN (local area network). See also groupware.

workgroup computing

n. A method of working electronically in which various individuals on the same project share resources and access to files using a network arrangement, such as a local area network, enabling them to coordinate their separate tasks. This is accomplished through using software designed for workgroup computing. See also groupware.

workstation

n. 1. A combination of input, output, and computing hardware that can be used for work by an individual. 2. A powerful stand-alone computer of the sort used in computer-aided design and other applications requiring a high-end, usually expensive, machine with considerable calculating or graphics capability. 3. A microcomputer or terminal connected to a network.

World Wide Web

n. The total set of interlinked hypertext documents residing on HTTP servers all around the world. Documents on the World Wide Web, called pages or Web pages, are written in HTML (Hypertext

Microsoft Internet & Networking Dictionary

Markup Language), identified by URLs (Uniform Resource Locators) that specify the particular machine and pathname by which a file can be accessed, and transmitted from server to end user under HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol). Codes, called tags, embedded in an HTML document associate particular words and images in the document with URLs so that a user can access another file, which may be halfway around the world, at the press of a key or the click of a mouse. These files may contain text (in a variety of fonts and styles), graphics images, movie files, and sounds as well as Java applets, ActiveX controls, or other small embedded software programs that execute when the user activates them by clicking a link. A user visiting a Web page also may be able to download files from an FTP site and send messages to other users via e-mail by using links on the Web page. The World Wide Web was developed by Timothy Berners-Lee in 1989 for the European Laboratory for Particle Physics, or Conseil EuropÈen pour le Recherche NuclÈaire, in French (CERN). Acronym: WWW. Also called: w3, W3, Web. See also ActiveX control, HTML, HTTP, HTTP server (definition 2), Java applet, URL.

World Wide Web Consortium n. See W3C.

worm

n. A program that propagates itself across computers, usually by creating copies of itself in each computer’s memory. A worm might duplicate itself in one computer so often that it causes the computer to crash. Sometimes written in separate segments, a worm is introduced surreptitiously into a host system either as a prank or with the intent of damaging or destroying information. See also bacterium, Internet Worm, Trojan horse, virus.

WOSA

n. Acronym for Windows Open Services Architecture, also known as Windows Open System Architecture. A set of application programming interfaces from Microsoft that is intended to enable Windows-based applications from different vendors to communicate with each other, such as over a network. The interfaces within the WOSA standard include Open Database Connectivity (ODBC), the Messaging Application Programming Interface (MAPI), the Telephony Application Programming Interface (TAPI), Windows Sockets (Winsock), and Microsoft Remote Procedure Calls (RPC). See also MAPI, ODBC, remote procedure call, TAPI, Winsock.

.wrl

n. File extension required for saving all Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML) documents; for example, cube.wrl. See also VRML.

WSDL

n. Acronym for Web Services Description Language. An XML format developed to allow for better interoperability among Web services and development tools. WSDL describes network services as collections of communication endpoints capable of exchanging messages and is extensible to allow description of endpoints and their messages regardless of what message formats or network protocols are used to communicate.

WTLS

n. Acronym for Wireless Transport Layer Security. A security protocol that provides encryption and authentication services for the Wireless Application Protocol (WAP). The WTLS layer uses data integrity, authentication, and encryption mechanisms to provide end-to-end security and privacy for wireless transactions. WTLS is based on Transport Layer Security (TLS), a Secure Socket Layer equivalent used with Internet applications. See also Wireless Application Protocol.

WWW

n. See World Wide Web.

WYSIWYG

Microsoft Internet & Networking Dictionary

adj. Acronym for What You See Is What You Get, pronounced “wizzywig.” Allowing a user to view a document as it will appear in the final product, and to directly edit the text, graphics, or other elements within that view. A WYSIWYG language is often easier to use than a markup language, which provides no immediate visual feedback regarding the changes being made. Compare markup language.

X: X10—X Window System

X10

n. A popular communications protocol for powerline carrier (PLC) systems that uses existing electrical wiring in a home or building for home networking. X10 uses RF signals to communicate between transmitters and receivers. See also home automation, home network.

X.200

n. See X series.

X.25

n. A recommendation published by the ITU-T (formerly CCITT) international communications standards organization that defines the connection between a terminal and a packet-switching network. X.25 incorporates three definitions: the electrical connection between the terminal and the network, the transmission or link-access protocol, and the implementation of virtual circuits between network users. Taken together, these definitions specify a synchronous, full-duplex terminal-to-network connection. Packet format, error control, and other features are equivalent to portions of the HDLC (High-level Data Link Control) protocol defined by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). See also CCITT X series, HDLC, packet switching, virtual circuit.

X3D

n. Acronym for 3D XML. An XML-based 3-D graphics specification incorporating the behavior capabilities of the Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML). X3D is compatible with existing VRML content and tools and supports full integration with other XML-based technologies. The X3D specification was developed and administered by the Web 3D Consortium.

X.400

n. See X series.

X.445

n. See X series.

X.500

n. See X series.

X.509

n. See X series.

X.75

n. See X series.

Xbox

n. A video game console developed by Microsoft Corporation and released in 2001. Powered by an Intel 733-MHz processor, the Xbox delivers increased graphics capability over previously released game consoles and provides extensive storage capacity for gaming information. Peripherals plug into four game controller ports. An Ethernet port enables online gaming via a broadband connection. See also computer game, console game, GameCube, PlayStation. Compare Dreamcast.

Microsoft Internet & Networking Dictionary

X Consortium

n. The body, composed of several hardware firms, that governed the standards for the X Window System. The Open Group’s X Project Team now has responsibility for the X Window System. See also X Window System.

xDSL

n. An umbrella term for all of the digital subscriber line (DSL) technologies, which use a variety of modulation schemes to pack data onto copper wires. The x is a placeholder for the first or first two letters of a member technology, which might be ADSL, HDSL, IDSL, RADSL, or SDSL. See also DSL.

Xerox Network System n. See XNS.

Xerox PARC

n. Short for Xerox Palo Alto Research Center. Xerox’s research and development facility in Palo Alto, California. Xerox PARC is the birthplace of such innovations as the local area network (LAN), the laser printer, and the graphical user interface (GUI).

XFDL

n. Short for Extensible Forms Description Language, a document description language introduced and submitted to the World Wide Web Committee in 1998 by the Canadian Internet forms company UWI.Com. XFDL is an XML-based language for describing complex forms, such as legal and government documents. It is designed to allow for interactivity yet remain consistent with Internet standards.

XHTML

n. Short for Extensible Hypertext Markup Language. A markup language incorporating elements of HTML and XML. Web sites designed using XHTML can be more readily displayed on handheld computers and digital phones equipped with microbrowsers. XHTML was released for comments by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) in September 1999. See also HTML, microbrowser, XML.

XLANG

n. A derivative XML language that describes the logical sequencing of business processes, as well as the implementation of the business process by using various application services.

XLink

n. An XML language that provides a set of attributes that are used to create links between resources. XLink provides complex extended linking, link behavior, and management capabilities. XLink is able to describe links that connect sets of resources, point to multiple targets, or serve multiple roles within an XML document.

XLL

n. Acronym for eXtensible Linking Language. Broad term intended to denote the family of XML linking/pointing/addressing languages, which include XLink, XPointer, and XPath.

XMI

n. 1. Acronym for XML Metadata Interchange Format. An object-based model for exchanging program data across the Internet. XMI is sponsored by IBM, Unisys, and others and was submitted as a proposed standard to the Object Management Group (OMG); it is now one of OMG’s recommended technologies. XMI is designed to allow for storing and sharing programming information and exchanging data among tools, applications, and storage locations through a network or the Internet so that software developers can collaborate on applications, even if they are not all using the same development tools. 2. As XMI bus, a 64-bit parallel bus

Microsoft Internet & Networking Dictionary

supported on certain DEC and AlphaServer processors. An XMI bus is capable of transferring data, exclusive of addressing overhead, at 100 Mbps.

XML

n. Acronym for eXtensible Markup Language, a condensed form of SGML (Standard Generalized Markup Language). XML lets Web developers and designers create customized tags that offer greater flexibility in organizing and presenting information than is possible with the older HTML document coding system. XML is defined as a language standard published by the W3C and supported by the industry. See also SGML.

XML attribute

n. Information added to a tag to provide more information about the tag, such as <ingredient quantity=“2”units=“cups”>flour</ingredient>.

XML element

n. Information delimited by a start tag and an end tag in an eXtensible Markup Language (XML) document. An example would be <Lastname> Davalio</LastName>.

XML entities

n. Combinations of characters and symbols that replace other characters when an XML document is parsed, usually those that have other meanings in XML. For example, < represents the < symbol, which is also the opening bracket for a tag.

XML Metadata Interchange Format n. See XMI (definition 1).

XML-RPC

n. Acronym for eXtensible Markup Language-Remote Procedure Call. A set of XML-based implementations that allows cross-platform and cross-programming language procedure calls over the Internet. XML-RPC permits complex data structures to be transmitted, processed, and returned between different operating systems running in different environments.

XML Schema

n. A specification providing a common base for data description and validation in XML environments. XML schema replaces Document Type Definition (DTD) by defining a greater set of data types with more explicit data descriptions. XML schema has been developed as an open, vendor-neutral format to enhance information exchange and e-commerce over the Internet. It is also a standard for the description and encoding of data.

XML Schema Description Language n. See XSDL.

XML stylesheet

n. Contains formatting rules that are applied to an XML file referencing the stylesheet. The standard set of rules for XML stylesheets is the Extensible Stylesheet Language (XSL). See also XSL.

XML Web services

n. Units of application logic providing data and services to other applications. Applications access XML Web services via standard Web protocols and data formats such as HTTP, XML, and SOAP, independent of how each XML Web service is implemented. XML Web services combine the best aspects of component-based development and the Web and are a cornerstone of the Microsoft .NET programming model.

Xmodem

Microsoft Internet & Networking Dictionary

n. A file transfer protocol used in asynchronous communications that transfers information in blocks of 128 bytes.

Xmodem 1K

n. A version of the Xmodem file transfer protocol designed for larger, longer-distance file transfers. Xmodem 1K transmits information in 1-kilobyte (1024-byte) blocks and uses a more reliable form of error checking. See also Xmodem.

Xmodem-CRC

n. An enhanced version of the Xmodem file transfer protocol that incorporates a 2-byte cyclical redundancy check (CRC) to detect transmission errors.

XMT

n. Short for transmit. A signal used in serial communications.

XNS

n. Acronym for Xerox Network System. A set of protocols assigned to five numbered layers (0 through 4) that form a suite designed to handle packaging and delivery of network transmissions.

XON/XOFF

n. An asynchronous communications protocol in which the receiving device or computer uses special characters to control the flow of data from the transmitting device or computer. When the receiving computer cannot continue to receive data, it transmits an XOFF control character that tells the sender to stop transmitting; when transmission can resume, the computer signals the sender with an XON character. Also called: software handshake. See also handshake.

XOR encryption

n. Short for Exclusive-OR encryption. A simple encryption scheme using the “exclusive-or” concept, in which a decision is based on only one of two conditions being met. Using a provided key, XOR encryption performs an exclusive-or process on each byte of data to be encrypted. Because XOR encryption is not a strong security tool used alone, it is typically used as an additional level of security for Internet transmission of sensitive information.

XPath

n. An XML language for addressing items in an XML document by specifying a path through the document structure. XPath is used by XPointer and XSLT to locate and identify XML document data. XPath is also considered a query language complement to XQuery. XPath is more supported than XQuery even though there is no approved standard yet for either. See also XPointer.

XPointer

n. An XML language used to locate data within an XML document based on data property descriptions, such as attributes, location, and content. XPointer references the internal structure of a document, allowing links to be made to occurrences of a word, character set, content attribute, or other element, rather than to a specific point within the document. See also XPath.

XQuery

n. Short for eXtensible Query Language. Designed to be a functional query language that is broadly applicable to a variety of XML data types derived from Quilt, XPath, and XQL. Both Ipedo and Software AG implement their own versions of the W3C’s proposed specification for the XQuery language. Also called: XML Query, XQL.

XSD

n. Acronym for eXtensible Schema Definition. A prefix used by convention to indicate a W3C schema namespace.