As per Relevance of the word electronic, we have this rfc below:
Network Working Group G.
Request for Comments: 1392 Xylogics, Inc
FYI: 18 T. LaQuey
January 1993
Internet Users'
Status of this
This memo provides information for the Internet community. It
not specify an Internet standard. Distribution of this memo
unlimited
There are many networking glossaries in existence. This
concentrates on terms which are specific to the Internet. Naturally
there are entries for some basic terms and acronyms because
entries refer to them
This document is the work of the User Glossary Working Group of
User Services Area of the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF).
Special thanks go to Jon Postel for his definitive definition
"datagram".
Table of
non-letter . . 2 I . . . . . . . 23 R . . . . . . . 40
A . . . . . . . 2 J . . . . . . . 29 S . . . . . . . 43
B . . . . . . . 6 K . . . . . . . 29 T . . . . . . . 45
C . . . . . . . 9 L . . . . . . . 29 U . . . . . . . 48
D . . . . . . . 12 M . . . . . . . 30 V . . . . . . . 49
E . . . . . . . 16 N . . . . . . . 33 W . . . . . . . 49
F . . . . . . . 18 O . . . . . . . 36 X . . . . . . . 50
G . . . . . . . 20 P . . . . . . . 37 Y . . . . . . . 51
H . . . . . . . 21 Q . . . . . . . 40 Z . . . . . . . 51
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Security Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Authors' Addresses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
User Glossary Working Group [Page 1]
RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993
10
A variant of Ethernet which allows stations to be attached
twisted pair cable. See also: Ethernet, twisted pair
802.
The set of IEEE standards for the definition of LAN protocols
See also: IEEE
822
See: RFC 822
:-)
This odd symbol is one of the ways a person can portray "mood"
the very flat medium of computers--by using "smiley faces".
is "metacommunication", and there are literally hundreds of
symbols, from the obvious to the obscure. This particular
expresses "happiness". Don't see it? Tilt your head to the
90 degrees. Smiles are also used to denote sarcasm
[Source: ZEN
abstract
A description of a data structure that is independent of machine
oriented structures and encodings
[Source: RFC1208]
Abstract Syntax Notation One (ASN.1)
The language used by the OSI protocols for describing
syntax. This language is also used to encode SNMP packets. ASN.1
is defined in ISO documents 8824.2 and 8825.2. See also:
Encoding Rules
Acceptable Use Policy (AUP
Many transit networks have policies which restrict the use
which the network may be put. A well known example is NSFNET'
AUP which does not allow commercial use. Enforcement of
varies with the network. See also: National Science Foundation
Access Control List (ACL
Most network security systems operate by allowing selective use
services. An Access Control List is the usual means by
access to, and denial of, services is controlled. It is simply
list of the services available, each with a list of the
permitted to use the service
See:
User Glossary Working Group [Page 2]
RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993
acknowledgment (ACK
A type of message sent to indicate that a block of data arrived
its destination without error. See also:
Acknowledgement
[Source: NNSC
See: Access Control
See: Administrative
There are three types of addresses in common use within
Internet. They are email address; IP, internet or
address; and hardware or MAC address. See also: email address,
address, internet address, MAC address
address
A bit mask used to identify which bits in an IP address
to the network and subnet portions of the address. This mask
often referred to as the subnet mask because the network
of the address can be determined by the encoding inherent in an
address
address
Conversion of an internet address into the corresponding
address
Address Resolution Protocol (ARP
Used to dynamically discover the low level physical
hardware address that corresponds to the high level IP address
a given host. ARP is limited to physical network systems
support broadcast packets that can be heard by all hosts on
network. It is defined in RFC 826. See also: proxy ARP
Administrative Domain (AD
A collection of hosts and routers, and the
network(s), managed by a single administrative authority
Advanced Research Projects Agency Network (ARPANET
A pioneering longhaul network funded by ARPA (now DARPA).
served as the basis for early networking research, as well as
central backbone during the development of the Internet.
ARPANET consisted of individual packet switching
interconnected by leased lines. See also: Defense
Research Projects Agency
[Source: FYI4]
User Glossary Working Group [Page 3]
RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993
In the client-server model, the part of the system that
information preparation and exchange on behalf of a client
server application
[Source: RFC1208]
A name, usually short and easy to remember, that is
into another name, usually long and difficult to remember
American National Standards Institute (ANSI
This organization is responsible for approving U.S. standards
many areas, including computers and communications.
approved by this organization are often called ANSI
(e.g., ANSI C is the version of the C language approved by ANSI).
ANSI is a member of ISO. See also: International Organization
Standardization
[Source: NNSC
American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII
A standard character-to-number encoding widely used in
computer industry. See also: EBCDIC
anonymous
Anonymous FTP allows a user to retrieve documents, files
programs, and other archived data from anywhere in the
without having to establish a userid and password. By using
special userid of "anonymous" the network user will bypass
security checks and will have access to publicly accessible
on the remote system. See also: archive site, File
Protocol
See: American National Standards
See: Application Program
A networking protocol developed by Apple Computer
communication between Apple Computer products and other computers
This protocol is independent of the network layer on which it
run. Current implementations exist for Localtalk, a 235Kb/s
area network; and Ethertalk, a 10Mb/s local area network
[Source: NNSC
A program that performs a function directly for a user. FTP,
User Glossary Working Group [Page 4]
RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993
and Telnet clients are examples of network applications
application
The top layer of the network protocol stack. The
layer is concerned with the semantics of work (e.g.,
electronic mail messages). How to represent that data and how
reach the foreign node are issues for lower layers of the network
[Source: MALAMUD
Application Program Interface (API
A set of calling conventions which define how a service is
through a software package
[Source: RFC1208]
A system to automatically gather, index and serve information
the Internet. The initial implementation of archie provided
indexed directory of filenames from all anonymous FTP archives
the Internet. Later versions provide other collections
information. See also: archive site, Gopher, Prospero, Wide
Information Servers
archive
A machine that provides access to a collection of files across
Internet. An "anonymous FTP archive site", for example,
access to this material via the FTP protocol. See also:
FTP, archie, Gopher, Prospero, Wide Area Information Servers
See: Address Resolution
See: Defense Advanced Research Projects
See: Advanced Research Projects Agency
See: Autonomous
See: American Standard Code for Information
ASN.1
See: Abstract Syntax Notation
assigned
The RFC [STD2] which documents the currently assigned values
User Glossary Working Group [Page 5]
RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993
several series of numbers used in network
implementations. This RFC is updated periodically and, in
case, current information can be obtained from the
Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA). If you are developing
protocol or application that will require the use of a link
socket, port, protocol, etc., please contact the IANA to receive
number assignment. See also: Internet Assigned Numbers Authority
STD
[Source: STD2]
Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM
A method for the dynamic allocation of bandwidth using a fixed
size packet (called a cell). ATM is also known as "fast packet".
See: Asynchronous Transfer
See: Acceptable Use
The verification of the identity of a person or process
[Source: MALAMUD
Autonomous System (AS
A collection of routers under a single administrative
using a common Interior Gateway Protocol for routing packets
The top level in a hierarchical network. Stub and
networks which connect to the same backbone are guaranteed to
interconnected. See also: stub network, transit network
Technically, the difference, in Hertz (Hz), between the
and lowest frequencies of a transmission channel. However,
typically used, the amount of data that can be sent through
given communications circuit
bang
A series of machine names used to direct electronic mail from
user to another, typically by specifying an explicit UUCP
through which the mail is to be routed. See also: email address
mail path, UNIX-to-UNIX CoPy
A transmission medium through which digital signals are
without complicated frequency shifting. In general, only
User Glossary Working Group [Page 6]
RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993
communication channel is available at any given time. Ethernet
an example of a baseband network. See also: broadband, Ethernet
[Source: NNSC
Basic Encoding Rules (BER
Standard rules for encoding data units described in ASN.1.
Sometimes incorrectly lumped under the term ASN.1, which
refers only to the abstract syntax description language, not
encoding technique. See also: Abstract Syntax Notation One
[Source: NNSC
See: Bulletin Board
Be Seein'
See: Basic Encoding
Berkeley Internet Name Domain (BIND
Implementation of a DNS server developed and distributed by
University of California at Berkeley. Many Internet hosts
BIND, and it is the ancestor of many commercial
implementations
Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD
Implementation of the UNIX operating system and its
developed and distributed by the University of California
Berkeley. "BSD" is usually preceded by the version number of
distribution, e.g., "4.3 BSD" is version 4.3 of the Berkeley
distribution. Many Internet hosts run BSD software, and it is
ancestor of many commercial UNIX implementations
[Source: NNSC
See: Border Gateway
big-
A format for storage or transmission of binary data in which
most significant bit (or byte) comes first. The term comes
"Gulliver's Travels" by Jonathan Swift. The Lilliputians,
very small, had correspondingly small political problems.
Big-Endian and Little-Endian parties debated over whether soft
boiled eggs should be opened at the big end or the little end
See also: little-endian
[Source: RFC1208]
User Glossary Working Group [Page 7]
RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993
11001001
See: Berkeley Internet Name
Birds Of a Feather (BOF
A Birds Of a Feather (flocking together) is an informal
group. It is formed, often ad hoc, to consider a specific
and, therefore, has a narrow focus
An academic computer network that provides interactive
mail and file transfer services, using a store-and-
protocol, based on IBM Network Job Entry protocols. Bitnet-
encapsulates the Bitnet protocol within IP packets and depends
the Internet to route them
See: Birds Of a
The Bootstrap Protocol, described in RFCs 951 and 1084, is
for booting diskless nodes. See also: Reverse Address
Protocol
Border Gateway Protocol (BGP
The Border Gateway Protocol is an exterior gateway
defined in RFCs 1267 and 1268. It's design is based on
gained with EGP, as defined in STD 18, RFC 904, and EGP usage
the NSFNET Backbone, as described in RFCs 1092 and 1093.
also: Exterior Gateway Protocol
The return of a piece of mail because of an error in its delivery
[Source: ZEN
A device which forwards traffic between network segments based
datalink layer information. These segments would have a
network layer address. See also: gateway, router
A transmission medium capable of supporting a wide range
frequencies. It can carry multiple signals by dividing the
capacity of the medium into multiple, independent
channels, where each channel operates only on a specific range
frequencies. See also: baseband
User Glossary Working Group [Page 8]
RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993
A special type of multicast packet which all nodes on the
are always willing to receive. See also: multicast
broadcast
An incorrect packet broadcast onto a network that causes
hosts to respond all at once, typically with equally
packets which causes the storm to grow exponentially in severity
A device which bridges some packets (i.e., forwards based
datalink layer information) and routes other packets (i.e.,
forwards based on network layer information). The bridge/
decision is based on configuration information. See also: bridge
router
See: Berkeley Software
By The
Bulletin Board System (BBS
A computer, and associated software, which typically
electronic messaging services, archives of files, and any
services or activities of interest to the bulletin board system'
operator. Although BBS's have traditionally been the domain
hobbyists, an increasing number of BBS's are connected directly
the Internet, and many BBS's are currently operated by government
educational, and research institutions. See also:
Mail, Internet, Usenet
[Source: NWNET
Campus Wide Information System (CWIS
A CWIS makes information and services publicly available on
via kiosks, and makes interactive computing available via kiosks
interactive computing systems and campus networks.
routinely include directory information, calendars,
boards, databases
See: Coordinating Committee for Intercontinental Research
See: Comite Consultatif International de Telegraphique
User Glossary Working Group [Page 9]
RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993
See: Computer Emergency Response
A computed value which is dependent upon the contents of a packet
This value is sent along with the packet when it is transmitted
The receiving system computes a new checksum based upon
received data and compares this value with the one sent with
packet. If the two values are the same, the receiver has a
degree of confidence that the data was received correctly
[Source: NNSC
circuit
A communications paradigm in which a dedicated communication
is established between two hosts, and on which all packets travel
The telephone system is an example of a circuit switched network
See also: connection-oriented, connectionless, packet switching
A computer system or process that requests a service of
computer system or process. A workstation requesting the
of a file from a file server is a client of the file server.
also: client-server model, server
[Source: NNSC
client-server
A common way to describe the paradigm of many network protocols
Examples include the name-server/name-resolver relationship in
and the file-server/file-client relationship in NFS. See also
client, server, Domain Name System, Network File System
See: Coalition for Networked
Coalition for Networked Information (CNI
A consortium formed by American Research Libraries, CAUSE,
EDUCOM to promote the creation of, and access to,
resources in networked environments in order to enrich
and enhance intellectual productivity
Comite Consultatif International de Telegraphique et
(CCITT
This organization is part of the United National
Telecommunications Union (ITU) and is responsible for
technical recommendations about telephone and data
systems. Every four years CCITT holds plenary sessions where
adopt new standards; the most recent was in 1992.
[Source: NNSC
User Glossary Working Group [Page 10]
RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993
Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT
The CERT was formed by DARPA in November 1988 in response to
needs exhibited during the Internet worm incident. The
charter is to work with the Internet community to facilitate
response to computer security events involving Internet hosts,
take proactive steps to raise the community's awareness
computer security issues, and to conduct research targeted
improving the security of existing systems. CERT products
services include 24-hour technical assistance for responding
computer security incidents, product vulnerability assistance
technical documents, and tutorials. In addition, the
maintains a number of mailing lists (including one for
Advisories), and provides an anonymous FTP server, at "cert.org",
where security-related documents and tools are archived. The
may be reached by email at "cert@cert.org" and by telephone
+1-412-268-7090 (24-hour hotline). See also: Defense
Research Projects Agency, worm
Congestion occurs when the offered load exceeds the capacity of
data communication path
connection-
The data communication method in which communication
through three well-defined phases: connection establishment,
transfer, connection release. TCP is a connection-
protocol. See also: circuit switching, connectionless,
switching, Transmission Control Protocol
The data communication method in which communication
between hosts with no previous setup. Packets between two
may take different routes, as each is independent of the other
UDP is a connectionless protocol. See also: circuit switching
connection-oriented, packet switching, User Datagram Protocol
Coordinating Committee for Intercontinental Research Networks (CCIRN
A committee that includes the United States FNC and
counterparts in North America and Europe. Co-chaired by
executive directors of the FNC and the European Association
Research Networks (RARE), the CCIRN provides a forum
cooperative planning among the principal North American
European research networking bodies. See also: Federal
Council, RARE
[Source: MALAMUD
core
Historically, one of a set of gateways (routers) operated by
User Glossary Working Group [Page 11]
RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993
Internet Network Operations Center at Bolt, Beranek and
(BBN). The core gateway system formed a central part of
routing in that all groups must advertise paths to their
from a core gateway
[Source: MALAMUD
Corporation for Research and Educational Networking (CREN
This organization was formed in October 1989, when Bitnet
CSNET (Computer + Science NETwork) were combined under
administrative authority. CSNET is no longer operational,
CREN still runs Bitnet. See also: Bitnet
[Source: NNSC
A cracker is an individual who attempts to access computer
without authorization. These individuals are often malicious,
opposed to hackers, and have many means at their disposal
breaking into a system. See also: hacker, Computer
Response Team, Trojan Horse, virus, worm
See: cyclic redundancy
See: Corporation for Research and Educational
See: Campus Wide Information
A term coined by William Gibson in his fantasy novel
to describe the "world" of computers, and the society that
around them
[Source: ZEN
Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC
A number derived from a set of data that will be transmitted.
recalculating the CRC at the remote end and comparing it to
value originally transmitted, the receiving node can detect
types of transmission errors
[Source: MALAMUD
See: Defense Advanced Research Projects
Data Encryption Key (DEK
Used for the encryption of message text and for the computation
message integrity checks (signatures). See also: encryption
User Glossary Working Group [Page 12]
RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993
Data Encryption Standard (DES
A popular, standard encryption scheme. See also: encryption
A self-contained, independent entity of data carrying
information to be routed from the source to the
computer without reliance on earlier exchanges between this
and destination computer and the transporting network. See also
frame, packet
[Source: J. Postel
See: Defense Information Systems
Data Circuit-terminating
See: Distributed Computing
See: Defense Data
DDN
See: Defense Data Network Network Information
A proprietary network protocol designed by Digital
Corporation. The functionality of each Phase of
implementation, such as Phase IV and Phase V, is different
default
A routing table entry which is used to direct packets addressed
networks not explicitly listed in the routing table
[Source: MALAMUD
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA
An agency of the U.S. Department of Defense responsible for
development of new technology for use by the military.
(formerly known as ARPA) was responsible for funding much of
development of the Internet we know today, including the
version of Unix and TCP/IP
[Source: NNSC
Defense Data Network (DDN
A global communications network serving the US Department
Defense composed of MILNET, other portions of the Internet,
classified networks which are not part of the Internet. The
User Glossary Working Group [Page 13]
RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993
is used to connect military installations and is managed by
Defense Information Systems Agency. See also: Defense
Systems Agency
Defense Data Network Network Information Center (DDN NIC
Often called "The NIC", the DDN NIC's primary responsibility
the assignment of Internet network addresses and Autonomous
numbers, the administration of the root domain, and
information and support services to the DDN. It is also a
repository for RFCs. See also: Autonomous System,
address, Internet Registry, Network Information Center,
For Comments
Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA
Formerly called the Defense Communications Agency (DCA), this
the government agency responsible for managing the DDN portion
the Internet, including the MILNET. Currently, DISA
the DDN, and supports the user assistance services of the DDN NIC
See also: Defense Data Network
See: Data Encryption
See: Data Encryption
A temporary, as opposed to dedicated, connection between
established over a standard phone line
Directory Access
X.500 protocol used for communication between a Directory
Agent and a Directory System Agent
[Source: MALAMUD
Directory System Agent (DSA
The software that provides the X.500 Directory Service for
portion of the directory information base. Generally, each DSA
responsible for the directory information for a
organization or organizational unit
[Source: RFC1208]
Directory User Agent (DUA
The software that accesses the X.500 Directory Service on
of the directory user. The directory user may be a person
another software element
[Source: RFC1208]
User Glossary Working Group [Page 14]
RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993
See: Defense Information Systems
Distributed Computing Environment (DCE
An architecture of standard programming interfaces, conventions
and server functionalities (e.g., naming, distributed file system
remote procedure call) for distributing applications
across networks of heterogeneous computers. Promoted
controlled by the Open Software Foundation (OSF), a consortium
by Digital, IBM and Hewlett Packard
[Source: RFC1208]
distributed
A collection of several different data repositories that
like a single database to the user. A prime example in
Internet is the Domain Name System
DIX
See:
See: Domain Name
"Domain" is a heavily overused term in the Internet. It can
used in the Administrative Domain context, or the Domain
context. See also: Administrative Domain, Domain Name System
Domain Name System (DNS
The DNS is a general purpose distributed, replicated, data
service. The principal use is the lookup of host IP
based on host names. The style of host names now used in
Internet is called "domain name", because they are the style
names used to look up anything in the DNS. Some important
are: .COM (commercial), .EDU (educational), .NET (
operations), .GOV (U.S. government), and .MIL (U.S. military).
Most countries also have a domain. For example, .US (
States), .UK (United Kingdom), .AU (Australia). It is defined
STD 13, RFCs 1034 and 1035. See also: Fully Qualified
Name
dot address (dotted decimal notation
Dot address refers to the common notation for IP addresses of
form A.B.C.D; where each letter represents, in decimal, one
of a four byte IP address. See also: IP address
[Source: FYI4]
User Glossary Working Group [Page 15]
RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993
DS
A framing specification for T-1 synchronous lines. See also: T
DS
A framing specification for T-3 synchronous lines. See also: T
See: Directory System
Data Terminal
See: Directory User
dynamic adaptive
Automatic rerouting of traffic based on a sensing and analysis
current actual network conditions. NOTE: this does not
cases of routing decisions taken on predefined information
[Source: J. Postel
See: European Academic and Research
See: Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange
A pan-European backbone service
See: Electronic Frontier
See: Extended Four Letter
See: Exterior Gateway
Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF
A foundation established to address social and legal
arising from the impact on society of the increasingly
use of computers as a means of communication and
distribution
Electronic Mail (email
A system whereby a computer user can exchange messages with
computer users (or groups of users) via a communications network
User Glossary Working Group [Page 16]
RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993
Electronic mail is one of the most popular uses of the Internet
[Source: NNSC
See: Electronic
email
The domain-based or UUCP address that is used to send
mail to a specified destination. For example an editor's
is "gmalkin@xylogics.com". See also: bang path, mail path, UNIX
to-UNIX CoPy
[Source: ZEN
The technique used by layered protocols in which a layer
header information to the protocol data unit (PDU) from the
above. As an example, in Internet terminology, a packet
contain a header from the physical layer, followed by a
from the network layer (IP), followed by a header from
transport layer (TCP), followed by the application protocol data
[Source: RFC1208]
Encryption is the manipulation of a packet's data in order
prevent any but the intended recipient from reading that data
There are many types of data encryption, and they are the basis
network security. See also: Data Encryption Standard
A 10-Mb/s standard for LANs, initially developed by Xerox,
later refined by Digital, Intel and Xerox (DIX). All hosts
connected to a coaxial cable where they contend for network
using a Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision
(CSMA/CD) paradigm. See also: 802.x, Local Area Network,
ring
Ethernet
An event that causes saturation, or near saturation, on
Ethernet. It usually results from illegal or misrouted
and typically lasts only a short time
[Source: COMER
European Academic and Research Network (EARN
A network connecting European academic and research
with electronic mail and file transfer services using the
protocol. See also:
User Glossary Working Group [Page 17]
RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993
Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code (EBCDIC
A standard character-to-number encoding used primarily by
computer systems. See also: ASCII
Extended Four Letter Acronym (EFLA
A recognition of the fact that there are far too many TLAs.
also: Three Letter Acronym
[Source: K. Morgan
Exterior Gateway Protocol (EGP
A protocol which distributes routing information to the
which connect autonomous systems. The term "gateway"
historical, as "router" is currently the preferred term. There
also a routing protocol called EGP defined in STD 18, RFC 904.
See also: Autonomous System, Border Gateway Protocol,
Gateway Protocol
eXternal Data Representation (XDR
A standard for machine independent data structures developed
Sun Microsystems and defined in RFC 1014. It is similar to ASN.1.
See also: Abstract Syntax Notation One
[Source: RFC1208]
A non-profit corporation, established in 1987, whose mission is
advance the use of computer networks to improve research
education
Frequently Asked
See: Fiber Distributed Data
Federal Information Exchange (FIX
One of the connection points between the American
internets and the Internet
[Source: SURA
Federal Networking Council (FNC
The coordinating group of representatives from those
agencies involved in the development and use of
networking, especially those networks using TCP/IP and
Internet. Current members include representatives from DOD, DOE
DARPA, NSF, NASA, and HHS. See also: Defense Advanced
Projects Agency, National Science Foundation
User Glossary Working Group [Page 18]
RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993
Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI
A high-speed (100Mb/s) LAN standard. The underlying medium
fiber optics, and the topology is a dual-attached, counter
rotating token ring. See also: Local Area Network, token ring
[Source: RFC1208]
file
The copying of a file from one computer to another over a
network. See also: File Transfer Protocol, Kermit
File Transfer Protocol (FTP
A protocol which allows a user on one host to access, and
files to and from, another host over a network. Also, FTP
usually the name of the program the user invokes to execute
protocol. It is defined in STD 9, RFC 959. See also:
FTP
A program that displays information about a particular user,
all users, logged on the local system or on a remote system.
typically shows full name, last login time, idle time,
line, and terminal location (where applicable). It may
display plan and project files left by the user
See: Federal Information
A strong opinion and/or criticism of something, usually as a
inflammatory statement, in an electronic mail message. It
common to precede a flame with an indication of pending
(i.e., FLAME ON!). Flame Wars occur when people start
other people for flaming when they shouldn't have. See also
Electronic
See: Federal Networking
For Your Information (FYI
A subseries of RFCs that are not technical standards
descriptions of protocols. FYIs convey general information
topics related to TCP/IP or the Internet. See also: Request
Comments, STD
See: Fully Qualified Domain
User Glossary Working Group [Page 19]
RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993
A piece of a packet. When a router is forwarding an IP packet
a network that has a maximum packet size smaller than the
size, it is forced to break up that packet into
fragments. These fragments will be reassembled by the IP layer
the destination host
The IP process in which a packet is broken into smaller pieces
fit the requirements of a physical network over which the
must pass. See also: reassembly
A frame is a datalink layer "packet" which contains the header
trailer information required by the physical medium. That is
network layer packets are encapsulated to become frames.
also: datagram, encapsulation, packet
Community-based bulletin board system with email,
services, interactive communications, and conferencing.
are funded and operated by individuals and volunteers -- in
sense, like public television. They are part of the
Public Telecomputing Network (NPTN), an organization based
Cleveland, Ohio, devoted to making computer telecommunication
networking services as freely available as public libraries
[Source: LAQUEY
See: File Transfer
Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN
The FQDN is the full name of a system, rather than just
hostname. For example, "venera" is a hostname
"venera.isi.edu" is an FQDN. See also: hostname, Domain
System
See: For Your
A dozen dozen (144).
Gatedaemon. A program which supports multiple routing
and protocol families. It may be used for routing, and makes
effective platform for routing protocol research. The software
freely available by anonymous FTP from "gated.cornell.edu".
User Glossary Working Group [Page 20]
RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993
Pronounced "gate-dee". See also: Exterior Gateway Protocol,
Shortest Path First..., Routing Information Protocol, routed
The term "router" is now used in place of the original
of "gateway". Currently, a gateway is a
device/program which passes data between networks having
functions but dissimilar implementations. This should not
confused with a protocol converter. By this definition, a
is a layer 3 (network layer) gateway, and a mail gateway is
layer 7 (application layer) gateway. See also: mail gateway
router, protocol converter
A distributed information service that makes
hierarchical collections of information across the Internet
Gopher uses a simple protocol that allows a single Gopher
to access information from any accessible Gopher server,
the user with a single "Gopher space" of information.
domain versions of the client and server are available. See also
archie, archive site, Prospero, Wide Area Information Servers
See: Government OSI
Government OSI
A subset of OSI standards specific to U.S.
procurements, designed to maximize interoperability in areas
plain OSI standards are ambiguous or allow excessive options
[Source: BIG-LAN
A person who delights in having an intimate understanding of
internal workings of a system, computers and computer networks
particular. The term is often misused in a pejorative context
where "cracker" would be the correct term. See also: cracker
The portion of a packet, preceding the actual data,
source and destination addresses, and error checking and
fields. A header is also the part of an electronic mail
that precedes the body of a message and contains, among
things, the message originator, date and time. See also
Electronic Mail, packet
heterogeneous
A network running multiple network layer protocols. See also
DECnet, IP, IPX, XNS
User Glossary Working Group [Page 21]
RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993
hierarchical
The complex problem of routing on large networks can be
by reducing the size of the networks. This is accomplished
breaking a network into a hierarchy of networks, where each
is responsible for its own routing. The Internet has, basically
three levels: the backbones, the mid-levels, and the
networks. The backbones know how to route between the mid-levels
the mid-levels know how to route between the sites, and each
(being an autonomous system) knows how to route internally.
also: Autonomous System, Exterior Gateway Protocol,
Gateway Protocol, stub network, transit network
High Performance Computing and Communications (HPCC
High performance computing encompasses advanced computing
communications, and information technologies, including
workstations, supercomputer systems, high speed networks,
purpose and experimental systems, the new generation of
scale parallel systems, and application and systems software
all components well integrated and linked over a high
network
[Source: HPCC
High Performance Parallel Interface (HIPPI
An emerging ANSI standard which extends the computer bus
fairly short distances at speeds of 800 and 1600 Mb/s. HIPPI
often used in a computer room to connect a supercomputer
routers, frame buffers, mass-storage peripherals, and
computers. See also: American National Standards
[Source: MALAMUD
See: High Performance Parallel
A term used in routing. A path to a destination on a network is
series of hops, through routers, away from the origin
A computer that allows users to communicate with other
computers on a network. Individual users communicate by
application programs, such as electronic mail, Telnet and FTP
[Source: NNSC
host
See: internet
The name given to a machine. See also: Fully Qualified
User Glossary Working Group [Page 22]
RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993
Name
[Source: ZEN
host
See: host
See: High Performance Computing and
A device connected to several other devices. In ARCnet, a hub
used to connect several computers together. In a message
service, a hub is used for the transfer of messages across
network
[Source: MALAMUD
I-
See: Internet-
See: Internet Architecture
See: Internet Assigned Numbers
See: Internet Control Message
Institute of Electrical and Electronics
IEEE 802
See: 802.
See: Internet Experiment
See: Internet Engineering Steering
See: Internet Engineering Task
See: Interagency Interim National Research and Education
See: Interior Gateway
User Glossary Working Group [Page 23]
RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993
In My Humble
See: Internet Monthly
Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN
An emerging technology which is beginning to be offered by
telephone carriers of the world. ISDN combines voice and
network services in a single medium, making it possible to
customers digital data services as well as voice
through a single "wire". The standards that define ISDN
specified by CCITT. See also: CCITT
[Source: RFC1208]
Interagency Interim National Research and Education Network (IINREN
An evolving operating network system. Near term (1992-1996)
research and development activities will provide for the
evolution of this networking infrastructure into the
gigabit NREN
[Source: HPCC
Interior Gateway Protocol (IGP
A protocol which distributes routing information to the
within an autonomous system. The term "gateway" is historical,
"router" is currently the preferred term. See also:
System, Exterior Gateway Protocol, Open Shortest Path First...,
Routing Information Protocol
Intermediate System (IS
An OSI system which performs network layer forwarding. It
analogous to an IP router. See also: Open
Interconnection, router
Intermediate System-Intermediate System (IS-IS
The OSI IGP. See also: Open Systems Interconnection,
Gateway Protocol
International Organization for Standardization (ISO
A voluntary, nontreaty organization founded in 1946 which
responsible for creating international standards in many areas
including computers and communications. Its members are
national standards organizations of the 89 member countries
including ANSI for the U.S. See also: American National
Institute, Open Systems Interconnection
[Source: TAN
User Glossary Working Group [Page 24]
RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993
While an internet is a network, the term "internet" is
used to refer to a collection of networks interconnected
routers. See also: network
(note the capital "I") The Internet is the largest internet in
world. Is a three level hierarchy composed of backbone
(e.g., NSFNET, MILNET), mid-level networks, and stub networks
The Internet is a multiprotocol internet. See also: backbone
mid-level network, stub network, transit network,
Protocol, Corporation for Research and Educational Networks
National Science Foundation
internet
A IP address that uniquely identifies a node on an internet.
Internet address (capital "I"), uniquely identifies a node on
Internet. See also: internet, Internet, IP address
Internet Architecture Board (IAB
The technical body that oversees the development of the
suite of protocols. It has two task forces: the IETF and
IRTF. "IAB" previously stood for Internet Activities Board.
also: Internet Engineering Task Force, Internet Research
Force
Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA
The central registry for various Internet protocol parameters
such as port, protocol and enterprise numbers, and options,
and types. The currently assigned values are listed in
"Assigned Numbers" document [STD2]. To request a
assignment, contact the IANA at "iana@isi.edu". See also
assigned numbers, STD
Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP
ICMP is an extension to the Internet Protocol. It allows for
generation of error messages, test packets and
messages related to IP. It is defined in STD 5, RFC 792.
[Source: FYI4]
Internet-Draft (I-D
Internet-Drafts are working documents of the IETF, its Areas,
its Working Groups. As the name implies, Internet-Drafts
draft documents. They are valid for a maximum of six months
may be updated, replaced, or obsoleted by other documents at
time. Very often, I-Ds are precursors to RFCs. See also
Internet Engineering Task Force, Request For Comments
User Glossary Working Group [Page 25]
RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993
Internet Engineering Steering Group (IESG
The IESG is composed of the IETF Area Directors and the
Chair. It provides the first technical review of
standards and is responsible for day-to-day "management" of
IETF. See also: Internet Engineering Task Force
Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF
The IETF is a large, open community of network designers
operators, vendors, and researchers whose purpose is to
the operation, management and evolution of the Internet, and
resolve short-range and mid-range protocol and
issues. It is a major source of proposals for protocol
which are submitted to the IAB for final approval. The IETF
three times a year and extensive minutes are included in the
Proceedings. See also: Internet, Internet Architecture Board
[Source: FYI4]
Internet Experiment Note (IEN
A series of reports pertinent to the Internet. IENs
published in parallel to RFCs and are no longer active. See also
Internet-Draft, Request For Comments
Internet Monthly Report (IMR
Published monthly, the purpose of the Internet Monthly Reports
to communicate to the Internet Research Group the accomplishments
milestones reached, or problems discovered by the
organizations
internet
See: internet
Internet Protocol (IP
The Internet Protocol, defined in STD 5, RFC 791, is the
layer for the TCP/IP Protocol Suite. It is a connectionless
best-effort packet switching protocol. See also:
switching, Request For Comments, TCP/IP Protocol Suite
Internet Registry (IR
The IANA has the discretionary authority to delegate portions
its responsibility and, with respect to network address
Autonomous System identifiers, has lodged this responsibility
an IR. The IR function is performed by the DDN NIC. See also
Autonomous System, network address, Defense Data Network...,
Internet Assigned Numbers Authority
Internet Relay Chat (IRC
A world-wide "party line" protocol that allows one to
with others in real time. IRC is structured as a network
User Glossary Working Group [Page 26]
RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993
servers, each of which accepts connections from client programs
one per user. See also: talk
[Source: HACKER
Internet Research Steering Group (IRSG
The "governing body" of the IRTF. See also: Internet
Task Force
[Source: MALAMUD
Internet Research Task Force (IRTF
The IRTF is chartered by the IAB to consider long-term
issues from a theoretical point of view. It has Research Groups
similar to IETF Working Groups, which are each tasked to
different research topics. Multi-cast audio/video
and privacy enhanced mail are samples of IRTF output. See also
Internet Architecture Board, Internet Engineering Task Force
Privacy Enhanced Mail
Internet Society (ISOC
The Internet Society is a non-profit, professional
organization which facilitates and supports the
evolution of the Internet, stimulates interest in and educates
scientific and academic communities, industry and the public
the technology, uses and applications of the Internet,
promotes the development of new applications for the system.
Society provides a forum for discussion and collaboration in
operation and use of the global Internet infrastructure.
Internet Society publishes a quarterly newsletter, the
Society News, and holds an annual conference, INET.
development of Internet technical standards takes place under
auspices of the Internet Society with substantial support from
Corporation for National Research Initiatives under a
agreement with the US Federal Government
[Source: V. Cerf
Internetwork Packet eXchange (IPX
Novell's protocol used by Netware. A router with IPX routing
interconnect LANs so that Novell Netware clients and servers
communicate. See also: Local Area Network
The ability of software and hardware on multiple machines
multiple vendors to communicate meaningfully
See: Internet
User Glossary Working Group [Page 27]
RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993
IP
The 32-bit address defined by the Internet Protocol in STD 5,
791. It is usually represented in dotted decimal notation.
also: dot address, internet address, Internet Protocol,
address, subnet address, host address
IP
See:
See: Internetwork Packet
See: Internet
See: Internet Relay
See: Internet Research Steering
See: Internet Research Task
See: Intermediate
IS-
See: Intermediate System-Intermediate
See: Integrated Services Digital
See: International Organization for
ISO Development Environment (ISODE
Software that allows OSI services to use a TCP/IP network
Pronounced eye-so-dee-eee. See also: Open
Interconnection, TCP/IP Protocol Suite
See: Internet
See: ISO Development
User Glossary Working Group [Page 28]
RFC 1392 Internet Glossary January 1993
Joyce K.
KA9
A popular implementation of TCP/IP and associated protocols
amateur packet radio systems. See also: TCP/IP Protocol Suite
[Source: RFC1208]
Kerberos is the security system of MIT's Project Athena. It
based on symmetric key cryptography. See also: encryption
A popular file transfer protocol developed by Columbia University
Because Kermit runs in most operating environments, it provides
easy method of file transfer. Kermit is NOT the same as FTP.
also: File Transfer
[Source: MALAMUD
An experimental directory service. See also: white pages, WHOIS
X.500.
See: Local Area
Communication networks for computers may be organized as a set
more or less independent protocols, each in a different
(also called level). The lowest layer governs direct host-to-
communication between the hard