Glossary of technical terms
Active Directory
A service provided in Microsoft Windows Servers that provides a simplified framework for administering computers, users and other network resources.
ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line)
A form of data communications technology typically used for Internet connectivity whereby data can flow faster in one direction than the other, i.e., asymmetrically.
Autoloader
A data storage device that consists of a tape drive, a method of loading tapes into the drive and a storage area for extra tapes (magazine). The unit automatically loads new tapes as necessary, meaning that backups can span multiple tapes without requiring an operator to load a new one each time a tape becomes full.
Bandwidth
A measure of the amount of data that can be transferred over a connection in a given time period. Typically measured in bits per second (the bigger the number the faster the connection).
Bit
A bit is the most basic information unit used in computing. A single bit is a one or a zero.
Byte
A byte is a unit of storage. Eight bits make one byte (or the equivalent of one alphabetic character, so the word 'byte' is four bytes long).
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)
In essence a DHCP server sits on the network and provides configuration parameters for any client machine requesting information as to how to communicate successfully with other network resources (such as the location of DNS, WINS or NTP servers) or gain access to the Internet.
DLT IV (Digital Linear Tape)
The fourth generation of the DLT magnetic tape standard developed by Digital Equipment Corporation. Has an uncompressed capacity of 40GB.
DNS (Domain Name System or Domain Name Service)
A DNS is an Internet or other type of network server that helps to identify domain names. Most importantly it helps translate 'human friendly' domain names (or other hostnames) into 'computer friendly' ip addresses (e.g. www.google.com becomes 66.102.9.99). If a domain name is not found within the local database, the server may query other domain servers to obtain the address of a domain name.
Domain
When referring to a computer network running a Microsoft network operating system (e.g. Windows Server 2003) a domain is a group of network resources that can be centrally managed by one of the servers.
Domain Name
The name of a computer on the Internet that distinguishes it from other systems on the network. These are sometime referred to colloquially as 'web addresses'
GB
A gigabyte, GB is equal to 1,073,741,824 bytes of data. However, it is often defined as 1,000,000,000 bytes. Depending on the manufacturer it could be either of these values.
Hostname
This is the unique name by which a network attached device is known on a network.
IP address
This is a unique number, similar in concept to a telephone number, used by network devices such as computers to identify each other when sending and receiving information.
kbps (sometimes Kbps)
A kilobit per second is a unit of data transmission equal to 1,000 bits per second.
LTO2
The second generation of the Ultrium Linear Tape-Open tape format. Has an uncompressed capacity of 200GB.
LTO3
The third, and latest, generation of the Ultrium Linear Tape-Open tape format. Has an uncompressed capacity of 400GB
MB
A megabyte (also sometimes abbreviated as meg.) A MB is equal to 1,048,576 bytes (sometimes defined as equal to 1,000,000 bytes).
Mbps
A megabit per second is a unit of data transmission equal to 1,000 kilobits per second (or 1,000,000 bits per second).
Network Switch
A network device used to connect multiple computers or other devices together.
RAID (Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks or Redundant Array of Independent Disks)
RAID is a system of combining an assortment of hard disk drives so as to appear as one logical unit, connected and setup in such a way as to help protect and/or speed up the performance of a computers disk storage.
There are several different levels of RAID. Level 5, commonly used with file servers, requires a minimum of three hard disks (identical drives are better). It writes data to the various disks in such a way that if a single disk fails the system will still operate. Note that the available disk capacity on a RAID 5 system is typically reduced by one third (one whole disk).
SCSI (Small Computer Systems Interface)
This is a standard interface and command set for transferring data between devices. Most commonly used for hard disks and tape drives although also capable of connecting other devices such as CD-ROMs and scanners. Pronounced "scuzzy".
SDLT (Super DLT)
A higher capacity variant of DLT.
SDSL (Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line)
A form of data communications technology typically used for Internet connectivity whereby the data transfer rate is the same in both directions.
TB
A terabyte, TB is equal to 1,099,511,627,776 bytes (sometimes defined as equal to 1,000,000,000,000 bytes).
Ultrium LTO (Linear Tape-Open)
A high capacity magnetic tape format.