Copy Link
Add to Bookmark
Report
Modernz 20b
***********************************************************
* *
* *
* Modern Database of Network Terms *
* *
* Alphabetically Listed *
* *
* Part 1 *
* *
* *
* *
* Another Modernz Presentation *
* *
* by *
* Digital-demon *
* *
* (C)opyright December 29, 1992 *
***********************************************************
***********************************************************
The Modernz can be contacted at:
MATRIX BBS - SySops: Wintermute & Digital-demon
(908)905-6691
The Church of Rodney - Sysop: Tal Meta
(908)830-7960
***********************************************************
Also can be reached at :
Hellfire BBS - SANctuary World HQ
Sysop: Red
(908)495-3926
**********************************************************
This Series of Text philes should be informative
for the Novice as well as those experienced. Terminology
tends to get convoluted at times, but it should be a great
way for a newbie to learn the ropes, before hounding thier
mentor with hundreds of questions.
***********************************************************
$0
==
Symbol used in Tymfile macros to indicate that the value of a number
is hexadecimal.
$8
==
Symbol used in Tymfile macros to indicate that the value of a number
is octal.
$A
==
Symbol used in Tymfile macros to indicate that the value of a number
is decimal.
0x
==
C or UNIX system convention to denote hexadecimal numbers.
2400 bps
========
A BT North America enhanced service that allows asynchronous terminals
and PCs to access the TYMNET network by way of high-speed dial-up or
leased-line communications.
2780/3780/HASP
==============
Various bisynchronous protocols used for Remote Job Entry (RJE)
stations.
286
===
PC with an Intel 80286 chip.
3270
====
A data stream with its own commands. Also a family of IBM equipment.
3270 Character Mode Translator (CMT)
====================================
A BT North America product that gives an asynchronous ASCII terminal
the ability to access a 3270/SNA bisynchronous host computer.
3270 SNA 3270 BSC 3270 SNA-to-BSC
=================================
Three services that work within the boundaries of an SNA network to
provide the means for single end-user devices to be supported
independently. Thus, different devices on the same control unit can
select different host destinations.
386
===
PC with an Intel 80386 chip.
ABRM
====
Asynchronous Balanced Response Mode.
Absolute Channel Number (ACN)
=============================
The number (index) assigned to an individual channel within Node Code
to map a single user's traffic across an internodal link. ACNs, which
consist of a subrange of relative channels or ports, are used by the
Dispatcher (RPORT) and Node Code (channels).
access
======
A user's ability to read or write information to or from a host on a
network.
Access Profile Entry (APE)
==========================
An entry constructed by NETVAL, stored in the MUD, and used by the
Supervisor. Consists of a pair of origination and destination lists
that control the allowable origination and destination of the username.
access time
===========
The time interval between the instant a request for data is made to the
host and the instant in which the data is received at the host.
ACCOUNT
=======
A slave of the Supervisor program that reads the Accounting file on
the Supervisor disk and sends that data to the Raw Accounting Merger
(RAM) program. ACCOUNT is resident in a pseudoslot in the Supervisor.
Acknowledgment (ACK)
====================
The signal from the receiver to the sender acknowledging that a packet
or message has been correctly received.
ACN
===
Absolute Channel Number. The number (index) assigned to an individual
channel within Node Code to map a single user's traffic across an
internodal link. ACNs, which consist of a subrange of relative
channels or ports, are used by the Dispatcher (RPORT) and Node Code
(channels).
acoustic coupler
================
A type of telecommunications equipment that transfers audio-range
signals to or from a telephone line without an electrical connection
to the telephone line. This device uses a microphone, speaker, or
associated circuitry into which a telephone handset is placed. Also,
the name for a modem so equipped.
ACP
===
Active Channel Port. A bit array used to indicate the status (in use
or available) of channels.
active channel
==============
A channel in use; it is not available for circuit-building.
Active Channel Port (ACP)
=========================
A bit array used to indicate the status (in use or available) of
channels.
ACU
===
Automatic Calling Unit. A unit that generates dial pulses or tones
to a telephone network in response to signals from a computer or
business machine.
address
=======
A label, number, or name that designates a particular location in
storage or any other data destination or source.
Address Translation Table (ATT)
===============================
An address table that specifies the mapping among a slot's logical,
physical, and VMEbus addresses for the Paged Memory Management Unit
(PMMU). Maintained by the ISIS-68K Kernel, in the Turbo Engine.
Addressing codes
================
see DNIC and TNIC.
Advanced Research Projects Agency Network (ARPANET)
===================================================
A packet-switching network, supported by the Department of Defense,
that pioneered packet technology.
Also called DARPANET (Defense ARPANET).
AFC
===
Automatic Frequency Control.
agent
=====
The vehicle for communication between a client on a remote host and
a Turbo-SCP end service.
AI
==
Artificial Intelligence. Also, Automatic Identification.
AID
===
Attention Identification. A nondisplayable key used by the operator on
an IBM 3270 terminal to gain the attention of the 3270 application
program. The AID key serves two read functions: short read, which
requests immediate action from the application program (host), and
long read, which enables the operator to send data to the application.
Airline Link Control Character Mode (ALCC)
==========================================
A Character Mode Translator (CMT) program that translates ASCII to
IBM 2946 Terminal Control subsystems. See Character Mode Translator.
ALO
===
Automatic Login Option.
ALU
===
* Arithmetic Logic Unit. A unit of a computing system that performs the
various arithmetic and logical functions.
* Average Link per User. The average number of links that user circuits
traverse in a network.
AM
==
Amplitude Modulation. Modulation in which the amplitude of the carrier
(high-frequency wave) is subject to variation.
Contrast with Frequency Modulation (FM).
American (National) Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII)
=====================================================================
A standard data-transmission character code in which all characters
(including letters, numerals, punctuation marks, and control
characters) are encoded using 7 bits for a total of 128 unique
characters; widely used by computers and data terminals. Many PCs use
the ASCII character set with 8 bits per character (7 bits plus a
parity bit), giving a total of 256 unique characters.
American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
============================================
An organization that coordinates industry standards in the United
States. This organization is the United States' version of the CCITT,
International 5 and International Standards Organization (ISO) 646.
amplitude
=========
Measurement (peak, root-mean-square, maximum) of a signal (in volts)
based on the amount of variation from its zero value.
Amplitude Modulation (AM)
=========================
Modulation in which the amplitude of the carrier (high-frequency wave)
is subject to variation. Contrast with Frequency Modulation (FM).
analog computer
===============
A computer that mainly uses analog representations of data. For
example, voltages or currents can be used to represent the variables
in a differential equation to be solved by an analog computer.
Contrast with digital computer.
analog signal
=============
A continuous waveform composed of sine waves. Each sine wave has the
following varying characteristics: amplitude, frequency, and phase.
Contrast with digital signal.
analysis
========
An NTD phase, during product development, that defines the product and
other considerations such as business issues and risk factors.
ANSI
====
American National Standards Institute. An organization that coordinates
industry standards in the United States. This organization is the
United States version of the CCITT, International 5 and International
Standards Organization (ISO) 646.
APL
===
A (high-level) programming language originally developed as a
mathematical problem-solving tool.
AppleTalk
=========
Apple Computer proprietary network platform that provides a means to
connect four major environments (DEC, IBM TCP/IP, and OSI) to the
Macintosh environment at the Physical level. Runs at less than
.25 Mbps. See LocalTalk. See also Local Area Network.
Application level
=================
Level 7 of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model. The
Application level selects the appropriate overall network service
for the user application. It contains recommendations for the specific
user programs; ideally the network below should be completely
transparent to the end user.
application program
===================
A program intended to solve a specific type of problem beyond the
normal operation of the computer itself.
Application Specific
====================
A custom integrated circuit designed to perform a specific
Integrated Circuit (ASIC)function. For example, a gate array.
APSS
====
Automatic Port Switch System. An optional component of a TYMNET
network that provides automatic backup to the Engine processor in
the event of a hardware or software failure. See Internally Switched
Interface System Recovery Module (ISRM).
arbiter
=======
A function module that accepts bus requests from requestor modules and
grants control of the Data Transfer Bus (DTB) to one requestor at a
time. See VMEbus.
arbitration
===========
The process of assigning control of the data transfer bus (DTB) to a
requestor. A function of the arbiter.
architecture
============
The overall design and/or arrangement of the various elements
comprising a complex computer or communications system. Also, the
internal configuration of a computer including its registers,
instruction set, and I/O structure.
argument
========
The actual value entered for a parameter when a macro, equate
statement, Configuration file parameter, or command is defined.
Synonymous with parameter value.
Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
===========================
A unit of a computing system that performs the various arithmetic
and logical functions.
ARM
===
Asynchronous Response Mode.
ARPANET
=======
Advanced Research Projects Agency Network. A packet switching
network, supported by the Department of Defense, that pioneered
packet technology. Also called DARPANET (Defense ARPANET).
array
=====
A list or table of elements identified by a single name. Generally,
an array is stored in consecutive storage locations in memory. The
array itself is considered a single variable, but each of its
elements can be accessed individually and can be considered a
single variable as well.
ASCII
=====
American (National) Standard Code for Information Interchange.
A standard data-transmission character code in which all characters
(including letters, numerals, punctuation marks, and control
characters) are encoded using 7 bits for a total of 128 unique
characters; widely used by computers and data terminals. Many PCs
use the ASCII character set with 8 bits per character (7 bits plus
a parity bit), giving a total of 256 unique characters.
ASIC
====
Application Specific Integrated Circuit. A custom integrated circuit
designed to perform a specific function. For example, a gate array.
assembler
=========
A computer program or hardware device that translates statements from
one form to another, such as source code (programming language) to
object code (machine-readable language). Contrast with compiler.
assembly language
=================
A set of mnemonics that represents machine code instructions and allows
programmers to write machine language programs without having to work
with the actual binary values.
asymmetrical duplex
===================
In duplex mode, one channel transmits data at a higher speed than
another channel.
Async-to-3270 XE
================
A BT North America enhanced service. Async-to-3270 XE (Extended
Edition) provides worldwide access to mainframe 3270 applications for
remote PCs. This service eliminates the need for 3270 synchronous
cards, modems, mainframe software, and protocol converter boxes at the
host site. See TYMNET78.
asynchronous
============
A transmission method, in data communications, in which each character
or block of characters is individually synch- ronized (sent one
discrete character at a time). Each is delineated by one start and one
or more stop bits, indicating the beginning and end of a character.
The gap (timing refer- erence) between each character or word is not a
fixed length. Contrast with synchronous.
Asynchronous Terminal Concentrator (ATC)
========================================
A BT North America product that provides access to a TYMNET network for
up to eight asynchronous terminals. The ATC converts data from the
terminals into BT North America synchronous internodal protocol and
concentrates it on one or two network lines.
ATC
===
Asynchronous Terminal Concentrator. A BT North America product that
provides access to a TYMNET network for up to eight asynchronous
terminals. The ATC converts data from the terminals into BT North
America synchronous internodal protocol and concentrates it on one or
two network lines.
ATI
===
Asynchronous Terminal Interface.
ATT
===
Address Translation Table. An address table that specifies the mapping
among a slot's logical, physical, and VMEbus addresses for the Paged
Memory Management Unit (PMMU). Maintained by the ISIS-68K Kernel, in
the Turbo Engine.
attention character
===================
A user-selected ASCII character that begins a Circuit Multiplexer
(MUX) command sequence when the MUX is in Send or Talk mode.
Attention Identification (AID)
==============================
A nondisplayable key used by the operator on an IBM 3270 terminal to
gain the attention of the 3270 application program. The AID key serves
two read functions: short read, which requests immediate action from
the application program (host), and long read, which enables the
operator to send data to the application.
attenuation
===========
The decrease in amplitude of a signal during its transmission from one
point to another. This power loss can be caused by equipment, lines,
distance, or the transmission devices. It may be expressed as a ratio
or in decibels.
autoanswer modem
================
A modem that responds to a telephone call without operator intervention
Automatic Calling Unit (ACU)
============================
A unit that generates dial pulses or tones to a telephone network in
response to signals from a computer or business machine.
Automatic Calling Unit (ACU) dialer
===================================
A dialing device that permits an ACU server slot to automatically dial
calls to a remote terminal through the public telephone service.
Automatic Calling Unit (ACU) Server
===================================
The BT North America product that supports high-speed calls to remote
2780/3780 terminals. The ACU Server operates in conjunction with a
BT North America binary synchronous interface.
Automatic Port Switch System (APSS)
===================================
An optional component of a TYMNET network that provides automatic
backup to the Engine processor in the event of a hardware or software
failure.
See Internally Switched Interface System Recovery Module (ISRM).
auxiliary memory
================
A type of storage that is separate from the computer but capable of
storing information in the form presented by the computer. Examples
of auxiliary memory are a magnetic disk or a magnetic tape.
auxiliary virtual circuit
=========================
A circuit, requested by a host, that connects two hosts (any
addressable entity is a host in a TYMNET network). An auxiliary
circuit may be requested by a user logged into a host through a normal
circuit, or by a program that automatically requests an auxiliary
circuit.
Average Link per User (ALU)
===========================
The average number of links that user circuits traverse in a network.
***********************************************************
May the Modernz live forever
MATRIX BBS (908)905-6691
