| id | term | description |
|---|
| 202 |
IMHO |
In My Humble Opinion |
| 203 |
IMR |
See: Internet Monthly Report |
| 204 |
Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) |
An emerging technology which is beginning to be offered by the telephone carriers of the world. ISDN combines voice and digital network services in a single medium, making it possible to offer customers digital data services as well as voice connections through a single "wire". The standards that define ISDN are specified by CCITT. See also: CCITT. [Source: RFC1208] |
| 205 |
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 smooth evolution of this networking infrastructure into the future gigabit NREN. [Source: HPCC] |
| 206 |
Interior Gateway Protocol (IGP) |
A protocol which distributes routing information to the routers within an autonomous system. The term "gateway" is historical, as "router" is currently the preferred term. See also: Autonomous System, Exterior Gateway Protocol, Open Shortest Path First..., Routing Information Protocol. |
| 207 |
Intermediate System (IS) |
An OSI system which performs network layer forwarding. It is analogous to an IP router. See also: Open Systems Interconnection, router. |
| 208 |
Intermediate System-Intermediate System (IS-IS) |
The OSI IGP. See also: Open Systems Interconnection, Interior Gateway Protocol. |
| 209 |
International Organization for Standardization (ISO) |
A voluntary, nontreaty organization founded in 1946 which is responsible for creating international standards in many areas, including computers and communications. Its members are the national standards organizations of the 89 member countries, including ANSI for the U.S. See also: American National Standards Institute, Open Systems Interconnection. [Source: TAN] |
| 210 |
internet |
While an internet is a network, the term "internet" is usually used to refer to a collection of networks interconnected with routers. See also: network.
The Internet (note the capital "I") is the largest internet in the world. Is a three level hierarchy composed of backbone networks (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, Internet Protocol, Corporation for Research and Educational Networks, National Science Foundation. |
| 212 |
internet address |
A IP address that uniquely identifies a node on an internet. An Internet address (capital "I"), uniquely identifies a node on the Internet. See also: internet, Internet, IP address. |
| 213 |
Internet Architecture Board (IAB) |
The technical body that oversees the development of the Internet suite of protocols. It has two task forces: the IETF and the IRTF. "IAB" previously stood for Internet Activities Board. See also: Internet Engineering Task Force, Internet Research Task Force. |
| 214 |
Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) |
The central registry for various Internet protocol parameters, such as port, protocol and enterprise numbers, and options, codes and types. The currently assigned values are listed in the "Assigned Numbers" document [STD2]. To request a number assignment, contact the IANA at "iana@isi.edu". See also: assigned numbers, STD. |
| 215 |
Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) |
ICMP is an extension to the Internet Protocol. It allows for the generation of error messages, test packets and informational messages related to IP. It is defined in STD 5, RFC 792. [Source: FYI4] |
| 216 |
Internet-Draft (I-D) |
Internet-Drafts are working documents of the IETF, its Areas, and its Working Groups. As the name implies, Internet-Drafts are draft documents. They are valid for a maximum of six months and may be updated, replaced, or obsoleted by other documents at any time. Very often, I-Ds are precursors to RFCs. See also: Internet Engineering Task Force, Request For Comments. |
| 217 |
Internet Engineering Steering Group (IESG) |
The IESG is composed of the IETF Area Directors and the IETF Chair. It provides the first technical review of Internet standards and is responsible for day-to-day "management" of the IETF. See also: Internet Engineering Task Force. |
| 218 |
Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) |
The IETF is a large, open community of network designers, operators, vendors, and researchers whose purpose is to coordinate the operation, management and evolution of the Internet, and to resolve short-range and mid-range protocol and architectural issues. It is a major source of proposals for protocol standards which are submitted to the IAB for final approval. The IETF meets three times a year and extensive minutes are included in the IETF Proceedings. See also: Internet, Internet Architecture Board. [Source: FYI4] |
| 219 |
Internet Experiment Note (IEN) |
A series of reports pertinent to the Internet. IENs were published in parallel to RFCs and are no longer active. See also: Internet-Draft, Request For Comments. |
| 220 |
Internet Monthly Report (IMR) |
Published monthly, the purpose of the Internet Monthly Reports is to communicate to the Internet Research Group the accomplishments, milestones reached, or problems discovered by the participating organizations. |
| 221 |
internet number |
See: internet address |
| 222 |
Internet Protocol (IP) |
The Internet Protocol, defined in STD 5, RFC 791, is the network layer for the TCP/IP Protocol Suite. It is a connectionless, best-effort packet switching protocol. See also: packet switching, Request For Comments, TCP/IP Protocol Suite. |
| 223 |
Internet Registry (IR) |
The IANA has the discretionary authority to delegate portions of its responsibility and, with respect to network address and Autonomous System identifiers, has lodged this responsibility with an IR. The IR function is performed by the DDN NIC. See also: Autonomous System, network address, Defense Data Network..., Internet Assigned Numbers Authority. |
| 224 |
Internet Relay Chat (IRC) |
A world-wide "party line" protocol that allows one to converse with others in real time. IRC is structured as a network of servers, each of which accepts connections from client programs, one per user. See also: talk. [Source: HACKER] |
| 225 |
Internet Research Steering Group (IRSG) |
The "governing body" of the IRTF. See also: Internet Research Task Force. [Source: MALAMUD] |
| 226 |
Internet Research Task Force (IRTF) |
The IRTF is chartered by the IAB to consider long-term Internet issues from a theoretical point of view. It has Research Groups, similar to IETF Working Groups, which are each tasked to discuss different research topics. Multi-cast audio/video conferencing and privacy enhanced mail are samples of IRTF output. See also: Internet Architecture Board, Internet Engineering Task Force, Privacy Enhanced Mail. |
| 227 |
Internet Society (ISOC) |
The Internet Society is a non-profit, professional membership organization which facilitates and supports the technical evolution of the Internet, stimulates interest in and educates the scientific and academic communities, industry and the public about the technology, uses and applications of the Internet, and promotes the development of new applications for the system. The Society provides a forum for discussion and collaboration in the operation and use of the global Internet infrastructure. The Internet Society publishes a quarterly newsletter, the Internet Society News, and holds an annual conference, INET. The development of Internet technical standards takes place under the auspices of the Internet Society with substantial support from the Corporation for National Research Initiatives under a cooperative agreement with the US Federal Government. [Source: V. Cerf] |
| 228 |
Internetwork Packet eXchange (IPX) |
Novell's protocol used by Netware. A router with IPX routing can interconnect LANs so that Novell Netware clients and servers can communicate. See also: Local Area Network. |
| 229 |
interoperability |
The ability of software and hardware on multiple machines from multiple vendors to communicate meaningfully. |
| 230 |
IP |
See: Internet Protocol |
| 231 |
IP address |
The 32-bit address defined by the Internet Protocol in STD 5, RFC 791. It is usually represented in dotted decimal notation. See also: dot address, internet address, Internet Protocol, network address, subnet address, host address. |
| 232 |
IP datagram |
See: datagram |
| 233 |
IPX |
See: Internetwork Packet eXchange |
| 234 |
IR |
See: Internet Registry |
| 235 |
IRC |
See: Internet Relay Chat |
| 236 |
IRSG |
See: Internet Research Steering Group |
| 237 |
IRTF |
See: Internet Research Task Force |
| 238 |
IS |
See: Intermediate System |
| 239 |
IS-IS |
See: Intermediate System-Intermediate System |
| 240 |
ISDN |
See: Integrated Services Digital Network |
| 241 |
ISO |
See: International Organization for Standardization |
| 242 |
ISO Development Environment (ISODE) |
Software that allows OSI services to use a TCP/IP network. Pronounced eye-so-dee-eee. See also: Open Systems Interconnection, TCP/IP Protocol Suite. |
| 243 |
ISOC |
See: Internet Society |
| 244 |
ISODE |
See: ISO Development Environment |
| 245 |
JKREY |
Joyce K. Reynolds |
| 246 |
KA9Q |
A popular implementation of TCP/IP and associated protocols for amateur packet radio systems. See also: TCP/IP Protocol Suite. [Source: RFC1208] |
| 247 |
Kerberos |
Kerberos is the security system of MIT's Project Athena. It is based on symmetric key cryptography. See also: encryption. |
| 248 |
Kermit |
A popular file transfer protocol developed by Columbia University. Because Kermit runs in most operating environments, it provides an easy method of file transfer. Kermit is NOT the same as FTP. See also: File Transfer Protocol [Source: MALAMUD] |
| 249 |
Knowbot |
An experimental directory service. See also: white pages, WHOIS, X.500. |
| 250 |
LAN |
See: Local Area Network |
| 251 |
layer |
Communication networks for computers may be organized as a set of more or less independent protocols, each in a different layer (also called level). The lowest layer governs direct host-to-host communication between the hardware at different hosts; the highest consists of user applications. Each layer builds on the layer beneath it. For each layer, programs at different hosts use protocols appropriate to the layer to communicate with each other. TCP/IP has five layers of protocols; OSI has seven. The advantages of different layers of protocols is that the methods of passing information from one layer to another are specified clearly as part of the protocol suite, and changes within a protocol layer are prevented from affecting the other layers. This greatly simplifies the task of designing and maintaining communication programs. See also: Open Systems Interconnection, TCP/IP Protocol Suite. |
| 252 |
listserv |
An automated mailing list distribution system originally designed for the Bitnet/EARN network. See also: Bitnet, European Academic Research Network, mailing list. |
| 253 |
little-endian |
A format for storage or transmission of binary data in which the least significant byte (bit) comes first. See also: big-endian. [Source: RFC1208] |
| 254 |
LLC |
See: Logical Link Control |
| 255 |
Local Area Network (LAN) |
A data network intended to serve an area of only a few square kilometers or less. Because the network is known to cover only a small area, optimizations can be made in the network signal protocols that permit data rates up to 100Mb/s. See also: Ethernet, Fiber Distributed Data Interface, token ring, Wide Area Network. [Source: NNSC] |
| 256 |
Logical Link Control (LLC) |
The upper portion of the datalink layer, as defined in IEEE 802.2. The LLC sublayer presents a uniform interface to the user of the datalink service, usually the network layer. Beneath the LLC sublayer is the MAC sublayer. See also: 802.x, layer, Media Access Control. |
| 257 |
Lurking |
No active participation on the part of a subscriber to an mailing list or USENET newsgroup. A person who is lurking is just listening to the discussion. Lurking is encouraged for beginners who need to get up to speed on the history of the group. See also: Electronic Mail, mailing list, Usenet. [Source: LAQUEY] |
| 258 |
MAC |
See: Media Access Control |
| 259 |
MAC address |
The hardware address of a device connected to a shared media. See also: Media Access Control, Ethernet, token ring. [Source: MALAMUD] |
| 260 |
mail bridge |
A mail gateway that forwards electronic mail between two or more networks while ensuring that the messages it forwards meet certain administrative criteria. A mail bridge is simply a specialized form of mail gateway that enforces an administrative policy with regard to what mail it forwards. See also: Electronic Mail, mail gateway. [Source: NNSC] |
| 261 |
Mail Exchange Record (MX Record) |
A DNS resource record type indicating which host can handle mail for a particular domain. See also: Domain Name System, Electronic Mail. [Source: MALAMUD] |
| 262 |
mail exploder |
Part of an electronic mail delivery system which allows a message to be delivered to a list of addresses. Mail exploders are used to implement mailing lists. Users send messages to a single address and the mail exploder takes care of delivery to the individual mailboxes in the list. See also: Electronic Mail, email address, mailing list. [Source: RFC1208] |
| 263 |
mail gateway |
A machine that connects two or more electronic mail systems (including dissimilar mail systems) and transfers messages between them. Sometimes the mapping and translation can be quite complex, and it generally requires a store-and-forward scheme whereby the message is received from one system completely before it is transmitted to the next system, after suitable translations. See also: Electronic Mail. [Source: RFC1208] |
| 264 |
mail path |
A series of machine names used to direct electronic mail from one user to another. This system of email addressing has been used primarily in UUCP networks which are trying to eliminate its use altogether. See also: bang path, email address, UNIX-to-UNIX CoPy. |
| 265 |
mail server |
A software program that distributes files or information in response to requests sent via email. Internet examples include Almanac and netlib. Mail servers have also been used in Bitnet to provide FTP-like services. See also: Bitnet, Electronic Mail, FTP. [Source: NWNET] |
| 266 |
mailing list |
A list of email addresses, used by a mail exploder, to forward messages to groups of people. Generally, a mailing list is used to discuss certain set of topics, and different mailing lists discuss different topics. A mailing list may be moderated. This means that messages sent to the list are actually sent to a moderator who determines whether or not to send the messages on to everyone else. Requests to subscribe to, or leave, a mailing list should ALWAYS be sent to the list's "-request" address (e.g., ietf-request@cnri.reston.va.us for the IETF mailing list). See also: Electronic Mail, mail exploder. |
| 267 |
MAN |
See: Metropolitan Area Network |
| 268 |
Management Information Base (MIB) |
The set of parameters an SNMP management station can query or set in the SNMP agent of a network device (e.g., router). Standard, minimal MIBs have been defined, and vendors often have Private enterprise MIBs. In theory, any SNMP manager can talk to any SNMP agent with a properly defined MIB. See also: client-server model, Simple Network Management Protocol. [Source: BIG-LAN] |
| 269 |
Martian |
A humorous term applied to packets that turn up unexpectedly on the wrong network because of bogus routing entries. Also used as a name for a packet which has an altogether bogus (non-registered or ill-formed) internet address. [Source: RFC1208] |
| 270 |
Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU) |
The largest frame length which may be sent on a physical medium. See also: fragmentation, frame. |
| 271 |
Media Access Control (MAC) |
The lower portion of the datalink layer. The MAC differs for various physical media. See also: MAC Address, Ethernet, Logical Link Control, token ring. |
| 272 |
message switching |
See: packet switching |
| 273 |
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) |
A data network intended to serve an area approximating that of a large city. Such networks are being implemented by innovative techniques, such as running fiber cables through subway tunnels. A popular example of a MAN is SMDS. See also: Local Area Network, Switched Multimegabit Data Service, Wide Area Network. [Source: NNSC] |
| 274 |
MIB |
See: Management Information Base |
| 275 |
mid-level network |
Mid-level networks (a.k.a. regionals) make up the second level of the Internet hierarchy. They are the transit networks which connect the stub networks to the backbone networks. See also: backbone, Internet, stub network, transit network. |
| 276 |
MIME |
See: Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions |
| 277 |
moderator |
A person, or small group of people, who manage moderated mailing lists and newsgroups. Moderators are responsible for determining which email submissions are passed on to list. See also: Electronic Mail, mailing list, Usenet. |
| 278 |
MTU |
See: Maximum Transmission Unit |
| 279 |
MUD |
See: Multi-User Dungeon |
| 280 |
multicast |
A packet with a special destination address which multiple nodes on the network may be willing to receive. See also: broadcast. |
| 281 |
multihomed host |
A host which has more than one connection to a network. The host may send and receive data over any of the links but will not route traffic for other nodes. See also: host, router. [Source: MALAMUD] |
| 282 |
Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (MIME) |
An extension to Internet email which provides the ability to transfer non-textual data, such as graphics, audio and fax. It is defined in RFC 1341. See also: Electronic Mail |
| 283 |
Multi-User Dungeon (MUD) |
Adventure, role playing games, or simulations played on the Internet. Devotees call them "text-based virtual reality adventures". The games can feature fantasy combat, booby traps and magic. Players interact in real time and can change the "world" in the game as they play it. Most MUDs are based on the Telnet protocol. See also: Telnet. [Source: LAQUEY] |
| 284 |
MX Record |
See: Mail Exchange Record |
| 285 |
NAK |
See: Negative Acknowledgment |
| 286 |
name resolution |
The process of mapping a name into its corresponding address. See also: Domain Name System. [Source: RFC1208] |
| 287 |
namespace |
A commonly distributed set of names in which all names are unique. [Source: MALAMUD] |
| 288 |
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) |
United States governmental body that provides assistance in developing standards. Formerly the National Bureau of Standards. [Source: MALAMUD] |
| 289 |
National Research and Education Network (NREN) |
The NREN is the realization of an interconnected gigabit computer network devoted to Hign Performance Computing and Communications. See also: HPPC, IINREN. [Source: HPCC] |
| 290 |
National Science Foundation (NSF) |
A U.S. government agency whose purpose is to promote the advancement of science. NSF funds science researchers, scientific projects, and infrastructure to improve the quality of scientific research. The NSFNET, funded by NSF, is an essential part of academic and research communications. It is a highspeed "network of networks" which is hierarchical in nature. At the highest level, it is a backbone network currently comprising 16 nodes connected to a 45Mb/s facility which spans the continental United States. Attached to that are mid-level networks and attached to the mid-levels are campus and local networks. NSFNET also has connections out of the U.S. to Canada, Mexico, Europe, and the Pacific Rim. The NSFNET is part of the Internet. |
| 291 |
Negative Acknowledgment (NAK) |
Response to receipt of a corrupted packet of information. See also: Acknowledgement. |
| 292 |
netiquette |
A pun on "etiquette" referring to proper behavior on a network. |
| 293 |
Netnews |
See: Usenet |
| 294 |
network |
A computer network is a data communications system which interconnects computer systems at various different sites. A network may be composed of any combination of LANs, MANs or WANs. See also: Local Area Network, Metropolitan Area Network, Wide Area Network, internet. |
| 295 |
network address |
The network portion of an IP address. For a class A network, the network address is the first byte of the IP address. For a class B network, the network address is the first two bytes of the IP address. For a class C network, the network address is the first three bytes of the IP address. In each case, the remainder is the host address. In the Internet, assigned network addresses are globally unique. See also: Internet, IP address, subnet address, host address, Internet Registry. |
| 296 |
Network File System (NFS) |
A protocol developed by Sun Microsystems, and defined in RFC 1094, which allows a computer system to access files over a network as if they were on its local disks. This protocol has been incorporated in products by more than two hundred companies, and is now a de facto Internet standard. [Source: NNSC] |
| 297 |
Network Information Center (NIC) |
A NIC provides information, assistance and services to network users. See also: Network Operations Center. |
| 298 |
Network Information Services (NIS) |
A set of services, generally provided by a NIC, to assist users in using the network. See also: Network Information Center. |
| 299 |
Network News Transfer Protocol (NNTP) |
A protocol, defined in RFC 977, for the distribution, inquiry, retrieval, and posting of news articles. See also: Usenet. |
| 300 |
network number |
See: network address |
| 301 |
Network Operations Center (NOC) |
A location from which the operation of a network or internet is monitored. Additionally, this center usually serves as a clearinghouse for connectivity problems and efforts to resolve those problems. See also: Network Information Center. [Source: NNSC] |
| 302 |
Network Time Protocol (NTP) |
A protocol that assures accurate local timekeeping with reference to radio and atomic clocks located on the Internet. This protocol is capable of synchronizing distributed clocks within milliseconds over long time periods. It is defined in STD 12, RFC 1119. See also: Internet. [Source: NNSC] |
