authentication provider
A database that provides the authentication, access, and accounting information for the users of a given realm. Authentication-provider databases, such as those from a Microsoft® Windows NT® file server, are compliant with Open Database Connectivity (ODBC).
auto-applications
Programs automatically started by Microsoft® Connection Manager on the user’s computer after a connection is established.
bitmap file (.bmp file)
A raster graphics format that may be device-dependent or independent.
.bmp file
See bitmap file.
CCP
See Compression Control Protocol.
client
Typically, the requesting software in client/server communications. Client software requests connections and acts on behalf of users to communicate with servers.
corporate customer
A corporation or entity having wholesale Internet access through an Internet service provider (ISP) or other online service. The access may allow secure connection to the private network, and account maintenance may be left up to the customer.
DHCP
See Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol.
Dial-Up Networking
A feature of the Microsoft Windows® operating system that allows a computer to connect to a remote computer or network.
DNS
See Domain Name System.
Domain Name System (DNS)
Software that resolves network names into network Internet Protocol (IP) addresses.
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)
Software included in the Microsoft® Windows® 95 and Microsoft® Windows NT® operating systems that assigns Internet Protocol (IP) addresses to stations in the network. The assignments are made by the DHCP server software that runs under Microsoft® Windows NT® Server. A Windows client calls the server to obtain the address.
FTP
See File Transfer Protocol.
File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
A protocol for copying files to or from an Internet server.
HTTP
See Hypertext Transfer Protocol.
Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)
The communications protocol used to connect to servers on the World Wide Web. Its primary function is to establish a connection with a server and transmit Web pages to the client browser.
IAS server
An Internet Authentication server that accepts access request packets forwarded from the network access server (NAS). It authenticates Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS) requests against a client database.
IIS
See Internet Information Server.
Internet Protocol address (IP address)
The physical address of a computer attached to a Transport Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) network.
Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)
An international telecommunications standard for transmitting voice, video, and data over digital lines.
Internet Connection Services for RAS
See Internet Connection Services for Remote Access Service.
Internet Connection Services for Microsoft Remote Access Service (RAS)
A feature that allows a remote computer with a modem to access network resources as if it were on the network.
Internet Information Server (IIS)
The Windows NT server that provides support for World Wide Web (WWW), FTP and Gopher protocols.
Internet service provider (ISP)
An organization that provides access to the Internet. An ISP may be a telephone or cable company, an Internet content provider, or independent.
Internet Server Application Programming Interface (ISAPI)
An interface designed for custom extensions such as content indexing, log analysis, data input forms, bulletin boards, and database access, and third-party applications such as document management, accounting systems, and Web-site creation and management tools.
Internetwork Packet Exchange (IPX)
A Novell Netware communications protocol used to route messages from one node to another. IPX packets include network addresses and can be routed from one network to another.
IP address
See Internet Protocol address.
IPX
See Internetwork Packet Exchange.
ISAPI
See Internet Server Application Programming Interface.
ISDN
See Integrated Services Digital Network.
ISP
See Internet service provider.
LAN
See local area network.
LCP
See Link Control Protocol.
Link Control Protocol (LCP)
A protocol that automatically handles encapsulation-format options and varying limits on sizes of packets over point-to-point links. LCP authenticates the identity of a peer on the link and determines when a link is functioning properly.
local area network (LAN)
A communications network that serves users within a confined geographical area. It is made up of servers, workstations, a network operating system, and a communication link.
Microsoft Point-to-Point Compression (MPPC)
A compression protocol used with Microsoft Point-to-Point Encryption (MPPE), Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP), and Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP).
Microsoft Point-to-Point Encryption (MPPE)
An encryption protocol used with Microsoft Point-to-Point Compression (MPPC), Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP), and Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP).
MPPC
See Microsoft Point-to-Point Compression.
MPPE
See Microsoft Point-to-Point Encryption.
multicast
A mechanism for simultaneously transmitting data to a group of selected users on a TCP/IP network (internal, intranet or Internet). Multicasting can be used to transmit audio and video over a network and can also be used to download a file to multiple users. The file is transmitted once, and all intended users receive it at the same time (for example, as when an e-mail message is sent to a mailing list). Multicasting is different from broadcasting — which implies transmitting to everybody on a network — and unicasting, which refers to transmitting from one station to another, such as from client to server or server to server.
NAS
See network access server.
NetBEUI
See NetBIOS Extended User Interface.
NetBIOS Extended User Interface (NetBEUI)
A nonroutable protocol designed for use in small local-area networks.
network access server (NAS)
A server used to authenticate users.
ODBC
See Open Database Connectivity.
Open Database Connectivity (ODBC)
A Microsoft database-programming interface that provides a common language for Windows-based applications to access databases on a network.
Phone Book
A text file in Connection Point Services that consists of Point of Presence (POP) information.
phone book Dial-Up Networking entry
An entry set up in a phone book file, supporting custom Dial-Up Networking settings for a particular Point of Presence (POP).
Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP)
A multiprotocol standard that supports the transmission of packets over serial lines. PPP is the standard for sending TCP/IP packets over a dial-up connection.
Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP)
A protocol for secure connections across Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) to the Internet. PPTP allows remote users to dial in to the Internet, using local Points of Presence (POPs) and Internet service providers (ISPs) to gain secure access to servers on a local area network.
Point of Presence (POP)
The local access point for network provider. A POP is created so that more users have access to local phone numbers to reach online services.
POP
See Point of Presence.
PPP
See Point-to-Point Protocol.
PPTP
See Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol.
RADIUS
See Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service.
RADIUS proxy
A RADIUS server that is set up to forward the authentication and access request to the IAS server.
Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS)
A standard protocol for authentication, authorization, and accounting during dial-in Internet sessions.
realm
A specific group of clients within the overall client base of an Internet service provider (ISP). For example, all the employees of a major corporation that has contracted with an ISP are likely to be implemented as a realm.
roaming
The use of Points of Presence worldwide to connect to private networks and firewall-protected servers via the Internet.
SAM
See Security Access Manager.
Security Access Manager (SAM)
A database residing on a Windows NT Domain Controller that holds user identification and password information.
secure connection
A feature allowing Internet remote access to firewall-protected servers on private networks. Secure connection is an option in Connection Manager service profiles.
shared secret or password
A password that is shared between two servers, such as between a network access server (NAS) and an IAS server.
subscriber
A user who pays for online services or is provided online access through a corporate customer.
TAPI
See Telephony Application Programming Interface.
TCP/IP
See Transport Control Protocol/Internet Protocol.
Telephony Application Programming Interface (TAPI)
A programming interface from Microsoft allowing Windows client applications to access voice services on a server. TAPI is designed to provide interoperability between computers and phone equipment.
Transport Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
A communications protocol that networks dissimilar systems. TCP/IP is the protocol of the Internet.
UDP
See User Datagram Protocol.
User Datagram Protocol (UDP)
A protocol within the TCP/IP protocol suite that is used in place of TCP when a reliable delivery is not required. For example, UDP is used for real-time audio and video traffic, where lost packets are simply ignored because there is no time to retransmit. If UDP is used and a reliable delivery is required, packet-sequence checking and error notification must be written into the applications.
Uniform Resource Locator (URL)
The Internet addressing scheme that defines the route to a file or program. For example, a home page on the World Wide Web is accessed via its URL. URLs are used as the initial address for a resource, and they are embedded within World Wide Web documents to provide a hypertext link to another document, local or remote.
URL
See Uniform Resource Locator.
virtual private network (VPN)
A wide-area communications network in which a private network is configured within a public network. The common carrier provides what seems like dedicated lines when the network is used, but backbone trunks are shared among all users as in a public network.
VPN
See virtual private network.
Windows Internet Naming Service (WINS)
name-resolution service that resolves Windows NT networking computer names in a routed environment. A WINS server handles name registrations, queries, and releases.
WINS
See Windows Internet Naming Service.