Appendix I: Glossary Of Terms - Microweb PRO SERIES User Manual

Appendix I: Glossary of Terms

ActiveX -A control (or set of rules) used by a browser. ActiveX controls are often downloaded and
installed automatically as required.
ARP -Address Resolution Protocol. A method for finding a host's Ethernet address from its Internet
address. The sender broadcasts an ARP packet containing the Internet address of another host and
waits for it (or some other host) to send back its Ethernet address. Each host maintains a cache of
address translations to reduce delay and loading. ARP allows the Internet address to be independent
of the Ethernet address, but it only works if all hosts support it. The ARP command can be used to set
the IP addresses for your product.
CGI -Common Gateway Interface. A standard for running external programs from a World Wide Web
HTTP server. CGI specifies how to pass arguments to the executing program as part of the HTTP
request. It also defines a set of environment variables. Commonly, the program will generate some
HTML that will be passed back to the browser, but it can also request URL redirection. Basically, it's a
set of rules (or a program) that allows a Web server to communicate with other programs.
DSL - Digital Subscriber Loop. A family of digital telecommunications protocols designed to allow
high-speed data communication over the existing copper telephone lines between end- users and
telephone companies.
DHCP -A protocol that provides a means to dynamically allocate IP addresses to computers on a local
area network. The system administrator assigns a range of IP addresses to a DHCP, and each client
computer on the LAN has its TCP/IP software configured to request an IP address from the DHCP
server. The request and grant process uses a lease concept with a controllable time period.
Ethernet -A widely used networking standard.
Firewall -A virtual barrier between a LAN (Local Area Network) and other networks; e.g., the
Internet.
Frame Grabber Card - Plug-in hardware for "grabbing" images.
FTP -A client-server protocol that allows a user on one computer to transfer files to and from another
computer over a TCP/IP network. Also, the client program the user executes to transfer files. It is
defined in STD 9, RFC 959.
HTML -A markup language used to structure text and multimedia documents and to set up
hypertext links between documents, used extensively on the World Wide Web.
HTTP - A protocol used to request and transmit files, especially Web pages.
Intranet -A privately maintained computer network that can be accessed only by authorized
persons, especially members or employees of the organization that owns it.
IP - Internet Protocol. The network layer for the TCP/IP protocol suite widely used on Ethernet
networks, defined in STD 5, RFC 791. IP is a connectionless, best-effort packet switching protocol. It
provides packet routing, fragmentation and re-assembly through the data link layer.
IP number (address) -A unique number used by a computer on the network to allow it to be
identified and found.
JPEG -A standard image format, used widely for photographs. Also known as JPG.
LAN - Local Area Network. A data communications network which is geographically limited
(typically to a 1 km radius), allowing easy interconnection of terminals, microprocessors and
computers within adjacent buildings. Ethernet and FDDI are examples of standard LANs.
PING -A protocol that sends a message to another computer and waits for acknowledgment, often
used to check if another computer on a network is reachable.
PPP - Point to Point Protocol. A method allowing one computer to connect to another, usually via a
modem over a phone line.
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