Glossary
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## Glossary

Application icon

  In Windows, a graphic icon that represents a running application. This icon appears only after you start an application and reduce (minimize) it.

Application window

  In Windows, the window containing the work area and menu bar for an application. The name of the application appears at the top of the window.

AUTOEXEC.BAT

  A special batch file that is executed each time the PC boots up.

Batch file

  A text file, identified by a extension, containing MS–DOS commands. When the file is run, the commands it contains are executed in sequential order as if they were typed at the keyboard.

Boot

  The PC terminology for starting up the computer.

CD–ROM

  A read-only form of data storage, using standard Compact Disc media, capable of providing over 600 Mbytes of data.

Client

  A system on a network that uses services held on other remote systems. See also Server.

Communication port

  The name given to the interface which can be used to connect a modem. This is also known as the serial communication port.

COM1 to COM4

  The names of the serial communication ports supported by MS–DOS.

Configuration file

  A file containing information to determine which printers, disk drives, and other devices will be available to you when you run SoftWindows.

CONFIG.SYS

  A special MS–DOS text file that contains commands to configure the MS–DOS operating system.

Control menu box

  An application running in Windows has a control menu box at the top left of the application window. This allows you to control the characteristics of the window and switch between applications.

Copy protection

  A routine embedded in commercial software that prevents users from making unauthorized copies.

Current directory

  The directory in which MS-DOS looks for files.

Current drive

  The drive on which MS-DOS looks for a directory or a file.

Device

  A piece of hardware, such as a printer, that performs a specific task.

Device name

  The name used to refer to a device; for example, LPT1: and LPT2: are used to refer to printers.

Directory

  A division or level in an hierarchical file storage system that can include files and other directories.

Drive letter

  The letter used to identify a drive; such as A:, B:, C: to Z:.

Emulated hard drive

  A file located in your UNIX file system which has an MS-DOS file system layout. This allows it to emulate and function like a PC hard drive. In SoftWindows, drives C: and D: are emulated hard drives.

Ethernet

  A widely used network system and communications method standardized by the IEEE 802.3 committee and by ISO.

Ethernet_802.2, _II,_SNAP, and _802.3

  The alternative standards that can be used on an Ethernet cabling system.

Extended memory

  The XMS (Extended Memory System) standard for increasing the amount of memory available to PC applications using the protected mode available on 80286, 80386, and 80486 computers.

Extension

  The last part of an MS–DOS filename, which can be used to specify the type of file. It consists of a period and up to three letters; such as .BAT.

File

  A collection of data stored on a hard disk, floppy disk, tape, or CD-ROM under a single name.

File permissions

  See Permissions.

Frame

  A unit of information that is transmitted over the network. It is also referred to as a message packet. Your frame structure can differ depending on the frame type in use. You should ensure that your computer is configured for the appropriate frame type.

Frame type

  A variation of a protocol, defining the internal structure of a packet. There are several frame types supported by SoftNode. When setting up SoftNode you need to choose the correct one for your network.

FSA

  Virtual File Sharing Architecture.

FSA drive

  A name for a drive that is treated by the PC as being on a different computer. FSA drives cannot be formatted or partitioned. SoftWindows allows you to set up UNIX directories as FSA drives.

Group

  A collection of applications, accessories, or documents within the Windows Program Manager.

Home directory

  Your default UNIX directory; that is, the one you use for storing personal work, files associated with your user account, and other directories.

Host

  A program that supplies services to other computers across a network.

IEEE (or ISO) 802.3

  A standard developed for Ethernet networks, defining the physical cabling and software protocols. See Frame type.

Internet

  An internet is an interconnected group of networks. When written as Internet it refers specifically to the DARPA Internet.

IPX

  One of Novell's communication protocols, Inter-network Packet eXchange. It addresses and routes outgoing data packets across the network. IPX is a connectionless protocol.

ISO 9660 standard

  The official term for the High Sierra standard format for
  CD–ROMs.

Local Area Network

  A Local Area Network (or LAN) consists of computers and shared devices connected to a single network transmission cable in a limited area, usually a single building or section of a building.

Microsoft mouse

  A popular type of a hand-held pointing tool that can be used with MS-DOS applications in a SoftWindows window. SoftWindows provides you with emulated support for the Microsoft Mouse.

Modem

  A device that enables a machine or terminal to establish a connection and transfer data through telephone lines. The name derives from the techniques it uses: modulation and demodulation.

MS–DOS

  Microsoft Disk Operating System; the system software and filing system used on IBM PC or compatible computers.

NDIS

  Network Driver Interface Specification, a standard defined by Microsoft and 3Com. It is the media- and protocol-independent driver standard used by network operating systems such as LAN Manager.

NET.CFG

  The configuration file used by all ODI drivers and protocols.

NetWare

  Novell's operating system that runs on file servers and routers. It controls system resources and information processing on an entire network or internetwork.

NET USE

  A command used to set up UNIX directories as PC drives in SoftWindows.

ODI

  Novell's Open Data-Link Interface. It supports media- and protocol-independent communications by providing a standard interface that allows multiple protocols to share a single network board without conflict. SoftNode includes ODI drivers for Ethernet and Token Ring.

Packet

  A unit of information that has been formatted for transmission on a network. A packet contains not only data but also its destination, source, and any routing information it has collected during its transmission over a network.

Path

  A sequence of directory names, separated by a backslash in MS–DOS (\) or a forward slash in UNIX (/).

PC

  An abbreviation for a personal computer such as an IBM Personal Computer or compatible.

Permissions

  The name given to settings that are assigned to each file and directory to determine which users have access to read, write, or execute its contents.

Port

  The name for a serial or parallel interface on a PC. Referred to as COM or LPT ports, respectively, by MS–DOS.

PostScript

  The name of a page-description language designed by Adobe for producing typefaces and graphics on different printers. Applications use the PostScript language to describe to printers how graphics and type should appear.

Printer

  A device that prints data and text on paper. A local printer is the printer attached directly to your computer or workstation. A remote printer is accessed across the network.

Printer queue

  A temporary queue of jobs or files in MS-DOS waiting to be printed on a particular printer.

Prompt

  A request, displayed by the computer, that asks you to provide some information or perform an action; for example, the MS–DOS prompt is usually C:\>.

Protocol

  A set of procedural rules that permits the orderly exchange of information. These rules govern the content, format, timing, sequencing, and error control of the messages being exchanged.

Read permission

  A file setting that allows you, members of your group, or other users to read a file.

Reboot

  A procedure that restarts a computer or SoftWindows.

Root

  The name of the user who can access all files without restriction. The system administrator always has root access.

Root directory

  The highest level directory in the hierarchical filing system. The root directory is represented as / in UNIX and as \ in MS-DOS.

Serial port

  The communications port, labeled COM1: to COM4:, to which you can attach a device such as a modem.

Server

  A system on a network that provides resources such as disks and printers to other systems. See also Client.

SNAP

  Sub Network Access Protocol frame type. There are SNAP frame types for both Ethernet and Token Ring. They are extensions of the basic 802.3 and 802.2 frame types, allowing more addressing flexibility.

SPX

  One of Novell's communication protocols, standing for Sequential Packet eXchange. It creates, maintains, and terminates the connection between network devices (such as file servers and routers). SPX is a connection-oriented protocol.

SVGA

  Super Video Graphics Array, an extension of VGA.

$SWINHOME

  An environment variable that points to the UNIX directory containing SoftWindows; for example, /usr/SoftWindows.

SYSTEM.INI

  A Windows initialization file that provides information about the MS-DOS environment.

System administrator

  The person in charge of performing administrative tasks on a system.

TCP/IP

  Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. A widely used industry standard for connecting different types of computers. An internet is an interconnected set of networks.

Text editor

  An application used to create or change text files. The standard MS-DOS text editor is referred to as EDIT.

Text file

  Data contained in a file that you can read because it contains ordinary letters, numbers, and punctuation marks.

Token ring

  A network with a ring topology: all network devices are connected in a daisy chain system and pass tokens from one attached device to the next.

VGA

  Video Graphics Array; the most widely accepted standard for PC graphics displays.

Volume

  An alternative name for a hard drive.

Windows

  A Microsoft user interface for PCs, which provides windows, icons, menus, and mouse control.

WIN.INI

  A Windows initialization file that allows you to customize your Windows environment.

Winsock

  A PC network interface for TCP/IP applications.

Write enabling

  A method of allowing data to be written to a disk.

Write protection

  A method of preventing new data from being written to a disk and preventing any existing data from being overwritten.

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