Internet Users' Glossary
RFC 1983

• Status
• IESG evaluation record
• IESG writeups
• Email expansions
• History

• Versions
• 01

Network Working Group                                  G. Malkin, Editor
Request for Comments: 1983                                      Xylogics
FYI: 18                                                      August 1996
Obsoletes: 1392
Category: Informational

                        Internet Users' Glossary

Status of this Memo

   This memo provides information for the Internet community.  This memo
   does not specify an Internet standard of any kind.  Distribution of
   this memo is unlimited.

Abstract

   There are many networking glossaries in existence.  This glossary
   concentrates on terms which are specific to the Internet.  Naturally,
   there are entries for some basic terms and acronyms because other
   entries refer to them.

Acknowledgements

   This document is the work of the User Glossary Working Group of the
   User Services Area of the Internet Engineering Task Force.  I would
   especially like to thank Ryan Moats/InterNIC for his careful review
   and many contributions to this document.

Table of Contents

   non-letter  . .  2      I . . . . . . . 26      R . . . . . . . 46
   A . . . . . . .  2      J . . . . . . . 33      S . . . . . . . 49
   B . . . . . . .  7      K . . . . . . . 33      T . . . . . . . 52
   C . . . . . . . 10      L . . . . . . . 33      U . . . . . . . 55
   D . . . . . . . 14      M . . . . . . . 35      V . . . . . . . 57
   E . . . . . . . 18      N . . . . . . . 39      W . . . . . . . 57
   F . . . . . . . 20      O . . . . . . . 42      X . . . . . . . 59
   G . . . . . . . 22      P . . . . . . . 43      Y . . . . . . . 60
   H . . . . . . . 23      Q . . . . . . . 46      Z . . . . . . . 60

   References  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
   Security Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
   Editor's Address  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

Malkin                       Informational                      [Page 1]
RFC 1983                        Glossary                     August 1996

Glossary

   10Base2
      A physical layer communications specification for 10Mbps, baseband
      data transmission over a coaxial cable (Thinnet) with a maximum
      cable segment length of 200 meters.

   10Base5
      A physical layer communications specification for 10Mbps, baseband
      data transmission over a coaxial cable (Thicknet) with a maximum
      cable segment length of 500 meters.

   10BaseF
      A physical layer communications specification for 10Mbps, baseband
      data transmission over a fiber-optic cable.

   10BaseT
      A physical layer communications specification for 10Mbps, baseband
      data transmission over a twisted-pair copper wire.

   802.x
      The set of IEEE standards for the definition of LAN protocols.
      See also: IEEE.

   822
      See: RFC 822

   :-)
      This odd symbol is one of the ways a person can portray "mood" in
      the very flat medium of computers--by using "smiley faces".  This
      is "metacommunication", and there are literally hundreds of such
      symbols, from the obvious to the obscure.  This particular example
      expresses "happiness".  Don't see it?  Tilt your head to the left
      90 degrees.  Smiles are also used to denote sarcasm.
      [Source: ZEN]

   abstract syntax
      A description of a data structure that is independent of machine-
      oriented structures and encodings.
      [Source: RFC1208]

   Abstract Syntax Notation One (ASN.1)
      The language used by the OSI protocols for describing abstract
      syntax.  This language is also used to encode SNMP packets.  ASN.1
      is defined in ISO documents 8824.2 and 8825.2.  See also: Basic
      Encoding Rules.

Malkin                       Informational                      [Page 2]
RFC 1983                        Glossary                     August 1996

   Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)
      Many transit networks have policies which restrict the use to
      which the network may be put.  For example, some networks may only
      be used for non-commercial purposes.  Some AUPs limit the type of
      material which can be made available to the public (e.g.,
      pornographic material).  Enforcement of AUPs varies with the
      network.  See also: netiquette.

   Access Control List (ACL)
      Most network security systems operate by allowing selective use of
      services.  An Access Control List is the usual means by which
      access to, and denial of, services is controlled.  It is simply a
      list of the services available, each with a list of the hosts
      permitted to use the service.

   ACK
      See: Acknowledgment

   acknowledgment (ACK)
      A type of message sent to indicate that a block of data arrived at
      its destination without error.  See also: Negative
      Acknowledgement.
      [Source: NNSC]

   ACL
      See: Access Control List

   AD
      See: Administrative Domain

   address
      There are four types of addresses in common use within the