GLOSSARY

access rights

The four types of operations--read, modify, create, and destroy--that control access to NIS+ objects for each of the authorization rights categories.

Admintool

A graphical user interface tool that you can use to manage local systems.

AutoClient system

A system that caches all of its needed system software from a server.

alias

An alternative name or names assigned to a program or to an electronic mail address.

application server

A server set up and administered exclusively to provide application services to users over the network.

authorization rights

The four categories--nobody, owner, group, and world--that control access to NIS+ tables.

Auto_home database

The database that you use to add home directories to the automounter. You can access the Auto_home database using the Solstice AdminSuite Database Manager. In SunOS 4.x releases, this database was a file named auto.home.

automounter

Solaris 2.x software that automatically mounts a directory when a user changes into it. It automatically unmounts the directory when it is no longer in use.

automount maps

The local files or name service tables that the automounter consults to determine which directories to mount, which system to mount them from, and where to mount them on the user's local system.

back file system

The file system on the server from which a cache file system is mounted on a client.

bang

An exclamation point (!) that acts as a single-character UNIX command or as a separator between the routes of a route-based electronic mail address.

base directory

The directory into which the package commands and Admintool: Packages GUI install software packages. The default base directory is /opt.

baud rate

The transmission speed of a serial communications channel, expressed in bits per second.

Bourne shell

One of the three Solaris 2.x command interpreters. The Bourne shell is the default user shell, and it is the shell language used to write most system administration shell scripts. See also C shell, Korn shell.

breakout box

A diagnostic device that plugs into an RS-232-C cable; it is used to test whether a signal is present on each cable pin.

cache

A small, fast memory area that holds the most frequently referenced portions of a larger and/or slower memory. A cache is used to increase program or system performance. Examples include a disk cache where frequently referenced disk blocks are stored in RAM and a browser cache where frequently referenced Web pages and graphics objects are stored locally on a user's computer.

CDE

Common Desktop Environment. A windowing system based on the Motif graphical user interface.

CD-ROM

An acronym for compact disc, read-only memory. CD-ROM is a read-only storage medium for digital data.

character terminal

A serial port device that displays only letters, numbers, and other characters, such as those produced by a typewriter.

child process

A process that is created by another process. The process that creates the environment for the child is called the parent.

client

A system or program that receives system resources from a remote system--called a server--over the network.

compiler

A program that translates human-readable source code into a machine-readable form in preparation for creating directly executable programs. For example, a C compiler translates a human-readable C program into a machine-readable executable program.

concatenation

The combining of two or more files to create one larger file. Also, with Online: DiskSuite, the combining of separate component disks into a sequential system of disk blocks.

C shell

One of the three Solaris 2.x command interpreters. See also Bourne shell, Korn shell.

daemon

A special type of program that, once activated, carries out a specific task without any need for user intervention. Daemons typically are used to handle jobs that have been queued, such as printing, mail, and communication. Daemons are usually started when the system is booted. Because they typically are not started by a user, daemons communicate by means other than terminal I/O, such as logfiles, signals, and configuration files.

Database Manager

A graphical user interface tool accessed from Solstice AdminSuite that is used to administer NIS+ tables and ufs files in the /etc directory.

direct map

An automount map that specifies absolute paths as the mount point.

diskette

A portable, nonvolatile storage medium used to store and access data magnetically. SunOS 5.x system software supports 3.5-inch double-sided high density (DS, HD) diskettes in raw and MS_DOS (PCFS) formats.

domain

A directory structure for electronic mail addressing, network address naming, and NIS+ hierarchy naming. Within the United States, top-level Internet domains include com for commercial organizations, edu for educational organizations, gov for governments, mil for the military, net for networking organizations, and org for other organizations. us is used as the top-level domain for a U.S. geographical hierarchy; two-letter state codes are the second level in the geographic hierarchy, with cities, counties, or parishes following. Outside of the United States, top-level Internet domains designate the country. Subdomains designate the organization and the individual system.

domain addressing

Using a domain address to specify the destination of an electronic mail message or NIS+ table.

electronic mail

A set of programs that transmit mail messages from one system to another, usually over communications lines. Electronic mail is frequently referred to as email.

email

See electronic mail.

environment variable

A system- or user-defined variable that provides information about the operating environment to a program or shell.

exit status

A numeric value assigned in a program or a shell script to indicate whether it ran successfully. An exit status of 0 usually means that the program executed successfully. Any non-zero value usually means that the program failed, but it can also indicate various conditions of success.

export

See share.

file descriptor

A set of information kept by the UNIX kernel that is related to a file opened by a process. A file descriptor is represented by an integer. The file descriptor for STDIN is 0, for STDOUT is 1, and for STDERR is 2.

file system

A hierarchical arrangement of directories and files.

floppy diskette

See diskette.

fork

To copy one process into a parent process and a child process, with separate but initially identical text, data, and stack segments. See also child and parent.

fully qualified domain name

A domain name that contains all of the elements needed to specify where an electronic mail message should be delivered or where an NIS+ table is located. NIS+ fully qualified domain names always have a dot at the end. See also domain.

gateway

A connection between differing communications networks. Also a system that handles electronic mail traffic between differing communications networks.

generic top-level domain (gTLD)

The seven new domains that are being added to the existing set to accommodate increased demand for domains because of the popularity of the Internet. The seven new domains are .arts, .firm, .info, .nom, .rec, and .web.

GID

The group identification number used by the system to control access to information owned by other users.

group

A defined collection of users on a system who can access common data.

Group database

The database that you use to create new group accounts or to modify existing group accounts. You access the Group database from Solstice AdminSuite.

here document

A format used within a shell script to provide a collection of data within the shell script.

home directory

The part of the file system that is allocated to an individual user for private files.

Hosts database

A directory service used to look up names and addresses of other hosts on a network. You access the Hosts database from the Solstice AdminSuite's Database Manager.

indirect map

An automount map that contains simple pathnames as the mount point.

init states

One of the seven states, or run levels, a system can be running. A system can run in only one init state at a time.

inode

An entry in a predesignated area of a disk that describes where a file is located on that disk, the size of the file, when it was last used, and other identifying information.

interpreter

A program that reads and executes programming commands in sequence--one by one as they are encountered. Shell scripts are an example of interpreted programs.

IP address

A unique Internet address number that identifies each system or device in a network.

kernel

The master program set of SunOS software that manages all of the physical resources of the computer, including file system management, virtual memory, reading and writing files to disks and tapes, scheduling of processes, and communicating over a network.

Korn shell

One of the three Solaris 2.x command interpreters. The Korn shell is upwards-compatible with the Bourne shell and provides an expanded set of features. See also Bourne shell, C shell.

license server

A server process that provides users access to software licenses to enable users to access software programs. Licenses are frequently used to enforce a license agreement, whereby a maximum number of users is permitted to run a commercial software program concurrently.

listenBSD

An LP print service daemon that is run on a SunOS 5.x print server to listen for print requests from SunOS 4.x print clients on the network.

listenS5

An LP print service daemon that is run on a print server to listen for print requests from SunOS 5.x print clients on the network.

login name

The name assigned to an individual user that controls access to a system.

mail address

The name of the recipient and the location to which an electronic mail message is delivered.

mail alias

See alias.

mailbox

A file on a mailhost where mail messages are stored for a user.

mail client

A system that does not provide mail spooling for its users. Mail is spooled on a mail server.

mailer

A protocol that specifies the policy and mechanics used by sendmail when it delivers mail.

mailhost

The main mail system on a network that receives and distributes mail outside of the network or the domain. A mailhost can also be a mail server.

mail server

Any system that stores mailboxes in the /var/mail directory. A mail server can also serve as a mailhost.

mail services

Services provided by a set of programs and daemons that transmit electronic mail messages between systems and distribute them to individual mailboxes.

master map

The automount map consulted by the automounter when a system starts up. The automount map contains the default mount points /net and /home and the names of the direct and indirect maps that the automounter consults.

metadevice

A logical device that is created by using the SunSoft Online: DiskSuite product to concatenate or stripe one or more disks into a single logical device unit.

modem

A peripheral device that modulates a digital signal so that it can be transmitted across analog telephone lines and then demodulates the analog signal to a digital signal at the receiving end. The name is a contraction for modulate/demodulate. A modem is one way to connect a UNIX workstation or PC to a remote server or network.

mount

To extend a file system directory hierarchy by attaching a file system from somewhere else in the hierarchy. See mount point.

mount point

A directory in the file system hierarchy where another file system is attached to the hierarchy.

mount table

The system file (/etc/mnttab) that keeps track of currently mounted file systems.

namespace

A hierarchical arrangement of domains and subdomains, similar to the hierarchical UNIX file system, used by NIS+ and the automounter.

NFS (network file system)

The default Solaris 1.x and 2.x distributed file system that provides file sharing among systems. NFS servers can also provide kernels and swap files to diskless clients.

NIS

The SunOS 4.x network information service.

NIS+

The Solaris 2.x network information service.

null modem cable

A cable that swaps RS-232 Transmit and Receive signals so that the proper transmit and receive signals are communicated between two data termination equipment (DTE) devices. The RS-232 Ground signal is wired straight through.

OpenWindows

A windowing system based on the OPEN LOOK® graphical user interface.

package commands

The set of Solaris 2.x commands--pkgadd, pkgask, pkgchk, pkginfo, and pkgrm--that are used to install, query, and remove software packages.

parent process

A process that can create a new process, called a child.

parse

To resolve a string of characters or a series of words into component parts to determine their collective meaning. Virtually every program that accepts command input must do some sort of parsing before the commands can be acted upon. For example, the sendmail program divides an email address into its component parts to decide where to send the message.

partially qualified domain name

An NIS+ domain name that specifies the local directory only and does not contain the complete domain name. For example, hosts.org_dir is a partially qualified domain name that specifies the hosts table in the org_dir directory of the default NIS+ domain. See also domain.

partition

A discrete portion of a disk, configured using the format program. A partition is the same as a slice.

Passwd database

The database that you use to add, modify, or delete user accounts. You access the Passwd database from Solstice AdminSuite's Database Manager.

path

A list of directories that is searched to find a file. PATH is a shell environment variable used to find user commands.

path name

A list of directory names, separated with slashes (/), that specifies the location of a particular file or directory.

PCFS

Personal computer file system. A file system type for diskettes in MS-DOS compatible format.

port

A physical connection between a peripheral device such as a terminal, printer, or modem and the device controller. Also, a logical access point on a system used to accept connections over a network.

port monitor

A program that continuously watches for requests to log in or requests to access printers or files. The ttymon and listen port monitors are part of the Service Access Facility (SAF).

positional parameter

A shell script notation--$1, $2, $n--used to access command-line arguments.

principals

Individuals or systems within the NIS+ namespace that have been "registered" with the NIS+ service.

process

A program in operation. See also fork, child process, parent process.

relay host

A system that transmits to and receives mail from outside of a network or domain using the same communications protocol.

RFC

Request for Comments, specifically Internet protocols and standards. RFCs are submitted to SRI-NIC, where they are assigned numbers and are distributed by electronic mail to the Internet community. The most important RFCs (through 1985) are available in a three-volume publication, The DDN Protocol Handbook, which is available from SRI International in Menlo Park, California. RFCs are also available online at http://ds.internic.net/.

root

The highest level of a hierarchical system. As a login ID, the username of the system administrator or superuser who has responsibility for an entire system. Root has permissions for all users' files and processes on the system.

run level

See init state.

SAC

See Service Access Controller.

SAF

See Service Access Facility.

script

See shell script.

sendmail

The mailer transport agent used by Solaris 2.x system software. See also transport agent.

server

A system that provides network service, such as disk storage and file transfer or access to a database. Alternatively, a program that provides such a service. See client.

service

A process that is started in response to a connection request.

Service Access Controller (SAC)

The process that manages access to system services provided by the Service Access Facility.

Service Access Facility (SAF)

The part of the system software that is used to register and monitor port activity for modems, terminals, and printers. SAF replaces /etc/getty as a way to control logins.

share

To make a file system available (mountable) to other systems on the network. See mount, NFS.

shell

The command interpreter for a user, specified in the Passwd database. The SunOS 5.x system software supports the Bourne (default), C, and Korn shells.

shell script

A file containing a set of executable commands that are taken as input to the shell.

shell variable

Local variables maintained by a shell, which are not passed on from parent to child processes.

slice

An alternate name for a partition. See also partition.

spooling directory

A directory where files are stored until they are processed.

spooling space

The amount of space allocated on a print server for storing requests in a queue.

standalone system

A system that has a local disk and can boot without relying on a server.

standard error

The location where error messages are sent. The file descriptor for stderr is 2. The default device for stderr is the terminal screen. See file descriptor.

standard input

The location where input is received from. The file descriptor for stdin is 0. The default device for stdin is the keyboard. See file descriptor.

standard output

The part of a process that determines where the results of commands are displayed. The file descriptor for stdout is 1. The default device for stdout is the terminal screen.

stderr

See standard error.

stdin

See standard input.

stdout

See standard output.

striping

Interlacing two or more disk partitions that make a single logical slice of up to 1 terabyte. With the SunSoft Online: DiskSuite product, the addressing of blocks is interlaced on the resulting metadevice to improve performance.

superuser

A user with special privileges granted if the correct password is supplied when logging in as root or using the su command. For example, only the superuser can edit major administrative files in the /etc directory. The superuser has the username root.

symbolic link

A special file that contains a pointer to the name of another file or directory.

system

Another name for a computer, PC, or workstation. A system can have either local or remote disks and may have additional peripheral devices, such as CD-ROM players, tape drives, diskette drives, modems, and printers.

terminfo database

The database that describes the characteristics of terminal devices and printers.

third-party software

Application software that is not included as part of the basic system software.

transport agent

The program that is responsible for receiving and delivering email messages. The Solaris 2.x transport agent is sendmail.

ufs (UNIX file system)

The default disk-based file system for the SunOS 5.x operating system.

UID number

The user identification number assigned to each login name. UID numbers are used by the system to identify, by number, the owners of files and directories. The UID of root is 0.

uncommitted interface

An interface in the sendmail.cf file that is a de facto industry standard. Uncommitted interfaces have never had a formal architectural review, and they may be subject to change.

unmount

To remove a file system from a mount point so that the files are no longer accessible. See mount, NFS.

unresolved mail

Mail with an address for which sendmail cannot find a recipient in your domain.

user account

An account set up for an individual user in the Passwd database that specifies the user's login name, full name, password, UID, GID, login directory, and login shell.

User Account Manager

A graphical user interface tool accessed from Admintool to add users to a local system. The Solstice AdminSuite User Account Manager can be used to add users to an NIS+ environment or to a local system.

user agent

A program that acts as the interface between the user and the sendmail program. The user agents for SunOS 5.x system software are /usr/bin/mail, /usr/bin/mailx, /usr/dt/bin/dtmail, and $OPENWINHOME/bin/ mailtool.

value

Data, either numeric or alphanumeric.

variable

A name that refers to a temporary storage area in memory. A variable holds a value.

virtual file system table

The file (/etc/vfstab) that specifies which file systems are mounted by default. Local ufs file systems and NFS file systems that are mounted automatically when a system boots are specified in this file.

virtual memory

A memory management technique used by the operating system for programs that require more space in memory than can be allotted to them. The kernel moves only pages of the program currently needed into memory, while unneeded pages remain on the disk. Virtual memory extends physical memory over disk. See also kernel.

volume management

System software available with Solaris 2.2 and later releases that mounts CD-ROM and diskettes automatically without requiring superuser permission.

wrapper

A shell script installed on an application server that is used to set up the environment for that application; the wrapper then executes the application.

write-through cache

A type of cache that immediately updates its data source as data is changed or added to the cache.