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A
Access Control – a process to ensure that only authorised personnel have access to a physical facility or computer system / program.
Access Point – in wireless (Wi-Fi) networking an access point enables connection of a wireless device (laptop, mobile phone etc) to a network (generally providing Internet access). Some ADSL routers have a wireless access point built in, enabling three functions to run from one device (ADSL modem, router and wireless access point). An access point can provide better reception than a Wi-Fi enabled ADSL router as it can be located at the end of a network cable run (closer to where the wireless service is required).
ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) – a broadband technology that enables connection to the Internet over copper telelphone lines (the standard cabling to homes). ADSL is a form of Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) where the bandwidth is greater in the direction to the customer (download) compared to the available bandwidth for data to be sent from the customer (upload). This inbalance is why the term asymmetric (not symmetrical – i.e. not measuring the same) is used.
ADSL Modem – a device that enables data to be transmitted digitally over the standard copper wires of local telephone networks using ADSL. A successor to the modem.
ADSL Router – a device that contains an ADSL modem and router enabling multiple computers to share a broadband connection.
Apple Macintosh (Mac) – a computer running the Mac OS. The Mac is a powerful desktop machine, the iMac is an integrated (computer and screen) machine, and the laptop range are called MacBooks.
ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) - a method of encoding characters for computer processing. It is commonly referred to as "plain text".
Application (or App) – computer software that is used to perform a task or collection of tasks (for example graphic editing, word processing, accounting etc).
Archive – in relation to email, is a place to store important but not regularly accessed email. It removes the email from your mailbox and stores it in a dedicated archive file. Can be carried out manually or through use of AutoArchive.
AutoArchive – a function within Microsoft Outlook that automatically archives emails based on the age of the email. Archiving ensures that your mailbox doesn’t get too large (and avoids exceeding your email quota).
Authentication — an aspect of Access Control. Authentication determines whether someone or indeed something is what it is declared to be.
B
Backup – the process of taking a copy of data to safeguard against hardware failure. Other measures such as offsite backup are recommended to enable disaster recovery.
Bandwidth – within computing, is a measurement of how much data can be transported per second. Typically measured in bits per second (bps), faster communication technology requires measurements in kilobits, megabits and so forth.
Bit – shortened form of “binary digit”, the computer world’s data “building blocks”. Can have the value of “0” or “1”. Also see Byte.
Broadband – in basic terms relates to fast methods of accessing the Internet. Broadband gets its name from its initial roots. Computer systems used to communicate using modems over standard telephone cable, because it was using the same frequency allocation as voice (4 kilohertz) it was effectively “narrowband” or “voiceband”. When this same cabling has the telephone filters removed it is capable of supporting hundreds of kilohertz hence “broadband”. Example broadband services are ADSL and SDSL.
Byte – a collection of 8 bits. Historically a byte was the number of bits required to represent a single character (like “A” for example). Storage is typically measured in bytes.
C
CA (Certificate Authority) – a trusted third-party organisation or company that issues digital certificates.
Certificate - an electronic credential that is digitally signed by a trusted third-party organisation (CA) providing validation that the website you are connecting to is genuine (for e-commerce and any other site that requires a secure connection).
Client-Server – a method of distributing computing tasks. The server takes responsibility for providing a service and the clients utilise the service. Using this method one central repository can provide a service to many computers (aka clients).
Client – the computers and associated programs that connect to a server in a Client-Server configuration.
D
DDI (Direct Dial-In) — referred to as Direct Inward Dial (DID) in the US. A DDI is a telephone number that can sidestep a business switchboard/receptionist and ring straight through to a person’s office phone.
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) — DHCP concerns itself with assigning IP addresses to computers so that there’s no risk of identical IP addresses being assigned to multiple computers (a bad thing!)
Disaster Recovery – the processes followed to bring a business back to a functioning unit after experiencing a natural (flood, fire etc) or human initiated (terrorism, crime etc) disaster.
DNS (Domain Name System) — an Internet service that translates domain names into IP addresses. Humans remember words better than long numbers, DNS really only exists to make the Internet easier for people to navigate. It would actually be a lot faster if the IP addresses were used (as each time a domain name is typed it needs to be “resolved” through the DNS service).
Domain Name – a name that is assigned to a resource on the Internet (for example www.hjsessentia.co.uk). Rights to the use of a domain name are controlled by Domain Name Registrars.
Domain Name Registrar – an organization or business responsible for the management of Domain Names. Different registrars are assigned responsibility (by ICANN) for a specific range of domain names (.uk, .com, .net etc).
Download – the process of copying data onto a local computer from a remote computer.
DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) – a group of technologies that enable data to be transmitted digitally over the standard copper wires of local telephone networks.
E
Email Quota – the total storage space available per user for emails. If you’re getting close to filling your quota then you should look into placing old emails into an archive.
Ethernet — a standard for connecting computers to form a local area network (LAN).
Ethernet Adapter Card – see NIC
Exchange (Microsoft Exchange Server) - is an integrated email, calendar, contacts and tasks service by Microsoft. It is the server side technology (in a client/server environment) that powers office-based systems running Microsoft Outlook (a PIM application client).
F
Fibre Optic – a method of transmitting information by sending light pulses through optical fibre. The cabling is unaffected by electrical interference and can also be run for long distances without the need for signal amplification (via a repeater). It has far superior bandwidth available than standard copper telephone cable.
File (Computer File) – application data stored on a computer storage medium (such as hard disk, compact disc, USB drive). Examples of computer files would be a .txt (text file), .xls (Excel spreadsheet file) and .jpg (compressed picture file).
G
Gateway — A node (or point) on a network that serves as an entrance to another network.
Gibibit (Gib) – One billion, seventy three million, seven hundred and forty one thousand, eight hundred and twenty four (1,073,741,824) bits
Gibibyte (GiB) – One billion, seventy three million, seven hundred and forty one thousand, eight hundred and twenty four (1,073,741,824) bytes
Gigabit (Gb) – one billion (1,000,000,000) bits. Confusingly there are two ways of calculating the measurement: decimal and binary. Decimal translates as 1,000,000,000 bits but binary translates as 1,073,741,824 bits. There are moves to introduce the term gibibit but take up in the media and industry has been slow.
Gigabyte (GB) – One billion (1,000,000,000) bytes. Confusingly there are two ways of calculating the measurement: decimal and binary. Decimal translates as 1,000,000,000 bytes but binary translates as 1,073,741,824 bytes. There are moves to introduce the term gibibyte but take up in the media and industry has been slow.
Guest Operating System — A guest operating system is an operating system installed on a host machine (a physical machine) and run virtually using VMware or other virtualization software. This enables (for instance) running Windows on an Apple Mac.
H
Hacker – a person who breaks into a computer system without permission.
Home page — can have several different meanings depending on context. It most commonly refers to the top-most page of a web site for a person or organization.
Host Name — a name that is assigned to a device that is connected to a computer network.
Host Operating System — A term often used in relation to virtualization. It refers to the operating system running on the physical machine.
Hotspot – an area that provides Wi-Fi / wireless access via an Access Point. Hotspots are generally located in public areas like coffee shops, restaurants and pubs (for Internet access), but also feature in business premises (where LAN access may also be available).
Hub – a device that connects multiple network cables together to form a local area network (LAN).
I
ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) – US based organization responsible for the co-ordination of various Internet infrastructure aspects.
IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) - is a client-server approach to email in which email is kept on the server. When you work with email, your email program (the client) connects to the post office server to access your email. Since your email stays on the server, you can easily access it from multiple workstations and programs just like you can access your voice mail messages from any phone.
IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) - is a number used to identify mobile phones. If a phone is lost or stolen the IMEI can be blacklisted so that the phone no longer works (even if the SIM is changed). On most phones you can find out the IMEI by typing *#06# and pressing send (or "call") button.
Internet – a global system of interconnected computers – it’s roots are from the military network ARPANET which was established in the late 60s and designed to withstand nuclear attack.
IP (Internet Protocol) – the primary protocol (communication rules) used on the Internet, part of TCP/IP. In simple terms IP is the “language” spoken by computers on the Internet.
IP address — All computers on a TCP/IP network require a unique IP address. It can be thought of as a telephone number – you can’t have two users with the same telephone number (unless they share the phone!), the same applies to IP addresses.
ISP (Internet Service Provider) – a company that provides access to the Internet (generally via broadband).
J
Java – a programming language by Sun Microsystems used extensively on websites to provide small applications that are “platform independent” (can be run on Mac, Windows or Linux operating systems – as well as others) .
K
Kibibit (Kib) – One thousand and twenty four (1024) bits
Kibibyte (KiB) – One thousand and twenty four (1024) bytes
Kilo - A metric unit representing 1000 (a thousand).
Kilobit (kb) – One thousand (1000) bits. Confusingly there are two ways of calculating the measurement: decimal and binary. Decimal translates as 1000 bits but binary translates as 1024 bits. There are moves to introduce the term kibibit but take up in the media and industry has been slow.
Kilobyte (kB) – One thousand (1000) bytes. Confusingly there are two ways of calculating the measurement: decimal and binary. Decimal translates as 1000 bytes but binary translates as 1024 bytes. There are moves to introduce the term kibibyte but take up in the media and industry has been slow.
L
LAN (Local Area Network) – a collection of connected computers in a single location.
Linux – a computer operating system with similarities to the UNIX operating system. Linux is an open source software development.
M
MAC address (Media Access Control address) — A unique identifier on a network interface card (NIC).
Mac – see Apple Macintosh
Mac OS – the operating system used on Apple Macintosh (or Mac) computers. The current version, Mac OS X, has its roots in UNIX.
Mbps – Megabit per second. A measure of how fast data can be transmitted.
MBps – Megabyte per second. A measure of how fast data can be transmitted.
Mebibit (Mib) – One million, forty eight thousand, five hundred and seventy six (1,048,576) bits
Mebibyte (MiB) – One million, forty eight thousand, five hundred and seventy six (1,048,576) bytes
Mega - A metric unit representing 1,000,000 (a million).
Megabit (Mb) – One million (1,000,000) bits. Confusingly there are two ways of calculating the measurement: decimal and binary. Decimal translates as 1,000,000 bits but binary translates as 1,048,576 bits. There are moves to introduce the term mebibit but take up in the media and industry has been slow.
Megabyte (MB) – One million (1,000,000) bytes. Confusingly there are two ways of calculating the measurement: decimal and binary. Decimal translates as 1,000,000 bytes but binary translates as 1,048,576 bytes. There are moves to introduce the term mebibyte but take up in the media and industry has been slow.
Metadata — Information about data (confusingly can be worded “data about data”). A term which describes the data.
Mib/s - Mebibit per second. A measure of how fast data can be transmitted
MiBps - Mebibyte per second. A measure of how fast data can be transmitted
Modem – Modulator Demodulator. The most common being a voiceband modem, a device for encoding digital (computer data) information into electrical signals for transfer across a telephone line and for carrying out the reverse (decoding) for received electrical signals. Voiceband modems have been mainly superseded by broadband services (xDSL and Fibre Optic).
N
Network – a collection of interconnected computers. See LAN and WAN for different types of network.
NIC (Network Interface Card or Network Interface Controller) – A computer hardware component that is responsible for a computer’s communications on a network. You would plug an Ethernet cable into a wired NIC.
O
Open Source Software – software that is available in source code form (i.e. the “nuts and bolts” of the program) and can be freely modified. It is generally developed in a collaborative manner which helps maintain control of the product’s progress. The main criticism levelled against reliance on open source software is that there is no one developer or organisation that has responsibility for it; therefore support is very much a “hands on” task. To use a car analogy, an open source vehicle would be a customised kit car.
OS (Operating System) – software that enables computer hardware to function.
Outlook (Microsoft Outlook) – a PIM application client that enables access to Microsoft Exchange Server.
OWA (Outlook Web App) - is the web email client for the Microsoft Exchange integrated email and calendar service. It enables you to access the standard components of your Outlook account from any Internet connected computer.
P
PC (Personal Computer) – a computer (either laptop or desktop). Generally computers running the Windows OS are referred to as PCs.
Phishing – emails that appear to be from a genuine source (like a bank for instance) requesting account details (for “authentication" purposes). It is a straightforward attempt to steal personal / account details from an unsuspecting recipient. Needless to say, NEVER respond to these emails. No company would ever request information from an individual in this manner. If you think it may be genuine, contact the company via the phone number on your statement / paperwork – NOT the number supplied in the email!
PIM (Personal Information Manager) – A software application that provides personal organizer functions (such as scheduling, calendar and email).
PIN (Personal Identification Number) – a numeric password (between 4 and 8 digits, but generally 4) used to authenticate a user. First designed to be used on ATMs (Automatic Teller Machines) by banks to provide self service facilities for cash withdrawals. The concept of PINs was patented in 1966. PINs are also used on SIM cards to ensure that only the authorised user has access to the mobile device.
POP (Post Office Protocol) - a basic store and forward mail handling system. When you connect to the mail server, your mail is downloaded to your machine and deleted from the server (there is the option of leaving the messages on the server but generally this is not enabled). It does not support reading mail from multiple locations or have the modern message handling features of IMAP.
Program – a defined set of instructions that a computer carries out when requested. Making these requests in computer terms is called “running” – so to start a program is to “run a program”.
PUC (PIN Unlock Code) - see PUK
PUK (PIN Unlock Key) – a code used by mobile phone operators to unlock a blocked SIM card or when the SIMs PIN has been forgotten. The PUK is unique for the specific SIM. If the wrong PUK code is entered ten times then the device is permanently blocked and can only be recovered through a replacement SIM.
Q
Query – another word for question. Outside of computing terminology the words are interchangeable. Within computing however a query is a question specifically directed at a computer. When you tap a word into Google, for instance, you are typing a “web search query”.
R
Repeater – a device that amplifies a weakening signal and retransmits it. For example a repeater would be used to improve wireless signal coverage in a Wi-Fi hotspot.
Router – a device that directs network traffic across networks (i.e. to enable communication between Network “A” and Network “B” – two separate networks). See also hub and switch.
S
SDSL (Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line) – a broadband technology that enables connection to the Internet over copper telelphone lines (the standard cabling to homes). Unlike ADSL, SDSL runs at the same speed for uploads as downloads (i.e. symmetrically – “measuring the same”). An SDSL is not capable of supporting phone calls (the full bandwidth is used for data).
Server - the computer and associated programs that provide clients (i.e. user’s computers) with a service in a Client / Server configuration. Server hardware is more powerful than standard desktop / laptop computers and is optimised for servicing multiple network requests and storage tasks.
SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) – an integrated circuit used on mobile devices to identify the user, usually contained within a SIM card (available in various sizes depending on the device used). A SIM is used to control what services you have access to on a mobile network. A SIM can be secured by applying a PIN to it.
SLA (Service Level Agreement) – a component of a service contract. One of the most common features of an SLA is the definition of a maximum acceptable time frame for a service or resolution to be implemented.
SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) - a standard set of rules that define an email message format and transmission methods. Typically SMTP is used to send emails from a client application (such as Outlook).
Switch – a device that directs network traffic around a network. A switch could be regarded as an intelligent hub because it analyzes the network data and directs it to the correct destination.
T
TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) - Two protocols that enable computers to communicate with each other over long distance networks. The protocols were originally developed by the US military.
Tebibit (Tib) – One trillion, ninety nine billion, five hundred and eleven million, six hundred and twenty seven thousand, seven hundred and seventy six (1,099,511,627,776) bits.
Tebibyte (TiB) – One trillion, ninety nine billion, five hundred and eleven million, six hundred and twenty seven thousand, seven hundred and seventy six (1,099,511,627,776) bytes.
Terabit (Tb) – One trillion (1,000,000,000,000) bits. Confusingly there are two ways of calculating the measurement: decimal and binary. Decimal translates as 1,000,000,000,000 bits but binary translates as <1,099,511,627,776 bits. There are moves to introduce the term tebibit but take up in the media and industry has been slow.
Terabyte (TB) – One trillion (1,000,000,000,000) bytes. Confusingly there are two ways of calculating the measurement: decimal and binary. Decimal translates as 1,000,000,000,000 bytes but binary translates as 1,099,511,627,776 bytes. There are moves to introduce the term tebibyte but take up in the media and industry has been slow.
Trojan software - A program that appears desirable to encourage downloading and/or running. Once run, the host computer is compromised and will carry out whatever duties the Trojan software writer (hacker) has designed it to do. This can be spying on key depressions (capturing login details etc), fake anti-spyware warnings (to encourage the user to buy unrequired software from the hacker) or any other number of unwanted activities.
TWAIN – Technology Without An Interesting Name. A software protocol enabling communication between computers and imaging products like scanners and cameras. The TWAIN group deny it is an acronym at all and state that the word is from Rudyard Kipling’s “The Ballad of East and West” – “… and never the twain shall meet…” relating to the difficulty (at the time) of connecting scanners and personal computers.
U
Ubuntu – a computer operating system based on the Linux OS.
UNIX – a computer operating system that over the years has been split into a number of different variants by various companies and organizations. Current commercially supported UNIX versions are Solaris (originally developed by Sun Microsystems), HP-UX (by Hewlett-Packard) and AIX (by IBM).
Upload - the process of copying data from a local computer to a remote computer.
UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) – a device that provides continued power in the event of a power cut. A UPS is installed between the computer and the mains electrical power and runs all the time. Whilst providing existing mains power it also trickle charges it’s built-in batteries – in the event of a power cut the battery power takes over. The battery power obviously has a limit and the length of time a UPS runs off battery is one of the considerations when buying a UPS. The number of devices connected to the UPS (the load) has an impact on the runtime too. Should power not return after a pre-defined time or when the battery reaches a defined discharge point it will initiate a shutdown process on the connected server (not all UPS’s provide this facility). This controlled shutdown process prevents system corruption (which would be almost inevitable in the event of power cut without UPS protection).
UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair) – Standard cabling used in Ethernet networks and telephone systems.
V
Virus – a computer program that attaches to a computer file and then copies itself to infect other computers / files. Some viruses do nothing but copy themselves, however many have malicious purposes.
VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) – a technology that enables telephone calls to be made over Internet Protocol (IP). Skype is a good example of a software implementation of VoIP.
VPN (Virtual Private Network) – a secure method of connecting a remote computer to a LAN over the Internet (or another un-secure network). Using a VPN a home worker can access their company servers whilst remaining at home.
W
WAN (Wide Area Network) - a collection of connected computers in multiple locations.
Wi-Fi – a method of connecting to a network without the use of cables (i.e. wireless). Though it is often regarded as standing for Wireless Fidelity, the developers maintain it does not and that it was just a name their branding company came up with that was catchier than “IEEE 802.11b Direct Sequence”.
Windows (Microsoft Windows) – the operating system by Microsoft. MS Windows runs on servers, personal computers and even mobile phones. The latest version, Windows 7, is available in 32bit and 64bit versions.
Worm – a computer program that copies itself over networks, unlike a virus it does not need to attach itself to a file. It manages to replicate (copy) by taking advantage of unpatched security loopholes – this is one of the prime reasons why you should ensure your systems are patched up-to-date. At best a worm will take up network bandwidth, at worst they will also have a payload – for instance delete or corrupt files.
WWW (World Wide Web or "the Web") – a collection of documents that interlink, creating a vast library of information and entertainment (in text, image and sound format). Developed from the initial ideas of British engineer and computer scientist Sir Tim Berners-Lee.
X
xDSL (x Digital Subscriber Line) – an umbrella term to cover all the various Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) technologies, includes ADSL and SDSL.
Y
YouTube – an online video sharing service (ok the only reason it’s listed here is because it’s the only IT related item beginning with Y!)
Z
Zip – a file that contains compressed data, providing a way to send large documents or a collection of documents in a single, smaller file. Note that files such as .jpg are already compressed so their size does not reduce when placed in a .zip file.
