Wireless Messaging Glossary

 

3G or 3GSM (3rd Generation GSM)

Third Generation (3G) is the mobile phone system that will be begin to be available commercially in the year 2001/2. The idea behind 3G is to unify the disparate standards that today's second generation wireless networks use. Instead of different network types being adopted in The Americas, Europe and Japan, the plan is for a single network standard to be agreed and implemented.

A

Active Content

Active content refers to material that is downloaded that makes something happen, as opposed to static content, such as text or simple images that do nothing but get displayed. Active content includes such things as JavaScript animations, ActiveX controls, Java spreadsheets...anything that actually does something.

ActiveX

ActiveX is Microsoft's answer to the Java technology from Sun Microsystems. An ActiveX control is roughly equivalent to a Java applet. ActiveX is the name Microsoft has given to a set of "strategic" object-oriented program technologies and tools. The main thing that you create when writing a program to run in the ActiveX environment is a component, a self-sufficient program that can be run anywhere in your ActiveX network (currently a network consisting of Windows and Macintosh systems). This component is known as an ActiveX control.

Address Book

An automated e-mail address directory that allows you to address your messages easily. Generally comes in personal and public versions.

Address Resolution Protocol (ARP)

A method of converting protocol addresses (e.g., IP addresses) to local network addresses (e.g., Ethernet addresses).

Anti-virus

A software program designed to identify and remove a known or potential computer virus

API (Application program interface)

An API is the specific methodology by which a programmer writing an application program may make requests of the operating system or another application.

Archiving

An archive is a collection of computer files that have been packaged together for backup, to transport to some other location, for saving away from the computer so that more hard disk storage can be made available, or for some other purpose. An archive can include a simple list of files or files organized under a directory or catalog structure (depending on how a particular program supports archiving).

Attachment

A file that a user adds to an email message to transfer it to another user.

Authorization

The process of determining what types of activities or access are permitted on a network. Usually used in the context of authentication: once you have authenticated a user, they may be authorized to have access to a specific service.

B

Bandwidth

Generally speaking, bandwidth is directly proportional to the amount of data transmitted or received per unit time. In digital systems, bandwidth is proportional to the data speed in bits per second (bps). Thus, a modem that works at 57,600 bps has twice the bandwidth of a modem that works at 28,800 bps.

C

cHTML (Compact HTML)

cHTML or compact HTML is a subset of the HTML 2.0, HTML 3.2 and HTML 4.0 specifications designed to meet the requirements of small information appliances such as mobile phones and PDAs.

Client

A client is the requesting program or user in a client/server relationship. For example, the user of a Web browser is effectively making client requests for pages from servers all over the Web. The browser itself is a client in its relationship with the computer that is getting and returning the requested HTML file.

Community string

A character string used to identify valid sources for SNMP requests, and to limit the scope of accessible information. Some units use the community string like a password, allowing only a limited set of management stations to access its MIB

Content blocking

The ability to block network traffic based on actual packet content.

Content filtering, scanning or screening

The ability to review the actual information that an end user sees when using a specific Internet application. For example, the content of e-mail.

Content virus

See data driven attack. Commonly protected against with a virus scanner.

Cookie

A message given to a Web browser by a Web server. The browser stores the message in a text file called cookie.txt. The message is then sent back to the server each time the browser requests a page from the server.

CoS (Class of Service)

Class of Service (CoS) is a way of managing traffic in a network by grouping similar types of traffic (for example, e-mail, streaming video, voice, large document file transfer) together and treating each type as a class with its own level of service priority.

CSD (Circuit Switched Data)

Circuit Switched Data (CSD) is a bearer that is available on GSM mobile networks that is slow and takes a while to connect, but is the principal bearer for working with the Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) protocol, at least in the days before General Packet Radio Service (GPRS).

D

DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)

DHCP enables individual computers on an IP network to extract their configurations from a server (the 'DHCP server') or servers, in particular, servers that have no exact information about the individual computers until they request the information. The overall purpose of this is to reduce the work necessary to administer a large IP network. The most significant piece of information distributed in this manner is the IP address.

Digital Certificate

A digital certificate is an electronic "credit card" that establishes your credentials when doing business or other transactions on the Web. It is issued by a certification authority (CA). It contains your name, a serial number, expiration dates, a copy of the certificate holder's public key (used for encrypting and decrypting messages and digital signatures), and the digital signature of the certificate-issuing authority so that a recipient can verify that the certificate is real.

Digital Signature

A digital signature is an electronic rather than a written signature that can be used by someone to authenticate the identity of the sender of a message or of the signer of a document. It can also be used to ensure that the original content of the message or document that has been conveyed is unchanged. Additional benefits to the use of a digital signature are that it is easily transportable, cannot be easily repudiated, cannot be imitated by someone else, and can be automatically time-stamped.

Domain

The unique name used to identify an Internet network.

Domain name server

A repository of addressing information for specific Internet hosts. Name servers use the domain name system to map IP addresses to Internet hosts.

Downloadable

A "downloadable" is a file that has been transmitted from one computer system to another, usually smaller computer system. From the Internet user's point-of-view, to download a file is to request it from another computer (or from a Web page on another computer) and to receive it.

Downstream post office

A post office that communicates with a mail server through another post office or other post offices.

DSL (Digital Subscriber Line)

DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) is a technology for bringing high-bandwidth information to homes and small businesses over ordinary copper telephone lines. xDSL refers to different variations of DSL, such as ADSL, HDSL, and RADSL. A DSL line can carry both data and voice signals and the data part of the line is continuously connected.

DSS (Digital Signature Standard

The Digital Signature Standard (DSS) is a cryptographic standard promulgated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in 1994. It has been adopted as the federal standard for authenticating electronic documents, much as a written signature verifies the authenticity of a paper document.

E

e-business

e-business" ("electronic business," derived from such terms as "e-mail" and "e-commerce") is the conduct of business on the Internet, not only buying and selling but also servicing customers and collaborating with business partners.

e-commerce

e-commerce (electronic commerce or EC) is the buying and selling of goods and services on the Internet, especially the World Wide Web. In practice, this term and e-business are often used interchangeably. For online retail selling, the term e-tailing is sometimes used.

EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution)

An evolving technology that provides enhancements in data capability over a core GSM network will be provided with the introduction of Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution. This will achieve the delivery of advanced mobile services such as the downloading of video and music clips, full multimedia messaging, high-speed color Internet access and e-mail on the move

email client

An application from which users can create, send and read e-mail messages.

email server

An application that controls the distribution and storage of e-mail messages.

Encryption

Scrambling data in such a way that it can only be unscrambled through the application of the correct cryptographic key.

Ethernet

A local-area network (LAN) protocol developed by Xerox Corporation in cooperation with DEC and Intel in 1976. Ethernet uses a bus or star topology and supports data transfer rates of 100Mbps.

Executable

An executable is a file that contains a program - that is, a particular kind of file that is capable of being executed or run as a program in the computer.

Extended MAPI (Extended Messaging Application Programming Interface)

An interface developed by Microsoft that provides messaging functions including addressing, sending, receiving and storing messages.

F

FDDI (Fiber Distributed Data Interface

A set of ANSI protocols for sending digital data over fiber optic cable. FDDI networks are token-passing networks, and support data rates of up to 100 Mbps (100 million bits) per second. FDDI networks are typically used as backbones for wide-area networks.

Filter

A filter is a program or section of code that is designed to examine each input or output request for certain qualifying criteria and then process or forward it accordingly. .

FTP (File Transfer Protocol)

FTP is the simplest way to exchange files between computers on the Internet. Like the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), which transfers displayable Web pages and related files, and the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), which transfers e-mail, FTP is an application protocol that uses the Internet's TCP/IP protocols.

G

GAL (Global Address List)

The Exchange Server Global Address List (GAL) is a MAPI address book container that holds recipients for a whole organization.

Gateway

A gateway is a network point that acts as an entrance to another network. In a company network, a proxy server acts as a gateway between the internal network and the Internet. A gateway may also be any machine or service that passes packets from one network to another network in their trip across the Internet.

Green Screen Terminal

Terminals that are designed to be centrally-managed, configured with only essential equipment, and devoid of CD-ROM players, diskette drives, and expansion slots (and therefore lower in cost).

GPRS (General Packet Radio Service)

General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) enabled networks offer 'always-on', higher capacity, Internet-based content and packet-based data services. This enables services such as color Internet browsing, e-mail on the move, powerful visual communications, multimedia messages and location-based services.

GSM (Global System for Mobile communications)

GSM is a second-generation wireless networking standard that delivers high quality and secure mobile voice and data services (such as SMS/Text Messaging) with full roaming capabilities across the world.

H

HDML (Handheld Device Markup Language)

Handheld Device Markup Language (HDML) is a simple language used to define hypertext-like content and applications for hand-held devices with small displays.

HSCSD (High Speed Circuit Switched Data)

High Speed Circuit Switched Data (HSCSD) is an enhancement of data services ("Circuit Switched Data - CSD) of all current GSM networks. It allows you to access non-voice services at 3 times faster, which means subscribers are able to send and receive data from their portable computers at a speed of up to 28.8 kbps; this is currently being upgraded in many networks to rates of and up to 43.2 kbps.

HTML (HyperText Markup Language)

A standard set of commands used to structure documents and format text so that it can be used on the Web.

HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol)

HTTP is the set of rules for exchanging files (text, graphic images, sound, video, and other multimedia files) on the World Wide Web. Relative to the TCP/IP suite of protocols (which are the basis for information exchange on the Internet), HTTP is an application protocol.

HTTPS (Secure Hypertext Transfer Protocol)

The secure hypertext transfer protocol (HTTPS) is a communications protocol designed to transfer encrypted information between computers over the World Wide Web. HTTPS is http using a Secure Socket Layer (SSL).

I

IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol)

Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP) is a method of accessing electronic mail or bulletin board messages that are kept on a (possibly shared) mail server. In other words, it permits a "client" email program to access remote message stores as if they were local. For example, email stored on an IMAP server can be manipulated from a desktop computer at home, a workstation at the office, and a notebook computer while traveling, without the need to transfer messages or files back and forth between these computers

IP (Internet Protocol)

The Internet Protocol is the method or protocol by which data is sent from one computer to another on the Internet. Each computer (known as a host) on the Internet has at least one address that uniquely identifies it from all other computers on the Internet.

ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network

A set of communications standards allowing a single wire or optical fibre to carry voice, digital network services and video. ISDN gives a user up to 56 kbps of data bandwidth on a phone line that is also used for voice, or up to 128 kbps if the line is only used for data.

J

Java

Java is a programming language expressly designed for use in the distributed environment of the Internet. It was designed to have the "look and feel" of the C++ language, but it is simpler to use than C++ and enforces a completely object-oriented view of programming. Java can be used to create complete applications that may run on a single computer or be distributed among servers and clients in a network. It can also be used to build small application modules or applets for use as part of a Web page. Applets make it possible for a Web page user to interact with the page.

K

L

LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol)

LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) is an emerging software protocol for enabling anyone to locate organizations, individuals, and other resources such as files and devices in a network, whether on the Internet or on a corporate intranet. LDAP is a "lightweight" (smaller amount of code) version of DAP (Directory Access Protocol), which is part of X.500, a standard for directory services in a network.

M

MAC (Media Access Control)

On a network, the MAC (Media Access Control) address is your computer's unique hardware number. The MAC address is used by the Media Access Control sublayer of the Data-Link Control (DLC) layer of telecommunication protocols. There is a different MAC sublayer for each physical device type. The Data-Link Layer is the protocol layer in a program that handles the moving of data in and out across a physical link in a network.

MAPI (Messaging Application Programming Interface)

An interface developed by Microsoft that provides messaging functions including addressing, sending, receiving and storing messages. Simple MAPI includes some of these functions. Extended MAPI includes all of these functions.

MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions)

A protocol used for transmitting documents with different formats via the Internet.

N

NNTP (Network News Transfer Protocol

NNTP (Network News Transfer Protocol) is the predominant protocol used by computers (servers and clients) for managing the notes posted on  newsgroups. NNTP replaced the original Usenet protocol, UNIX-to-UN

Nonrepudiation

The goal of nonrepudiation is to prove that a message has been sent and received. This is extremely important in networks where commands and status must be issued and responded to, where financial transactions must be verifiably completed, and where signed contracts are transmitted.

O

ODBC (Open Database Connectivity

ODBC is a standard or open application programming interface (API) for accessing a database. By using ODBC statements in a program, you can access files in a number of different databases, including Access, dBase, DB2, Excel, and Text. In addition to the ODBC software, a separate module or driver is needed for each database to be accessed.

P

Packet

A packet is the unit of data that is routed between an origin and a destination on the Internet or any other packet-switched network. When any file (e-mail message, HTML file, GIF file, URL request, and so forth) is sent from one place to another on the Internet, the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) layer of TCP/IP divides the file into "chunks" of an efficient size for routing. Each of these packets is separately numbered and includes the Internet address of the destination. The individual packets for a given file may travel different routes through the Internet. When they have all arrived, they are reassembled into the original file (by the TCP layer at the receiving end).

Packet Filters

Packet filters keep out certain data packets based on their source and destination addresses and service type. Filters can be used to block connections from or to specific hosts, networks or ports. Packet filters are simple and fast. However, they make decisions based on a very limited amount of information.

PGP (Pretty Good Privacy)

A cryptographic product family that enables people to securely exchange  messages, and to secure files, disk volumes and network connections with both privacy and strong authentication.

PKI (Public Key Infrastructure)

A PKI (public key infrastructure) enables users of a basically unsecure public network such as the Internet to securely and privately exchange data and money through the use of a public and a private cryptographic key pair that is obtained and shared through a trusted authority.

PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol)

Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) is a protocol for communication between two computers using a serial interface, typically a personal computer connected by phone line to a server.

PPPoE (Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet)

PPP over Ethernet (PPPoE) provides the ability to connect a network of hosts over a simple bridging access device to a remote Access Concentrator (Server).

POP3 (Post Office Protocol 3)

An e-mail protocol used to retrieve e-mail from a remote server over an Internet connection.

Protocol

A special set of rules for communicating that the end points in a telecommunication connection use when they send signals back and forth. Protocols exist at several levels in a telecommunication connection. There are hardware telephone protocols. There are protocols between the end points in communicating programs within the same computer or at different locations. Both end points must recognize and observe the protocol. Protocols are often described in an industry or international standard.

Proxy

An agent that acts on behalf of a user, typically accepting a connection from a user and completing a connection on behalf of the user with a remote host or service. See also gateway and proxy server.

Proxy Server

A proxy server is one that acts on behalf of one or more other servers, usually for screening, firewall, caching, or a combination of these purposes. Gateway is often used as a synonym for "proxy server." Typically, a proxy server is used within a company or enterprise to gather all Internet requests, forward them out to Internet servers, and then receive the responses and in turn forward them to the original requestor within the company.

Q

QoS (Quality of Service)

On the Internet and in other networks, QoS is the idea that transmission rates, error rates, and other characteristics can be measured, improved, and, to some extent, guaranteed in advance. QoS is of particular concern for the continuous transmission of high-bandwidth video and multimedia information.

R

RADIUS

RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service) is a client/server protocol and software that enables remote access servers to communicate with a central server to authenticate dial-in users and authorize their access to the requested system or service. RADIUS allows a company to maintain user profiles in a central database that all remote servers can share.

RAS (Remote Access Services)

A feature built into Windows NT that enables users to log into an NT-based LAN using a modem, X.25 connection or WAN link. RAS works with several major network protocols, including TCP/IP, IPX, and NetBEUI.

Rules

Criteria that are used to organize and control incoming messages automatically. When you set up a rule, you designate the criteria that selects a specific class of messages and then you select one or more actions to handle the messages that meet the criteria.

S

Session

In the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI)  communications model, the Session layer (sometimes called the "port layer") manages the setting up and taking down of the association between two communicating end points that is called a connection. A connection is maintained while the two end points are communicating back and forth in a conversation or session of some duration. Some connections and sessions last only long enough to send a message in one direction. However, other sessions may last longer, usually with one or both of the communicating parties able to terminate it.

SGML (Standard Generalized Markup Language)

The Standard Generalized Markup Language, or SGML, is an international standard (ISO 8879) published in 1986. SGML prescribes a standard format for embedding descriptive markup within a document. SGML also specifies a standard method for describing the structure of a document.

Shared POP3 mailbox

A mailbox that stores messages for an entire domain that allows organizations with part-time Internet connections to exchange mail.

S/MIME (Secure/ Multipurpose Mail Extensions)

S/MIME is an E-mail security protocol. It was designed to prevent the interception and forgery of E-mail by using encryption and digital signatures. S/MIME builds security on top of the MIME protocol and is based on technology originally developed by RSA Data Security, Inc.

SMF (Standard Message Format)

A message file format established by Novell and used by many e-mail applications.

SMS (Short message Service)

The Short Message Service (SMS) is the ability to send and receive text messages to and from mobile telephones. The text can comprise of words or numbers or an alphanumeric combination. SMS was created as part of the GSM Phase 1 standard.

SMTP (Simple Mail Transport Protocol)

The standard protocol used for Internet e-mail messages.

SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol)

The protocol governing network management and the monitoring of network devices and their functions.

Spool File

A report that has been sent to the printer control software on the AS400, to be disposed of by the printer agent. Similar to Print Manager on Windows.

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer)

A program layer created by Netscape for managing the security of message transmissions in a network. Netscape's idea is that the programming for keeping your messages confidential ought to be contained in a program layer between an application (such as your Web browser or HTTP) and the Internet's TCP/IP layers. The "sockets" part of the term refers to the sockets method of passing data back and forth between a client and a server program in a network or between program layers in the same computer.

T

TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol)

The standard family of protocols for communicating with Internet devices.

Telnet

A terminal emulation program for TCP/IP networks such as the Internet. The Telnet program runs on your computer and connects your PC to a server on the network. You can then enter commands through the Telnet program and they will be executed as if you were entering them directly on the server console

TLS (Transport Layer Security)

The Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol protocol provides communications privacy over the Internet. The protocol allows client/server applications to communicate in a way that is designed to prevent eavesdropping, tampering, or message forgery.

Token Ring

A type of computer network in which all the computers are arranged (schematically) in a circle. A token, which is a special bit pattern, travels around the circle. To send a message, a computer catches the token, attaches a message to it, and then lets it continue to travel around the network.

Tracking

The logging of inbound and outbound messages based on a predefined criteria. Logging is usually done to allow for further analysis of the data at a future date or time.

U

UDP (User Datagram Protocol

A connectionless protocol that, like TCP, runs on top of IP networks. Unlike TCP/IP, UDP/IP provides very few error recovery services, offering instead a direct way to send and receive datagrams over an IP network. It's used primarily for broadcasting messages over a network.

URL (Uniform Resource Locator)

An address in a standard format that locates files (resources) on the Internet and the Web. The type of resource depends on the Internet application protocol. Using the World Wide Web's protocol, the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) , the resource can be an HTML page (like the one you're reading), an image file, a program such as a CGI application or Java applet, or any other file supported by HTTP. The URL contains the name of the protocol required to access the resource, a domain name that identifies a specific computer on the Internet, and a hierarchical description of a file location on the computer.

User Authentication

Authentication is a process that verifies a user's identity to ensure that the person requesting access to the private network is in fact, that person to whom entry is authorized.

UTF-8 (Unicode Transformation Format)

Unicode provides a unique number for every character, no matter what the platform, no matter what the program, no matter what the language. UTF-8 is the format for the ISO 10646 Universal Character Set which is a coded character set with more than 40,000 defined elements.

UUCP (UNIX-to-UNIX Copy Protocol)

A set of UNIX programs for copying (sending) files between different UNIX systems and for sending commands to be executed on another system.

UUencode

A data encoding standard developed to translate or convert a file or e-mail attachment (it can be an image, a text file, or a program) from its binary or bit-stream representation into the 7-bit ASCII set of text characters.

V

Virus

A virus is a piece of programming code inserted into other programming to cause some unexpected and, for the victim, usually undesirable event. Viruses can be transmitted by downloading programming from other sites or be present on a diskette. The source of the file you're downloading or of a diskette you've received is often unaware of the virus. The virus lies dormant until circumstances cause its code to be executed by the computer. Some viruses are playful in intent and effect and some can be quite harmful, erasing data or causing your hard disk to require reformatting.

VPN (Virtual Private Networking)

A VPN is a technology that overlays communications networks with a management and security layer. Though VPN technology, network managers can set up secure relationships while still enjoying the low cost of a public network such as the Internet.

W

WAP (Wireless Application Protocol)

An open global standard for communications between a mobile handset and the Internet or other computer applications as defined by the WAP forum.

Web Browser

A Web browser is a client program that uses the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) to make requests of Web servers throughout the Internet on behalf of the browser user.

WML (Wireless Markup Language)

WML (Wireless Markup Language) is a markup language based on XML, and is intended for use in specifying content and user interface for narrowband devices, including cellular phones and pagers. WML is designed with the constraints of small narrowband devices in mind.

WMLScript

The WMLScript language is part of the industry-wide standard for wireless applications called Wireless Application Protocol (WAP). WMLScript is based on JavaScript, that has been modified to better support low bandwidth communication and thin clients.

WTLS (Wireless Transportation Security Layer)

The WTLS (Wireless Transport Layer Security) protocol is the security layer of  WAP (Wireless Application Protocol). It is becoming the de facto standard for providing privacy, data integrity, and authentication for applications in cellular phones and other small wireless terminals. WTLS bears a close resemblance to the SSL and TLS protocols.

X

X.500 Directory

X.500 Directory Service is a standard way to develop an electronic directory of people in an organization so that it can be part of a global directory available to anyone in the world with Internet access. Such a directory is sometimes called a global White Pages directory.

XML (Extensible Markup Language)

Extensible Markup Language, abbreviated XML, describes a class of data objects called XML documents and partially describes the behavior of computer programs which process them. XML is an application profile or restricted form of SGML, the Standard Generalized Markup Language [ISO 8879]. By construction, XML documents are conforming SGML documents.

Y

Z