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Appendix C: Glossary
Client – Any desktop, notebook or laptop that is connected to the freeStor 4020.
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) – A protocol that allows computers to be
automatically assigned an IP address from a DHCP server.
DNS Server Address (Domain Name System) – The Domain Name System (DNS) is a
distributed Internet directory service. DNS is used mostly to translate between domain names
and IP addresses, and to control email delivery.
DSE (DiskSafe EXpress) – A software solution that allows users to back up their data and
operating system information. Once the system has been backed up, it can be easily and
completely recovered in the event of a hard drive failure. Additionally, if the system becomes
corrupted (e.g. a virus infection) but the hard drive is still operational, the user can restore only
the affected files.
Ethernet – Ethernet networks are connected by cables and hubs, and move electronic data
between computers. The term Ethernet refers to the family of local-area network (LAN)
products covered by the IEEE 802.3 standard that defines what is commonly known as the
CSMA/CD protocol.
IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) – Among its responsibilities,
the IEEE sets standards of networking, including Ethernet LANs. IEEE standards ensure
interoperability between systems of the same type. The IEEE promotes the engineering
process of creating, developing, integrating, sharing, and applying knowledge about electronic
and information technologies and sciences.
IP Address (Internet Protocol) – An identifier for a computer or device on a TCP/IP network.
Networks using the TCP/IP protocol route messages based on the IP address of the
destination. The format of an IP address is a 32-bit numeric address written as four numbers
separated by periods. Each number must be between 0 and 255. For example, 1.160.10.240
could be an IP address.
LAN (Local Area Network) – A local area network (LAN) is a group of computers and
associated devices that share a common communications line or wireless link and typically
share the resources of a single processor or server within a small geographic area (for
example, within an office building). A home network is considered a LAN.
MAC Address (Media Access Control) – A MAC address is a hardware address that
uniquely identifies each node of a network. The MAC layer interfaces directly with the network
medium. Consequently, each different type of network medium requires a different MAC layer.