User Guide

Glossary 119
megabyte See MB.
name server A server on a network that keeps a list of names and the IP addresses
associated with each name. See also DNS, WINS.
Network File System See NFS.
network interface Your computer’s hardware connection to a network. This includes
(but isn’t limited to) Ethernet connections, AirPort cards, and FireWire connections.
network interface card See NIC.
NFS Network File System. A client/server protocol that uses Internet Protocol (IP) to
allow remote users to access files as though they were local. NFS can export shared
volumes to computers based on IP address, and also supports single sign-on (SSO)
authentication through Kerberos.
nfsd daemon An NFS server process that runs continuously behind the scenes and
processes NFS protocol and mount protocol requests from clients. nfsd can have
multiple threads. The more NFS server threads, the better concurrency.
NIC Network interface card. An adapter that connects a computer or other device to a
network. NIC is usually used to refer to adapters in Ethernet networking; in Fibre
Channel networking, the interface is usually called a host bus adapter (HBA).
Open Directory The Apple directory services architecture, which can access
authoritative information about users and network resources from directory domains
that use LDAP, Active Directory protocols, or BSD configuration files, and network
services.
open source A term for the cooperative development of software by the Internet
community. The basic principle is to involve as many people as possible in writing and
debugging code by publishing the source code and encouraging the formation of a
large community of developers who will submit modifications and enhancements.
port A sort of virtual mail slot. A server uses port numbers to determine which
application should receive data packets. Firewalls use port numbers to determine
whether data packets are allowed to traverse a local network. “Port” usually refers to
either a TCP or UDP port.
port name A unique identifier assigned to a Fibre Channel port.
protocol A set of rules that determines how data is sent back and forth between two
applications.