DCE Installation, Configuration, and Management Guide

HP NonStop DCE Installation, Configuration, and Management Guide—429552-005
Glossary-1
Glossary
agent. A simplified type of DCE server that contains a single call thread and receives all
incoming calls from a distributor. See also distributor.
API. See application program interface (API).
application program interface (API). A set of services (such as programming language
functions or procedures) that are called by an application program to communicate with
other software components. For example, an application program in the form of a client
might use an API to communicate with a server program.
CDS. See cell directory service (CDS).
cell. The basic unit of operation in DCE. A cell is a group of users, systems, and resources
that typically have a common purpose and share common DCE services. At a
minimum, a cell includes one cell directory service server, one security server, and one
distributed time service server. A cell can consist of one system to several thousand
systems. The boundaries of a cell are influenced by its purpose as well as by security,
administration, and performance considerations.
cell directory service (CDS). A central repository for information about resources in a cell.
See also cell.
clearinghouse. A collection of directory replicas on one cell directory service server. A
clearinghouse is in the form of a database file.
client machine. A machine that has identified itself to the security and cell directory service
servers, allowing the machine access to an existing cell. Compare with server
machine.
cloning. The process of populating the files needed by a new virtual host through links to
the files of an existing virtual host. Cloning saves significant disk space. See also
virtual host.
Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). The standard measure of time from the beginning of
the current Epoch. UTC is sometimes called Universal Coordinated Time, CUT, or
UCT; the standard appellation is abbreviated as UTC, an arbitrary ordering of the
letters. UTC was formerly called Greenwich mean time (GMT).
Data Encryption Standard (DES). A data encryption algorithm widely used in the United
States.
DCE control program (dcecp). A control program that provides a consolidated user
interface across DCE. It unites core DCE administrative functions into one tool and
allows remote administration of DCE components. The control program includes a
powerful scripting language allowing portable dcecp scripts to be written to customize
and simplify administrative tasks.