OSI/FTAM Responder Manual
Glossary
OSI/FTAM Responder Manual—425199-001
Glossary-19
private group. A free-standing group of FTAM attributes that are outside the scope of 
OSI standardization.
process. A running entity, managed by the Compaq NonStop Kernel, that is created by 
taking a program from a file on a disk and running it in a processor.
process identification number (PIN). An unsigned integer that identifies a process in a 
processor module. Internally, a PIN is used as an index into the process control block 
(PCB) table. PIN numbers from 0 through 254 are low PINs and are supported on both 
C-series and D-series systems. PIN numbers from 256 through 65535 are high PINs and 
are supported only on D-series systems. PIN 255 is in neither subrange; it is called a 
synthetic process ID and allows an unconverted D-series system server process to 
communicate with a high-PIN requester process.
process pair. A primary process and its backup process, created as a pair to provide 
fault tolerance on a Compaq NonStop system.  The backup process takes over if the 
primary process fails.
profile. (1) A complete set of self-consistent parameters specifying which options in 
one or more OSI standards will be supported by a group of implementations for a 
particular purpose. For example, the U.S. Government Open Systems Interconnection 
Profile (GOSIP) is a profile to which implementations must conform to be eligible for 
certain government contracts.  (2) For Compaq FTAM, a type of object defining a 
template that contains configuration parameters for Compaq FTAM responder processes. 
When a profile is specified for a process, the configuration parameters in the profile take 
precedence over any corresponding parameters specified for the process.  (3) Also for 
Compaq FTAM, a type of object defining a template that contains configuration 
parameters for an alternate collector for event messages. (4)  For Compaq OSI/AS, a 
type of object defining a template that contains configuration parameters for OSI/AS 
dynamic subdevices. When a profile is specified for a connection, the configuration 
parameters in the profile take precedence over any corresponding parameters specified 
for the service as a whole.
profile type. A particular type of Compaq FTAM or OSI/AS profile. The only valid 
profile type for Compaq FTAM is the virtual filestore (VFS) profile.
programmatic interface. A set of procedures and accompanying definitions that enable 
programs to request services or operations. Contrast with interactive interface.
protocol. The set of rules governing the format and meaning of the frames, packets, or 
messages exchanged by the peer entities within an OSI layer. See also service.
protocol data unit. See PDU.
protocol state machine.  The part of a data communications process, such as an FTAM 
initiator or responder process, that acts upon occurrences according to the current state 
of the protocol.
provider abort. An association abort initiated by the service provider (for example, 
FTAM).  An abort leaves the status of any interrupted operations undefined. Contrast 
with user abort.
PSAP (presentation service access point). The point at which a Presentation Layer 
implementation provides presentation services to an Application Layer implementation.  










