User's Manual

Glossary - 2 MC18 Product Reference Guide
B
Bar Code. A pattern of variable-width bars and spaces which represents numeric or alphanumeric data in
machine-readable form. The general format of a bar code symbol consists of a leading margin, start character, data
or message character, check character (if any), stop character, and trailing margin. Within this framework, each
recognizable symbology uses its own unique format. See Symbology.
Bits per Second (bps). Bits transmitted or received.
Bit. Binary digit. One bit is the basic unit of binary information. Generally, eight consecutive bits compose one byte of
data. The pattern of 0 and 1 values within the byte determines its meaning.
Byte. On an addressable boundary, eight adjacent binary digits (0 and 1) combined in a pattern to represent a specific
character or numeric value. Bits are numbered from the right, 0 through 7, with bit 0 the low-order bit. One byte in
memory is used to store one ASCII character.
boot or boot-up. The process a computer goes through when it starts. During boot-up, the computer can run
self-diagnostic tests and configure hardware and software.
C
CAM. (Continuously Aware Mode) Mode in which the adapter is instructed to continually check for network activity.
CHAP. (Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol) A type of authentication in which the authentication agent
(typically a network server) sends the client program a random value that is used only once and an ID value. Both
the sender and peer share a predefined secret. The peer concatenates the random value (or nonce), the ID and the
secret and calculates a one-way hash using MD5. The hash value is sent to the authenticator, which in turn builds
that same string on its side, calculates the MD5 sum itself and compares the result with the value received from the
peer. If the values match, the peer is authenticated.
Character. A pattern of bars and spaces which either directly represents data or indicates a control function, such as a
number, letter, punctuation mark, or communications control contained in a message.
Character Set. Those characters available for encoding in a particular bar code symbology.
Cold Boot. A cold boot restarts the MC18 and erases all user stored records and entries.
COM port. Communication port; ports are identified by number, e.g., COM1, COM2.
Continuous Code. A bar code or symbol in which all spaces within the symbol are parts of characters. There are no
intercharacter gaps in a continuous code. The absence of gaps allows for greater information density.
Cradle. A cradle is used for charging the MC18 battery and for communicating with a host computer, and provides a
storage place for the MC18 when not in use.
D
DCP. See Device Configuration Package.