Operating instructions

GLOSSARY 55
Passport / Mike Meyers‘ A+ Certification Passport / Meyers / 226308-3 / Glossary
promiscuous mode A mode of operation for a network interface card where
the NIC processes all packets that it sees on the cable.
prompt A character or message provided by an operating system or program
to indicate that it is ready to accept input.
proprietary Technology unique to a particular vendor.
protected mode The operating mode of a CPU allowing more than one pro
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gram to be run while ensuring that no program can corrupt another program
currently running.
protocol An agreement that governs the procedures used to exchange infor
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mation between cooperating entities; usually includes how much information is
to be sent, how often it is sent, how to recover from transmission errors, and
who is to receive the information.
protocol stack The actual software that implements the protocol suite on a
particular operating system.
protocol suite A set of protocols that are commonly used together and oper-
ate at different levels of the OSI seven-layer model.
proxy server A device that fetches Internet resources for a client without ex-
posing that client directly to the Internet. Most proxy servers accept requests for
HTTP, FTP, POP3, and SMTP resources. The proxy server will often cache, or
store, a copy of the requested resource for later use. A common security feature
in the corporate world.
PSTN (public switched telephone network) Also called POTS (plain old
telephone service). Most common type of phone connection that takes your
sounds—translated into an analog waveform by the microphone—and trans
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mits them to another phone.
QIC (quarter-inch cassette or cartridge) Tape backup cartridges that use quar
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ter-inch tape.
queue The area where objects wait their turn to be processed. Example: the
printer queue, where print jobs wait until it is their turn to be printed.
P:\010Comp\Passport\308-3\gloss.vp
Monday, April 09, 2007 10:24:46 PM
Color profile: Generic CMYK printer profile
Composite Default screen