Specifications

Glossary 99
mount (verb) In general, to make a remote directory or volume available for access on
a local system. In Xsan, to cause an Xsan volume to appear on a client’s desktop, just
like a local disk.
mulitcast DNS A protocol developed by Apple for automatic discovery of computers,
devices, and services on IP networks. This proposed Internet standard protocol is
sometimes referred to as “ZeroConf.” For more information, visit www.apple.com or
www.zeroconf.org. To see how this protocol is used in Mac OS X Server,
see local hostname.
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.
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 exports shared
volumes to computers according to IP address, rather than user name and password.
nfsd daemon An NFS server process that runs continuously behind the scenes and
processes read and write requests from clients. The more daemons that are available,
the more concurrent clients can be served.
Open Directory The Apple directory services architecture, which can access
authoritative information about users and network resources from directory domains
that use LDAP, NetInfo, or Active Directory protocols; 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.
oplocks See opportunistic locking.
opportunistic locking Also known as oplocks. A feature of Windows services that
prevents users of shared files from changing the same file at the same time.
Opportunistic locking locks the file or part of the file for exclusive use, but also caches
the user’s changes locally on the client computer for improved performance.
owner The owner of an item can change access permissions to the item. The owner
may also change the group entry to any group in which the owner is a member. By
default the owner has Read & Write permissions.
password An alphanumeric string used to authenticate the identity of a user or to
authorize access to files or services.