Specifications

180 Glossary
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) A protocol used to distribute IP
addresses to client computers. Each time a client computer starts up, the protocol looks
for a DHCP server and then requests an IP address from the DHCP server it finds. The
DHCP server checks for an available IP address and sends it to the client computer
along with a lease period—the length of time the client computer may use the address.
directory domain A specialized database that stores authoritative information about
users and network resources; the information is needed by system software and
applications. The database is optimized to handle many requests for information and to
find and retrieve information quickly. Also called a directory node or simply a directory.
directory domain hierarchy A way of organizing local and shared directory domains. A
hierarchy has an inverted tree structure, with a root domain at the top and local
domains at the bottom.
directory node See directory domain.
directory services Services that provide system software and applications with
uniform access to directory domains and other sources of information about users and
resources.
FTP (File Transfer Protocol) A protocol that allows computers to transfer files over a
network. FTP clients using any operating system that supports FTP can connect to a file
server and download files, depending on their access privileges. Most Internet browsers
and a number of freeware applications can be used to access an FTP server.
group A collection of users who have similar needs. Groups simplify the administration
of shared resources.
group directory A directory that organizes documents and applications of special
interest to group members and allows group members to pass information back and
forth among them.
guest user A user who can log in to your server without a user name or password.
hash An encrypted form of a password or other text.
home directory A folder for a user’s personal use. Mac OS X also uses the home
directory, for example, to store system preferences and managed user settings for Mac
OS X users.
IP (Internet Protocol) Also known as IPv4. A method used with Transmission Control
Protocol (TCP) to send data between computers over a local network or the Internet. IP
delivers packets of data, while TCP keeps track of data packets.
IP address A unique numeric address that identifies a computer on the Internet.
LL2352.Book Page 180 Friday, August 22, 2003 3:12 PM