Network Terms "M"

Network Glossary and acronym's

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

.MSI file

A file with extension MSI that contains software installation instructions and data for use with the Windows Installer service.

.MST file

A file with the .MST extension that can be applied to a Windows Installer package (.MSI file) to customize it. Also called a software modification file.

MAC (Media Access Control) Address

A unique hardware address that is assigned to each device by the vendor. For example, a LAN adapter has a unique MAC address that is permanent to the adapter card.

MADCAP (multicast addressing server)

MADCAP is a multicast addressing server, which provides multicast address allocation.

MADMAN MIB

Madman.mib is the Management Information Base (MIB) for Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) Mail and Directory Management (MADMAN). Windows NT Performance Monitor counters are made available as MIB objects that can be monitored through SNMP.

Mail Exchanger (MX) record

A DNS resource record that you can define in DNS. The MX records specify a mail exchanger for a domain name: a host that will either process or forward mail for the domain name.

Mailbox delivery queue

Mailbox delivery queues only exist on Hub Transport servers in Exchange 2007. They hold messages for recipients whose mailbox data is stored on a Mailbox server within the same site as the Hub Transport server. More than one mailbox delivery queue can exist on a Hub Transport server.

Mailbox server

The Mailbox server in Exchange 2007 contains the mailbox and public folder databases. The Mailbox server role in Exchange 2007 supports multiple storage groups and multiple stores, making it possible to have up to 50 storage groups and up to 5 stores (databases) per storage group. The maximum number of stores on a single Exchange server is limited to 50.

Mailbox-enabled user

A mailbox-enabled user is an Active Directory user that has a mailbox that is hosted on one of the mailbox servers within an Exchange organization. A mailbox-enabled user can logon to the domain and access resources on the network according to the permissions and groups to which they are assigned. Mailbox-enabled users are the most common type of Exchange recipient.

Mail-enabled contacts

Mail-enabled contacts are used to make it easier for users within an Exchange organization to locate the contact details of people outside of your organization.

Mail-enabled user

A mail-enabled user is an Active Directory user the has an e-mail address associated with their account, but whose mailbox is stored on an external mail system. For example, a contractor who is working for the organization but is using their own e-mail address.

Malware

Another name for virus, which is a program that has no useful purpose, but attempts to spread itself to other systems and often damages resources on the systems where it is found.

Management domains

Management domains are the network subdivisions specified in the X.400 international messaging standard. Management domains include Administration Management Domains (ADMDs) and Private Management Domains (PRMDs).

Management Information Base (MIB)

A database containing the data gathered by SNMP agents which monitor network traffic and components.

Management Information Bases (MIBs)

A set of manageable objects representing various types of information about a network device, such as the number of active sessions or the version of the network operating system software that is running on a host.

Mandatory user profile

A pre-configured user profile that the user cannot change, including desktop arrangement, screen saver, printer connections, and so on. One mandatory profile can be assigned to many users.

MAPI (Messaging Application Programming Interface)

A set of standard commands developed by Microsoft. Messaging services use these commands to communicate with other MAPI-compliant applications.

Mapping

Making an association between two different elements, such as computer names and IP addresses, drives and drive letters, and so on.

Master Boot Record (MBR)

The area of the hard disk containing the partition table for the drive and the specialized executable code necessary to boot the computer.

MAU (Multistation Access Unit)

The central connecting point for a token ring network.

MAU (Multi-station Access Unit)

A hub or concentrator that connects a group of computers to a local area network in token ring topology.

MBR (Master Boot Record)

The area of the hard disk containing the partition table for the drive and the specialized executable code necessary to boot the computer.

MD5 (Message-Digest algorithm 5)

Message-Digest algorithm 5 (MD5) is a cryptographic authentication method that prevents unauthorized routing messages from unapproved sources in EIGRP.

MDBEF (Message Database Encoding Format)

MDBEF is the internal format for e-mail messages in Exchange. The Exchange directory database (Dir.edb) is based on (but not entirely identical to) the International Telecommunications Union's X.500 directory recommendations.

MED attribute

The MultiExist-Discriminator (MED) (type code 4) is an optional, nontransitive BGP attribute (also known as a metric) that communicates to neighbors the preferred path for information to be sent to them.

Media (Transmission Media)

In the realm of information technology, transmission media refers to the cables and wires through which signals (such as electric current or light impulse) are transmitted through a network.

Media Access Control (MAC) Address

A unique hardware address that is assigned to each device by the vendor. For example, a LAN adapter has a unique MAC address that is permanent to the adapter card.

Media tester

Use a media tester to make sure that a cable is unbroken and that all cables are connected to the correct pins inside the connector.

Member server

An Windows 2000 Server computer that is not a domain controller. Member servers provide file and print services for the network.

Memory Interleaving

Interleaving increases the rate at which data can be written to or read from a memory module by grouping data into contiguous blocks instead of dispersing data intermittently. The following components must be interleaving-enabled in order for interleaving to work:

Motherboard
BIOS
Memory Module

Mesh

Mesh is a network topology that exists when there are multiple paths between any two nodes on a network. Mesh topologies are created using point-to-point connections. This increases the network's fault tolerance because alternate paths can be used when one path fails. Two variations of mesh topologies exist:

Partial Mesh--Some redundant paths exist.
Full Mesh--Every node has a point-to-point connection with every other node.

Message Database Encoding Format (MDBEF)

Message queue

In the Exchange 2007 messaging environment, messages are placed in queues as they wait to be sent. Queues are stored in an Extensible Storage Engine (ESE) databases which reside on Hub Transport servers. Exchange 2007 queues can hold up to a million messages, so in the event of a Hub Transport server failure, the database can be retrieved and mounted onto another Hub Transport server, at which point the queued messages will be sent to their recipients.

Message-Digest algorithm 5 (MD5)

Message-Digest algorithm 5 (MD5) is a cryptographic authentication method that prevents unauthorized routing messages from unapproved sources in EIGRP.

Messaging Application Programming Interface (MAPI)

A client access specification that enables clients to communicate with a messaging system. It is implemented as a subsystem in the Windows operating system. Microsoft and many other vendors support this standard.

MIB (Management Information Base)

A database containing the data gathered by SNMP agents which monitor network traffic and components.

MIBs (Management Information Bases)

Microcom Network Protocol (MNP)

A company called Microcom introduced a series of standards for early modems that described error detection techniques. The standards were called MNP Class 2, Class 3, and Class 4. This standard became popular with several modem manufacturers

Microkernel

The part of the operating system that handles vital low-level processes. These include deferred procedure calls, first-level interrupt handling, thread scheduling, and so on.

Microsoft Certificate Server

A certificate server for issuing and administering in-house digital certificates that let you authenticate the identity of visitors to your Web sites. It also lets you enable SSL encryption.

Microsoft Cluster Servers

Microsoft Cluster servers are fault-tolerant servers that use two separate nodes.

Microsoft Download Service (MSDN)

A bulletin board sponsored by Microsoft. Check the MSDN for support information and downloadable code.

Microsoft Exchange Mailbox store

A store is a database of Microsoft Exchange information. There are two types of Exchange stores:

A Mailbox store holds the information that comprise mailboxes in Exchange 2007, such as data, data definitions, indexes, checksums, and flags. Sent and received e-mails are held in the mailbox store.
A Public Folder store holds information that can be shared by users. Messages posted to public folders are held in the public folder store.

Microsoft Exchange Management Console

The Exchange Management Console is the graphical administration tool. It is comprised of a three-paned view that includes a tree view, results, and an actions pane. It cannot perform many of the administrative tasks that can be performed in the Exchange Management Shell.

Microsoft Exchange Management Shell

Microsoft Exchange Management Shell (Windows PowerShell) is a command line environment designed for automating administration and maintenance. The Exchange Management Shell is the primary management interface of 2007.

Microsoft Exchange PowerShell

Microsoft Exchange Public store

A store is a database of Microsoft Exchange information. There are two types of Exchange stores:

A Mailbox store holds the information that comprise mailboxes in Exchange 2007, such as data, data definitions, indexes, checksums, and flags. Sent and received e-mails are held in the mailbox store.
A Public Folder store holds information that can be shared by users. Messages posted to public folders are held in the public folder store.

Microsoft Exchange recovery storage group

A Microsoft Exchange storage group is a collection of Exchange stores (databases). A Recovery Storage Group (RSG) is a special storage group used for recovering Mailbox stores.

Microsoft Exchange storage group

A Microsoft Exchange storage group is a collection of Exchange stores (databases). A Recovery Storage Group (RSG) is a special storage group used for recovering Mailbox stores.

Microsoft Exchange store

A store is a database of Microsoft Exchange information. There are two types of Exchange stores:

A Mailbox store holds the information that comprise mailboxes in Exchange 2007, such as data, data definitions, indexes, checksums, and flags. Sent and received e-mails are held in the mailbox store.
A Public Folder store holds information that can be shared by users. Messages posted to public folders are held in the public folder store.

Microsoft Internet Explorer

An application that includes not only a Web browser but also a set of tools that integrates it with Microsoft Windows 95/98, NT, and 2000.

Microsoft Internet Information Server

A Windows NT Server file and application server designed to host Internet sites. IIS is integrated with Windows 2000 Server.

Microsoft Management Console (MMC)

A common framework for a variety of Windows 2000 administrative tools. It provides no functionality of its own.

Microsoft Technet

A compact disc from Microsoft that contains information to help you administer and troubleshoot networks.

Microsoft Transaction Server (MTS)

A processing system for creating and distributing Web applications using Active Server Pages. It tracks unique transactions, and ensures that each component of a process must be completed in order for the transaction to succeed.

Microsoft Web site

The Internet site that you can use to read information about Microsoft products or reach Microsoft support.

Migration

The process of transferring files, folders, and account information from a NetWare server to a Windows 2000 server.

Millions of Instructions Per Second (MIPS)

A measure of performance. Many computer companies use MIPS to measure the cost of computing. MIPS is also the name of a company that makes RISC processors.

MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions)

MIME's primary purpose is allowing users to send attachments along with e-mail messages through the Internet. With MIME, you can use several different character sets, as well as binary data.

MIPS (Millions of Instructions Per Second)

A measure of performance. Many computer companies use MIPS to measure the cost of computing. MIPS is also the name of a company that makes RISC processors.

Mirrored volume

A mirrored volume stores data to two duplicate disks simultaneously. It provides fault tolerance because if one disk fails, data is preserved on the other disk, and the system switches immediately from the failed disk to the functioning disk to maintain service. Mirrored volumes:

Provide fault tolerance. Data is available even if one disk in the set fails.
Do not increase performance.
Require two disks.
Have a 50% overhead. Data is written twice, meaning that half of the disk space is used to store the second copy of the data.

Mirroring

Mirroring is a data protection method. To mirror data is to duplicate and store it in a separate location.

MMC (Microsoft Management Console)

A common framework for a variety of Windows 2000 administrative tools. It provides no functionality of its own.

M-node

A NetBIOS node that provides support over TCP/IP. The M-node is a combination of B-nodes and P-Nodes. The default is to function as a B-node.

MNP (Microcom Network Protocol)

Modem

A modem is a device that modulates and demodulates signals being sent and received across transmission media (telephone wire). For example, computer data is in digital form, which must be converted to analog. To receive data, the modem reconverts the signal back to digital form.

MPR (Multiple Provider Router)

A component that allows computers to use file and print resources on the network by routing requests to the correct redirector or provider.

MSAU (Multistation Access Unit)

The central connecting point for a token ring network.

MSDN (Microsoft Download Service)

A bulletin board sponsored by Microsoft. Check the MSDN for support information and downloadable code.

MSDP (Multicast Source Discovery Protocol)

Multicast Source Discovery Protocol (MSDP) is a mechanism that connects multiple PIM-SM domains; allowing the discovery of multicast sources in other domains.

MSN (The Microsoft Network)

An online network sponsored by Microsoft. You can find answers to technical questions, read articles about Microsoft products, chat with other users, and much more.

MTS (Microsoft Transaction Server)

Multicast

Multicast is a transmission method that transmits packets from a single device to a specific set of hosts. It is optimal for transmitting voice and video applications and streaming video.

Multicast addressing server (MADCAP)

MADCAP is a multicast addressing server, which provides multicast address allocation.

Multicast scope

A range of multicast group IP addresses available to be leased to multicast clients by DHCP. Addresses are in the Class D address range -- 224.0.0.0 to 239.255.255.255 -- are reserved for use in IP multicasting.

Multicast Source Discovery Protocol (MSDP)

Multicast Source Discovery Protocol (MSDP) is a mechanism that connects multiple PIM-SM domains; allowing the discovery of multicast sources in other domains.

Multi-homed

The ability of a router to function using both static and dynamic routing. For example, you can configure a Windows 2000 computer with multiple network adapters and route between the two cards. Computers configured in this fashion are known as multihomed computers.

Multihoming

Multihoming is the term used to describe an AS that has more than one connection to the Internet. If an organization performs multihoming with BGP, it is accomplished in one of the following ways:

Each ISP only passes a default route to the AS.
Each ISP only passes a default route and provider-owned specific routes to the AS.
Each ISP passes all routes to the AS.

Multi-master replication model

A replication model in which updates can be made to any of several domain controllers (masters). The master that receives the update then replicates its updates to other domain controllers. Windows 2000 uses this replication model.

Multiple master domain model

In this Windows NT domain model, user accounts are distributed among more than one master domain and the domains communicate via trust relationships. In this model a user can log on from any domain because pass-through authentication sends the request to the user's home domain. This model is typically used for large companies that want centralized administration. Each network user account is created in one of the master domains. Other domains in the network are resource domains, which are usually created at the department level.

Multiple Provider Router (MPR)

A component that allows computers to use file and print resources on the network by routing requests to the correct redirector or provider.

Multiple Universal Naming Convention Provider (MUP)

A component that allows a remote computer to accept paths and filenames written in UNC format. The MUP keeps the UNC list so that the client computer does not have to rewrite the UNC names for each redirector on the network.

Multiplexer

A communications device that combines signals for transmission over a single transmission medium. A multiplexer is sometimes called a mux.

Multiprotocol BGP

Multiprotocol BGP is an enhanced extension of BGP that has the ability to carry IP multicast routes.

Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (MIME)

MIME's primary purpose is allowing users to send attachments along with e-mail messages through the Internet. With MIME, you can use several different character sets, as well as binary data.

Multistation Access Unit (MAU)

The central connecting point for a token ring network.

Multi-station Access Unit (MAU)

A hub or concentrator that connects a group of computers to a local area network in token ring topology.

Multistation Access Unit (MSAU)

The central connecting point for a token ring network.

Multitasking

In multitasking operating systems, the processor is time-sliced across tasks, devoting a certain amount of processing time to each task. The processor then alternates between tasks until they have all been completed. This process occurs so rapidly that the computer appears to be working on multiple tasks at one time.

Multithreading

An operating system feature that allows more than one process to work at the same time. For example, Winnt32.exe can decompress and copy files at the same time, since each task is a separate thread.

MUP (Multiple Universal Naming Convention Provider)

MX (Mail Exchanger) record

A DNS resource record that you can define in DNS. The MX records specify a mail exchanger for a domain name: a host that will either process or forward mail for the domain name.