Network Terms "N"

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

Name resolution

The process by which host names (such as Computer1) are translated to numerical IP addresses (such as 192.168.35.2). The principle means of name resolution in Windows 2000 is DNS. WINS may be used for some name resolution when earlier versions of Windows are still part of the network..

Name Service (NS) record

A name service record that is placed in a DNS server.

Named pipes

A mechanism that processes use to communicate with each other locally or remotely.

Namespace

A group of unique labels for objects in a shared computing environment. For example, the DNS database is a a tree structure called the domain namespace. Each domain (node) is named and can contain subdomains. The domain name identifies the position of the domain in relation to its parent domain. A group of contiguous names in such a structure constitutes a namespace.

NAS (Network-Attached Storage)

Network-Attached Storage (NAS) is another method of adding storage capacity to a network. A NAS system plugs directly into the network in the same way that workstations and other peripherals do. A NAS device is typically a pared down file server consisting of:

A RAID array with terabytes of storage space.
A motherboard (logic board).
One or more network interface cards. Multiple interface cards allow you to perform adapter teaming.
A minimal network operating system.

NAT (Network Address Translation)

The process of converting the IP addresses used in private network (such as an intranet) to Internet IP addresses. This increases the number addresses available within the the intranet without reducing the number of available Internet addresses.

NBMA (NonBroadcast MultiAccess)

An NonBroadcast MultiAccess (NBMA) network is a network that interconnects multiple routers but does not have broadcast capabilities (examples are Frame Relay, X.25, and ATM).

NBTSTAT

A Microsoft utility that checks the state of current NetBIOS over TCP/IP connections. It also updates the LMHOSTS cache, and determines your registered name and scope ID. The utility is also used for troubleshooting and pre-loading the NetBIOS name cache.

NDIS (Network Device Interface Specification) 4.0

A set of software rules that specify how protocols communicate with device drivers. All NDIS-compatible cards and drivers can communicate with each other without needing to use specifically tailored protocols.

NDS (NetWare Directory Services)

NDS lets you display a list of shared objects and servers in a NetWare network. The NDS tree shows the available resources as a hierarchical list.

Neighbor discovery/recovery

Neighbor discovery/recovery is a mechanism that enables routers to dynamically learn about the other routers on their directly attached networks. Neighbor discovery/recovery:

Allows routers to know when neighbors become unreachable or inoperative.
Has low overhead.
Periodically sends and receives small hello packets to and from neighboring routers. If hello packets start to not be received from a particular router, neighbor discovery/recovery will assume that the router is not functioning.

NET command

This command accepts several command arguments that control functions such as logon, logoff, and resource connections.

NetBEUI (NetBIOS Extended User Interface)

A protocol supported by all Microsoft products. It has a small stack size, excellent data transfer rates, and is compatible with all Microsoft networks. It cannot be routed, and it is not compatible with non-Microsoft networks.

NetBIOS (Network Basic Input/Output System)

A program that allows computers to share resources on a network. Each computer has a unique NetBIOS name that provides applications with a common set of commands for requesting the lower-level network services that are necessary to transmit information between network resources.

NetBIOS applications

A utility that checks the state of current NetBIOS over TCP/IP connections. It is also used to update the LMHOSTS cache and determine your registered name and scope ID.

NetBIOS Extended User Interface (NetBEUI)

NetBIOS name cache

A local cache containing the NetBIOS names that the local computer has recently resolved. Having the IP address in cache eliminates the need for extraneous broadcasts on the network.

NetBIOS name resolution

The process of successfully mapping a computer's NetBIOS name to an IP address. Before an IP address can be resolved to a hardware address, a computer's NetBIOS computer name must be resolved to an IP address.

NetBIOS scope

The NetBIOS scope parameter is configured on the remote host. The scope ID must match the scope ID on your Microsoft clients or they will not be able to communicate with NetBIOS.

NetDDE (Network Dynamic Share)

A Win32 service that can share processes with other Win32 services. It is a service registered under the Services subkey in the Registry.

NetShow Player

Software that runs on the client computer and lets you play, start, and stop audio, illustrated audio (slide show), and full-motion video files.

Netstat

A Microsoft utility that displays the protocol statistics and the current state of TCP/IP connections.

NetWare

Networking software from Novell.

NetWare Directory Services (NDS)

NDS lets you display a list of shared objects and servers in a NetWare network. The NDS tree shows the available resources as a hierarchical list.

Network

A system group that is not used for network administration. It includes any user who is currently connected from another computer on the network to a shared resource on your computer.

Network Address Translation (NAT)

Network architecture

A standardized set of physical and data link layer protocols that serve as the network's foundation upon which other protocol layers can function.

Network Basic Input/Output System (NetBIOS)

Network Device Interface Specification (NDIS) 4.0

Network Dynamic Share (NetDDE)

A Win32 service that can share processes with other Win32 services. It is a service registered under the Services subkey in the Registry.

Network ID

The network ID identifies the TCP/IP hosts that are located on the same physical network. Any hosts that are on the same physical network must be assigned the same network ID in order to communicate.

Network Interface Layer

The base of the Department of Defense (DOD) model. This layer has the responsibility to place frames on the wire and retrieve frames from the wire.

Network Layer

Layer 3 of the OSI reference model. This layer provides connectivity and path selection between two end systems. The network layer is the layer at which routing occurs. Corresponds roughly with the path control layer of the SNA model. See also application layer, data link layer, physical layer, presentation layer, session layer, and transport layer.

Network Monitor

A Windows troubleshooting tool. It monitors the information in frames which are transferred over the network to or from the local computer.

Network News Transfer Protocol (NNTP)

A protocol that provides access to Internet newsgroups. It allows a client to read messages sent to newsgroups and makes it possible for hosts to replicate articles back and forth.

Network number

The unique number that the NWLink IPX/SPX protocol uses to identify a specific part of the network. Also called an external network number.

Network printer

A printer connected to the network and registered as a shared resource.

Network protocols

Protocols that allow computers to communicate with each other over a network. For example, AppleTalk and NetBEUI are network protocols.

Network Service Access Point (NSAP)

A Network Service Access Point (NSAP) is used to identify routers and build the topology table in IS-IS.

Network Time Protocol (NTP)

NTP is used to communicate time synchronization information between systems on a network.

Network-Attached Storage (NAS)

A RAID array with terabytes of storage space.
A motherboard (logic board).
One or more network interface cards. Multiple interface cards allow you to perform adapter teaming.
A minimal network operating system.

New Technology File System (NTFS)

A Windows NT file system that provides secure and robust file access. File and folder names can be up to 255 characters (long file names). Permissions can be assigned to individual files and folders. Windows 2000 updates NTFS with new features.

Newsreader

A client that uses NNTP to read postings in Internet newsgroups.

Next-hop attribute

The next-hop (type code 3) is a well-known mandatory BGP attribute that indicates the next-hop IP address that can be used to reach a destination.

NNTP (Network News Transfer Protocol)

A protocol that provides access to Internet newsgroups. It allows a client to read messages sent to newsgroups and makes it possible for hosts to replicate articles back and forth.

Node

A node is a device that acts as a connection point within a network. Nodes can be used for redistributing or forwarding data or providing services to other devices or programs. Node and host, in the network context, are often used interchangeably.

Node prioritization

The priority assigned to each computer (values between 0 and 8) in a token ring. Computers with higher priority levels get first rights to the token. Computers that perform critical network functions may need higher priority.

Nonauthoritative restore

A restoration method which uses the Backup utility to return the Active Directory database to the state it was in before the back up. Windows 2000 automatically performs a consistency check on and re-indexes the Active Directory database. It then updates Active Directory and File Replication service (FRS) with data from the server's replication partners.

Nonbackbone area

A regular area (also known as nonbackbone area)does not allow traffic to pass through it. The regular area's primary function is to connect users and resources.

NonBroadcast MultiAccess (NBMA)

An NonBroadcast MultiAccess (NBMA) network is a network that interconnects multiple routers but does not have broadcast capabilities (examples are Frame Relay, X.25, and ATM).

Non-local GPO

A Group Policy Object (GPO) stored in Active Directory. Settings in a non-local GPO can be applied to users and computers throughout the network. Also called an Active Directory-based (GPO).

Non-paged pool system memory

The part of operating system memory that remains in physical memory instead of being swapped into virtual memory.

Non-preemptive multitasking

A system in which each application currently running a process voluntarily passes control of the CPU to another application between processes. Also called cooperative multitasking.

Nontransit AS peering

Nontransit AS peering provides access to a single EBGP peer; excluding all other EBGP peers. This is optimal for scenarios in which a customer is connected to two ISP's networks and wishes to have each ISP's customers use their own connections for communication.

Normal backup

A backup method that backs up selected files and folders, and marks their archive attributes.

Not So Stubby Area (NSSA)

A Not So Stubby Area (NSSA) is similar to a stub area because it does not allow external ASBR routes, but it does allow ASBR routes that originate from within the area. These ASBR routes are flagged as Type 7 LSA packets (NSSA type LSA packets).

Notification messages

Notification messages are transmitted when errors have been detected.

NS (Name Service) record

A name service record that is placed in a DNS server.

NSAP (Network Service Access Point)

A Network Service Access Point (NSAP) is used to identify routers and build the topology table in IS-IS.

NSLOOKUP

A Microsoft utility used to diagnose problems with DNS. Users can interact with the DNS server, and this utility can be used to display resource records on DNS servers, including UNIX DNS servers.

NSSA (Not So Stubby Area)

NT Hardware Qualifier (NTHQ)

A Windows NT utility which checks the hardware installed on an Intel x86 computer before you begin installing Windows NT. This helps you prevent problems during installation.

NT Virtual DOS Machine (NTVDM)

A specialized environment that allows MS-DOS and Win16 applications to run under Windows NT.

Ntdetect.com

This program has the responsibility to pass hardware configuration information to the NTLDR program.

Ntdos.sys

The NTVDM equivalent of the MSDOS.SYS in MS-DOS.

NTDS Performance Object

An object in System Monitor which represents Directory Services and can be monitored to observe the performance of Active Directory.

NTFS (New Technology File System)

NTFS partition

A partition formatted with the NTFS file system.

NTHQ (NT Hardware Qualifier)

A Windows NT utility which checks the hardware installed on an Intel x86 computer before you begin installing Windows NT. This helps you prevent problems during installation.

Ntio.sys

The NTVDM equivalent to the IO.SYS in MS-DOS.

Ntldr

The Windows NT operating system loader. During the startup phase, the pre-boot sequence locates the boot partition of the hard disk. NTLDR (the boot loader) is then loaded and initialized from the boot sector. This program switches the processor to the 32-bit flat memory mode, starts the appropriate minifile system, and reads the Boot.ini file.

NTP (Network Time Protocol)

NTP is used to communicate time synchronization information between systems on a network.

NTVDM (NT Virtual DOS Machine)

A specialized environment that allows MS-DOS and Win16 applications to run under Windows NT.

Ntvdm.exe

The executable that emulates MS-DOS and manages an NTVDM. It runs in kernel mode.

NWLink

The Microsoft implementation of Novell's IPX/SPX protocol. It is a communications protocol that helps Windows 2000 and NetWare operate in a single environment. Client Services for NetWare is also needed to complete the connection.