Glossary
APPENDIX C
American Standard Code for Information Interchange. A standard 8-bit code commonly used by computers and communications equipment.
baud
The number of discrete signal events per second occurring on a communications channel. Although not technically accurate, baud is commonly used to mean bit rate.
bps bits-per-second
button
In this manual, this refers to outlined selections in a window display that can be activated by pointing and clicking the mouse.
byte
8 binary bits
Device Type
For tile PortMaster there are three device types: Device, User Login, and TwoWay, Both Device and TwoWay require a device name assignment.
Ethernet
An effective means of interconnecting large numbers of computers and related devices. Uses coaxial cable to carry the data between components on the~e network.
file
A method of organizing and storing or retrieving data, on a disk or in memory.
icon
A visual image, on the display, of a shape denoting the purpose of a program function.
interface
The Connection or communication between various system elements.
A device to allow computer communication using ordinary telephone lines. This device connects to the PortMaster through a serial port.
mouse
A pointing device, usually with at least two functional buttons. In this document, the left mouse button selects buttons in a window. The right mouse button causes pop-down menus to be displayed, on some windows.
parallel port
A computer port through which data flows, all bits at the same time, in parallel. In this manual, this mean a Centronics-compatible parallel printer port,
port
Tile channel through which data flows. The physical connection to the CPU. such as a parallel printer port or a serial port,
printer
A device for putting computer-generated information on paper or older media. This device can have either a serial or parallel interface, or both.
RS-232 interface
A standard of data communication using serial data and control signals.
serial port
A hi-directional channel through which data flow~ one bit at a time, most often 10-bits to a character of data: start bit, 8 data bits, [ stop bit.
TCP/IP
A standard communications protocol developed by the U.S, Department of Defense.
terminal
In this manual, this refers to a device with a keyboard and a display for communicating with a computer. This is an ASCII device with an RS-232 serial interface.
Thick Ethernet
An Ethernet connection u~using a multi-pin D-shell connector and a cable to a transceiver, Generally using RG-11 50FI coaxial cable,
Thin Ethernet
An Ethernet connection where the transceivers are built in to the device and a BNC connector and cable are used for the Ethernet connection. Generally using RG-58 5011 coaxial cable, Note: The PortMaster is factory set to be either Thick or Thin Ethernet, not both at the same time.
TwoWay Mode
A device that is used either as a User Login or a Host Device, to which the system sends information, A device name must be assigned.
UNIX
A multi-user, multi-tasking operating system.
User Login Mode
A PortMaster mode that communicates with an ASCII terminal, with someone logging in through the PortMaster.
window
An area of the workstation display dedicated to a particular function or process.
workstation
A system, usually a desktop unit, that contains a computer, display, keyboard, mouse and, perhaps, a disk drive or drives.