System Administration Guide: Naming and Directory Services (DNS, NIS, and LDAP)

domain name

The name assigned to a group of systems on a local network that share DNS administrative files. The domain name is required for the network information service database to work properly. See also domain.

Domain naming service (DNS)

A service that provides the naming policy and mechanisms for mapping domain and machine names to addresses outside of the enterprise, such as those on the Internet. DNS is the network information service used by the Internet.

encryption

The means by which the privacy of data is protected.

encryption key

See data encrypting key.

enterprise-level network

An "enterprise-level" network can be a single Local Area Network (LAN) communicating over cables, infra-red beams, or radio broadcast; or a cluster of two or more LANs linked together by cable or direct phone connections. Within an enterprise-level network, every machine is able to communicate with every other machine without reference to a global naming service such as DNS or X.500/LDAP.

entry

A single row of data in a database table.

federated namespace

An FNS (XFN) term referring to the set of all possible names generated according to the policies that govern the relationships among member naming systems and their respective namespaces.

FNS

See Federated naming service.

GID

See group ID.

global naming service

A global naming service identifies (names) those enterprise-level networks around the world that are linked together via phone, satellite, or other communication systems. This world-wide collection of linked networks is known as the "Internet." In addition to naming networks, a global naming service also identifies individual machines and users within a given network.

group ID

A number that identifies the default group for a user.

indexed name

A naming format used to identify an entry in a table.

Internet address

A 32-bit address assigned to hosts using TCP/IP. See decimal dotted notation.

Internet Protocol. The network layer protocol for the Internet protocol suite.

IP address

A unique number that identifies each host in a network.

key (encrypting)

A key used to encipher and decipher other keys, as part of a key management and distribution system. Contrast with data encrypting key.

key server

A Solaris operating environment process that stores private keys.

LDAP

Lightweight Directory Access Protocol is a standard, extensible directory access protocol used by LDAP naming service clients and servers to communicate with each other.

local-area network (LAN)

Multiple systems at a single geographical site connected together for the purpose of sharing and exchanging data and software.

mail exchange records

Files that contain a list of DNS domain names and their corresponding mail hosts.

mail hosts

A workstation that functions as an email router and receiver for a site.

master server

The server that maintains the master copy of the network information service database for a particular domain. Namespace changes are always made to the naming service database kept by the domain's master server. Each domain has only one master server.

MIS

Management information systems (or services)

name resolution

The process of translating workstation or user names to addresses.

name server

Servers that run one or more network naming services.


	domain name The name assigned to a group of systems on a local network that share DNS administrative files. The domain name is required for the network information service database to work properly. See also domain. Domain naming service (DNS) A service that provides the naming policy and mechanisms for mapping domain and machine names to addresses outside of the enterprise, such as those on the Internet. DNS is the network information service used by the Internet. encryption The means by which the privacy of data is protected. encryption key See data encrypting key. enterprise-level network An "enterprise-level" network can be a single Local Area Network (LAN) communicating over cables, infra-red beams, or radio broadcast; or a cluster of two or more LANs linked together by cable or direct phone connections. Within an enterprise-level network, every machine is able to communicate with every other machine without reference to a global naming service such as DNS or X.500/LDAP. entry A single row of data in a database table. federated namespace An FNS (XFN) term referring to the set of all possible names generated according to the policies that govern the relationships among member naming systems and their respective namespaces. FNS See Federated naming service. GID See group ID. global naming service A global naming service identifies (names) those enterprise-level networks around the world that are linked together via phone, satellite, or other communication systems. This world-wide collection of linked networks is known as the "Internet." In addition to naming networks, a global naming service also identifies individual machines and users within a given network. group ID A number that identifies the default group for a user. indexed name A naming format used to identify an entry in a table. Internet address A 32-bit address assigned to hosts using TCP/IP. See decimal dotted notation. IP Internet Protocol. The network layer protocol for the Internet protocol suite. IP address A unique number that identifies each host in a network. key (encrypting) A key used to encipher and decipher other keys, as part of a key management and distribution system. Contrast with data encrypting key. key server A Solaris operating environment process that stores private keys. LDAP Lightweight Directory Access Protocol is a standard, extensible directory access protocol used by LDAP naming service clients and servers to communicate with each other. local-area network (LAN) Multiple systems at a single geographical site connected together for the purpose of sharing and exchanging data and software. mail exchange records Files that contain a list of DNS domain names and their corresponding mail hosts. mail hosts A workstation that functions as an email router and receiver for a site. master server The server that maintains the master copy of the network information service database for a particular domain. Namespace changes are always made to the naming service database kept by the domain's master server. Each domain has only one master server. MIS Management information systems (or services) name resolution The process of translating workstation or user names to addresses. name server Servers that run one or more network naming services.