Named pipe A connection
used to transfer data between separate processes, usually on separate
computers. Named pipes are the foundation of interprocess communications
and underpin Microsoft's LAN Manager Nos.
Narrowcasting CATV
term distinguishing cable from broadcasting, it describes the
function of distributing a range of TV channels or programs designed
for minority interests rather than mass appeal.
NCoP (Network Code of Practice) A
voluntary code of practice for the design of networks covering
transmission quality, safety and technical standards.
NetBEUI (NetBios Extended User Interface)
A network device driver or transport protocol
that is the transport driver supplied with LAN Manager, It can
bind with as many as eight media access control drivers.
NetBios (Network Basic Input/Output System)
Software developed by IBM that provides
the interface between the PC operating system, the i/o bus, and
the network. Since its design, NetBIOS has become a de facto standard.
NETBLT (Network Block Transfer) A
Transport Level, flow controlled, bulk data transfer protocol
used with TCP/IP internets. NETBLT controls the rate at which
data is sent to allow a steady, high speed flow,
Netlogon service A
LAN Manager service that implements logon security. This service
verifies the usernarne and password supplied by each user logging
on to the local area network. See also LAN Manager.
NDIS (Network Driver Interface Specification)
A de facto standard interface specification
developed by Microsoft to separate communications protocols from
PC networking hardware. The driver can also run multiple stacks
concurrently.
Network interface card/controller Circuitry
connecting a node to a network, usually in the form of a card
in a PC expansion slot. In conjunction with the nos and PC operating
system it helps transmit and receive messages on the network.
NetView IBM's network
management system. A text message-based system that monitors,
manages and controls SNA networks. It is an implementation of
IBM's Open Network Management Architecture. The term NetView is
normally associated with the focal point of the architecture.
NetView/PC An implementation
of IBM's NetView running on an OS/2 PC-based platform that allows
non-IBM networks and equipment to be managed via an SNA network
management station. NetView/PC is a service point in IBM's Open
Network Management Architecture.
NetWare LAN Network
Operating System and related products developed by Novell. There
are three main product lines - NetWare 2.X (latest version 2.2)
designed to run on a Intel 80286 platform and above, and NetWare
3.X (latest version NetWare 3.11), designed to run on an Intel
80386 platform and NetWare 4.0. NetWare is currently installed
on more than 70 per cent of LANs worldwide.
Network adapter card A
printed circuit board, installed in a computer, enabling the computer
to join the LAN.
Network adapter card driver A
network device driver that controls the physical function of a
network adapter card.
Network address A
group of characters that uniquely identify the location of a node
on a network.
Network architecture The
communication equipment, protocols and transmission links that
constitute a network, and the methods by which they are arranged.
Network computing A
term analogous to client/server computing.
Network device A computer,
peripheral or other related communications equipment attached
to a network.
Network device driver A
program that enables the operating system software to communicate
the network adapter cards. Also a software module running on a
host or workstation that is responsible for the communications
between the computer and the network or a device attached to the
network.
Network topology The
different configurations that can be adopted in building networks,
such as a ring, bus, star or meshed.
NETS (Normes Europenne de Telecommunications)
The Net program will produce a range of
mandatory standards for type approval of telecommunications equipment
in all EC states. Once a piece of equipment has passed its Net
compliance tests, which could be undertaken in any member state,
that piece of equipment can be sold in all EC countries for connection
to the public network. Key Nets include: Net 1 - X.21 Access;
Net 2 - X.25 Access; Net 3 - ISDN Basic Access; - Net 4 - Public
Switched Telephone Network Access; and Net 5 - Primary Rate ISDN
Access. Net 3 can be further subdivided into Net 3 Part 1 which
corresponds to the ITU-TS Q.921 standard, and Net 3 Part 2 which
is functionally equivalent to ITU-TS Q.931, but Net 3 Part is
still incompletely defined.
Network element A
piece of network equipment that can be managed through an element
manager as part of a network management system.
Network interface The
point of interconnection between a telephone network operator's
communications facilities and terminal equipment, protective apparatus
or wiring at a subscriber's premises. This demarcation point is
on the subscriber's side of the phone company's protector or its
equivalent.
Network Layer Level
Three in the OSI stack responsible for the necessary routing and
relaying through one or more networks in multiple link or wide
area environments.
Network management The
process and techniques of remotely or locally monitoring and configuring
networks. Under the OSI model network management takes account
of five key areas: configuration management, fault management,
performance management, accounting management, and security management.
A major challenge and often a headache to users because there
are no complete answers today, only a patchwork of systems covering
different parts of the subject. Vendors either concentrate on
the physical (hardware) elements or logical (control and management
of interprocess communications) sides. The ITU-TS is slowly considering
standards for public networks.
Network management integration The
highest level of network management system that brings together
information from a number of Element Management Systems.
Network management protocol The
protocol used to transfer network management NetView, and HP OpenView.
Nodes Devices on a
network that demand or supply services or where transmission paths
are connected. Node is often used instead of workstation.
NOS (Network Operating System) The
software that connects all the devices on a network so that resources
can be shared efficiently and files can be transferred. It handles
administration of all network functions, Network operating systems
are usually in two parts; server and client/requester. The requester
puts the workstation on the server machine and makes disks, software,
ports and other facilities available to a node on request. Each
device's services requested by a PC are accessed via the requester
software.
NOTA (Novell Open Technology Association)
A group of companies that have adopted
a suggested software platform suggested by Novell that will lead
to the development of a new range of CTI applications.
NREN (National Education and Research Network)
The planned successor in the US to the
connected Internet that will provide high speed access to scientific
and educational institutions primarily within the US.
NSF (National Science Foundation) A
US government agency that has funded the development of a cross
country backbone network as well as regional networks designed
to connect scientists to the Internet. It operates a US network,
the National Science Foundation Network (NSFNET).
NSI (NASA Science Internet) A
computer networking project started by NASA's Office of Space
Science and Applications. It contains two major networks, Span
and NSN. Also see NSN, Span
NSN (NASA Science Network) Using
TCP/IP, NSN is part of the connected Internet.
Null modem cable An
RS232 cable that has pins 2 and 3 reversed so that the two connected
computers are under the impression they are linked using modems.
It is a device that connects two DTE devices directly by emulating
the Physical connections of a DCE unit.
