
Library Resources on the Internet, by ALA (American Library Association)  Reference and Adult Services Div.
Draft edition 6/24/91 Glossary Section:

Anonymous FTP (File Transfer Protocol) -- The procedure of connecting
to a remote computer, as an anonymous or guest user, in order to
transfer public files back to your local computer.  (See also:  FTP
and Protocols)

BITNET -- A cooperative computer network interconnecting over 2,300
academic and research institutions in 32 countries.  Originally
based on IBM's RSCS networking protocol, BITNET supports mail,
mailing lists, and file transfer.  Now merging with CSNET and
running the RSCS protocol over TCP/IP protocol (BITNET II), the
network will be called Computer Research and Education Network
(CREN).

Client-Server Interface -- A program that provides an interface to
remote programs (called clients), most commonly across a network,
in order to provide these clients with access to some service such
as databases, printing, etc.  In general, the clients act on behalf
of a human end-user (perhaps indirectly).

CREN -- Computer Research and Education Network is the new name for
the merged computer networks, BITNET and Computer Science Network
(CSNET).  It supports electronic mail and file transfer.

Domain Name System (DNS) -- The Internet naming scheme which consists
of a hierarchical sequence of names, from the most specific to the
most general (left to right), separated by dots, for example
nic.ddn.mil.  (See also:  IP address)

Downloading -- The electronic transfer of information from one
computer to another, generally from a larger computer to a smaller
one, such as a microcomputer.

Electronic Bulletin Board -- A shared file where users can enter
information for other users to read or download.  Many bulletin
boards are set up according to general topics and are accessable
throughout a network.

FTP -- File Transfer Protocol allows a user to transfer files
electronically from remote computers back to the user's computer.
Part of the TCP/IP/TELNET software suite.

Gateway -- Used in different senses (e.g., Mail Gateway, IP
Gateway), but most generally, a computer that forwards and routes
data between two or more networks of any size.

Host Computer -- In the context of networks, a computer that
directly provides service to a user.  In contrast to a network
server, which provides services to a user through an intermediary
host computer.

Internet -- The series of interconnected networks that includes
local area, regional, and national backbone networks.  Networks in
the Internet use the same telecommunications protocol (TCP/IP) and
provide electronic mail, remote login, and file transfer services.

IP (Internet protocol) -- The Internet standard protocol that
provides a common layer over dissimilar networks, used to move
packets among host computers and through gateways if necessary.

IP Address -- The numeric address of a computer connected to the
Internet; also called Internet address.

Listserve Lists (or listservers) -- Electronic discussion of technical and
nontechnical issues conducted by electronic mail over BITNET using
LISTSERV protocols.  Similar lists, often using the UNIX readnews or
rn facilty, are available exclusively on the Internet.  Internet users
may subscribe to BITNET listservers.  Participants subscribe via a
central service, and lists often have a moderator who manages the
information flow and content.

NIC (Network Information Center) -- A NIC provides administrative support,
user support, and information services for a network.

NREN -- The National Research and Education Network is a proposed
national computer network to be built upon the foundation of the NSF
backbone network, NSFnet.  NREN would provide high speed
interconnection between other national and regional networks.  SB
1067 is the legislative bill proposing NREN.

OPAC -- Online Public Access Catalog, a term used to describe any
type of computerized library catalog.

OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) -- This is the evolving
international standard under development at ISO (International
Standards Organization) for the interconnection of cooperative
computer systems.  An open system is one that conforms to OSI
standards in its communications with other systems.

Protocol -- A mutually determined set of formats and procedures
governing the exchange of information between systems.

Remote Access -- The ability to access a computer from outside a
building in which it is housed, or outside the library.  Remote
access requires communications hardware, software, and actual
physical links, although this can be as simple as common carrier
(telephone) lines or as complex as Telnet login to another computer
across the Internet.

Shareware -- Microcomputer software, distributed through public
domain channels, for which the author expects to receive
compensation.

TCP/IP -- Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol is a
combined set of protocols that performs the transfer of data between
two computers.  TCP monitors and ensures correct transfer of data.  IP
receives the data from TCP, breaks it up into packets, and ships it
off to a network within the Internet.  TCP/IP is also used as a name
for a protocol suite that incorporates these functions and others.

TELNET -- A portion of the TCP/IP suite of software protocols that
handles terminals.  Among other functions, it allows a user to log
in to a remote computer from the user's local computer.

Terminal Emulation -- Most communications software packages will
permit your personal computer or workstation to communicate with
another computer or network as if it were a specific type of terminal
directly connected to that computer or network.

Terminal Server -- A machine that connects terminals to a network by
providing host TELNET service.

TN3270 -- A version of TELNET providing IBM full-screen support.

Z39.50 Protocol -- Name of the national standard developed by the
National Information Standards Organization (NISO) that defines an
applications level protocol by which one computer can query another
computer and transfer result records, using a canonical format.  This
protocol provides the framework for OPAC users to search remote
catalogs on the Internet using the commands of their own local
systems.  Projects are now in development to provide Z39.50 support
for catalogs on the Internet.  SR (Search and Retrieval), ISO Draft
International Standard 10162/10163 is the international
version of Z39.50.


REFERENCES  from Library Resources on the Internet (File name: Internet.txt)
 
Bowers, Karen, et.  al.  FYI on Where to Start - A Bibliography of
  Internetworking Information.  Network Working Group, Request for
  Comments 1175, August, 1990.  [Available via FTP on host nic.ddn.mil,
  directory rfc:, filename RFC1175.TXT]

Britten, William A.  "BITNET and the Internet: Scholarly Networks for
  Librarians."  C&RL News, 51(2) (February 1990): 103-107.

Cerf, Vinton. The Internet Activities Board. Network Working Group,
  Request for Comments 1160, July 1990. [Available via FTP on host
  nic.ddn.mil, directory rfc:, filename RFC.1160.TXT]

Coalition for the National Research and Education Network. NREN:  The
  National Research and Education Network.  Washington, DC:  Coalition
  for the National Research and Education Network, 1989.

Hedrick, Charles. Introduction to the Internet Protocols.  Piscataway, NJ:
  Rutgers University Computer Science Facilities Group, July 3, 1987.
  [Available via FTP on host topaz.rutgers.edu, directory
  pub/tcp-ip-docs, filenames tcp-ip-intro.doc or tcp-ip-intro.ps]

Krol, Ed. The Hitchhiker's Guide To the Internet.  Network Working Group,
  Request for Comments 1118, September, 1989.  [Available via FTP on
  host nic.ddn.mil, directory rfc:, filename RFC1118.TXT]

LaQuey, Tracy L. User's Directory of Computer Networks. Bedford, MA:
  Digital Press, 1990.

Malkin, G, and A. Marine.  FYI on Questions and Answers:  Answers
  to Commonly aksed "New Internet User" Questions.  Network Working
  Group, Request for Comments 1206, February 1991.  [Available via FTP on
  host nic.ddn.mil, direcotry rfc:, filename RFC.1206.TXT, or
  via e-mail request to service@nic.ddn.mil with subject: RFC 1206]

National Science Foundation Network Service Center. Internet Resource
  Guide.  Cambridge, MA:  NSF Network Service Center, 1989.
  [Available via FTP on host nsc.nsf.net, directory resource-guide, or
  via e-mail request to resource-guide-request@nnsc.nsf.net]

Quarterman, John S. The Matrix: Computer Networks and Conferencing
  Systems Worldwide. Bedford, MA: Digital Press, 1990.




