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Windows Small Business Server Glossary

Applies To: Windows SBS 2008

Term Definition

administrator account

A type of user account that allows complete access to the computer. Administrators can make any desired changes. This account type is not recommended for daily use, and it should only be used when necessary.

back up

To make a duplicate copy of the files on a hard-drive volume.

backup

A duplicate copy of a program, a disk, or data, made for archiving purposes or to safeguard valuable files from loss in case the active copy is damaged or destroyed. Some application programs automatically make backup copies of data files that maintain the current version and the preceding version.

client certificate

A digital certificate that functions in a manner that is similar to a driver's license or passport. Client certificates can contain detailed identification information about the user and the organization that issued the certificate.

client computer

Any computer that connects to, or requests the services of, another computer.

destination server

A new server where you are installing Windows SBS 2008 and migrating your settings and data.

device

Any peripheral piece of equipment that can be attached to a network or computer, for example, a computer, printer, joystick, adapter, or modem card. Devices normally require a device driver to function with the Windows operating system. For Windows licensing, devices can be electronic equipment such as computers, workstations, terminals, and handheld computers that can access or use the services of Windows operating systems, including file sharing, print sharing, remote access, and authentication.

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)

A standard protocol that allows a server to dynamically distribute IP addresses and configuration information to clients.

event

Any significant occurrence in the system or application that requires users to be notified or an entry to be added to a log.

firewall

A hardware- or software-based security system that acts as a protective boundary between your local network and the Internet.

folder redirection

A feature in the Windows operating system that allows users and administrators to redirect the path of a folder to a new location. The new location can be a folder on the local computer or a directory in a network shared folder.

Forefront Security for Exchange Server (FSE)

An application that helps businesses protect their Microsoft Exchange environments against viruses, worms, spam, and inappropriate content.

fully qualified domain name (FQDN)

A DNS name that has been stated to indicate its absolute location in the domain namespace tree. In contrast to relative names, an FQDN has a trailing period (.) to qualify its position to the root of the namespace (for example, host.example.microsoft.com.).

gadget

A small program that offers information at a glance and provides easy access to frequently used tools.

gateway

A device (also known as a base station or router) that acts as a central point for networked devices, receives transmitted messages, and forwards them.

group account

A collection of user accounts. By making a user account a member of a group, you give the related user all the rights and permissions that are granted to the group.

internal domain name

The name that is given by an administrator to a collection of networked computers that share a common directory. Internal domain names are part of the DNS naming structure, and they consist of a sequence of name labels that are separated by periods. The internal domain name is accessible over the Internet by only authenticated remote users.

internal Web site

A preconfigured and customizable Web site that is based on Windows SharePoint Services and serves as a central location where you can store and share information.

Internet address

An Internet domain name or URL.

malicious software

Software that is designed to deliberately harm your computer. For example, viruses, worms, and Trojan horses are malicious software (also known as malware).

media

Any fixed or removable objects that store computer data. Examples include hard drives, compact discs, USB drives, and floppy disks.

network

A group of computers or other devices, such as printers and scanners, that communicate wirelessly or by using a physical connection, such as an Ethernet cable or a phone line.

network report

Provides information about the performance of the Windows SBS 2008 network. The server runs summary and detailed reports each day, and you can create and customize other reports. You can view the reports in the Windows SBS Console and send them to users in e-mail.

notification

Usually refers to an e-mail message that is sent to a responsible user when the server generates an alert.

permissions

Authorization to perform operations that are associated with a specific shared resource such as a file, directory, or printer. Permissions must be granted by the system administrator to individual user accounts or administrative groups.

personal folder

A folder containing your most frequently used folders (such as Documents, Pictures, Music, Favorites, Contacts, and folders that are specific to your user account). The personal folder is labeled with the name you use to log on to your computer and is located at the top of the Start menu.

Outlook Web Access (OWA)

The Internet e-mail interface that enables users to access their Exchange Server mailboxes by using a Web browser.

Office Live Small Business

A free, hosted Web service that provides your organization with everything that is needed to create a professional Web presence. It includes a domain name and Web site design, and management tools.

Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP)

A specification for virtual private networks in which some nodes of a local area network are connected through the Internet.

Post Office Protocol (POP3)

A standard method that computers use to send and receive e-mail messages. POP3 messages are typically held on an e-mail server until you download them to your computer, and then they are deleted from the server. With other e-mail protocols, such as IMAP, e-mail messages are held on the server until you delete them.

POP3 connector

Software that Windows SBS 2008 uses to retrieve e-mail from external POP3 mailboxes, and then deliver it to the appropriate Exchange Server users.

port

A hardware- or software-based interface that is used to transfer information between a computer and other devices. Hardware ports are physical connections that are visible on the outside of the computer. Software ports are the numbered gateways in programs that software programs use to exchange information.

Remote Web Workplace

Enables users to access their office information when they are working from a remote location. Users can user Remote Web Workplace to check their e-mail and calendars, access their internal Web site, and connect to their work computers.

restore

To return your server or client computer to the state that it was in when it was backed up. You can restore individual files or entire hard-drive volumes.

router

A device that connects two or more networks and carries the data forward. A router determines where the destination computer is located, and then finds the best way to transmit the data.

secure sockets layer (SSL)

A protocol for establishing a secure communications channel to prevent the interception of critical information (such as credit card numbers) on the World Wide Web and other Internet services.

self-signed certificate

A certificate that is signed by the owner or issuer. Because there is no chain of authority to verify the authenticity of the certificate, a self-signed certificate must be installed on client computers. A self-signed certificate provides the same level of encryption as trusted certificates.

server

A computer that provides shared resources, such as files or printers, to network users.

server storage

One or more hard drives that are managed by Windows SBS 2008 for data storage.

shared folder

A folder on a computer that is available for people on a network to use.

smart host

A dedicated server (also known as a relay host) through which Exchange Server routes all outgoing messages.

Source Server

A server that you are migrating existing settings and data from.

spam

Unsolicited commercial e-mail (also known as junk e-mail).

spyware

Software that can display advertisements (such as pop-up ads), collect information about you, or change settings on your computer, generally without appropriately obtaining your consent.

strong password

A password that cannot be easily guessed or cracked. A strong password is at least six characters long, does not contain all or part of the user's account name, and contains at least three of the four following categories of characters: uppercase characters, lowercase characters, numbers, and symbols found on the keyboard (such as !, @, #).

tab

A navigational element in various components of the Windows User Interface. A tab mimics a manila folder tab that is used to divide content into related categories.

task

An action that diagnoses or repairs a problem. A task can also automate a management process.

task pane

One of the major components of the Windows SBS Console. It contains links to the wizards and controls that users access to perform management and administrative tasks.

trusted certificate

A certificate that has a known path back to a root certificate that is trusted by client computers.

user

A person who uses a computer. If the computer is connected to a network, a user can access the programs and files on the computer and the programs and files that are located on the network (depending on the account restrictions that are determined by the network administrator).

user account

A collection of information that tells the Windows operating system which user rights and access permissions a person has on a computer. The user account records the user name, password, and a unique number that identifies that account.

user role

User account templates that enables an administrator to standardize common user properties such as group memberships, disk space and e-mail quotas, Windows SharePoint Services site group memberships, organizational unit placement, remote access permissions, and company address information.

virtual private network (VPN)

A private data network that makes use of existing networking infrastructures (such as the Internet) and maintains privacy through the use of a tunneling protocol and security procedures.

virus

A malicious computer program that is designed specifically to replicate itself and spread from computer to computer. A virus may damage hardware, software, or data.

volume

A storage area on a hard drive that is formatted with a file system. Volumes have drive letters assigned to them. A single hard drive can have multiple volumes. Some volumes can span multiple hard drives.

Web site redirection

The ability to point the DNS setting for one domain name to the IP address of a different domain name.

Windows SBS Console

The central location on the server where you manage Windows SBS 2008 and the users and computers on your network.

Windows Server Update Services (WSUS)

A server component that is used to manage the deployment of Microsoft Updates.