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Glossary



appliance

A device that performs a single, well-defined function and is simple to install and operate, for example, a NetCache appliance or NetApp® filer.



authentication

The process of verifying the identity of a user who is logging in to a computer system.



cache

Verb. To store data temporarily for expedited access.

Noun. The location in which data is stored temporarily. There are a variety of types of caches, including disk cache, memory cache, and Web cache.



checkpoint

A copy of content pushed by a specific distribution event in ContentDirector. Checkpoints are stored at the center of the network as backups. They are used to restore content at the edge to a known state.



client

A workstation or PC in a client-server architecture; that is, a computer system or process that requests services from and accepts the responses of another computer system or process.



console

A physical or virtual terminal that is used to monitor and control a NetApp appliance.



ContentDirector

A Network Appliance scalable software solution that automates the distribution of content from the center to the edge of networks.



ContentDirector agent (CDA)

A component of ContentDirector that acts as distribution or destination point at the edge of the network, for content pushed from the center of the network.



content provider

Any company in the business of aggregating or producing content for delivery through the Internet.



core application

The controlling component of ContentDirector at the center of the network that schedules, selects content, and creates policies for the distribution of content to the edge.



Data ONTAP

A software product designed exclusively for NetApp appliances that optimizes file service by combining patented file-system technology and a microkernel design dedicated to network data access. Developed by Network Appliance.



destination

A node at the edge of the network that receives content through ContentDirector and serves it to clients.



destination group

A group of network edge nodes that are targeted to receive content from the same source in ContentDirector. Destination groups are purely logical and do not need to map to physical groups of nodes.



domain

A subset of ContentDirector content sources and destinations, associated with specific groups of users and visible only to them and administrators.



Domain Name System (DNS)

An Internet service for finding computers on an IP network.



domain administrator

A ContentDirector user with administrative rights to a specific set of program resources.



edge device

Any device, for example a NetCache appliance, that is deployed at the periphery of a LAN and WAN environment to interface traffic from the edge of one network to the other.



file server

A computer that provides file-handing and storage functions for multiple users.



filer

An appliance that attaches to a computer network and is used for data storage. NetApp filers operate using Data ONTAPTM software.



firewall

A server or device deployed between a LAN and the external WAN to control all inbound and outbound traffic, thus the enhancing security of the network behind the firewall.



fully qualified domain name (FQDN)

The complete name of a specific computer on the Internet, consisting of the computer's host name and its domain name.



group leader

A network node that acts as a ContentDirector distribution point, or passthrough, for content near the edge of a network. Group leaders transmit content to group members.



group member

A network node that acts as a ContentDirector destination point for content at the edge of a network. Group members receive content from group leaders.



IP address

The unique numerical address of a computer that is attached to a TCP/IP network, for example, 198.95.226.66.



job

A reusable set of parameters in ContentDirector that specifies the content and schedule for content distribution events.



MIME

Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions. A specification that defines the mechanisms for specifying and describing the format of Internet message bodies. An HTTP response containing the MIME Content-Type header allows the HTTP client to invoke the application that is appropriate for the data received.



MMS

Microsoft Media Streaming. The streaming media control protocol used in Windows Media Technologies 3 and 4 streams.



mount

To make the file system on a particular device accessible by attaching it to the file hierarchy.



NetCache

The proprietary software that runs on NetCache appliances. Developed by Network Appliance.



NetCache appliance

An appliance designed specifically to serve Internet and intranet content quickly and reliably. Developed by Network Appliance.



NetCache Manager

The browser interface through which a NetCache appliance is managed.



network interface card (NIC)

A printed circuit board that connects a computer or other node to a network. Also known as a "network adapter."



NOW

NetApp On the Web. The secure customer service Web site for Network Appliance.



NTFS permissions

The permissions used in NTFS-style security to control access to files and directories.



policy

A reusable set of rules in ContentDirector governing how content is handled during distribution events, criteria for success, and email notifications of job status.



quorum

Threshold criteria for the success of a content push in ContentDirector.



regular user

A nonadministrative ContentDirector user. Regular users have only the rights granted by membership in a group of users, defined by an administrator.



Remote Shell

A program that enables a user on one system to execute a program on another system. Remote Shells are usually established with the rsh command and are not interactive.



resource

An object in ContentDirector that is necessary for using the program. Users can create, modify, use and delete resources. Resources include: jobs, policies, destination groups, destinations, sources, checkpoints, contacts, users, and user groups.



rsh

The command used to establish a Remote Shell connection.



RTSP

Real Time Streaming Protocol. An open standard for delivery of real-time media over the Internet.



Snapshot

A Data ONTAP feature that creates an online, read-only copy of the entire file system, the SnapshotTM feature protects against accidental deletions or modifications of files without duplicating file contents.



source

Directory on a local disk drive at the center of the network, containing content to be distributed through ContentDirector to NetCache appliances at the edge.



stream

A media file that is transmitted in a continuous flow over a network. Streams are of two types, live and on-demand.



streaming media

A term used to describe media files that begin playing while they are being transmitted over the network to the media player on the client computer.



streaming server

A server configured to serve streaming media to clients.



system administrator

A ContentDirector user with administrative rights to all program resources.



user group

A list of nonadministrative ContentDirector users, and the rights that they share.



Time To Live (TTL)

The time limit on how long a copy of an object remains in the cache before NetCache verifies the object with the originating Web server.



volume

An independent file system with its own RAID groups.

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