Glossary

Anti-Virus Software - when properly used and updated, anti-virus software will remove viruses from your hard drive and prevent new viruses from loading onto your hard drive.

Banner Web Services - this tool is accessible through CentralPipeline. It is the administrative system used by faculty to do such tasks as enter final grades, view student information, view schedules, and more.

Blackboard Vista - the course management system used to post online course materials.

BlueNet Account - your CCSU computer account username and password.

Broadcast Messages - an e-mail message utility available for designated University officials approved by the President (broadcast messages are sent to everyone with a CCSU e-mail account).

CentralPipeline - a web portal that connects you to almost all of CCSU’s web-based resources and information.

Citrix - a terminal server system that allows you to access
Windows-based applications from remote locations with almost any computer with an Internet connection.

Clean Access - software used to protect the CCSU network. Used by ResNet to allow students living in the residence halls to connect to the campus network. Used by the wireless network to allow users with wireless computers to connect to the Internet.

CONSULS - Connecticut State University Library System. The library catalog shared by Central, Eastern, Southern, Western and the Connecticut State Library.

Cookies - small data files used to identify users and possibly prepare customized web pages for them. These data files contain information the site can use to track such things as passwords, lists of pages you’ve visited, and the last date when a certain page was viewed.

Domain - a group of computers and devices on a network that are administered as a unit with common rules and procedures (CCSU has two domains: ccsu_comp_srv for faculty and staff and ccsu_aca_comp for students).

Firewall - hardware or software that prohibits unauthorized traffic from accessing a computer.

HTML - Hypertext Markup Language. The authoring language used to create documents on the World Wide Web.

HTTP - Hypertext Transfer Protocol. The protocol for serving web pages.

Internet Cache - computer memory designated for temporary Internet file storage.

IP - Internet Protocol. Most networks combine IP with a higher-level protocol called Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), which establishes a virtual connection between a destination and a source.

IP Address - an identifier for a computer or device on a TCP/IP network. Networks using the TCP/IP protocol route messages based on the IP address of the destination. Each computer has its own IP address.

Listserv - an e-mail utility maintained for the purpose of facilitating communication among members of the CCSU community.

M: drive - a personal network drive provided to all CCSU students, faculty, and staff with a BlueNet Account. All information placed on the M: drive is stored on a server and is backed up nightly.

Mac - Apple Macintosh Computer.

Marcus White Computer Lab - CCSU’s main center for general purpose computer use.

Netshare - network drive space, such as the M: drive or departmental drive.

NIC - Network Interface Card. An expansion card you insert into a computer so the computer can be connected to a network. Most NICs are designed for a particular type of network, protocol, and media, although some can serve multiple networks.

OS - Operating System. The most important program that runs on a computer. Every general-purpose computer must have an operating system to run other programs. The OS performs basic tasks such as sending output to the display screen, keeping track of files, and controlling peripheral devices. Windows and Mac OSX are operating systems.

PC - Personal Computer.

PDF - Portable Document Format. A file format developed by Adobe Systems. PDF captures formatting information from a variety of applications, making it possible to send formatted documents and have them appear on the recipient’s monitor or printer as they were intended. To view a file in PDF format, you need Adobe Reader, a free application distributed by Adobe Systems.

ResNet - Residential Network. The Internet service provided to students living in the CCSU residence halls.

S: drive - a departmental network drive provided to all CCSU departments.

Spyware - a type of software that loads on to your computer, monitors Internet activity, and transmits information from your computer to someone else - all without your knowledge.

URL - Uniform Resource Locator - A unique identifier that refers to a resource on the web (e.g. www.ccsu.edu).

USB Flash Drive - a small, portable flash memory card that plugs into a computer’s USB port and functions as a portable hard drive. USB flash drives are easy to use and small enough to carry in your pocket.

USB Port - Universal Serial Bus Port. A port that allows you to connect peripheral devices, such as mice, modems, and keyboards to your computer. USB ports also support removable memory such as USB flash drives.

Virus - a program or piece of code that is loaded onto your computer without your knowledge and runs against your wishes. Viruses can quickly reproduce, use up all available memory, and cause your computer to crash. Some viruses can transmit across networks and cause entire networks to crash.

VPN - Virtual Private Network. A private network that uses the Internet to connect you to campus network resources remotely.

Web Portal - a site that functions as a point of access to information on the Internet. CentralPipeline is our web portal, which provides access to web-based services and resources.

Wireless network - allows access to the Internet and other network resources from a portable computer.