Glossary - Texas A&M Health Science Center

PC: Personal Computer
OIT: Office of Information Technology
Banner: An administrative software application developed specifically for higher education institutions. It has the capability of integrating finance, alumni development, student records, financial aid, and human resources.
Bandwidth: The capacity of a networked connection. Bandwidth determines how much data can be sent along the networked wires. Bandwidth is particularly important for Internet connections, since greater bandwidth also means faster downloads.
Browser: Software used to navigate the Internet. Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer are today's most popular browsers for accessing the World Wide Web.
Blackboard Vista: A LMS used by many students of the Health Science Center. Students are able to take test online, review class material, and check grades.
CMS: Content Management System: is a computer application used to create, edit, manage, search and publish webpages.
DB: Data Base: a structured collection of records or data. A computer database relies upon software to organize the storage of data.
DHCP: Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol: A protocol for remotely assigning IP address to devices on a network.
DNS: Domain Name Server: A server which translates domain names like www.tamhsc.edu to Internet addresses 66.64.66.80
Domain Name: Domain Name: A unique name that identifies a website. Always have two or more parts seperated by periods. "tamhsc.edu" is a domain name
EOL: End of Life: Refers to the time when a product's value to the user, generally the first year, has been expended and the product is available for reuse, recycling or disposal.
Ethernet: Ethernet: This term actually refers to an older style networking which used coaxial cable. However, it is frequently used to describe RJ 45 network cable which resembles a large phone cable.
FTP: File Transfer Protocol: Allows you to transfer files from your computer
GIS: Graphical User Interface: A user interface based on graphics, such as icons and menus instead of text.
HTML: Hyper Text Markup Language: The language/code used to create webpages.
Intranet: An intranet is a private computer network that uses internet protocols and network connectivity to securely share part of an organization's information or operations with its employees.
IT: Information Technology: Term for group of computer professionals that manage software, hardware, internet, and email systems.
LAN: Local Area Network: Networking of computers in a limited area, usually within the same building, or within a two mile radius.
LDAP: Lightweight Directory Access Protocol: a protocol for accessing information directories such as organizations, individuals, phone numbers, and addresses.
LMS: Learning Management System: A learning management system is a software application or Web-based technology used to provide an instructor with a way to create and deliver content, monitor student participation, and assess student performance.
SIS: Student Information Systems: software applications for educational establishments to manage student data. Student information systems provide capabilities for entering student test and other assessment scores, building student schedules, tracking student attendance, and managing many other student-related data needs in a school, college or university.
SSL: Secure Socket Layer: A protocol for securing data communications across computer networks. This is used on our webmail server, or any other web page that requires your username and password.
Tandberg: The manufacturer of the most common video conferencing units used by the HSC.
URL: Uniform Resource Locator: The address for each website begins with http://
VPN: Virtual Private Network: A network that uses high frequency radio signals to transmit and receive data.
WiFi: Wireless Fidelity: A local area network that uses high frequency radio signals to transmit and receive data.
XML: Extensible Markup Language: like HTML, XML is a markup language, but unlike HTML, it is not limited to Web documents. Another difference if the markup tags in HTML define how the elements thus tagged are displayed, whereas the tags in XML define the data contained in the tagged elements.