ATL(Automatic Tape Library): A mechanical device used in conjunction with software to automatically mount and manage cartridge tapes for the administrative and academic systems.

Backbone: (1) A high speed link by which computer systems are connected to other computer systems for purposes of down loading, uploading and electronic transfer of information; (2) the underlying nodes (substructure) of a multilevel distributed network that provide communication services for the rest of the network (hosts).

BITNET: A worldwide network of mostly academic institutions created for the electronic exchange of information. BITNET is based on the NJE protocol for file transfers that IBM originated.

BMDP: A program for statistical analysis. Originally developed for Bio-Medical applications but now used as a general package.

CD ROM: High capacity read only memory in the form of an optically read compact disk.

Communications controller: A device used to support communications between the mainframe computers and the end user devices such as terminals, personal computers and printers.

Corporate Tie: Proprietary software used for file transfer in the administrative environment. Files uploaded to the mainframe are used as input to production batch jobs.

Data Base or Database: (1) A collection of interrelated data stored together with controlled redundancy according to a scheme to serve one or more applications; (2) a collection of data stored together with controlled redundancy, specifically, related computerized file(s) stored on magnetic disk, drums or other storage media; (3) a set of logically related files organized in such a way that data access is improved and redundancy or duplication is minimized.

Data channel: A functional unit that handles data transfer between internal and peripheral equipment such as disk or tape as opposed to terminals.

DEC(Digital Equipment Corporation): One of the largest manufacturers of computers, especially the PDP range (Programmed Data Processor).

Distance Learning Education: Any experience linking teacher and students in different locations simultaneously using technology that allows for live and interactive instruction.

Distributed Computer Processing or Distributed Processing: A method of data processing in which application transaction programs distributed among interconnected processors cooperate to perform applications for end users of a network. Two types of distributed data processing are job networking and distributed transaction processing.

Download: To transfer data from a main frame computer to an attached device such as a personal computer.

E-Mail or Electronic Mail: The exchange of information over electronic networks in the forms of letters or files. E-Mail may be passed between computers in the same department or around the world.

Ethernet: A data communications system defining the physical and data link layers for the Open Systems Interconnection model. A method of sharing one of various wiring topologies between data communication devices.

Fiber optic channel extender: A device used to extend the distance allowed to connect to mainframe peripheral equipment. Fiber optic cable is used between the two extenders.

IBM: International Business Machines. The largest manufacturer of mainframe computers and operating system software in the world.

IDMS/R Database: A database system capable of hierarchical and relational structures that is sold by Computer Associates and is currently used by Computer Services for the majority of the in-house developed systems.

Interactive Video: An operating environment in which a video display system utilizing a computer and human input from a keyboard, touch sensitive screen or voice conduct a dialog; a mode of working in which there is a response to operator instructions as they are input.

Integrated Systems: Combined systems or groups of computers that work together to handle interrelated applications or activities.

Internet: A worldwide electronic network of computers comprised of all types of institutions -commercial, educational and governmental.

JNET: Software sold by Joiner Associates (now Wingra) which enables a VAX/VMS system to participate in an RSCS network (BITNET)

Job Networking: A type of distributed processing in which batch jobs submitted at one processor may be sent to another processor for execution; results may be returned to the originating processor.

LAN: Abbreviation for Local Area Network.

Local Area Network. A communications network - a collection of devices and communication channels that connect a group of computers and peripheral devices together so that they may communicate with each other. Three parts are involved: (a) computers and peripheral devices;(b) interface units;; and (c) communications cables or wires that connect the other components together. Generally, local area networks are distributed over a maximum distance of about six miles, although more frequently, they are located within a single building or office area.

Megabyte: A unit of measure for storage capacity; the storage capacity of either a computer or a particular storage medium such as disk, diskette or magnetic tape. One megabyte equals 1,048,576 bytes.

Multiplexer: A device that takes several input signals and combines them into a single output signal in such a manner that each of the input signals can be recovered.

MVS/ESA: The proprietary operating system running on the IBM administrative mainframe.

Mediated Classroom: A classroom prepared to use a wide variety of media as an integral part of the presentation of instruction. This would include wiring for access to computers, computer projection systems and access to video presentations from CD-ROM or tape.

Networking: Communications techniques involved with establishing and operating a communications network ( network is a configurations of data processing devices and software connected for information exchange).

NOTIS (Northwestern Online Total Integrated System): Comprehensive library materials management system that integrates a variety of library functions including but not limited to: acquisitions, serials control, cataloging, authority control and database management, circulation and online public catalog.

OHIOLINK (Ohio Library and Information Network): Computer network of libraries and electronic information resources. It will link seventeen of Ohio's university libraries and the State Library of Ohio. Its primary goal is to provide rapid access to and delivery of library, materials to users anywhere in the state.

Online: Pertaining to a user's ability to interact with a computer either by inquiring against current files or updating those files in a transaction by transaction mode with instant verification of the update returned to the user. The contrast to this is batch processing where an entire set of transactions are applied to a file at one time and the result of a transaction is not instantly available.

Protocol: A set of semantic and syntactic rules that determine the behavior of functional units in achieving communication.

Protocol converter: A device used to translate one protocol to another for communications across computer platforms using different protocols.

Proteon Router: A device, manufactured by Proteon, that routes traffic from one network to another.

Relational Database: A database that is organized and accessed according to relationships between items. Interdependencies among the data are expressed by data values rather than by pointers or by the location of the data items in memory providing users with a flexible approach to storing and retrieving data.

Relational Model: A model that permits the definition of(a) data structures, (b) storage and retrieval operations on them and (c) integrity constraints that are to be maintained on them.

Remote Access: (1) Term that relates to the procedures involved in establishing communications between a computer and components of a computer system that are remote from the computer;(2) gaining access to a computer from a point that is physically distant from the computer through use of a communications channel ('dialing up' via a modem/phone line) to connect the computer to other components of the computer system, especially peripheral devices.

RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Compute ): A modern computer design that facilitates very fast processing in a relatively small machine.

SAS (Statistical Analysis System): A packaged software system that provides data manipulation and report generation as well as virtually all types of statistical analysis.

Seamless Systems: Integration into a system of different brands/models of computers, example Macintosh and IBM PC hardware.

SNA Network: The part of a user application that conforms to the formats and protocols of Systems Network Architecture. It enables the reliable transfer of data among end users and provides protocols for controlling the resources of various network configurations.

SPSS (Statistical Package e for the Social Sciences): A statistical package that has wide spread use at the University. There is a mainframe version and a version that runs under DOS on PCs.

T-1: A 1.544 Mbit communications circuit provided by long distance communication carriers for voice; data and video transmission. T-1 lines are typically divided into 24 channels of 64 kbit each.

Twisted Pair A transmission medium that consists of two insulated conductors twisted together to reduce noise.

UNIX: A version of computer system operating system software than can be used to control a wide variety of machines ranging from PCs to mainframe computers. Like DOS for PCs, UNIX is not limited to being used on equipment designed by one manufacturer but rather can be used on equipment from many different suppliers.

Upload: To transfer data from a device such as a personal computer to a mainframe computer.

VAX (Super Minicomputer): A line of super minicomputers introduced by Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) in 1977. VAX is an acronym for Virtual Address Extended.

Virtual Machine (VM) : An IBM proprietary operating system that simulates the concurrent execution of multiple virtual computer on a single computer system.

VMS: One of two operating systems (the other is UNIX) that run on Digital Equipment computers. VMS is very easy to use and manage and can also support BITNET via the JNET software.

XYPLEX: A set of hardware and soft software manufactured by XYPLEX which allows asynchronous terminals to connect to VAX/VMS systems through a broadband coaxial cable.