IT lexicon
If there are words or abbreviations on the support web that you do not understand, or you want to know more about, this IT lexicon might help you. We have listed a number of terms used on the support pages, which may be useful to know. If you come across a word or abbreviation that you think should be included in the IT lexicon, please submit a proposal via e-mail to the content owner.
AD, Active Directory
Active Directory, AD, is a directory service from Microsoft that provides information on various resources in a network. AD provides access to common services such as computers, printers, software, and facilitates the authorization administration to the services. A user can access the common resource regardless the operating system.
DNS, Domain Name System
DNS is a domain name system that serves as a directory for IP addresses. The system with the DNS provides an opportunity to assign simplified names to different servers, names that are easier to remember for the user than an IP address (e.g. 145.97.39.155). The name is called computer address and is written in the browser address bar (e.g. www.uu.se). In the same way as a phone, the browser reads this "telephone book", finds the correct address and automatically connects to the IP address corresponding to the computer address.
Exchange, Microsoft Exchange Server
Exchange is an e-mail server from Microsoft that serves to enhance communication in the e-mail program Microsoft Outlook. The server service allows users to share calendars and contacts with each other, use shared folders, make group invitations via e-mail, chat with each other, etc.
EZproxy
EZproxy is a web proxy server used for accessing library resources. It uses Joint Web Login to give users access to library resources outside of Uppsala University's computer network. That means that employees and students can access library resources from their home network or any other network by logging in via the EZproxy. Login is done with employee or student identity and password A.
IMAP, Internet Message Access Protocol
IMAP is a protocol used for reading e-mails from a mail server. You can access your mail box from multiple computers and e-mail programs by using IMAP in your mail client.
LAN, Local Area Network
LAN is a local network that consists of a number of interconnecting computers and other equipment, such as printers. The devices communicate with each other using cables, network cards, switches and routers through the network.
LDAP, Lightweight Directory Access Protocol
LDAP is a protocol that communicates with a directory service. The protocol is used to perform fast and efficient searches on directory servers.
NTP, Network Time Protocol
NTP stands for Network Time Protocol and synchronizes your computer clock with the rest of the world. NTP is available on most platforms, is easy to set up, and makes sure your computer's clock is synchronized during a default interval.
POP, Post Office Protocol
POP is the most common communication protocol to retrieve e-mail messages from a server to an e-mail client. With the POP protocol you can download your e-mails from different e-mail programs, such as webmail. However, you cannot see which messages are read or sort them into folders.
Proxy server
A proxy server is computer that functions as an intermediary between a web browser and the Internet. Proxy servers help improve web performance by storing a copy of frequently used webpages. When a browser requests a webpage stored in the proxy server's collection (its cache), it is provided by the proxy server, which is faster than going to the web. Proxy servers also help improve security by filtering out some web content and malicious software.
RSS - Rich Site Summary
RSS is used to retrieve content from websites and blogs. You subscribe to an RSS feed from your favorite page and each time the website is updated you will receive the latest content in a summarized format. To subscribe to an RSS feed from a web page, just click the icon and follow the instruction.
Learn more about RSS feeds at Uppsala University
SMTP, Simple Mail Transfer Protocol
SMTP is the most common communication protocol for transferring e-mails across the Internet.
SSL, Secure Sockets Layer
SSL is used to encrypt the traffic between e-mail programs and mail servers.
TCS Personal
TCS Personal is a service for personal certificates that are used to send and receive secure e-mail. You sign and encrypt your e-mails with personal certificates.
Learn more about personal certificates.
TSM, Tivoli Storage Manager
TSM is a backup system that is used to make backups of data in different systems. The TSM client software must be installed on your computer and you need an account in the backup system to access the service. In 2015 the backup system was rebranded to Spectrum Protect.
Learn more about backup with Spectrum Protect.
VPN, Virtual Private Network
With a VPN connection, an employee can connect via the Internet to UpUnet. With the VPN connection, the employee can work remotely, from home, or access to university resources during the business travel.
Learn more about VPN and how you connect with a VPN connection.
WLAN, Wireless Local Area Network
WLAN is a wireless local area network where users can connect their PC, PDA, mobile phone or other device wirelessly to the Internet. The technology is called Wi-Fi. Uppsala University has two wireless networks; eduroam and UU-Guest.