Glossary




Alumni/Development Module (XRM): Internal software module used to record and store alumni information (e.g., name, address, employer, donors, prospects).

Analog telephone lines: Standard telephone service that most homes use, typically restricted to about 52 Kb/s (52,000 bits per second).

ATM: (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) A scalable high-speed network architecture that organizes data into small "cells". These "cells" can be used to transfer data, video, or voice.

Automated Fuel System: Computerized system used by Facilities Management to track university vehicle fuel usage.

Backbone Switch: A high speed networking device that makes up the core or center of a large network or Intranet.

Benefits Eligibility System (BES): State of Virginia’s external tracking software system used to maintain employee benefits transactions (e.g., medical insurance).

Building Automation System: Internal system used to control building operations, e.g., energy management system.

CATV: An acronym for Community Antenna Television, it refers to TV programming distribution for broadcast signals by means of coaxial cable or fiber-optic cable.

Centrex telephone service: A business telephone service provided by a local telephone company to a business, university, or other organization providing a range of phone numbers and centralized services within the organization.

Commonwealth Accounting and Reporting System (CARS): State of Virginia’s external financial accounting software system used by RU financial offices. Internal financial transactions in IFAS must be transmitted and maintained in CARS.

Commonwealth Integrated Payroll/Personnel System (CIPPS): State of Virginia’s external payroll software system used by RU Payroll Office to issue employee paychecks and related tax forms.

Contention factor: The amount of time that two or more computers or devices compete for the same resources. In networks, this refers to the time that two or more workstations attempt to transmit a message across the same wire at the same time.

Data imaging software: Software that captures paper records and stores them on a computer storage medium.

Data warehouse: A large server that stores many different databases for an entire enterprise.

Demographics (BOX): Internal software module used to record and store employee and student demographic data (e.g., name, local/permanent address).

Diebold Card System: Internal system used for student/employee identification cards and RU Express program.

Dining Services Inventory/Management System (CBORD): Internal software system used in Dining Services to plan meal menus, cost meals, order supplies, and maintain inventory.

Dining Services/Facilities Management Time Card System: Internal system used to record employee hours worked.

Ethernet connection: A dedicated connection to the Internet that operates at a very high rate of speed, typically 10 Mb/s (10,000,000 bits per second).

Financial Aid (AID): Internal software module used to record and store information relating to student financial aid.

Firewall: A collection of components placed between two networks in order to control network traffic and authorize defined network security policies. Firewalls are used to prevent unauthorized users from accessing private networks connected to the Internet. All messages entering or leaving the Intranet pass through the firewall, which examines each message and blocks those that do not meet the specified security criteria.

Gb/s: (Gigabits per second) A data transfer measurement for high-speed computer networks such as Gigabit Ethernet, used to describe the data transfer rate; a gigabit equals 1,000,000,000 bits. (1000 Megabits per second.)

Heth Information Office Facilities Scheduling: Internal system used by the Information Office to reserve campus facilities.

Housing (AFF): Internal software module used to record and store information relating to residence hall student room assignments and meal plan selection.

Hub: A multi-port device on a computer network through which individual computer stations are physically connected.

Human Resource Information System (HRIS): Internal human resource (personnel) software system used as depository for employee demographic information.

Interactive Fund Accounting System (IFAS): Internal financial accounting software system used by campus departments. Modules include accounts payable, accounts receivable, ad-hoc report writer, fixed assets, general ledger, purchasing, stores inventory.

Interactive video conferencing: A two-way live audio and video communication link between two or more sites in which participants can see and hear each other.

ISDN: An acronym for Integrated Services Digital Network, it refers to a type of telephone service using digital signals (as opposed to conventional analog signals) commonly used to send and receive both voice and data packets. ISDN provides transfer rates of 128 Kb/s. (see "analog telephone lines")

Kb/s: (Kilobits per second) A data transfer measurement used to describe data transfer rates; a kilobit equals 1,000 bits.

Mb/s: (Megabits per second) A data transfer measurement for computer networks used to describe the data transfer rates; a megabit equals 1,000,000 bits.

Metering software: Software that allows a server to limit the number of copies of a given software package that can be accessed at any given moment. Software can be available from all computers but only a specified number of users can use the application at any given moment.

Network router: A device that controls where packets of data need to be sent. A router is responsible for choosing the best path to get information from the source computer to the destination computer. Routers also maintain performance by subnets to reduce the number of users on a given network segment.

Non-interactive, web-based information: Human resource and registration information, e.g., employment information, summer schedules, open classes.

Parking Management System: Internal software system used to maintain vehicle registration and parking ticket data.

Personnel Management System (PMIS): State of Virginia’s external personnel software system used to record and store employee demographic and employment data.

Plug-ins: A software program that adds a specific feature or service to a larger system. For example, plug-ins for Netscape and Internet Explore enable the display of different types of audio or video messages.

Police Caller ID System: Similar to 911 system; records location and person making calls to the campus Police Department. Also tracks and records information for state reporting requirements.

Post Office Billing Program/Printing Costing Program: Internal costing programs to track and report campus departmental charges generated from use of post office and printing services.

Printing Lynx System: Allows publications to be designed on the computer and transferred directly to negatives, eliminates darkroom time for the Printing Department (image maker).

PROBUD/FATS: External system which provides a means for state agencies to submit budget proposals and adjustments in the appropriation and allotment of funds to the Department of Planning and Budget.

Registration Information Module (RIM): Internal software module used to record and store student registration data (e.g., class registration/withdrawals, grades).

Satellite receive/distribution system (SOS): A cable television system consisting of a satellite dish that receives signals from television program providers and distributes the signals through a CATV system.

Server: A computer or network device that provides services to multiple users on the network. For example, a file server allows multiple networked computers to share one set of files, programs, or documents. A printer server allows multiple networked computers to access a network-attached printer.

Single sign on (SSO) authentication: SSO allows users to remember and use only one username and password pair for various services on a computer network such as network access, email access, and other password protected services. A single server stores the username and password information and other network servers access this information when users request information.

Shared hub: When an Ethernet packet of information is transmitted to a shared hub by one computer station, it is repeated, or copied, over onto all of the other ports of the hub. In this way, all of the computers with ports on that hub "see" every packet from any computer connected to the hub. (see "hub" and "switched hub")

Student Admissions Module (SAM): Internal software module used to record and store student admissions information (e.g., inquiries, offers, acceptances).

Switched hub: When an Ethernet packet of information is transmitted to a switched hub by one computer station, it is transmitted only to the port for the intended computer station on the hub. (see "hub" and "switched hub")

Telephone Billing System (TELESOFT): Internal system used to maintain records and charges related to the campus telephone system and produce billing statements..

USENet News: USENet News is the world's largest bulletin board system. USENET has several thousand newsgroups for specific subjects of interests to users of the Internet. This system allows all users to read and post messages to any group. The groups have many purposes including technical discussions, current events, sports, hobbies, and cultural exchanges.

Video Imaging ID System: Internal system used in the RU Express office to generate identification cards with the person’s photo.

Web authoring tools: Software which makes it easier for individuals to create web pages and the links between them.

Web based instruction: The use of the web as the primary medium for providing instruction. (compare "web enhanced instruction")

Web browser software: Software which allows users to access, view, and navigate web sites. Netscape and Internet Explorer are common examples of web browser software.

Web enhanced instruction: The use of the web as a supplemental medium for providing instruction. (compare "web based instruction")

Work Order System: Internal system used in Facilities Management to record and report work assignments for the campus and campus departments.