Glossary

abstract syntax

A description of a data structure that is independent of machine-oriented structures and encoding.

ACAP

A protocol which enhances IMAP by allowing the user to set up address books, user options, and other data for universal access.

access control rules

Rules that define which users are granted which permissions for a given set of directory entries or attributes.

ACSE

Association Control Service Element. The method used in OSI for establishing a call between two applications. Checks the identities and contexts of the application entities, and could apply an authentication security check.

Administration Console or Admin Console

A GUI (graphical user interface) which enables you to configure, monitor, maintain, and troubleshoot the SIMS components.

address mapping

See forward address mapping or reverse address mapping.

address resolution

A means for mapping Network Layer addresses onto media-specific addresses. See also ARP.

address token

The address element of a rewrite rule pattern.

ADMD

Administration Management Domain. An X.400 Message Handling System public service carrier. Examples: MCImail and ATTmail in the U.S., British Telecom Gold400mail in the U.K. The ADMDs in all countries worldwide together provide the X.400 backbone. See also PRMD.

Administration Services

Administers all components of SIMS through a JMAPI-based GUI. See also JMAPI.

agent

In the client-server model, the part of the system that performs information preparation and exchange on behalf of a client or server application. See also NMS, DUA, MTA.

alias

An address which delivers messages to a specified group of users. A listserve.

alias entry

Contains the name of the directory entry it represents in the directory information tree, and can also contain other attributes. It is identified by the distinguished name.

alias file

A file used to set aliases not set in a directory, such as the postmaster alias.

ANSI

American National Standards Institute. The U.S. standardization body. ANSI is a member of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

API

Application Program Interface. A set of calling conventions defining how a service is invoked through a software package.

Application Layer

The top-most layer in the OSI Reference Model providing such communication services as electronic mail and file transfer.

ASM

Application Specific Module. An example of this is an external Solaris Backup.

ASN.1

Abstract Syntax Notation One. The OSI language for describing abstract syntax. See also BER.

attribute

The form of information items provided by the Directory Service. The directory information base consists of entries, each containing one or more attributes. Each attribute consists of a type identifier together with one or more values. Each directory Read operation can retrieve some or all attributes from a designated entry.

attribute index

An index, or list, of entries which contains a given attribute or attribute value.

autoreply option file

A file used for setting options for autoreply, such as vacation notices

AVM

Admin View Module. An extension of Java's Abstract Window Toolkit that provides the Administration Console's graphical user interface.

AWT

Abstract Window Toolkit. A Java development toolkit.

backbone

The primary connectivity mechanism of a hierarchical distributed system. All systems that have connectivity to an intermediate system on the backbone are connected to each other. This does not prevent you from setting up systems to bypass the backbone for reasons of cost, performance, or security.

backend

Stores directory information. There are two types of backends; LDBM which provides access to information stored in a database, and shell which provides access to information stored in any format.

backup

The process of dumping the contents of folders from the Sun Message Store to a backup device. See also purge and restore.

BER

Basic Encoding Rules. Standard rules for encoding data units described in ASN.1. Sometimes incorrectly lumped under the term ASN.1, which properly refers only to the abstract syntax description language, not the encoding technique.

big-endian

A format for storage or transmission of binary data in which the most significant bit (or byte) comes first. The reverse convention is called little-endian.

BOC

Bell Operating Company. More commonly referred to as RBOC for Regional Bell Operating Company. The local telephone company in each of the seven U.S. regions.

CA

Certificate Authority. An organization that issues digital certificates (digital identification) and makes its public key widely available to its intended audience.

cache

A temporary storage file of information that has been retrieved from the directory.

CCITT

See also ITU.

chaining

The directory server passes an information request to the Directory Service Agent (DSA) that can process the request. The second DSA returns the result to the first DSA, which then returns it to the client. See also knowledge information.

channel

An interface with another Sun Internet Mail Server version component, another email system, or a mail user agent.

character set labels

SIMS can be configured to process either 7 or 8 bit character sets, by using the menus in the Channel Property book. This configuration will affect encrypted and possibly garbled messages received from other systems. For more detailed instructions, see pg. 124 of the Adminstator's Guide.

ciphertext

Data that has been coded (enciphered, encrypted, or encoded) for security purposes.

client-server model

A common way to describe network services and the model user processes (programs) of those services. Examples include the name-server/name-resolver paradigm of the DNS and fileserver/file-client relationships such as NFS and diskless hosts.

composition

The process of constructing a message by the Mail User Agent (MUA). See also MUA.

congestion thresholds

A limit on disk space set by the system administrator which prevents the database from becoming overloaded by restricting new operations when system resources are insufficient.

content

The content of a message provides the data that the originator of the message intends to transmit to the recipient.The content of a message can contain text as well as images, audio, video, and binary or application-specific files.

content-transfer encoding

Specifies how data is encoded so the data can traverse Internet Mail Transport Agents (IMTAs) outside of the SIMS email system that may have data or character-set limitations.

conversion channel

Converts body of messages from one form to another.

cross reference

Any naming context that can be contacted directly. See also knowledge information.

data store

A store that contains directory information, typically for an entire directory information tree.

DCE

Distributed Computing Environment. An architecture of standard programming interfaces, conventions, and server functionalities (e.g., naming, distributed file system, remote procedure call) for distributing applications transparently across networks of heterogeneous computers. Promoted and controlled by the Open Software Foundation (OSF), a consortium led by HP, DEC, and IBM. See also ONC.

defragmentation

The Multiple Internet Extensions (MIME) feature that enables a large message that has been broken down into smaller messages or fragments to be reassembled. A Message Partial Content-Type header field that appears in each of the fragments contains information that helps reassemble the fragments into one message. See also fragmentation.

denial of service attack

A situation where an individual intentionally or inadvertently overwhelms your mail server by flooding it with messages. Your server's throughput could be significantly impacted or the server itself could become overloaded and nonfunctional.

Departmental Edition

Also referred to as Sun Internet Mail Server-Departmental Edition, is the version of SIMS intended for use by local departmental environments. This package performs its own routing and delivery within a local office or department, but hands off interdepartmental mail to backbone or enterprise server.

dereferencing an alias

Specifying, in a bind or search operation, that a directory translate an alias DN to the DN of an actual entry.

destination channel

The last element of a host/domain rewrite rule, in whose queue a message should be placed in for delivery.

directory context

The point in the directory tree at which a search is begun.

directory entry

A set of directory attributes and their values identified by its distinguished name. Each entry contains an object class attribute that specifies the kind of object the entry describes and defines the set of attributes it contains.

Directory Information Tree

Directory Information Tree is the tree-like hierarchical structure in which directory entries are organized.

directory schema

The set of rules that defines the data that can be stored in the directory.

Directory Service

A logically centralized repository of information. The component in SIMS that stores user, distribution list, and configuration data.

dirsync option file

A file used to set options for the dirsync program which cannot be set through the command line.

disconnected state

The mail client connects to the server, makes a cache copy of selected messages, then disconnects from the server.

distinguished name

The sequence of attributes and values of an entry within the directory information tree.

distribution list

A list of email addresses (users) that can be sent a message by specifying one email address. See also expansion, member, moderator, owner, and alias.

DIT

Directory information tree. A hierarchical structure in which directory data or information (names, email addresses, and so on) is stored.

DNS

Domain Name Service. The naming facilities of the Internet.

domain

In the Internet, a part of a naming hierarchy. Syntactically, an Internet domain name consists of a sequence of names (labels) separated by periods (dots), for example, tundra.mpk.ca.us. In OSI, domain is generally used as an administrative partition of a complex distributed system, as in MHS Private Management Domain (PRMD), and Directory Management Domain (DMD).

domain rewriting rules

See also rewrite rules.

domain template

The part of a rewrite rule that defines how the host/domain portion of an address is rewritten. It can include either a full static host/domain address or a single field substitution string, or both.

dotted decimal notation

The syntactic representation for a 32-bit integer that consists of four 8-bit numbers written in base 10 with periods (dots) separating them. Used to represent IP addresses in the Internet as in 192.67.67.20.

DSA

Directory System Agent. The software that provides the X.500 Directory Service for a portion of the directory information base. Generally, each DSA is responsible for the directory information for a single organization or organizational unit.

DUA

Directory User Agent. The software that accesses the X.500 Directory Service on behalf of the directory user. The directory user may be a person or another software element.

EMAPI

Extended MAPI Service Provider. Transparently turns Microsoft Exchange client into an Internet standard IMAP/LDAP client. See also IMAP, LDAP.

encapsulation

The technique used by layered protocols in which a layer adds header information to the protocol data unit (PDU) from the layer above.

encryption

Scrambling the contents of a message so that its contents cannot be read without the encryption, or code key.

end system

An OSI system which contains application processes capable of communicating through all seven layers of OSI protocols. Equivalent to Internet host.

Enterprise Edition

Also referred to as Sun Internet Mail Server-Enterprise Edition, provides full-featured messaging server for large user communities.

entity

OSI terminology for a layer protocol machine. An entity within a layer performs the functions of the layer within a single computer system, accessing the layer entity below and providing services to the layer entity above at local service access points.

entries

User, group, or organizational data used to configure message accounts.

envelope

The part of an Internet mail message that contains the delivery information. The envelope contains the originator and recipient information associated with a message.

ESMTP

Extended Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. An Internet message transport.

expander

Part of an electronic mail delivery system which allows a message to be delivered to a list of addressees. Mail exploders are used to implement mailing lists. Users send messages to a single address (e.g., hacks@somehost.edu) and the mail exploder takes care of delivery to the individual mailboxes in the list.

expansion

This term applies to the Internet Mail Transport Agent (IMTA) processing of distribution lists. The act of converting a message addressed to a distribution list into enough copies for each distribution list member.

expunge

The act of deleting a message then removing the deleted message via a mail client.

external channel

An interface between the IMTA and either another SIMS component or another component outside the SIMS email system.

File System

This can be either safe or unsafe. A safe file system performs logging such that if a system crashes it is possible to rollback the data to a pre-crash state and restore all data. An example of a safe file system is Veritas File System, VxFS. An unsafe file system does not perform logging. If the system crashes, the state cannot be recreated and some data may be lost. You must also perform imcheck before activating message access to these files.

firewall

Router or mail-level hosts that are equipped with special codes to control access between the Internet and the internal network.

folder

Named place where mail is stored. Also called a mailbox. Inbox is a folder that stores new mail. Users can also have folders where mail can be stored. A folder can contain other folders in a hierarchical tree. Folders owned by a user are called private folders. See also shared folders.

Folder Check

A utility which checks the accessibility of messages and folders and verifies links. This utility is used as part of the regular maintenance of SIMS.

forward address mapping

Message envelopes, TO:address, are processed to a mapping table. The result of the mapping is tested. If necessary, the exact form of the envelope is exchanged for another which can then be processed by a different, and perhaps non-compliant RFC 822, mail system.

fragmentation

The Multiple Internet Extensions (MIME) feature that allows the breaking up of a large message into smaller messages. See also defragmentation.

FTAM

File Transfer, Access, and Management. The OSI remote file service and protocol. See also FTP.

FTP

File Transfer Protocol. The Internet protocol (and program) used to transfer files between hosts. See also FTAM.

full static host/domain address

The portion of a host/domain address elements set off by decimals as part of the domain template. See also domain template.

gateway

The terms gateway and application gateway refer to systems that do translation from one native format to another. Examples include X.400 to/from RFC 822 electronic mail gateways. A machine that connects two or more electronic mail systems (especially dissimilar mail systems on two different networks) and transfers messages between them. Sometimes the mapping and translation can be complex, and it generally requires a store-and-forward scheme whereby the message is received from one system completely before it is transmitted to the next system after suitable translations.

global log manager

A utility that handles log information from each Sun Internet Mail Server component.

GOSIP

Government OSI Profile. A U.S. Government procurement specification for OSI protocols.

group entry

See distribution lists.

group folders

Contain folders for shared and group folders.

header

The part of an Internet mail message that is composed of a field name followed by a colon and then a value. Headers include delivery information, summaries of contents, tracing, and MIME information.

HTML

Hypertext Markup Language.

HTTP

Hypertext Transfer Protocol.

IAB

Internet Activities Board. The technical body that oversees the development of the Internet suite of protocols (commonly referred to as "TCP/IP"). It has two task forces (the IRTF and the IETF) each charged with investigating a particular area.

IESG Internet Engineering Steering Group

The executive committee of the IETF.

IETF Internet Engineering Task Force

One of the task forces of the IAB. The IETF is responsible for solving short-term engineering needs of the Internet. It has over 40 Working Groups.

IMAP4

Internet Message Access Protocol. IMAP4 provides advanced disconnected mode client access.

IMS log

Sun Message Store log files.

IMTA

Internet Message Transfer Agent. IMTA routes, transports, and delivers Internet Mail messages within the email system.

intermediate system

An OSI system which is not an end system, but which serves instead to relay communications between end systems.

internal channel

An interface between internal modules of the IMTA. Internal channels include the reprocessing, conversion, and defragmentation channels. These channels are not configurable.

Internet address

A 32-bit address assigned to hosts using TCP/IP. See also dotted decimal notation.

IP Internet Protocol

The network layer protocol for the Internet protocol suite.

ISDN

Integrated Services Digital Network. An emerging technology which is beginning to be offered by the telephone carriers of the world. ISDN combines voice and digital network services in a single medium making it possible to offer customers digital data services as well as voice connections through a single "wire." The standards that define ISDN are specified by ITU-T.

ISO

International Organization for Standardization. See also OSI.

ITU

International Telecommunications Union. International Consultative Committee for Telegraphy and Telephony. A unit of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) of the United Nations. An organization with representatives from the PTTs of the world. CCITT produces technical standards, known as "Recommendations," for all internationally controlled aspects of analog and digital communications. See also X Recommendations.

Java

A programming language developed by Sun Microsystems.

JMAPI

Java Management Application Programming Interface. JMAPI is a collection of programming language classes that enable a diverse set of autonomous applications to be brought together under a common look, feel, and behavior everywhere they run.

job controller

The SIMS component which schedules message delivery or message submission tasks between various SIMS components. Job controller also controls channel queues and determines the order of processing. Requests are processed in the order in which they are received by the system.

Kerberos

Client-to-server security package produced by MIT.

key ring

A collection of public and private security keys.

knowledge information

Part of the directory service infrastructure information. The directory server uses knowledge information to pass requests for information to other servers.

LDAP

Lightweight Directory Access Protocol. LDAP is a protocol used for the storage, retrieval, and distribution of information, including user profiles, distribution lists, and configuration data.

LDAP filter

A way of specifying a set of entries, based on the presence of a particular attribute or attribute value.

LDBM

A type of backend that stores directory information that provides access to information stored in a database. See also backend.

LDIF

LDAP Data Interchange Format. A data format used to represent LDAP entries in text form.

Legacy Mail Services

Provides batch-mode connectivity to legacy proprietary message transfer systems.

little-endian

A format for storage or transmission of binary data in which the least significant byte (bit) comes first. See also big-endian.

local channel

A channel that allows you to determine delivery options of local users and delivers mail to Solaris Operating Environment mailboxes.

lookup

Same as a search, using the specified parameters for sorting data.

Mailbox

A place where messages are stored and viewed. See folder.

Mailtool

A /var/mail client application that runs under the OpenWindows V3 desktop environment.

man page

UNIX Reference manual pages.

managed object

A collection of configurable attributes, for example, a collection of attributes for the directory service.

mapping tables

Two column tables which transform, map, an input string into an output string.

master directory server

The directory server that contains the data that will be replicated.

master message catalog

Contains message catalogs for the SIMS components.

master program

A channel program that initiates a message transfer to another interface on its own.

member

A user or group who receives a copy of an email addressed to a distribution list. See also distribution list, expansion, moderator, and owner.

Message Access and Store

These are the SIMS components which store user messages and allow for retrieval and processing of messages.

Message Access Services

Consists of protocol servers, software drivers, and libraries which support client access to the message store.

message catalogs

The log messages, command line responses, and graphical user interface screen text contained in the SIMS components.

message databases

Contain messages and attachments.

message hash

Contain hashing files.

message indices

Contain message index files.

message submission

The client Mail User Agent (MUA) transfers a message to the mail server and requests delivery.

MHS Message Handling System

The system of message user agents, message transfer agents, message stores, and access units which together provide OSI electronic mail. MHS is specified in the ITU-T X.400 series of Recommendations.

MIB

Management Information Base. A collection of objects that can be accessed via a network management protocol. See also SMI.

MIME

Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions. A format for defining email message content.

moderator

If the moderator feature is enabled, a message addressed to a distribution list is initially sent to the moderator only. The moderator can take one of the following actions: forward the message to the distribution list, edit the message and then forward it to the distribution list, or not forward the message to the distribution list. See also distribution list, expansion, member, and owner.

MTA

Message Transfer Agent. An OSI application process used to store and forward messages in the X.400 Message Handling System. Equivalent to Internet mail agent.

MUA

Mail User Agent. The client applications invoked by end users to read, submit, and organize their electronic mail.

multicasting

A process by which the directory server broadcasts an information request to all DSAs it knows about. Any DSA that can process the request does so and returns the result to the first DSA. See also knowledge information.

multithreaded

The ability to handle multiple, simultaneous sessions in a single process.

name resolution

The process of mapping a name into the corresponding address. See also DNS.

naming attribute

The final attribute in a directory information tree distinguished name. See also relative distinguished name.

naming context

A specific subtree of a directory information tree that is identified by its DN. In SIMS, specific types of directory information are stored in naming contexts. For example, a naming context which stores all entries for marketing employees in the XYZ Corporation at the Boston office might be called ou=mktg, ou=Boston, o=XYZ, c=US.

network address

See also Internet address or OSI Network Address.

Network Layer

The OSI layer that is responsible for routing, switching, and subnetwork access across the entire OSI environment.

NFS®

Network File System. A distributed file system developed by Sun Microsystems which allows a set of computers to cooperatively access each other's files in a transparent manner.

NIC

Network Information Center. Originally there was only one, located at SRI International and tasked to serve the ARPANET (and later DDN) community. Today, there are many NICs, operated by local, regional, and national networks all over the world. Such centers provide user assistance, document service, training, and much more.

NIST

National Institute of Standards and Technology. (Formerly NBS, National Bureau of Standards). See also OIW.

NMS Network Management Station

The system responsible for managing a (portion of a) network. The NMS talks to network management agents, which reside in the managed nodes, via a network management protocol. See also agent.

nondelivery report

During message transmission, if the IMTA does not find a match between the address pattern and a rewrite rule, the IMTA sends a nondelivery report back to the sender with the original message, then deletes its copy of the message.

non-specific subordinate reference

A naming context that is lower in the directory tree but not a child of the naming context held by your directory server. See also knowledge information.

Notary Messages

Text messages sent by the MTA to an email sender indicating delivery or non-delivery status of a sent message.

object class

A template specifying the kind of object the entry describes and the set of attributes it contains. For example, SIMS specifies an emailPerson object class which has attributes such as commonname, mail (email address), mailHost, and mailQuota.

off-line state

The mail client fetches messages from a server system to a client system, which may be a desktop or portable system and may delete them from the server. The mail client downloads the messages where they can be viewed and answered.

on-line state

A state in which messages remain on the server and are remotely responded to by the mail client.

ONC^TM Open Network Computing

A distributed applications architecture promoted and controlled by a consortium led by Sun Microsystems.

option files

IMTA option files contain global parameters used to override default values of parameters which apply to IMTA as a whole, such as sizes for various tables into which various configuration and alias files are read.

organizational unit

A layer in the directory information tree.

OSI Open Systems Interconnection

An international standardization program to facilitate communications among computers from different manufacturers. See also ISO.

OSI Network Address

The address, consisting of up to 20 octets, used to locate an OSI Transport entity. The address is formatted into an Initial Domain Part which is standardized for each of several addressing domains, and a Domain Specific Part which is the responsibility of the addressing authority for that domain.

owner

An individual who is responsible for a distribution list. An owner can add or delete distribution list members. See also distribution list, expansion, member, and moderator.

PGP

Pretty Good Privacy. PGP provides client-to-client security, encrypting or scrambling the text of a message so that only the receiving message server can decrypt or unscramble the text.

permanent failure

An error condition that occurs during message handling. When this occurs, the message store deletes its copy of an email message. The Internet Message Transport Agent (IMTA) bounces the message back to the sender and deletes its copy of the message.

pipe channel

A channel which performs delivery of messages via a per-user-site-supplied program. These programs must be registered in SIMS by the system administrator, and thus do not pose a security risk.

POP

Post Office Protocol. POP provides remote access support for older mail clients.

populating the directory

Entering information for users and distribution lists to the SIMS directory service.

PPP

Point-to-Point Protocol. The successor to SLIP, PPP provides router-to-router and host-to-network connections over both synchronous and asynchronous circuits. See also SLIP.

PRMD

Private Management Domain. An X.400 Message Handling System private organization mail system. Example NASAmail. See also ADMD.

protocol

A formal description of messages to be exchanged and rules to be followed for two or more systems to exchange information.

proxy

The mechanism whereby one system "fronts for" another system in responding to protocol requests. Proxy systems are used in network management to avoid having to implement full protocol stacks in simple devices, such as modems.

public key encryption

A cryptographic method that uses a two-part key (code) that is made up of public and private components. To encrypt messages, the published public keys of the recipients are used. To decrypt the messages, the recipients use their unpublished private keys known only to them.

purge

The process of removing messages that are no longer referenced in user and group folders and returning the space to the Sun Message Store file system. See also backup and restore.

PTT

Post Telephone Telegraph.

Qualcomm Eudora

A mail client produced by Qualcomm Corporation that supports MIME, POP3, and MAIL protocols.

quota

See user quota.

RBOC

Regional Bell Operating Company. See also BOC.

referral

A process by which the directory server returns an information request to the client that submitted it, with information about the Directory Service Agent (DSA) that the client should contact with the request. See also knowledge information.

relaying

A message is passed from one mail server to another mail server.

relative distinguished name

The final attribute and its value in the attribute and value sequence of the distinguished name. See also distinguished name.

replica directory server

The directory that will receive a copy of all or part of the data.

reprocessing channel

Performs deferred processing. The reprocessing channel is the intersection of all other channel programs. It performs only the operations that are shared with other channels.

restore

The process of restoring the contents of folders from a backup device to the Sun Message Store. See also backup and purge.

reverse address mapping

Addresses are processed to a mapping table, with a reversal database, generally substituting a generic address, possibly on a central machine, for an address on a remote or transitory system.

rewrite rules

Also known as domain rewriting rules. A tool that the Internet Mail Transport Agent (IMTA) uses to route messages to the correct host for delivery. Rewrite rules perform the following functions: (1) extract the host/domain specification from an address of an incoming message, (2) match the host/domain specification with a rewrite rule pattern, (3) rewrite the host/domain specification based on the domain template, and (4) decide which IMTA channel queue the message should be placed in.

RFC

Request For Comments. The document series, begun in 1969, describes the Internet suite of protocols and related experiments. Not all (in fact very few) RFCs describe Internet standards, but all Internet standards are published as RFCs. See http://www.imc.org/rfcs.html.

RMI

Remote Method Invocation. A Java-based programming language that enables the Administration Console and the server to communicate.

Roam

The Sun Internet Mail Client. Roam is a disconnected mode mail user agent (MUA) that supports the low-bandwidth IMAP protocol extensions of the Sun Internet Mail Server, IMAP.

root entry

The first entry of the directory information tree (DIT) hierarchy.

router

A system responsible for determining which of several paths network traffic will follow. It uses a routing protocol to gain information about the network, and algorithms to choose the best route based on several criteria known as "routing metrics." In OSI terminology, a router is a Network Layer intermediate system. See also gateway.

routability scope

Specifications which enable the IMTA to send messages by the most direct route, either to a specific user's folder, a group of folders, or to a mail host.

routing

In an email system, the act of delivering a message based on addressing information extracted from the body of the message. The Internet Message Transfer Agent (IMTA) is the component responsible for routing messages.

RTSE

Reliable Transfer Service Element. A lightweight OSI application service used above X.25 networks to handshake application PDUs across the Session Service and TP0. Not needed with TP4, and not recommended for use in the U.S. except when talking to X.400 ADMDs.

S/Key

Client-to-server security package produced by Bell Labs

SASL

Server-to-server security.

schema

A set of rules which sets the parameters of the data stored in a directory. It defines the type of entries, their structure and their syntax.

shared folder

A mailbox that can be viewed by members of a distribution list. Shared folders have an owner who can add or delete members to the group and can delete messages from a the shared folder. The can also have a moderator who can edit, block, or forward incoming messages.

shell backend

A type of backend that stores directory information. This type provides access to information stored in any format, using shell scripts.

single field substitution string

Part of the domain template that dynamically rewrites the specified address token of the host/domain address. See also domain template.

SIMS Host

Name of host on which Sun Message Store is installed.

SIMS initialization duration in days

Number of days to initialize the Sun Message Store

SIMS Owner

Person in control of Sun Message Store files.

SKIP

Simple Key management for IP. A security system that encrypts or scrambles the text of a message so only the receiving mail client or message server can decrypt or unscramble the text.

SLAPD

A daemon that operates that accesses the database files that hold the directory information, and communicates with directory clients using the LDAP protocol.

slave program

A channel program that accepts transfers initiated by another interface.

SLIP

Serial Line IP. An Internet protocol used to run IP over serial lines such as telephone circuits or RS-232 cables interconnecting two systems. SLIP is now being replaced by PPP. See also PPP.

SLURPD

A replication daemon that runs on demand or schedule and ensures that any directory information changes are propagated to systems that hold replicas of that information.

smart host

The Internet Message Transfer Agent (IMTA) in a particular domain to which other IMTAs acting as routers forward messages if they do not recognize the recipients.

SMI

Structure of Management Information. The rules used to define the objects that can be accessed via a network management protocol. See also MIB.

SMTP

Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. The Internet electronic mail protocol. Defined in RFC 821, with associated message format descriptions in RFC 822.

SMPT Dispatcher

A multithreaded connection dispatching agent which allows multiple multithreaded servers to share responsibility for a given service, thus allowing several multithreaded SMTP servers to run concurrently and handle one or more active connections.

SMTP intranet or internet channel

A channel dedicated to relaying messages between the IMTA and a group of SMTP hosts within, or outside of, your mail network.

SMTP router channel

SMTP channel that handles messages between the IMTA and firewall host.

SNMP

Simple Network Management Protocol. The network management protocol of choice for TCP/IP-based internets.

subordinate reference

The naming context that is a child of the naming context held by your directory server. See also knowledge information.

Sun Directory Services

SIMS component which provides access and maintenance of user profiles, distribution lists, and other system resources.

Sun Internet Mail Client

The client end of the SIMS solution that supports online, offline, and disconnected states. See also Roam.

Sun Internet Mail Server

An enterprise-wide, open-standards based, scalable electronic message- handling system.

Sun Messaging Connectivity Services

This component of SIMS provides batch-mode connectivity to proprietary message transfer systems, including: "LAN mail" systems, Lotus cc:Mail, Microsoft Mail and mainframe-based IBM OfficeVision.

Sun Message Store

The server from which mail clients retrieve and submit messages.

SQL

Structured Query Language. The international standard language for defining and accessing relational databases.

Sun Messaging Connectivity Services

This component of SIMS provides batch-mode connectivity to proprietary message transfer systems, including: "LAN mail" systems, Lotus cc:Mail, Microsoft Mail and mainframe-based IBM OfficeVision.

SSL

Secure Sockets Layer is an open, non-proprietary security protocol.

synchronization

The update of data by a master directory server to a replica directory server.

table lookup

With a table consisting of two columns of data, an input string is compared with the data within the table and transformed to an output string.

tailor file

An option file used to set the location of various IMTA components.

TCP

Transmission Control Protocol. The major transport protocol in the Internet suite of protocols providing reliable, connection-oriented, full-duplex streams. Uses IP for delivery. See also TP4.

transient failure

An error condition that occurs during message handling. The remote Internet Message Transport Agent (IMTA) is unable to handle the message when it's delivered, but may be able to later. The local IMTA returns the message to the channel queue and schedules it for retransmission at a later time.

transport protocols

Provides the means to transfer messages between message stores.

UA

User Agent. An OSI application process that represents a human user or organization in the X.400 Message Handling System. Creates, submits, and takes delivery of messages on the user's behalf.

user entry or user profile

Fields that describe information about each user, required and optional, examples are: distinguished name, full name, title, telephone number, pager number, login name, password, home directory, etc.

user folders

Contain user's email folders.

user quota

The finite amount of space, configured by the system administrator, allocated to each user for incoming or stored messages.

user redirection

The remote Internet Message Transport Agent (IMTA) cannot accept mail for the recipient, but can reroute the mail to a mail server that can accept it.

upper reference

Indicates the directory server that holds the naming context above your directory server's naming context in the directory information tree (DIT).

UUCP

UNIX to UNIX Copy Program. A protocol used for communication between consenting UNIX systems.

UUCP Channel

Unix to Unix Copy System is provided only in the SIMS Enterprise Edition. It is a asynchronous terminal line-based system used to provide support for file transfer and remote execution between different computer systems.

/var/mail

The UNIX version 7 "From" delimited mailbox as implemented in the Solaris operating system.

workgroup

Local workgroup environment, where the server performs its own routing and delivery within a local office or workgroup. Interdepartmental mail is routed to a backbone server. See also backbone.

X.400

A message handling system standard.

XFN

X-Open Federated Naming technology.

X Recommendations

The CCITT documents that describe data communication network standards. Well-known ones include X.25 Packet Switching standard, X.400 Message Handling System, and X.500 Directory Services.