Glossary

Backups can be defined as creating a copy of data for purposes of reproducing the original in case the original is lost, erased, damaged, or changed in error. The copy may be an exact duplicate of the original or some other structure that allows the original to be recreated by restoration software.

There are several backup techniques. Choice of technique impacts restore/recovery time and the amount of space required to store the backup. Backups can be made of full volumes or of discrete data sets residing on one or more volumes. Some backup techniques are:

• Image or volume backup – makes a copy of everything on a volume, including any control information. An image can only be restored to a like volume
• Full backup – a complete copy of the content of the selected files
• Incremental backup – copies only the content of the files that have been changed since the last full backup
• Mirroring – changes are applied to the copy at the same time they are made to the original

Encryption: The scrambling of data into a secret code that can be read only by software set to decode the information.

Extended Service Set Identifier (ESSID): The name a manufacturer assigns to a router. It may be a standard, default name assigned by the manufacturer to all hardware of that model. Users can improve security by changing to a unique name. Similar to a Service Set Identifier (SSID).

Firewall: Hardware or software designed to keep hackers from using your computer to send personal information without your permission. Firewalls watch for outside attempts to access your system and block communications to and from sources you don't permit.

Media Access Control (MAC) Address: A unique number that the manufacturer assigns to each computer or other device in a network.

Restore and recovery are similar processes. Frequently, Restore refers to reproducing the original in the course of day-to-day operation. Recovery is used to imply reproducing the original after some catastrophic loss.

Router: A device that connects two or more networks. A router finds the best path for forwarding information across the networks.

Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP): A security protocol that encrypts data sent to and from wireless devices within a network. Not as strong as WPA encryption.

Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA): A security protocol developed to fix flaws in WEP. Encrypts data sent to and from wireless devices within a network.

Wireless Network: A method of connecting a computer to other computers or to the Internet without linking them by cables.