Glossary

This glossary defines terms and concepts related to software sharing.

BIND: The Berkeley Internet Name Domain (BIND) service is a distributed database lookup service that allows you to distribute the hosts database network-wide.

client: A computer system that uses resources provided by another computer, called a server.

client area: In DMS, an area containing a single client's custom-tailored root files including the operating system kernel.

Dataless Management Services (DMS): Dataless Management Services is a service provided by Digital whereby a server computer system maintains the root, /usr, and /var file systems for client computer systems connected to the server via a Local Area Network (LAN).

DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol): DCHP enables the automatic assignment of an IP address to clients on networks from a pool of addresses. The IP address assignment and configuration occurs automatically whenever appropriate client systems (workstations and portable computers) attach to a network. The Digital UNIX implementation of DHCP is based on the JOIN product by Competitive Automation.

DMS area: A reserved disk area physically connected to a DMS server which contains multiple copies of the root area, one for each DMS client.

DMS client: A computer system whose system disk area is physically connected to a DMS server rather than to the client itself and is accessed across the network by the client.

DMS client area: A DMS client area resides in each DMS area and is called /clients. Mulitple copies of the root area reside in the client area, each tailored from the appropriate generic root for an individual client.

DMS environment: A portion of a DMS area, containing software to support one or more clients. A DMS environment contains one or more DMS root areas. DMS environments are located in /var/adm/dms.

DMS root area: One root area is required for each client that is to be supported in the DMS environment. DMS root areas are located in /var/adm/dms/dmsn.alpha. Each root area contains a generic root directory and a shared /usr filesystem.

DMS server: A computer system that maintains the root /usr and /var file systems for DMS client systems. The DMS servers can contain multiple DMS environments to which clients are added. DMS clients are booted over a Local Area Network. Swapping and dumping is not supported over the network and must be done on client's local disks.

dmu (dataless management utility): The DMS utility, called dmu, provides the ability to manage the sharing of installed operating software between DMS servers and clients. The utility allows users to install, configure, show, and delete DMS environments and add, list, modify, and remove DMS clients.

generic root: In DMS, a portion of the DMS environment that contains system software in a generic form, ready to be copied for tailoring to fit an individual client's requirements.

NIS: The Network Information Service (NIS) is a distributed data lookup service for sharing information on a local area network (LAN). NIS allows you to coordinate the distribution of database information throughout your networked environment.

new files: In DMS, refers to files that are exactly as supplied in the software distribution kit and have not been customized. These files are used by the update installation process and allow the files to be delivered onto the system without overwriting the existing, and possibly customized version of the file. New files are prefixed with .new.. These files should never be modified. See prototype files.

private area: In DMS, a portion of the DMS area that is reserved for the exclusive use of a single client. The private area contains the client's custom-tailored copy of certain operating system software files, including the kernel.

product environment: In RIS, a portion of the RIS area containing a set of software kits that are intended for installation on a particular client type, such as RISC processors.

prototype files: In DMS, refers to files that can be modified by the server's system administrator so that they can be customized for a particular client site, such as /etc/hosts entries. Prototype files are prefixed with .proto.. and can be customized before the DMS environment is configured. See new files.

RIS area: A reserved disk area physically connected to a RISC server, containing one or more product environments in which are stored installable software kits.

RIS client: A computer system that has permission to install software across the network by accessing kits stored in the server's RIS area.

RIS server: A computer system that serves other computers by providing operating system software for them to install; the software is stored on disks belonging to the server and is accessed across the network by the clients.

server: A computer system that serves one or more other computers, called clients, by providing a resource to them.

subset: An installable software kit module that is compatible with the Digital UNIX setld software installation utility.