Glossary

This glossary defines terms and concepts related to software sharing.

Click letter for quick access: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

B

BIND

The Berkeley Internet Name Domain. A distributed database lookup service that allows you to distribute the hosts database network-wide.

C

CDF

Configuration description file. The process of installing a new version of the operating system automatically generates a configuration description file (CDF) that contains the results of the questions answered during the installation. This CDF is saved to the file /var/adm/smlogs/install.cdf. The CDF contains all the configuration information required to perform an initial system installation on a client system. CDFs can be copied and modified to use for installation cloning.

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.

configuration description file

See CDF

D

Dataless Management Services

See DMS

DHCP

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. 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 current implementation of DHCP is based on the JOIN product by Competitive Automation.

DMS

Dataless Management Services. A service where a server maintains the root, /usr, and /var file systems for client computer systems connected to the server by means of a local area network (LAN).

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. Multiple 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 file system.

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 (LAN). Swapping and dumping is not supported over the network and must be done on the clients' local disks.

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol

See DHCP

G

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.

N

NIS

Network Information Service. 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 have a .new. prefix, and should never be modified.

See also prototype files

P

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 also new files

R

Remote Installation Services

See RIS

RIS

Remote Installation Services. A remote software distribution method where a server is set up to allow installation of software products over a local area network (LAN). RIS clients are registered on the RIS server to allow them access to specific software products.

RIS area

A reserved disk area physically connected to a RIS server, containing one or more product environments. These contain software kits that can be installed on registered clients. Kits are organized so that a software product can supply several different versions for multiple hardware platforms.

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.

S

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 operating system's setld software installation utility.

T

TFTP

Trivial File Transfer Protocol. TFTP is used during the RIS startup procedure to transfer the network kernel and supporting files from the RIS server to the RIS client. For more information on TFTP, refer to the tftp(1) and tftpd(8) reference pages.

U /usr/sbin/dmu">

/usr/sbin/dmu

Dataless management utility (dmu). A text-base interface used to manage the sharing of installed operating software between DMS servers and clients. The dmu utility allows users to install, configure, show, and delete DMS environments and add, list, modify, and remove DMS clients.

/usr/sbin/ris

Remote Installation Services utility (ris). A text-based interface used to set up the RIS server and maintain RIS areas, the software products within the RIS areas, and RIS client registrations.