Glossary

ANS.1: Abstract Syntax Notation One is OSI language for describing data types independent of particular computer structures and representation techniques.
ARP: The Address Resolution Protocol is used to bind an IP address to a MAC address.
ATM: Asynchronous Transfer Mode
availability: The percentage of time during a given interval that a network object or interface is available to perform its function. Availability is measured by a poller. The poller tracks how long an element or sub-element is unavailable and the percentage of time that it is available. Tivoli Netcool Performance Manager DataMart lets you monitor end-to-end network availability.
bandwidth: A measure of the capacity of a communications link.
bps: Bit per Second is a measurement that expresses the speed at which data is transferred between computers.
bridge: A device that connects one physical section of a network to another, often providing isolation.
broadcast: A packet destined for all hosts on a network.
burst rate: A circuit data transmission rate above the Committed Information Rate (CIR) that can be used to increase data throughput if it is available.
collector: The collector stores data for monitoring elements and sub-elements on your network. Tivoli Netcool Performance Manager DataMart enables the collection, consolidation, storage and archiving of critical network performance and service analysis data. This data can be integrated into Tivoli Netcool Performance Manager DataView or the reporting tool of your choice.
Committed Information Rate (CIR): The specified amount of guaranteed bandwidth (measured in bits per second) on a Frame Relay service. Typically, when purchasing a Frame Relay service, a company can specify the CIR level they want. The Frame Relay network vendor guarantees that frames not exceeding this level will be delivered. It is possible that additional traffic might also be delivered, but it is not guaranteed. See also burst rate.
daemon: A process that executes a program automatically in background mode when the system is initially started.
Dashboard: A real-time graphic display of one or more formulas or MIB objects on one or more hosts.
Data Link Connection Identifier (DLCI): Frame relay allows users to segment physical ports into multiple logical interfaces. Each of these logical interfaces is identified by its DLCI.
default: An operation or value that the system or application assumes unless you make an explicit choice.
delay (also known as latency): A measurement from one end of a network or device to another. Higher latency indicates longer delays.
discovery: Lets you analyze your network and gather information about TCP/IP network elements and sub-elements and how they are interconnected.
Domain Name Service (DNS): The system that translates between internet IP addresses and internet host names.
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP): A protocol that provides dynamic IP address allocation and automatic IP configuration.
element: An addressable, managed node or host.
exception: An exception is an event that is not considered normal and requires your immediate attention. For example, router outages or network response time failures.
formula: A set of mathematical instructions and SNMP queries.
frame relay: A packet-oriented communication method for connecting computer systems on WANs. Frame Relay is digital-data-communications protocol provided by a carrier. Connections into a frame relay network require a router and a line from the customer site to a carrier's frame relay port entry.
group: Customized, virtual association that contains one or more network elements.
hop: A hop represents a transmission of a data packet through a router in a network of interconnected segments or subnetworks. In many networks, there are many routers connecting many segments, thus forming a number of paths that a packet can travel to get to its destination. A measure of this path is the hop count, or the number of routers the packet must pass through to get to its destination.
hub: A common connection point for devices in a network. Hubs are commonly used to connect segments of a LAN. A hub contains multiple ports. When a packet arrives at one port, it is copied to the other ports so that all segments of the LAN can see all packets.
HyperText Markup Language (HTML): Used for developing Web documents.
HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP): A protocol that allows Web clients to retrieve information from Web servers.
Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP): Used to handle error and control messages sent when datagrams are discarded or systems are congested. Part of the IP protocol.
interface: The network connection between two systems or devices.
Internet: A collection of autonomous systems interconnected by bridges, routers, or gateways.
Inventory profile: Lets you define your network inventory. You can create different profiles for different resources in your network.
Inventory Tool: Provides you with a report of network elements and sub-elements on your network.
IP: Internet Protocol is a communications protocol that allows computers of any make to communicate when running IP software.
IP address: An identifier for a computer or device on an IP network. Networks using the IP protocol route messages based on the IP address of the destination. The format of an IP address is a 32-bit numeric address written as four numbers separated by periods. Each number can be zero to 255. For example, 1.160.10.240.
KB: Kilobyte is a data unit of 1,024 bytes.
latency: Measures the time it takes for a packet to travel from one point to another point and back.
Local Area Network (LAN): A computer network that is limited to a small geographic area. For example, an office building.
MAC: The Media Access Control protocol governs the method by which a station can access a network.
Management Information Base (MIB): A data repository used by an SNMP agent to store management data about a managed object. All MIB information is defined in ASN.1 format. MIB variables are organized in groups such as system and interfaces. An SNMP agent manages only the part of the MIB that the MIB references.
Meta-Data: Control information about the collected data. Tivoli Netcool Performance Manager uses meta data to describe resources, collection and aggregation schedules, and MIBs.
Metric: The result of a formula applied to resources. These results are displayed in the reports viewed through a Web browser.
Metric-Data: Data collected on resources that is (optionally) transformed by formulas, imported, or summarized by an aggregation policy.
millisecond: One thousandth of a second.
network: A system of computers, hardware, and software that is connected over which data, files, and messages can be transmitted and end users communicate. Networks can be local or wide area. Network users can share the same data and application files, send messages between individual workstations, and protect files with an extensive security system.
network administrator: The person who installs, configures, and deploys Tivoli Netcool Performance Manager on an enterprise network. This includes creating and managing users profiles and assigning rights and privileges.
network monitoring system: An integrated set of software that measures and analyzes communications-related parameters in a network.
network traffic: The data that flows on a communications device or system.
NIS: Network Information Service is a protocol for administering network-wide databases.
node: The endpoint of a network connection or a junction common to two or more lines in a network. Nodes can be processors, controllers, or workstations.
NOC: Network Operations Center
Open Database Connectivity (ODBC): ODBC is a specification designed to give users access to a variety of multiple desktop databases and file formats.
OSI: The Open Systems Interconnection model is a layered architecture plan that standardizes levels of service and type of interaction for computers exchanging information through a network.)
packet: Also known as a frame, single unit of data transmitted over a packet-switching network. A packet contains source and destination address in addition to the data.
peak: The highest level or greatest degree as represented in graphical reports.
Permanent Virtual Circuits (PVC): A pathway through a packet-switched or cell-switched network.
PID: Protocol Identifier.
PING: (Packet INternet Groper) a utility to determine whether a specific IP address is accessible. A source IP device sends a packet to a destination address and waits for a reply.
port: A physical connection on a network device.
probe: A packet sent to the remote end of a network. The probe requests an acknowledgment from end nodes.
profile: See Inventory profile.
Properties: Any attribute or characteristic that defines a resource more precisely and provides additional information on it. Properties can be customer attributes and technical attributes including:

Customer name for which the resource is deployed
VPN
IP address
Interface name
Site
Class of service (Silver, Gold, Platinum)
Geographical properties (city, building, floor)
Customer properties (division, business department, branch office)
Service properties (applications)
SLA value (thresholds, burst threshold, availability threshold, CIR, and SLA contract type)

protocol: A standard set of rules by which network elements trade information to communicate including the format, timing, sequencing, or error checking.
Quality of Service (QOS): A guaranteed throughput level from the provider to its customers.
Read-Only mode: Provides only viewing access to Tivoli Netcool Performance Manager DataMart modules. You cannot make modifications to any module in "read-only" mode. The Read-Only icon is as follows:

repeater: A device that lets you extend the length of your network by amplifying and repeating the information it receives.
resource: A type of physical or logical object managed by the Tivoli Netcool Performance Manager system. Any managed physical interface or port is a resource, any managed logical circuit is also resource. For example, a Frame Relay DLCI, an ATM PVC, and a CE-CE itinerary (VPN Customer Edge). Any object from which Tivoli Netcool Performance Manager can get identification (a name and a label) and related metrics can be modeled in the DataMart, using the resource concept.
rights: User privileges assigned by the network administrator for access to Tivoli Netcool Performance Manager.
report: A formatted and organized presentation of data.
response time: The amount of time that takes one endpoint to respond to a request from another endpoint on a network.
router: The equipment that receives an internet packet and sends it to the next machine in the destination path.
segment: A protocol data unit consisting of part of a stream of bytes being sent between two machines.
server: A computer that runs services. Also refers to a piece of hardware or software that provides access to information requested from it.
Service Level Agreement (SLA): is a contractual guarantee that stipulates the specified minimum level of network capacity and service support that a customer will receive. An SLA establishes realistic expectations for consistent service delivery and articulates compensatory measure in the case of service delivery failure.; You can develop an aggressive SLA, both internally and externally, that delivers priority, availability, and bandwidth required by business applications.
Service Level Management (SLM): provides the measurement and evaluation of network performance against business metrics. A comprehensive flexible SLM plan that monitors performance effectively can result in increased user satisfaction.
Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP): A communications protocol used to control and monitor devices on a network. An SNMP agent manages parts of a MIB.
SMI: Structure of Management Information (RFC 1155) specifies rules used to define managed objects in a MIB. See also MIB.
SNMP Availability: is the percentage of time during a given interval that a network object or interface is available to perform its function. Availability is measured by a poller. The poller tracks how long an element or sub-element is unavailable and the percentage of time that it is available. Tivoli Netcool Performance Manager DataMart helps you increase end-to-end network availability.
SNMP Response Time: is the amount of time that takes one endpoint to respond to a request from another endpoint on a network. Tivoli Netcool Performance Manager DataMart helps you improve response time.
SNMP trap: An SNMP trap lets you forward one or more exceptions for a network object to a designated computer on your network. The destination computer needs to have a third-party packet capturing software program installed. You use this program to view the exception message.
SNMP Utilization: is the percentage of bandwidth that an element or sub-element is in use during a given period of time. For example, 30% to 40% signifies a low utilization and 80 to 90% signifies a high utilization.
Sub-Element: A sub-component of an element, such as a port, interface, virtual circuits, user, or a DLCI.
subnet: A portion of a network that shares a common address component. On IP networks, subnets are defined as all devices whose IP addresses have the same prefix. For example, all devices with IP addresses that start with 100.100.100. would be part of the same subnet. IP networks are divided using a subnet mask.
subnet mask: A 32-bit value that distinguishes the network ID from the host ID of an IP address.
switch: A device that filters and forwards packets between LAN or WAN segments. Switches operate at the data link layer (layer 2) of the OSI Reference Model and therefore support any packet protocol. LANs that use switches to join segments are called switched LANs or, in the case of Ethernet networks, switched Ethernet LANs.
target: The object to which a formula applies
threshold: A value that is compared against metrics to determine if the metrics exceed or drop below a critical limit.
traceroute: A utility that traces a packet from source IP to destination IP address, showing how many hops the packet requires to reach the host and how long each hop takes.
traffic: See network traffic.
TCP: Transmission Control Protocol is a layer 4 protocol that provides a level of connection-oriented reliability to an IP network.
URL: Uniform Resource Locator is the addressing system used in the Web that can reference any type of file on the Internet, enabling a Web client to access that file.
utilization: The percentage of time that a network object or interface is in use for a given period of time.
VLAN: A virtual LAN is a group of devices on one or more LANs that are configured so that they can communicate as if they were attached to the same wire, when if fact, they are located on a number of different LAN segments.
volume: The number of bits that flowed through a network interface over a period of time.
Web browser: A software program that lets you view and access HTML documents. For example, Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator.
Wide Area Network (WAN): A network of geographically dispersed computers.
Write mode: Provides you with full access to Tivoli Netcool Performance Manager DataMart modules. You can make modification to any module in "write" mode. The write mode icon is as follows: