OSI model (Open Systems Interconnection) OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) is a reference model for how applications communicate over a network. A reference model is a conceptual framework for understanding relationships. The purpose of the OSI reference model is to guide vendors and developers so the digital communication products and software programs they create can interoperate, and to facilitate a clear framework that describes the functions of a networking or telecommuni...

IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) Defintion The IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) is the body that defines standard Internet operating protocols such as TCP/IP. The IETF is supervised by the Internet Society Internet Architecture Board (IAB). IETF members are drawn from the Internet Society's individual and organization membership. Standards are expressed in the form of Requests for Comments (RFCs).

Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) SETI (the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) is a scientific effort to discover intelligent life elsewhere in the universe, primarily by attempting to discover radio signals that indicate intelligence. Cornell astronomer Frank Drake is credited with being the first to "listen" for intelligent signals with a radio telescope in 1960. Although NASA has funded some study in the past, current efforts are privately funded, in part by Arthur C. ...

IT Automation IT automation is the use of instructions to create a repeated process that replaces an IT professional's manual work in data centers and cloud deployments. Software tools, frameworks and appliances conduct the tasks with minimum administrator intervention. The scope of IT automation ranges from single actions to discrete sequences and, ultimately, to an autonomous IT deployment that takes actions based on user behavior and other event triggers. IT automation is differen...

ISO (International Organization for Standardization) ISO (International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies. ISO is a nongovernmental organization that comprises standards bodies from more than 160 countries, with one standards body representing each member country. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) for example, represents the United States. Member organizations collaborate in the development and promotion of internationa...

ANSI (American National Standards Institute) ANSI (American National Standards Institute) is the primary organization for fostering the development of technology standards in the United States. ANSI works with industry groups and is the U.S. member of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Long-established computer standards from ANSI include the American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) and the Small...

system administrator (sysadmin) In information technology (IT), a system administrator (sysadmin) is a person who supports a multiuser computing environment and ensures continuous, optimal performance of IT services and support systems. System administrator job responsibilities vary greatly among employers. In a large enterprise, the title system administrator may be used to describe any administrator who is responsible for a specialized IT system such the one that supports servers. Dependin...