Inflect Glossary

Understanding Digital Infrastructure: Inflect's Terminology Guide

Table of Contents:

1. Network Structure & Architecture
2. Networking & Connectivity
3. Data Centers & Infrastructure
4. Service Providers & Offerings
5. Financial & Contractual Terms
6. Blockchain & Compliance

Network Structure & Architecture 

• Software as a Service (SaaS): Centralized software delivery model accessed via the internet.
• IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service): Cloud service for leasing IT infrastructure.
• PaaS (Platform as a Service): On-demand environment for software application development.
• Hosting: Providing storage and computational resources for digital content.
• Broadband: High-speed internet access with faster data transmission.
• Point to Point (P2P or PTP): Direct connection between two network endpoints.
• Point to Multipoint (P2MP or PtMP): Central hub providing internet access to multiple locations.
• Multipoint to Multipoint (MP2MP or MPtMP): Fully interconnected network architecture.

Networking & Connectivity 

• Network Topology: Arrangement of elements in a computer network.
• Route Diversity: Establishing multiple network routes for enhanced reliability.
• Entry Diversity: Multiple physical entry points for network connections.
• Carrier Diversity: Using multiple telecommunication carriers for network connectivity.
• Uptime: Measure of system reliability.
• Latency: Time for data packet transmission in a network.
• Serviceability: Capability of a telecom service provider to deliver services.
• Transport: Network service for data transmission between locations.
• CDN (Content Delivery Network): Network for delivering web content with low latency.
• MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching): Routing technique for efficient data packet direction.
• Software-defined Networking (SDN): Architectural approach separating control and data plane functions.
• SD-WAN (Software-Defined Wide Area Network): Approach for managing and routing traffic across multiple locations.
• Network Virtualization: Creating virtual networks on a shared physical network.
• Subnetting: Dividing an IP network into subnetworks.
• IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6): Latest version of the Internet Protocol.
• Firewall: Network security device for monitoring and filtering network traffic.
• Virtual Private Network (VPN): Secure connection over a less secure network.
• On Exchange: Direct link between premises and the telecommunications exchange.
• Peering: Interconnection of separate Internet networks.
• Peering Focus: Emphasis on establishing peering relationships.
• IP Transit: Access to the internet backbone.
• Exchanges: Facilities for networks to exchange traffic.
• Internet Exchange: Facility for networks to exchange internet traffic.
• Cloud Exchange: Service for direct connectivity between networks and cloud service providers.
• BGP (Border Gateway Protocol): Protocol for routing information exchange.
• Dark Fiber: Unlit fiber optic cables for private use.
• Wavelength: Specific frequency of light for data transmission.
• Ethernet Private Line: Dedicated point-to-point Ethernet service.
• Cloud Connection: Direct connection to a cloud service provider's infrastructure.
• Campus Connection: Network connection within a campus or organization.

Data Centers & Infrastructure

• Tier System: Classification system for data centers.
• Point of Presence (POP): Physical location for network service providers to offer connectivity.
• On Net: Data center directly connected to a network provider's infrastructure.
• Near Net: Data center close to a network provider's infrastructure.
• In Building: Connectivity solution within a building.
• In Data Center: Connectivity solutions within a data center.
• KMZ (Key Management Zone): Area housing critical network connectivity components.
• Colocation: Renting space in a data center for equipment.
• PDU (Power Distribution Unit): Device for distributing electric power in a data center.
• AC (Alternating Current): Electric current that changes direction.
• DC (Direct Current): Electric current flowing in one direction.
• Fiber Cross Connect: Connection between two fiber optic cables.
• Copper Cross Connect: Connection between two copper cables.
• Rack: Framework for mounting and organizing network equipment.
• Cage: Secure area in a data center for specific equipment.
• Hot/Cold Aisle: Layout strategy for server racks to improve cooling efficiency.
• Edge Computing: Processing data near its generation source.
• Bare Metal: Direct access to physical servers without virtualization.
• Failover: Switching to a standby system upon primary system failure.

Service Providers & Offerings

• Service Providers/Carriers: Entities offering services for compensation.
• Access Speed: Rate of data transmission over a network.
• Usage: Amount of data transferred or extent of resource utilization.
• Internet exchange port: Network port in an Internet exchange for traffic exchange.
• Cloud exchange port: Network port in a cloud exchange for data exchange with cloud providers.
• Fixed Wireless: Broadband internet access using wireless signals.
• Public Cloud: Cloud resources owned and operated by a third-party provider.
• Private Cloud: Cloud computing environment dedicated to a single organization.
• Dedicated Internet Access (DIA): Dedicated internet connection for exclusive use.
• DSL (Digital Subscriber Line): Technology for high-speed internet access via telephone lines.
• LTE (Long-Term Evolution): High-speed data transmission for mobile devices.
• Ethernet Private Line (Point-to-Point): Dedicated network connection using Ethernet technology.

Financial & Contractual Terms

• MRC (Monthly Recurring Costs): Regular monthly fee for services.
• NRC (Nonrecurring Costs): One-time charges for service setup or activation.
• TCV (Total Contract Value): MRC multiplied by contract term plus NRC.
• Commit Level: Minimum guaranteed bandwidth in a service level agreement.
• Campus: Collection of buildings working as one network.

Blockchain & Compliance

• Solana: Blockchain platform addressing issues like slow transaction speeds.
• Validators: Participants validating transactions on the blockchain.
• RPC (Remote Procedure Call): Protocol for executing procedures on a remote server.
• KYC (Know Your Customer): Verification process for customer identity.