Inflect Glossary

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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.

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