nfsd daemon An NFS server process that runs continuously behind the scenes and processes NFS protocol and mount protocol requests from clients. nfsd can have multiple threads. The more NFS server threads, the better concurrency.
Open Directory The Apple directory services architecture, which can access authoritative information about users and network resources from directory domains that use LDAP, Active Directory protocols, or BSD configuration files, and network services.
open source A term for the cooperative development of software by the Internet community. The basic principle is to involve as many people as possible in writing and debugging code by publishing the source code and encouraging the formation of a large community of developers who will submit modifications and enhancements.
oplocks See opportunistic locking.
opportunistic locking Also known as oplocks. A feature of Windows services that prevents users of shared files from changing the same file at the same time. Opportunistic locking locks the file or part of the file for exclusive use, but also caches the user’s changes locally on the client computer for improved performance.
owner The owner of an item can change access permissions to the item. The owner may also change the group entry to any group the owner is a member of. By default, the owner has Read & Write permissions.
password An alphanumeric string used to authenticate the identity of a user or to authorize access to files or services.
pathname The location of an item within a file system, represented as a series of names separated by slashes (/).
permissions Settings that define the kind of access users have to shared items in a file system. You can assign four types of permissions to a share point, folder, or file: Read & Write, Read Only, Write Only, and No Access. See also privileges.
port A sort of virtual mail slot. A server uses port numbers to determine which application should receive data packets. Firewalls use port numbers to determine whether data packets are allowed to traverse a local network. “Port” usually refers to either a TCP or UDP port.
privileges The right to access restricted areas of a system or perform certain tasks (such as management tasks) in the system.
process A program that has started executing and has a portion of memory allocated to it.
Glossary
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