Glossary

Glossary

AES Advanced Encryption Standard. The successor to the DES algorithm. It has a fixed block size of 128 bits and a key size of 128, 192, or 256 bits.

APDU Application Protocol Data Units. A protocol used to define the structure of data messages exchanged between smart cards and smart card readers.

CLDC Connected Limited Device Configuration. In conjunction with MIDP, provides the Java runtime environment for wireless and handheld devices.

DES Data Encryption Standard. The most well-known and widely-used symmetric cryptographic algorithm.

J2ME Java 2 Platform, Micro Edition. A scaled-down version of the Java platform specifically designed to run in the reduced memory space of a wireless, handheld, or other small device.

J2SE Java 2 Platform, Standard Edition. The core Java technology platform. Java Card A smart card that has the capability of running Java code.

JCP Java Community Process™ (JCP™). The process used by the world-wide community of Java developers for formulating Java-based standards and evaluating specifications.

JCRE Java Card Runtime Environment. The execution environment for Java Card applets.

JCRMI Java Card Remote Method Invocation. A subset version of Java 2 Platform,

Standard Edition RMI, to be used with the Java Card platform.

JSR Java™ Specification Request. A specification submitted to the Java

Community Process for consideration and review.

JVM Java™ Virtual Machine.1 The execution environment for Java programs.

MIDP Mobile Information Device Profile. In conjunction with CLDC, provides the Java runtime environment for wireless and handheld devices.

PKI Public Key Infrastructure. The infrastructure used to create, exchange, and manage user credentials, public and private keys, and digital signatures.

1.The terms “Java Virtual Machine” and “JVM” mean a Virtual Machine for the Java™ platform.

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Sun Microsystems 1 manual Glossary
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1 specifications

Sun Microsystems was a prominent American company that played a critical role in the evolution of computer systems and enterprise computing during the 1980s and 1990s. Founded in 1982 by Bill Joy, Vinod Khosla, Andy Bechtolsheim, and Scott McNealy, Sun was renowned for its innovative technologies and high-performance computing solutions. The company was pivotal in the development of products based on its flagship software and hardware systems.

One of the most significant contributions of Sun Microsystems was the development of the SPARC architecture. This RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computing) architecture was designed to optimize performance and efficiency in server environments. SPARC processors were widely used in Sun's high-end workstations and servers, enabling them to handle complex tasks and large-scale data processing. The architecture supported multiprocessing, making it ideal for enterprise applications that required robust computing power.

Sun was also a pioneer in the development of networked computing technologies. Its commitment to open standards paved the way for UNIX-based operating systems, specifically Solaris, a version of the UNIX OS that became synonymous with Sun workstations and servers. Solaris was known for its scalability, modular design, and innovative features, such as support for symmetric multiprocessing and advanced security capabilities.

The company was a strong advocate for network file systems, leading to the creation of the Network File System (NFS), which allowed remote file sharing across networks. This technology transformed how organizations managed data and resources in distributed computing environments, making it easier to access and share files across different systems.

In addition to hardware and software, Sun Microsystems introduced the Java programming language in the mid-1990s, revolutionizing the world of programming and web development. Java's "write once, run anywhere" capability allowed developers to create applications that could run on any platform, significantly enhancing software portability and usability in diverse environments.

Sun's commitment to innovation and open systems extended to its approach to hardware design. The company emphasized modularity, allowing customers to achieve scalability and performance optimization. Their workstations and servers were known for their robustness, ease of maintenance, and capability to integrate with various networking technologies.

Throughout its history, Sun Microsystems significantly influenced the computing landscape, emphasizing the importance of open systems and standards. Its legacy continues to be felt in today's technology as many of its innovations laid the groundwork for modern computing practices. Following a series of strategic shifts, Sun Microsystems was acquired by Oracle Corporation in 2010, but its technologies continue to impact the industry.
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