Glossary

Glossary of terms related to Microsoft Exchange and Mobile Messaging

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C

CA

CA is an acronym for Certificate Authority.

Cached Mode

Exchange Cached Mode is a setting that users can select in their desktop client. Supported by both Outlook and Entourage, this can provide a better user experience. Exchange server downloads a copy of the user's contacts, calendar and email to their local computer so they can access this information even when a connection to the Exchange server is not available due to problems with an internet connection. This allows users to check and respond to emails, which can be sent automatically as soon as a connection with the Exchange server has been restored.

CAL

See: Client Access License

CAL

Acronym for Client Access License

Calendar Sharing

Calendar Sharing is a feature of Microsoft Exchange and other groupware software that provides additional calendar features. Shared calendars let users on the same domain who use an Exchange Server view each others calendars so coworkers can then check each see if all participants are available for potential a meeting time (though the details of other users' meetings are not shared with coworkers). Users can even send meeting requests to multiple people to attend a meeting. Users can accept a meeting, decline the meeting, or mark themselves as tentative. The meeting organizer is notified who will attend. Personal users of Exchange services have found the ability to share calendars one of hte most compelling features. Many third party systems such as VOIP phone software integrate with hosted Exchange calendars to provide even more functionality.

Calendars

Calendars allow users to keep track of appointments using a visual display. Microsoft Outlook and Entourage have integrated calendars that have additional features such as alarms and reminders for appointments, as well as the ability to set recurring events that happen on the same day of the week or month, or same time of day each day. When users on an Exchange account enter a calendar event, that information is sent to the Exchange server so it can be synchronized with a wireless device, and available through Outlook Web Access.

Carrier

See: Wireless Carrier

CDMA

CDMA is an acronym for Code Duplication Multiple Access. CDMA is one of several data communications technologies used to provide wireless and mobile voice and data access. In addition to CDMA, other technologies include GSM, GRPS, EDGE and 3G. Only phones with built-in support for CDMA can connect to a CDMA network. CDMA is not compatible with GSM. Verizon Wireless and Sprint are the major wireless companies to use this technology. However, this is falling out of favor as 3G networks come online.

Cell Phone

A Cell Phone is a mobile phone or electronic device used for mobile voice or data communication. Calls and data are transmitted over a network of specialized base stations known as cell sites. Each cell site can handle a certain number of connections or call. When capacity exceeds what a cell can handle, or a user moves out of range, the cell seamlessly passes the mobile phone to the next closest cell, or the closest one with available capacity. This provides a seamless user experience and allows users to move throughout a city and have uninterrupted phone calls and data access.

Certificate

A certificate is an encrypted digital file issued by a Certificate Authority. A Digital Certificate is used to establish and verify the identity of a user, computer or website.

Chat

The term Chat is often used interchangeably with Instant Messaging. It is a term used for any kind of conversation or communication over the internet, but has grown over time to mean specifically communications that happen over the internet in real time. Text Chat refers to typed chat or instant messaging, while video chat refers to a two-way video and audio conference. Chat rooms usually refer to a free forum where any user can enter into the conversation. The expression "Chat" comes from the word chat, which means informal conversation. Online chat is often abbreviated for speed of typing.

Checksum

A checksum is a unique value calculated based on the contents of a file using an algorithm such as MD5. The contents of a file can be verified against the checksum to determine if the file is corrupted.

Cingular

Cingular was formed as a joint venture by SBC communications and Bellsouth as a soncumer brand to provide wireless voice and data services. SBC, now AT&T, purchased Bellsouth and Cingular is now a wholly owned wireless subsidiary of AT&T Inc. The Cingular brand is no longer actively used to market products, though many users still refer to AT&T wireless as Cingular.

Cingular Blackberry

See: AT&T Blackberry

Client

When used in reference to messaging and groupware, a Client is a software program that can be used to interact with the Exchange server. The most common clients for Exchange are MS Outlook and MS Entourage. However, web browsers can be considered Exchange clients as they can provide Exchange connectivity using OWA.

Client Access License

A Client Access Licenses, or CAL, is a software license that is required for client computers to access a server. Microsoft requires a Client Access License for each Exchange mailbox. This is in addition to the Exchange server licensing. CAL fees are paid annually, and unused licenses are not refundable.

Client Access License

A Client Access License, or CAL, is a license that users must have to access a Microsoft server, including Windows and Exchange. There are different licenses and costs depending on the Microsoft server software being accessed. Client Access Licenses are included in the cost of Exchange web services, and users do not need to buy licenses from Microsoft.

Client Access Role

On a Windows network a server can be configured in the Client Access Role, which is a predefined set of configurations required to let users access the Exchange server using clients such as OWA, Activesync, POP3 and IMAP.

Cloned Configuration

A Cloned Configuration uses an XML file export of configuration information from an existing Edge Transport server and imports it into a new server that will act in the same role.

Closed Source

As opposed to Open Source, Closed Source refers to proprietary software where the source code, or "source" is not made available to users outside the manufacturer, or if the source code is made available then it comes with licensing or other restrictions that prevent users from accessing, modifying or distributing the source code or creating new products based on the source code. Similar terms include "Proprietary Software" and "Non-free Software".

Clustered Mailbox Server

A Clustered Mailbox Server is an Exchange 2007 or later server that is configured as part of a Windows failover cluster. Clustered mailbox servers help balance user load and prevent downtime in the event of a hardware failure. A clustered mailbox configuration is opaque to users, who may not know they operate in such an environment.

Clustering

This is a term used for server computers or networks that are linked together to provide improved performance and response time, and as a fail-safe against the failure of a single machine. Exchange clustering can be complex to setup, and typically requires the attention of dedicated, trained IT staff to keep optimized and running. Support costs for Exchange server increase significantly when clustering is required and is typically the point where customers consider a hosted Exchange implementation, which eliminates the maintenance and infrastructure costs.

CNAME

In the Domain Name System, CNAME is an abbreviation for a Canonical Name. This is effectively an alias, which allows a domain or subdomain to be directed at a server host name other than that specified by the A Record. In the DNS database a CNAME indicates the true, or canonical, host name of a computer that the alias is associated with. A computer hosting a web site has to have an IP address to connect to the web, but sometimes more than one domain name resolves to the same IP address. This is where the CNAME is useful.

Codec

A Codec, or Coder-Decoder, is a series of rules for how a computer program encodes or decodes a digital signal. Codecs are most often used with audio or video information to translate media files from one format to another.

Configure Exchange

Configuring Exchange Server correctly can be challenging. Because Exchange is integrated with Active Directory, a large scale installation of Exchange can require the configuration of multiple Exchange servers in a cluster, load-balanced Outlook Web Access servers as well as configuring dedicated backup and antivirus servers. While small companies don't need such a robust configuration, even the installation of a stand-alone Exchange Server can be challenging. Microsoft offers a number of training course just for Exchange configuration topics.

Connector

A Connector for Exchange Servers allows Exchange to connect and communicate with other systems such as a SQL server for database information. Exchange connectors can even be used to connect an Exchange installation with other messaging servers such a Zimbra, Lotus Notes or Novell Groupwise. Connectors are typically only needed in more complex installations for larger or specialized companies.

Contacts

A contact refers to an individual entry within an address book. Contacts can be either individuals or businesses. A contact usually consists of first and last names, company name, address, telephone numbers and email address entered into a database. Most systems store contact entries in alphabetical order as the owner of the database inserts details, but users can choose how to sort their contacts. MS Exchange has the ability to create Global contacts, which are updated and available to all Exchange accounts. This would typically be used to ensure everyone had the current information for an outside payroll company, vendor, or other contact.

Crackberry

This is an affectionate nickname given to Blackberry mobile devices. The name references how addictive using a Blackberry can be, and the ease with which one can get used to using a Blackberry, then come to rely upon it. Someone who loves their Blackberry may appreciate having their mobile phone called a Crackberry. Users of other phones may use Crackberry in a derogatory way.

CRM

An abbreviation of the term Customer Resource Manager, a CRM system is a software program that businesses use to keep track of customer information. A CRM system is often integrated with email, so records of client communications are available to anyone who speaks to the client in the future. CRM systems are typically used by customer service departments as well as by sales teams. CRM systems are offered by a number of vendors, including Microsoft Dynamics, Sugar CRM, Salesforce.com, and Avidian among others. Many companies choose to custom develop their CRM systems. Open Source CRM systems such as Sugar CRM are gaining popularity.