Windows Home Server Glossary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
activate |
Associates a specific product key with the computer (the hardware) on which your software is installed. This association prevents the product key from being used to activate the same copy of the software on multiple computers as counterfeit software. Some changes to your computer components or the software may require you to reactivate the software. |
add-in |
Adds additional features and functionality to Windows Home Server. For example, an add-in might add a new tab to the Windows Home Server Console so you can manage a new service or feature. |
administrator |
A person responsible for planning, configuring, and managing the day-to-day operation of a computer network. |
back up |
To make a duplicate copy of the files on a hard-drive volume. |
backup |
A duplicate copy of the files on a home computer hard-drive volume. |
Backup Time |
When Windows Home Server performs daily automatic backups and maintenance. |
console |
The place where you manage Windows Home Server and the home computers on your network. |
file |
A collection of data or information. Almost all information stored in a computer must be in a file. There are many different types of files: data files, text files, program files, music files, and so on. Different types of files store different types of information. For example, program files store programs, whereas text files store text. |
folder |
A named storage area on a computer containing files and other folders. Folders are used to organize information electronically, the same way actual folders in a filing cabinet do. |
guest |
A user who does not have a user account or who does not provide a password. |
home computer |
A computer, other than the server, that is connected to a home network. |
home network |
Two or more home computers connected together to share files and devices. |
home server |
The computer that runs the Windows Home Server operating system. |
install |
When referring to software, to load the program and installation files onto your computer so that the program runs correctly. When referring to hardware, to connect the device to your computer and load the corresponding drivers and configure the settings. |
license |
The right of a person or company to use software in a particular way, as described in the terms of the license agreement. Copyright law also limits how you may use the software. You need a license agreement for each software program you use. |
media |
Any fixed or removable objects that store computer data. Examples include hard drives, compact discs, USB flash drives, and floppy disks. |
network |
A group of computers or other devices, such as printers and scanners, that communicate either wirelessly or by using a physical connection, such as an Ethernet cable or a phone line. |
restore |
To return your home computer to the state it was in when it was backed up. You can restore individual files or entire hard-drive volumes. |
server storage |
One or more hard drives managed by Windows Home Server. When you add a new hard drive to server storage by using the Server Storage tab on the console, the available space of the new hard drive is added to your server-storage total. You can add either internal or external hard drives, such as USB or FireWire drives. |
shared folder |
A folder on a computer that has been made available for other people on a network to use. |
strong password |
A password that cannot be easily guessed or cracked. A strong password is at least seven characters long, and contains at least three of the four following categories of characters: uppercase characters, lowercase characters, numbers, and symbols found on the keyboard (such as !, @, #). |
user |
A person who uses a computer. If the computer is connected to a network, a user can access the programs and files on the computer, as well as programs and files located on the network (depending on account restrictions determined by the network administrator). |
user account |
A collection of information that tells Windows which user rights and access permissions a person has on a computer. The user account records the user name, password, and a unique number that identifies that account. |
volume |
A storage area on a hard drive, flash drive, or other media that is formatted with a file system. Volumes can be identified by drive letters, or other conventions specific to a given operating system. A single hard drive can have multiple volumes. Some volumes can span multiple hard drives. |
Window Home Server password |
The password used to access the Windows Home Server Console, to install the Windows Home Server Connector software on your home computers, to restore home computers, and to open backups. |