Term or Abbreviation

Definition

ActiveX

ActiveX is a technology suite developed by Microsoft. An ActiveX control is a software component that can automatically be downloaded, installed, and executed by the Microsoft Internet Explorer web browser*.

* As Netscape does not currently support ActiveX controls, the use of Microsoft Internet Explorer on the VIC is recommended.

Authentication

Authentication occurs when the user of a VIC requests access to an application within a realm comprised of one or more standard VTS applications. The user must enter a valid username and password as configured within the running VTS application belonging to the specified realm in order to gain access to it.

Authentication credentials (username and password) should be kept secure. Anyone on the public network with your authentication credentials will be able to access the applications permitted by those credentials on a VTS/IS, unless additional security provisions are made (e.g. using a Virtual Private Network (VPN). SSL will securely conceal your authentication credentials on all interposing networks, preventing the discovery of your credentials by monitoring network traffic.

Realm

A realm is a set of one or more VTS applications that is available to VIC users who are able to provide credentials when requested by the server. Realms are contained within a database file that identifies the VTS applications comprising it. In order to access the VTS applications in a realm, the user must have a valid username and password configured for each application under the VTS Security Manager.

You may configure multiple realms, and the same VTS applications may belong to more than one realm.

Redundant Operation

Redundant Operation means that the servers in a remote application can be configured such that, should a VIC's connection to the main server be lost, it will automatically be connected to the next designated VTS/IS.

SSL

"SSL" is the acronym for the Secure Sockets Layer security protocol. SSL enables you to securely transmit private data over a public network, such as the Internet, by creating a secure connection between a client and a server. SSL utilizes an asymmetric private/public key pair to secure data that is transferred over the SSL connection. To use SSL, you must purchase and install an SSL certificate on the VTS server. SSL certificates are formally defined by the X.509 standard RFC 2459. The use of SSL protects not only your data from prying eyes or modification, but very importantly also secures your Authentication credentials.

URL

Uniform Resource Locator. This is a generic term used to describe the "address" of a resource, and is formally defined by RFC 2396. Simply stated, a URL is the string that you type into the "Address" field of your web browser to identify a protocol, host, domain, and resource upon the host that you wish to access (e.g. a HTML page).

VIC

VTS Internet Client: A client PC that has downloaded the ActiveX control from a VTS/IS. VICs do not require an installation of the VTS software.

VTS/IS

VTS Internet Server: A PC licensed for one or more VIC connections and upon which VTS is installed. A VTS/IS enables client PCs to monitor its VTS applications.