F

F-type connector

A coaxial cable connector that makes connections easier and faster by connecting with one simple push.

Fast User-Switching

A new feature in Windows XP that allows more than one user to log onto a computer at the same time. This enables a user to let another user log on to his computer without having to close all of his applications first. This feature is only available if the computer is not joined to a domain.

fault tolerance

The ability to lose a network component without losing data or functionality in the network.

fdisk tool

An MS-DOS—based tool that you can use to view partition information about a disk, partition the disk, and delete partitions from the disk.

Fiber Distributed Digital Interface (FDDI)

A set of protocols that use a dualring topology and a token-passing technology to send data over a fiber-optic cable. FDDI is most commonly used for metropolitan area networks (MANs).

File and Print Services for NetWare (FPNW)

A service that can be installed on Novell clients to allow them to access resources on a Microsoft server provided that they have been given the required permissions.

File and Settings Transfer Wizard

A GUI-based tool included with Windows XP that can be used to transfer files and settings on computers that are not members of a domain.

File Signature Verification tool

A GUI-based tool in Windows XP and Windows 2000 Professional that assists you in determining which drivers in your computer are signed.

file system

A set of rules or standards that determine how data is stored and accessed on a partition. Examples of file systems include FAT, FAT32, and NTFS.

File Transfer Protocol (FTP)

A protocol that is part of the TCP/IP protocol suite. FTP provides for the guaranteed transfer of files with acknowledgments through a network environment. It can be used on an intranet as well as on the Internet.

firewall

A system with special security configurations used to protect the company network from untrusted networks such as the Internet. A firewall is used to filter out undesirable network traffic.

fixed storage device

A common term used to describe a hard drive that is permanently mounted in a computer (although hard drives can be removed easily from most of today's computers).

flapping connection

A network connection that is not steady or solid and requires repair.

flash

The process of updating the BIOS of a computer. This was at one time performed with light, but now it is done electronically.

flat-panel monitor

A display device that consists of a liquid crystal display (LCD) or plasma gas display. The display has many levels, which are used to produce all needed colors. Flat-panel displays are not as bulky as CRT's and they do not produce heat.

format

The process of applying a file system to a partition on a disk. The file system will be used to control how data will be stored and accessed.

format tool

An MS-DOS—based tool that can be used to place a FAT or FAT32 file system on a partition.

forward lookup queries

DNS queries that are used to resolve a hostname to an IP address.

forwarding

The process of a DNS server referring a query to another DNS server.

full backup

A normal backup that includes all files and folder that are designated by the administrator.