N

Name Service Cache Daemon (NSCD)

The Solaris service that caches information found in the name service switch file, nsswitch.conf.

name service switch file

The local /etc/nsswitch.conf file, which contains information on which naming services the computer is to use.

namespace

The collection of computers served by a domain server, such as a NIS, NIS+, DNS, or LDAP server.

network client

A computer on the network that retrieves its networking configuration information from a network configuration server.

network configuration server

A computer on the network that provides networking configuration information, such as an IP address, to network clients.

Network File System (NFS)

A distributed (network-based) file system that enables you to share files and directories from one computer and to access those resources from any other computer on the network.

Network Information Service (NIS)

One of the early naming services developed for use with Solaris. NIS uses a flat naming structure.

Network Information Service Plus (NIS+)

A naming service, designed for use with Solaris, that uses a hierarchical naming structure.

network interface card (NIC)

Also called a network adapter, it's a hardware device in the computer that enables the computer to participate in a networked environment.

nice number

A number that modifies the default priority of a process. By using a nice number, you can grant certain processes more or less processor time than they would normally get. If your process concedes processor time, it's said to be a "nice process."

NIS domain

The logical grouping of computers configured to use a particular NIS server.

NIS maps

The files in which naming service information is stored on a NIS server.

NIS+ tables

The files in which naming service information is stored on a NIS+ server.

Non-Volatile Random Access Memory (NVRAM)

A portion of the OpenBoot PROM that contains built-in hardware diagnostics, device information, device aliases, the host ID, Ethernet address, and system Time of Day (TOD) clock.

Non-Volatile Random Access Memory Run Control (NVRAMRC)

A portion of NVRAM that is capable of permanently storing device alias information.