A diagnostic tool in the TCP/IP protocol suite that uses an echo command to determine whether another computer with an IP address is reachable.
paging
The act of copying pages from a storage device, such as a hard drive, to main memory. This technique helps to ensure that data is quickly accessible.
paging file
Virtual memory stored on disk that enables Windows XP to run more applications at one time than would be allowed by the computer's physical memory (RAM).
partition
A configured section of a basic disk that is capable of being formatted with a file system and identified with a drive letter.
Performance Console
A Microsoft Management Console (MMC) application that contains several tools for monitoring your computer's performance.
performance counter
A statistical measurement associated with a performance object such as %disk time, queue length, and so on.
Performance Logs and Alerts
A utility that tracks computer performance and alerts administrators to potential bottlenecks.
performance object
Hardware or software components that the Performance Console can use for tracking performance data.
Platform for Privacy Preferences (P3P)
A standard for web privacy whereby elements in a website describe the site's privacy policy.
Plug and Play (PnP)
A standard developed by Microsoft and Intel that allows for automatic hardware installation detection and configuration in Windows operating systems. Available in Windows 95 and more recent versions.
Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP)
A dial-up protocol that supports TCP/IP and IPX/SPX and others with advanced compression and encryption functions. Serial Line Internet Protocol (SLIP) is an older dial-up protocol originally created for Unix and that supports only TCP/IP.
Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP)
A protocol that is used to create VPN tunnels across a public network and includes encryption and authentication.
port
A location used to pass data to and from a computing device, such as an adapter card connecting a server to a network, a serial 232 port, a TCP/IP port, or a printer port.
power schemes
A series of preconfigured power management options that control actions such as shutting off the monitor or hard disks, or placing the computer in standby or hibernation.
Preboot Execution Environment (PXE)
A bootable ROM chip contained on compatible network interface cards (NICs) that enables client computers without an operating system to boot and connect to the network for locating a RIS server.
primary partition
A segment of the hard disk. A maximum of four primary partitions may exist on a single disk.
print device
The hardware device that produces the printed output.
print queue
The series of documents that have been scheduled to print to a specific printer.
print server
Any computer on which printers have been configured. Windows XP Professional is a very capable print server.
printer
The software interface between the operating system and the print device that determines various aspects of the printing process.
printer pool
A set of two or more identical print devices associated with a single printer.
printer priority
A number from 1 to 99 that determines which document is printed first. Printers with a higher priority print their documents first.
private key
A digital code that is kept confidential and is used along with the public key to secure data.
privilege
See right.
product activation
A process of verifying computer information to Microsoft after installation of Windows XP, designed to combat software piracy. Required on all Windows operating systems from XP onward, as well as certain other Microsoft software such as Microsoft Office XP.
Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)
A security architecture that provides authentication and encryption services. PKI provides a public key and a private key to users, and the combination authenticates the user.
public key
A digital code available to everyone that is used along with a private key to secure data.
