N

navigate

To open disks and folders until you have opened the one that contains the item you need; to go from one Web page to another.

NetInfo

The native directory service for Mac OS X. A NetInfo database/directory is referred to as a domain. The NetInfo database is hierarchical and contains both information on local and network users in addition to group authentication information.

network

A collection of interconnected, individually controlled computers, printers, and other devices together with the hardware, software, and protocols used to connect them. A network lets connected devices exchange messages and information.

network administrator

Someone who sets up and/or maintains a centralized file server and other network services.

networking protocol

See protocol

network interface card (NIC)

An internal adapter card that provides a network port.

network location

A specific arrangement of all the various Network Preferences settings that can be put into effect all at once (for example, by choosing from the Location submenu of the Apple menu).

network time servers

Computers on a network or the Internet that provide the current time of day.

Newsgroup

A subject on the Internet’s Usenet. It is a collection of people and messages pertaining to that particular subject.

NFS (Network File System)

The Unix equivalent of personal file sharing. NFS allows users to view and store files on a remote computer.

nonblocking alert

An alert from a background Classic application that appears in a floating window so that the current application’s activities are not halted.