Service Management for Dummies®

Glossary

access control:

Determining who or what can go where, when, and how.

ACID:

An acronym for atomicity, consistency, isolation, and durability, which are the main requirements for proper transaction processing.

API (application programming interface):

A collection of subroutine calls that allow computer programs to use a software system.

architecture:

In information processing, the design approach taken in developing a program or system.

archiving:

The process by which database or file data that is seldom used or is outdated, but is required for historical or audit reasons, is copied to a cheaper form of storage. The storage medium may be online, tape, or optical disc.

asset management:

Software that allows organizations to record all information about their hardware and software. Most such applications capture cost information, license information, and so on. Such information belongs in the configuration management database. See also CMDB.

audit:

A check on the effectiveness of a task or set of tasks, and how the tasks are managed and documented.

audit trail:

A trace of a sequence of events in a clerical or computer system. This audit usually identifies the creation or modification of any element in the system, who did it, and (possibly) why it was done.

authentication:

The process by which the identity of a person or computer process is verified.

backup:

A utility that copies databases, files, or subsets of databases and files to a storage medium. This copy can be used to restore the data ...