In the world of core network infrastructure there’s more jargon than you can shake a dictionary at.
It’s easy to get confused by all those buzzwords and acronyms. (Even we struggle sometimes — and we do this for a living.)
That’s why we’ve written this glossary: to provide simple definitions of every DDI-related term we can think of. (Including ‘DDI’.)
We’ve also included links where appropriate to content on our website which will help you learn more if you want to.
A DNS record that maps domain names to IPv4 addresses.
A DNS record that maps domain names to IPv6 addresses.
ACI (Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure)
Cisco’s software-defined networking (SDN) solution for data center and cloud networks.
ACL (Access Control List)
A Microsoft directory service for Windows domain networks that is included in most Windows Server operating systems as a set of processes and services.
BAM (BlueCat Address Manager)
BDDS (BlueCat DNS, DHCP Server)
BGP (Border Gateway Protocol)
Widely-used software that allows you to publish your DNS information on the internet, and to resolve DNS queries for your users.
Caching DNS server
CIDR (Classless Inter-Domain Routing)
Crossover high availability (xHA)
Aims to ensure a certain level of operational performance or uptime for a system.
DDI (DNS, DHCP, and IPAM)
The integration of DNS, DHCP, and IPAM into one management solution.
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)
The standard mechanism to dynamically assign IP addresses within a network.
DHS Root Server
A name server that directly answers requests for records in the root zone and answers other requests by returning a list of authoritative name servers for the appropriate top-level domain.
DMZ (Demilitarized zone)
DNA Center (Cisco DNA Center)
Uses intent-based networking to simplify network management.
DNS – Domain Name System
A hierarchical naming system that enables communication across devices in a network.
IP addresses of your domain’s DNS servers are changed to IP addresses of attacker-controlled servers.
DNS query / DNS request
Tells servers precisely how to respond to a DNS query.
DNS root server
DNS server / DNS name server
A DNS server that gives out a false result for a domain name.
DNS stub resolver
Exploits the DNS protocol to tunnel malware and other data through a client-server model.
DNSSEC (Domain Name Service Security Extension)
A mechanism that uses cryptography to provide authentication and integrity for DNS queries.
Dynamic IP Address
Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (EIGRP)
The unauthorized transfer of data from a computer; DNS tunneling is a common menthod of DNS-based exfiltration.
Forwarding DNS Server
Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN)
GUID (Globally Unique Identifier)
High Availability (HA)
It aims to ensure a certain level of operational performance or uptime for a system.
A model to leverage automation and software-defined networking in day-to-day management and operations.
Internet Protocol Address (IP Address)
Internet Protocol Host (IP Host)
IPAM (IP address management)
A method for planning, tracking, and managing IP address space on a network.
IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4)
The fourth version of Internet Protocol that uses 32-bit addresses to route most of today’s internet traffic; the global supply of IPv4 addresses is exhausted.
IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6)
The most recent version of Internet Protocol, which uses 128-bit address space; there are 340 undecillion IPv6 addresses.
Iterative (or non-recursive) query
Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP)
A DNS record that provides the domain names of mail servers that receive emails on behalf of a domain.
NAT (network address translation)
Non-recursive (or iterative) query
A DNS record that provides a list of the authoritative name servers responsible for the domain.
NSD (name server daemon)
NTP (network time protocol)
DNS response code indicating the DNS query failed because the domain name queried does not exist.
Open Shortest Path First (OSPF)
A DNS record that resolves IPv4 or IPv6 addresses to domain names.
Recursive DNS server
Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS)
Reverse DNS lookup
RFC 1918 networks
Rogue DNS Server
Routing Information Protocol
Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)
Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP)
A DNS record type that provides important details about a DNS zone; required for every DNS zone.
SSL (secure sockets layer)
Static IP address
Time to Live (TTL)
Top-level domain (TLD)
The last part of the domain name; in the domain name www.example.com, the top-level domain is com.
Transaction Signature (TSIG)
Transport layer security (TLS)
A DNS record that provides any type of descriptive information in text format.
User Datagram Protocol (UDP)
Virtual IP Address (VIP)
Virtual Realization (vRealize) Automation (vRO)
Virtual Sphere (vSphere)
XHA (See Crossover High Availability)
BlueCat’s acronym; aims to ensure a certain level of operational performance or uptime for a system.