The letter I: A Glossary of Windows Terms

ICMP - Internet Control Message Protocol. A set of rules created for messaging and for producing error reports when those messages are not delivered properly. This protocol is used between a domain server and a gateway to the Internet.

Icon - A small picture often used on a computer desktop or Web site that activates a link, starts a program, or opens a file when it is clicked on.

IMAP - Internet Message Access Protocol. IMAP is the main protocol used by email clients when they communicate with email servers on a network. Quickly replacing POP as the most popular, this email client program can obtain email and control messages stored on the server without having to actually retrieve those messages.

Infrared - A light that can transmit a line-of-sight signal to electronic devices. A common use for infrared is to send a signal from a TV remote control to the remote control device on the television or cable box.

Interface – In computer terms, an interface is what allows you to click something on the computer screen and command the computer to do something. An interface can be the desktop, an application, or even an icon.

Internal Modem - A modem that is installed on the motherboard. In contrast, an external modem is a modem that sits outside the computer case, like a DSL or Cable Modem.

Internet – A large, world-wide network that employs many smaller networks to allow all the computers to exchange information with one another. The Internet used TCP/IP as its protocol for sending and receiving data among computers and other resources.

Intranet - A private network used to connect computers and resources in a limited area, such as a company or campus.

IP address (Internet protocol address)- A 32-bit logical address assigned to every resource on a network. IP addresses must be unique on the network to communicate on it, as IP addresses are used (in conjunction with other criteria) to define each resource.

IPX/SPX (Internetwork packet exchange/sequenced packet exchange) – A networking protocol used by the Novell NetWare operating systems.

ISP - Internet Service Provider. A company that provides access to the Internet for a monthly fee.

This post is part of the series: Windows Glossary

Learn the definitions for the terms used in the Bright Hub Windows Channel. This series starts with the letter “A” and runs all the way to “Z”.

1. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “A”
2. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “B”
3. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “C”
4. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “D”
5. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “E”
6. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “F”
7. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “G”
8. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “H”
9. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “I”
10. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “J” and “K”
11. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “L”
12. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “M”
13. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “N”
14. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “O”
15. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “P”
16. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “Q”
17. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “R”
18. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “S”
19. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “U and V”
20. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “W”
21. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “X”, “Y”, and “Z”