# Acronyms and definitions

Here is a list of numerous acronyms used throughout this document.

AWS-specific acronyms and terminology have a [separate topic](aws-terminology).

## CA

**Certificate Authority** : the top-most entity of a _Public Key Infrastructure_ (**see PKI**)

## CoC

**Call of Cthulhu** : a well known RPG

## D\&D

**Dungeons & Dragons** : the most famous tabletop RPG

## DHCP

**Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol** : a protocol used to automatically distribute networking parameters to devices on a network, including an IP address.

The usual basic parameters managed by DHCP servers are : IP address, network mask, default router/gateway IP, and the IP(s) of DNS server(s)

## DM

Depending on context :

* **Dungeon Master** = the GM in a D\&D game.
* **Direct Message** (also called **PM**=Private Message) on forums and on-line chat platforms

## DDNS

**Dynamic DNS** : a service offer where you can manage one or more DNS names (FQDNs) that are reserved for you : you can make them point to the public IP of your choice, and they are usuall updatable atomatically through an API or a utility pogram.  Many models of "Internet routers" support auto-updating DDNS services.

## DNS

**Domain Name System** : the way machines are named in the Internet

See also : **FQDN**

## FG

**Fantasy Grounds** :grin: - Soon to be called **FG "Classic"** when **FG "Unity"** is released.

## FGC

Depending on context :

* **Fantasy Grounds College** : a fantastic group of FG fans (GMs and players) providing voluntary help and training about FG (see the [More Help](https://zeferby.gitbook.io/transparent-openvpn-for-fantasy-grounds/#fantasy-grounds-college) topic)
* **Fantasy Grounds "Classic"** : the current major version of FG (v3.x)

## FGU

**Fantasy Grounds "Unity"** : the next major version of FG planned to be released at the end of 2019. See the **very** successful launch of the FGU KickStarter project at [https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/smiteworks/fantasy-grounds-unity](https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/smiteworks/fantasy-grounds-unity)

## FQDN

**Fully Qualified Domain Name** : a complete DNS name, where no part has been omitted.\
When browsing the Internet (as opposed to private intranets), you always use FQDNs.

## Gateway

See **Router**

## GM

**Game Master** (usually called **DM** for D\&D).

## **IaaS / PaaS / SaaS**

**3 types of cloud hosting services :**

**Infrastructure as a Service** : a cloud offer where customers can create virtual environments "from the ground up" and have full control of the networks and servers

**Platform as a Service** : a cloud offer where customers get access to pre-installed core software installations on servers that they can customize up to a point

**Software as a Service** : a coud offer where customers subscribe to a specific software usage without managing servers and generally without installing software on individual computers

## IP

**Internet Protocol**.

## IP Stack

The **most widely used communication protocols, based on IP** at the "network" level (OSI layer 3) : IP, ICMP, TCP, UDP, HTTP, SMTP, etc...

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Fantasy Grounds "Classic"** uses **IPv4** and specifically **TCP port 1802**
{% endhint %}

## **ISP**

**Internet Service Provider**

## IT

**Information Technology** : everything "computer-related"...

## LAN

**Local Area Network** : local network where every device is connected on a shared physical cabling system like Ethernet with a central hub or switch device (the wireless variant is a **WLAN**).  LAN is now used as a generic term both for "physical" LAN and WLAN.

_**A device connected to a LAN should have a "Private IP" address**_

Your "home" network is a LAN (and most likely a WLAN).

## NAT/PAT

**Network Address Translation/Port-Address Translation**.  The main technique used in gateways/routers to share a single "public IP" address for all the devices/"private IP" addresses on a (W)LAN

## OS

**Operating System** : A version or distribution of Windows / MacOS / Linux

## **PaaS**

**See : IaaS / PaaS / SaaS**

## PKI

**Public Key Infrastructure** : From [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public\_key\_infrastructure](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_key_infrastructure)

> &#x20;_A **public key infrastructure** (**PKI**) is a set of roles, policies, and procedures needed to create, manage, distribute, use, store & revoke_ [_digital certificates_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_certificates) _and manage public-key encryption._

## PF

**PathFinder** : a well known RPG

## **PM**

**Private Message** on forums and on-line chat platforms (also call **DM**=Direct Message)

## Router

**Router (or Gateway)** : a network device used to link remote networks : your Internet access "box" is also a router.

## RPG

**Role-Playing Game** :grin:&#x20;

## **SaaS**

**See : IaaS / PaaS / SaaS**

## SF

**StarFinder** : a well known RPG

## &#x20;**SSH**

**Secure Shell** : Cryptographic protocol mainly used to open a command line terminal on a remote server in an encrypted channel.

## SSL/TLS

**Secure Sockets Layer/Transport Layer Security** :  cryptographic protocols providing communications security.&#x20;

## SW

**Savage Worlds** : a well known RPG

## TLS

**See SSL/TLS**

## VLAN

**Virtual LAN**

## VPN

**Virtual Private Network**

## **VTT**

**Virtual TableTop software : Fantasy Grounds is the best !** :grin:&#x20;

## WAN

**Wide Area Network :** any kind of remote connection linking different LANs or devices, usually through routing devices.  **The Internet is a public WAN.**

## WLAN

**Wireless LAN = Wireless Local Area Network** : a LAN where every device is connected on a shared wireless domain (identified by its **SSID**) instead of using physical cables.  Your average "home" network is generally a WLAN.

