Glossary of Terms

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R

RCP (Remote copy Protocol) - A UNIX command that lets you copy files from one computer to another. Like FTP, only different.

Real Audio - The provider offers RealServer streams, which allow you to broadcast audio and video from your web site. Visitors to your site can view the audio and video with a simple browser plug-in. For more information refer to Progressive Networks at http://www.real.com.

Real-Time Processing - The verification and processing of credit card transactions immediately following purchase. Real-time verification on the Web usually takes less than thirty seconds. Real time verification is especially important for web sites that sell products and services that consumers expect immediately, such as memberships to the site or software downloads.

Recurring Fees - Regular, usually monthly, charges for maintaining a merchant account. Recurring fees include the discount rate, transaction fees, statement fee, and monthly minimum.

Redundant Internet Connections - This web hosting company has at least two backbone connections to the Internet. In case one goes down for any reason, the other backbone connection should ensure Internet connectivity.

Reserve Account - See Holdback.

RFC - (Request For Comments) The name of the result and the process for creating a standard on the Internet. New standards are proposed and published on line, as a Request For Comments. The Internet Engineering Task Force is a consensus-building body that facilitates discussion, and eventually a new standard is established, but the reference number/name for the standard retains the acronym RFC, e.g. the official standard for e-mail is RFC 822.

Robot - A software application that automatically finds and retrieves information from the Web. Also called a "spider" or "crawler."

Router - connects two or more networks, including networks that use different types of cables and different communication speeds. The networks all have to use IP (the Internet Protocol), though. If they don't, you need a gateway.

RSA Encryption - Is based on a public key system, which means that every user has 2 digital keys - one to encrypt information, and the other to decrypt. Authentication of both sender and recipient is provided with this method.