CNIT 340: UNIX ADMINISTRATION - LECTURE 10: X-WINDOWS

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to the X-Windows system, its architecture, features, and administration.

X Windows System

The standard graphical engine for Unix and Linux, also known as X or X11.

Client-Server Model

An architecture where X-Clients communicate with X-Server through the X Protocol.

X-Client

The GUI applications that send graphical requests and receive user input.

X-Server

Software that presents the output of an application to the display.

Wayland

A new version of X Windows designed to replace X.org.

Xlib

A library that provides functions for connecting to a display server.

Window Manager

A program that controls the placement and appearance of application windows.

Application Toolkit

A set of user interface features such as menus or command buttons.

Display Manager

Authenticates users, logs them in, and starts the initial environment.

X Protocol

The protocol used to separate processing and display in X Windows.

Network Transparent

The ability to run an application on a remote machine and display it locally.

Policy Free

X11 has no policy regarding the appearance of applications.

Host

The computer which can be an X Server, a X client, or both.

Display

A combination of keyboard and monitor; each server has at least one display.

Screen

A virtual desktop; each display may have multiple screens.

Cookie Authentication

A method where a random number generated by the X display manager allows connections.

SSH Tunneling

A method to secure X applications over SSH by allowing X to pass through firewalls.

DISPLAY environment variable

Used to specify where to display output in X applications.

xhost command

Used for managing which remote hosts are allowed to connect to the X server.

xauth command

Used for viewing and adding cookies for client authentication.

.Xresources file

A file that sets user-level customization for the look and feel of X.

.xinitrc file

A script that launches windows at login time.

XFree86

A version of the X Windows system, now succeeded by xorg.

xterm

A terminal emulator for the X Window System.

Display Server

A program that runs on systems that support a display.

Magic Cookie

A large random number used in authentication between X clients and the server.

Security Protocols

Standards applied to enhance the protection of X Windows traffic.

Remote Desktop

Unlike X Windows, which operates per application, it generally handles entire desktops.

Backend Applications

Applications that run in the background during a user's session.

Startup Scripts

Scripts that initialize the environment and applications at login.

Failsafe Login

An option to troubleshoot broken startup scripts in X.

Keyboard and Mouse Functions

Controls required for user interaction in the X environment.

Virtual Desktops

Separate workspaces managed by the window manager in X.

Graphical Requests

Requests sent by X-Clients for drawing on the display.

Linux Implementation

Many distributions use X11 combined with GNU and Linux.

User Session Scripts

Shell scripts that set up the user environment upon login.

Per Application Basis

Running applications on specific displays rather than the entire desktop.

xinit

A command used to start the X Window System.

Software Independent

X Windows can operate across various operating systems like GNU, BSD, and Solaris.

Command Line Flag

A parameter for applications in X to specify display settings.

Troubleshooting Guide

A set of instructions to resolve common issues in X Windows.

Version Control

The practice of maintaining previous versions of the X system.

Screen Number

Indicates specific screens used within a display in X Windows.

Authentication Method

The process used to verify credentials before granting access to the X server.