K

 

K: A suffix meaning "about 1000", derived from the Greek kilo.

K56Flex: 56K modem technology from Lucent and Rockwell. See also V.90 and x2.

Kbps: A speed rating for computer modems that measures (in units of 1,024 bits) the maximum number of bits the device can transfer in one second under ideal conditions.

Kermit: A widely used asynchronous protocol.

Kernel: The level of an operating system or networking system that contains the system-level commands or all of the functions hidden from the user. This program is always running while the system is operating.

Key: In encryption, a key is a sequence of characters used to encode and decode a file. You can enter a key in two formats: alphanumeric and condensed (hexadecimal). In the network access security market, "key" often refers to the "token," or authentication tool, a device utilized to send and receive challenges and responses during the user authentication process. Keys may be small, hand-held hardware devices similar to pocket calculators or credit cards, or they may be loaded onto a PC as copy-protected, software. See also Secret Key Cryptography and Public Key Cryptography.

Key card: A card with a code written on a magnetic strip, and used primarily for access to locked doors or, increasingly, to computer systems.

Kilobyte (KB): Represents 1024 bytes.

Kilowatt (kW): One thousand watts.  [DOE Glossary of Electricity Terms]

Kilowatthour (kWh): One thousand watt-hours.  [DOE Glossary of Electricity Terms]

Knowbot: Knowledge robots designed to search files on the Internet "a robotic librarian." It is a registered trademark of the Corporation for National Research Initiatives.