Essential RPC Binding Terminology

To better aid in a discussion of the client/server connection process, it is helpful to know the following terms.

Parameters

Protocol Sequence

When network operating systems communicate with each other, they must listen and speak the same language. These languages are called protocol sequences. Client and server programs must use protocol sequences that the network connecting them supports. Microsoft RPC supports a variety of protocol sequences. For details, see Selecting a Protocol Sequence, Specifying Protocol Sequences, and endpoint.

Server Host Computer or Server Host System

The server program runs on the server host computer. However, much literature on client/server computing refers to both the server program and the server host computer as the "server." The result is that it is not always clear which is being discussed.

Endpoint

Server programs listen to a port or a group of ports on the server host computer for client requests. Server host systems maintain a database of these ports, which are called endpoints in RPC. The database is called the endpoint map.

Binding

Client programs create a binding to the server to establish a communication session. A binding contains all of the information the client applications needs to create the session.