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Glossary Terms: M

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Multi-Agent System (MAS)

AI/MCP Concepts
A Multi-Agent System (MAS) is a coordinated network of autonomous AI agents that communicate and collaborate to accomplish shared goals. Each agent operates independently, perceiving its environment, making decisions, and taking actions, but the system as a whole behaves collectively, distributing intelligence across agents rather than centralizing it in one model.

Machine Credentials

Identity types
Machine credentials are digital secrets, such as API keys, access tokens, SSH keys, or certificates, that allow software-based entities (like applications, workloads, and agents) to authenticate and access other systems autonomously. They serve as the identity proof for machines communicating within and across networks.

MCP Server

AI/MCP Concepts
An MCP Server is the central service in the Model Context Protocol (MCP) ecosystem that exposes tools, data sources, or APIs to authorized MCP Clients. It acts as the authoritative endpoint responsible for managing capabilities, handling authentication, and responding to agent or model requests in a standardized, interoperable format.

MCP Host

AI/MCP Concepts
An MCP Host is the environment or runtime that runs a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server and provides tools, data, or services that AI agents and models can access through standardized interfaces. It acts as the provider side in the MCP ecosystem, exposing actions, endpoints, and contextual data to authorized MCP clients.

MCP Client

AI/MCP Concepts
An MCP Client is the software component or AI agent that connects to a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server to request tools, data, or context. It serves as the initiator in an MCP workflow, sending structured requests, receiving context, and invoking actions defined by MCP-compatible tools.

Model Context Protocol (MCP)

AI/MCP Concepts
The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open standard that enables large language models (LLMs) and AI agents to securely connect with external tools, APIs, and data sources through a common communication framework. MCP standardizes how models exchange context, invoke tools, and handle permissions, creating a foundation for safe, extensible agent ecosystems.

Machine Learning (ML)

AI/MCP Concepts
Machine Learning (ML) is a subset of artificial intelligence (AI) that enables systems to automatically learn from data and improve their performance over time without being explicitly programmed. ML models identify patterns, make predictions, and support decision-making across a wide range of business and technical applications.

Machine Learning Identity

Identity types
An identity associated with a machine learning model or algorithm, used to authenticate and authorize access to data, resources, or computational resources. Machine learning identities enable secure and controlled access to sensitive information and computational resources.

Machine-to-Machine (M2M) Communication

IAM concepts
Communication between non-human entities, such as machines, devices, or applications, without direct human intervention. M2M communication often relies on secure authentication and authorization mechanisms to ensure data privacy and integrity.

Master Password

Identity types
A single, strong password used to encrypt and unlock the contents of a password manager or vault. The master password is typically the primary means of authentication and access control for the password manager, so it should be complex and carefully guarded.