The following list defines or identifies technical terms, abbreviations, and acronyms used in your system documents.
adapter card
An expansion card that plugs into an expansion-card connector on the system's system board. An adapter card adds some specialized function to the system by providing an interface between the expansion bus and a peripheral device. Examples of adapter cards include network cards, sound cards, and SCSI adapters.
ANSI
Abbreviation for American National Standards Institute.
API
Abbreviation for application program interface, which is a set of routines, protocols, and tools for building software applications that act as an interface between the operating system and application programs.
Argument
The value supplied with an option, such as in the following command line instance:
utilname --option=argument
ARP
Acronym for Address Resolution Protocol, which is a method for finding a host's Ethernet address from its Internet address.
ASCII
Acronym for American Standard Code for Information Interchange. A text file containing only characters from the ASCII character set (usually created with a text editor, such as Notepad in Microsoft® Windows®), is called an ASCII file.
asset tag code
An individual code assigned to a system, usually by a system administrator, for security or tracking purposes.
autoexec.bat file
The autoexec.bat file is executed when you boot your system (after executing any commands in the config.sys file). This start-up file contains commands that define the characteristics of each device connected to your system, and it finds and executes programs stored in locations other than the active directory.
backup
A copy of a program or data file. As a precaution, you should back up your system's hard drive on a regular basis. Before making a change to the configuration of your system, you should back up important start-up files from your operating system.
baud rate
A measurement of data transmission speed. For example, modems are designed to transmit data at one or more specified baud rate(s) through the COM (serial) port of a system.
binary
A base-2 numbering system that uses 0 and 1 to represent information. The system performs operations based on the ordering and calculation of these numbers.
BIOS
Acronym for basic input/output system. Your system's BIOS contains programs stored on a flash memory chip. The BIOS controls the following:
Communications between the microprocessor and peripheral devices, such as the keyboard and the video adapter
Miscellaneous functions, such as system messages
bit
The smallest unit of information interpreted by your system.
BMC
Abbreviation for baseboard management controller, which is a controller that provides the intelligence in the IPMI structure.
boot routine
When you start your system, it clears all memory, initializes devices, and loads the operating system. Unless the operating system fails to respond, you can reboot (also called warm boot) your system by pressing <Ctrl><Alt><Del>; otherwise, you must perform a cold boot by pressing the reset button or by turning the system off and then back on.
bootable diskette
You can start your system from a diskette. To make a bootable diskette on a system running Windows, insert a diskette in the diskette drive, type sys a: at the command line prompt, and press <Enter>. Use this bootable diskette if your system will not boot from the hard drive.
bus
An information pathway between the components of a system. Your system contains an expansion bus that allows the microprocessor to communicate with controllers for all the various peripheral devices connected to the system. Your system also contains an address bus and a data bus for communications between the microprocessor and RAM.
byte
Eight contiguous bits of information, the basic data unit used by your system.
cache
A fast storage area that keeps a copy of data or instructions for quicker data retrieval. For example, your system's BIOS may cache ROM code in faster RAM. Or, a disk-cache utility may reserve RAM in which to store frequently accessed information from your system's disk drives; when a program makes a request to a disk drive for data that is in the cache, the disk-cache utility can retrieve the data from RAM faster than from the disk drive.
CD-ROM
Abbreviation for compact disc read-only memory. CD drives use optical technology to read data from CDs. CDs are read-only storage devices; you cannot write new data to a CD with standard CD drives.
CHAP
Acronym for Challenge-Handshake Authentication Protocol, an authentication scheme used by PPP servers to validate the identity of the originator of the connection upon connection or any time later.
CLI
Abbreviation for command line interface.
Command
The combination of an option and argument or just an option if no argument is required, such as in the following command line instances:
utilname --option
utilname --option=argument
command line instance
A series of valid commands, options, and arguments typed in the command line. For example, the Deployment Toolkit utility name and all necessary options and arguments as they are entered through the OS shell:
A:>utilname --option --option=argument
COMn
The device names for the first through fourth serial ports on your system are COM1, COM2, COM3, and COM4. The default interrupt for COM1 and COM3 is IRQ4, and the default interrupt for COM2 and COM4 is IRQ3. Therefore, you must be careful when configuring software that runs a serial device so that you don't create an interrupt conflict.
config.sys file
The config.sys file is executed when you boot your system (before running any commands in the autoexec.bat file). This start-up file contains commands that specify which devices to install and which drivers to use. This file also contains commands that determine how the operating system uses memory and controls files.
console redirection
Console redirection is a function that directs a managed system's display screen, mouse functions, and keyboard functions to the corresponding devices on a management station. You may then use the management station's system console to control the managed system.
controller
A chip that controls the transfer of data between the microprocessor and memory or between the microprocessor and a peripheral device such as a disk drive or the keyboard.
control panel
The part of the system that contains indicators and controls, such as the power switch, hard drive access indicator, and power indicator.
conventional memory
The first 640 KB of RAM. Conventional memory is found in all systems. Unless they are specially designed, programs run from the Windows Command Prompt are limited to running in conventional memory.
CPU
Abbreviation for central processing unit. See also microprocessor.
device driver
A program that allows the operating system or some other program to interface correctly with a peripheral device, such as a printer. Some device drivers—such as network drivers—must be loaded from the config.sys file (with a device= statement) or as memory-resident programs (usually, from the autoexec.bat file). Others—such as video drivers—must load when you start the program for which they were designed.
DHCP
Abbreviation for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, a protocol that provides a means to dynamically allocate IP addresses to computers on a LAN.
DIMM
Acronym for dual in-line memory module. A small circuit board containing DRAM chips that connects to the system board.
directory
Directories help keep related files organized on a disk in a hierarchical, "inverted tree" structure. Each disk has a "root" directory; for example, a C:\> prompt normally indicates that you are at the root directory of hard drive C. Additional directories that branch off of the root directory are called subdirectories. Subdirectories may contain additional directories branching off of them.
DKS
Abbreviation for dynamic kernel support.
DTK
Abbreviation for Deployment ToolKit.
DMA
Abbreviation for direct memory access. A DMA channel allows certain types of data transfer between RAM and a device to bypass the microprocessor.
DRAC II
Acronym for Dell OpenManage™ Remote Assistant Card, version 2.
DRAC III
Acronym for Dell™ Remote Access Card III.
DRAC III/XT
Acronym for Dell Remote Access Card III/XT.
DRAC 4
Acronym for Dell Remote Access Card 4.
DRAC MC
Acronym for Dell Remote Access Card MC.
DRAM
Acronym for dynamic random-access memory. A system's RAM is usually made up entirely of DRAM chips. Because DRAM chips cannot store an electrical charge indefinitely, your system continually refreshes each DRAM chip in the system.
EEPROM
Acronym for electrically erasable programmable read-only memory.
EIDE
Abbreviation for enhanced integrated drive electronics. EIDE devices add one or more of the following enhancements to the traditional IDE standard:
Data transfer rates of up to 16 MB/sec
Support for drives other than just hard drives, such as CD and tape drives
Support for hard drives with capacities greater than 528 MB
Support for up to two controllers, each with up to two devices attached
EMS
Abbreviation for Expanded Memory Specification.
EPROM
Acronym for erasable programmable read-only memory.
ERA
Abbreviation for embedded remote access.
ERA/MC
Abbreviation for embedded remote access modular computer. See modular system.
ERA/O
Abbreviation for embedded remote access option.
ESM
Abbreviation for embedded systems management, which is a set of instruction coding in system software and firmware that notifies a user about potential hardware problems on a system.
expanded memory
A technique for accessing RAM above 1 MB. To enable expanded memory on your system, you must use an EMM. You should configure your system to support expanded memory only if you run application programs that can use (or require) expanded memory.
extended memory
RAM above 1 MB. Most software that can use it, such as the Windows operating system, requires that extended memory be under the control of an XMM.
external cache memory
A RAM cache using SRAM chips. Because SRAM chips operate at several times the speed of DRAM chips, the microprocessor can retrieve data and instructions faster from external cache memory than from RAM.
FEPROM
Acronym for flash erasable programmable read-only memory. Flash memory is a kind of nonvolatile storage device similar to EEPROM, but the erasing is done only in blocks or the entire chip.
firmware
Software (programs or data) that has been written onto read-only memory (ROM). Firmware can boot and operate a device. Each controller contains firmware which helps provide the controller's functionality.
flash bios
A BIOS that is stored in flash memory rather than in ROM. A flash BIOS chip can be updated in place, whereas a ROM BIOS must be replaced with a newer chip.
flash memory
A type of EEPROM chip that can be reprogrammed from a utility on diskette while still installed in a system; most EEPROM chips can only be rewritten with special programming equipment.
format
To prepare a hard drive or diskette for storing files. An unconditional format deletes all data stored on the disk.
FRU
Abbreviation for field replaceable unit, which identifies a module or component that will typically be replaced in its entirety as part of a field service repair operation.
function commands
Commands that specify an action to be performed.
GB
Abbreviation for gigabyte(s). A gigabyte equals 1024 megabytes or 1,073,741,824 bytes.
graphics mode
A video mode that can be defined as x horizontal by y vertical pixels by z colors.
GUI
Acronym for graphical user interface.
GUID
Abbreviation for Globally Unique Identifier, which is a random number used in software applications. Each generated GUID is supposed to be unique.
h
Abbreviation for hexadecimal. A base-16 numbering system, often used in programming to identify addresses in the system's RAM and I/O memory addresses for devices. The sequence of decimal numbers from 0 through 16, for example, is expressed in hexadecimal notation as: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, A, B, C, D, E, F, 10. In text, hexadecimal numbers are often followed by h.
HBA
Abbreviation for host bus adapter. A PCI adapter card that resides in the system whose only function is to convert data commands from PCI-bus format to storage interconnect format (examples: SCSI, Fibre Channel) and communicate directly with hard drives, tape drives, CD drives, or other storage devices.
HMA
Abbreviation for high memory area. The first 64 KB of extended memory above 1 MB. A memory manager that conforms to the XMS can make the HMA a direct extension of conventional memory. Also see XMM.
host adapter
A host adapter implements communication between the system's bus and the controller for a peripheral device. (hard drive controller subsystems include integrated host adapter circuitry.) To add a SCSI expansion bus to your system, you must install or connect the appropriate host adapter.
HTTP
Abbreviation for Hypertext Transfer Protocol. HTTP is the client-server TCP/IP protocol used on the World Wide Web for the exchange of HTML documents.
HTTPS
Abbreviation for HyperText Transmission Protocol, Secure. HTTPS is a variant of HTTP used by Web browsers for handling secure transactions. HTTPS is a unique protocol that is simply SSL underneath HTTP. You need to use "https://" for HTTP URLs with SSL, whereas you continue to use "http://" for HTTP URLs without SSL.
ID
Abbreviation for identifier, commonly used when referring to a user identifier (user ID), object identifier (object ID), or hardware identifier (controller ID).
IDE
Abbreviation for Integrated Drive Electronics. IDE is a computer system interface, used primarily for hard drives and CDs.
I/O
Abbreviation for input/output. The keyboard is an input device, and a printer is an output device. In general, I/O activity can be differentiated from computational activity. For example, when a program sends a document to the printer, it is engaging in output activity; when the program sorts a list of terms, it is engaging in computational activity.
IP address
Abbreviation for Internet Protocol address. See TCP/IP.
IPMI
Abbreviation for Intelligent Platform Management Interface, which is an industry standard for management of peripherals used in enterprise systems based on Intel® architecture. The key characteristic of IPMI is that inventory, monitoring, logging, and recovery control functions are available independent of the main processors, BIOS, and operating system.
IRQ
Abbreviation for interrupt request. A signal that data is about to be sent to or received by a peripheral device travels by an IRQ line to the microprocessor. Each peripheral connection must be assigned an IRQ number. For example, the first serial port in your system (COM1) is assigned to IRQ4 by default. Two devices can share the same IRQ assignment, but you cannot operate both devices simultaneously.
KB
Abbreviation for kilobyte(s), 1024 bytes.
key combination
A command requiring you to press multiple keys at the same time. For example, you can reboot your system by pressing the <Ctrl><Alt><Del> key combination.
LAN
Acronym for local area network. A LAN system is usually confined to the same building or a few nearby buildings, with all equipment linked by wiring dedicated specifically to the LAN.
local bus
On a system with local-bus expansion capability, certain peripheral devices (such as the video adapter circuitry) can be designed to run much faster than they would with a traditional expansion bus. Some local-bus designs allow peripherals to run at the same speed and with the same width data path as the system's microprocessor.
LPTn
The device names for the first through third parallel printer ports on your system are LPT1, LPT2, and LPT3.
LRA
Abbreviation for local response agent.
MB
Abbreviation for megabyte(s). The term megabyte means 1,048,576 bytes; however, when referring to hard drive storage, the term is often rounded to mean 1,000,000 bytes.
memory
A system can contain several different forms of memory, such as RAM, ROM, and video memory. Frequently, the word memory is used as a synonym for RAM; for example, an unqualified statement such as "a system with 16 MB of memory" refers to a system with 16 MB of RAM.
memory address
A specific location, usually expressed as a hexadecimal number, in the system's RAM.
memory manager
A utility that controls the implementation of memory in addition to conventional memory, such as extended or expanded memory.
memory module
A small circuit board containing DRAM chips that connects to the system board.
MHz
Abbreviation for megahertz.
microprocessor
The primary computational chip inside the system that controls the interpretation and execution of arithmetic and logic functions. Software written for one microprocessor must usually be revised to run on another microprocessor. CPU is a synonym for microprocessor.
modem
A device that allows your system to communicate with other systems over telephone lines.
modular system
A system that can include multiple server modules. Each server module functions as an individual system. To function as a system, a server module is inserted into a chassis which includes power supplies, fans, a system management module, and at least one network switch module. The power supplies, fans, system management module, and network switch module are shared resources of the server modules in the chassis. See server module.
NIC
Acronym for network interface controller.
NVRAM
Acronym for nonvolatile random-access memory. Memory that does not lose its contents when you turn off your system. NVRAM is used for maintaining the date, time, and system configuration information.
option
An argument to a command that modifies its function rather than providing data and is usually set off by a delimiter such as - or /. Some options may or must be followed by a value, for example:
utilname -option=argument
parameter
A value or option that you specify to a program. A parameter is sometimes called a switch or an argument.
partition
You can divide a hard drive into multiple physical sections called partitions with the fdisk command. Each partition can contain multiple logical drives. After partitioning the hard drive, you must format each logical drive with the format command.
PCI
Abbreviation for Peripheral Component Interconnect. The predominant 32-bit or 64-bit local-bus standard developed by Intel Corporation.
PCMCIA
Personal Computer Memory Card International Association. An international trade association that has developed standards for devices, such as modems and external hard drives, that can be plugged into portable computers.
PERC
Acronym for Expandable RAID controller.
peripheral device
An internal or external device—such as a printer, a disk drive, or a keyboard—connected to a system.
Plug and Play
An industry-standard specification that makes it easier to add hardware devices to personal computers. Plug and Play provides automatic installation and configuration, compatibility with existing hardware, and dynamic support of mobile computing environments.
POST
Acronym for power-on self-test. Before the operating system loads when you turn on your system, the POST tests various system components such as RAM, the disk drives, and the keyboard.
pre-operating system environment
A shell environment, such as DOS, used to configure system hardware before a major operating system, such as Microsoft Windows or Red Hat® Enterprise Linux, is installed.
program diskette set
The set of diskettes from which you can perform a complete installation of an operating system or application program. When you reconfigure a program, you often need its program diskette set.
PXE
Abbreviation for Pre-boot eXecution Environment.
RAC
Acronym for remote access controller.
RAID
Acronym for redundant array of independent drives.
RAM
Acronym for random-access memory. A system's primary temporary storage area for program instructions and data. Each location in RAM is identified by a number called a memory address. Any information stored in RAM is lost when you turn off your system.
RAM disk
A memory-resident program that emulates a hard drive.
read-only file
A read-only file is one that you are prohibited from editing or deleting. A file can have read-only status if:
Its read-only attribute is enabled.
It resides on a physically write-protected diskette or on a diskette in a write-protected drive.
It is located on a network in a directory to which the system administrator has assigned read-only rights to you.
readme file
A text file included with a software package or hardware product that contains information supplementing or updating the documentation for the software or hardware. Typically, readme files provide installation information, describe new product enhancements or corrections that have not yet been documented, and list known problems or other things you need to be aware of as you use the software or hardware.
ROM
Acronym for read-only memory. Your system contains some programs essential to its operation in ROM code. Unlike RAM, a ROM chip retains its contents even after you turn off your system. Examples of code in ROM include the program that initiates your system's boot routine and the POST.
RPM
Abbreviation for Red Hat Package Manager.
schema
A collection of class definitions that describes managed objects in a particular environment. A CIM schema is a collection of class definitions used to represent managed objects that are common to every management environment, which is why CIM is called the Common Information Model.
SCSI
Acronym for small computer system interface. An I/O bus interface with faster data transmission rates than standard ports. You can connect up to seven devices (15 for some newer SCSI types) to one SCSI interface.
server module
A modular system component that functions as an individual system. To function as a system, a server module is inserted into a chassis which includes power supplies, fans, a system management module, and at least one network switch module. The power supplies, fans, system management module, and network switch module are shared resources of the server modules in the chassis. See modular system.
service tag number
A bar code label that identifies each system in the event that you need to call for customer or technical support.
SMART
Acronym for Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology. A technology that allows hard drives to report errors and failures to the system BIOS, which then displays an error message on the screen. To take advantage of this technology, you must have a SMART-compliant hard drive and the proper support in the system BIOS.
SMBIOS
Acronym for system management BIOS.
SNMP
Abbreviation for Simple Network Management Protocol. SNMP, a popular network control and monitoring protocol, is part of the original TCP/IP protocol suite. SNMP provides the format in which vital information about different network devices, such as network servers or routers, can be sent to a management application.
SNMP trap
A notification (event) generated by the RAC or ESM that contains information about state changes on the managed system or about potential hardware problems.
SOL
Abbreviation for Serial Over LAN. SOL enables suitably designed servers to transparently redirect the serial character stream of a baseboard UART to/from a remote client over a shared LAN. The architecture requires software running on the managed system's BMC and client software running on a management station and/or a central network proxy.
SPCR
Abbreviation for Serial Port Console Redirection table. This table provides information about how the system firmware and service processor use the out-of-band (OOB) management port. The SPCR table is read by the Special Administrative Console (SAC) for console redirection and configures itself automatically during a bootable CD installation.
support commands
Commands that specify how an action should be performed.
syntax
The rules that dictate how you must type a command or instruction so that the system understands it. A variable's syntax indicates its data type.
system configuration information
Data stored in memory that tells a system what hardware is installed and how the system should be configured for operation.
system diskette
System diskette is a synonym for bootable diskette.
system memory
System memory is a synonym for RAM.
System Setup utility
A BIOS-based utility that allows you to configure your system's hardware and customize the system's operation by setting such features as password protection and energy management. Some options in the System Setup utility require that you reboot the system (or the system may reboot automatically) in order to make a hardware configuration change.
system.ini file
A start-up file for the Windows operating system. When you start Windows, it consults the system.ini file to determine a variety of options for the Windows operating environment. Among other things, the system.ini file records which video, mouse, and keyboard drivers are installed for Windows.
Running the Control Panel or Windows Setup program may change options in the system.ini file. On other occasions, you may need to change or add options to the system.ini file manually with a text editor, such as Notepad.
TCP/IP
Abbreviation for Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. A system for transferring information over a computer network containing dissimilar systems, such as systems running Windows and UNIX.
text editor
An application program for editing text files consisting exclusively of ASCII characters. Windows Notepad is a text editor, for example. Most word processors use proprietary file formats containing binary characters, although some can read and write text files.
text mode
A video mode that can be defined as x columns by y rows of characters.
UART
Acronym for universal asynchronous receiver-transmitter. The UART is a system component that handles asynchronous serial communication by converting parallel bytes from the processor into serial bits for transmission (and vice versa).
unicode
A fixed width, 16-bit world wide character encoding, developed and maintained by the Unicode Consortium.
URL
Abbreviation for Uniform Resource Locator (formerly Universal Resource Locator).
USB
Abbreviation for Universal Serial Bus. A USB connector provides a single connection point for multiple USB-compliant devices, such as mice, keyboards, printers, and computer speakers. USB devices can also be connected and disconnected while the system is running.
utility
A program used to manage system resources—memory, disk drives, or printers, for example.
utility partition
A bootable partition on the hard drive that provides utilities and diagnostics for your hardware and software. When activated, the partition boots and provides an executable environment for the partition's utilities.
UUID
Abbreviation for Universal Unique Identification.
variable
A component of a managed object. A temperature probe, for example, has a variable to describe its capabilities, its health or status, and certain indexes that you can use to help you in locating the right temperature probe.
VESA
Acronym for Video Electronics Standards Association.
virtual memory
A method for increasing addressable RAM by using the hard drive. For example, in a system with 16 MB of RAM and 16 MB of virtual memory set up on the hard drive, the operating system would manage the system as though it had 32 MB of physical RAM.
VT-100
Abbreviation for Video Terminal 100, which is used by the most common terminal emulation programs.
WAN
Abbreviation for wide area network.
Web server
A secure port server that makes Web pages available for viewing by Web browsers using the HTTP protocol.
WH
Abbreviation for watt-hour(s).
win.ini file
A start-up file for the Windows operating system. When you start Windows, it consults the win.ini file to determine a variety of options for the Windows operating environment. Among other things, the win.ini file records what printer(s) and fonts are installed for Windows. The win.ini file also usually includes sections that contain optional settings for Windows application programs that are installed on the hard drive. Running the Control Panel or Windows Setup program may change options in the win.ini file. On other occasions, you may need to change or add options to the win.ini file manually with a text editor such as Notepad.
write-protected
Read-only files are said to be write-protected. You can write-protect a 3.5-inch diskette by sliding its write-protect tab to the open position or by setting the write-protect feature in the System Setup program.
XMM
Abbreviation for extended memory manager, a utility that allows application programs and operating systems to use extended memory in accordance with the XMS.
XMS
Abbreviation for eXtended Memory Specification.
X Windows system
The graphical user interface used in the Red Hat Enterprise Linux environment.
