User's Manual

214 Glossary
the operating system and a separate set of users and
accounts for the RAC. If you enable local operating system
authentication for the RAC, you enable any user with
Administrator status on the operating system to log into
the RAC.
autoexec.bat file
The autoexec.bat file is executed when you boot your
computer (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 computer, 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 computer's hard drive on a regular
basis. Before making a change to the configuration of
your computer, 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 computer.
beep code
A diagnostic message in the form of a pattern of beeps
from your computer's speaker. For example, one beep,
followed by a second beep, and then a burst of three
beeps is beep code 1-1-3.
BGA
Abbreviation for Ball Grid Array, an IC package that
uses an array of solder balls, instead of pins, to connect
to a PC board.
binary
A base-2 numbering system that uses 0 and 1 to
represent information. The computer performs
operations based on the ordering and calculation of
these numbers.
BIOS
Acronym for basic input/output system. Your
computer'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
computer.
BMC
Abbreviation for baseboard management controller,
which is a controller that provides the intelligence in
the IPMI structure.
boot routine
When you start your computer, 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 computer by
pressing <Ctrl><Alt><Del>; otherwise, you must
perform a cold boot by pressing the reset button or by
turning the computer off and then back on.
bootable diskette
You can start your computer from a diskette. To make
a bootable diskette, insert a diskette in the diskette
drive, type
sys a: at the command line prompt, and
press <Enter>. Use this bootable diskette if your
computer does not boot from the hard drive.
bpi
Abbreviation for bits per inch.
bps
Abbreviation for bits per second.
BTU
Abbreviation for British thermal unit.