Users Guide

Glossary 189
provider
A provider is an extension of a CIM schema that communicates with managed
objects and accesses data and event notifications from a variety of sources.
Providers forward this information to the CIM Object Manager for integration
and interpretation.
PS
Abbreviation for power supply.
PS/2
Abbreviation for Personal System/2.
PXE
Abbreviation for Pre-boot eXecution Environment.
QFP
Abbreviation for quad flat pack.
RAC
Acronym for remote access controller.
RAID
Acronym for redundant array of independent disks.
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.
RAMDAC
Acronym for random-access memory digital-to-analog converter.
RAW
Unprocessed. The term refers to data that is passed along to an I/O device without
being interpreted. In contrast, cooked refers to data that is processed before being
passed to the I/O device. It often refers to uncompressed text that is not stored
in any proprietary format. The term comes from UNIX, which supports cooked
and raw modes for data output to a terminal.