NBT Manual
Glossary
NBT Manual—424773-001
Glossary-6
error
error. In DSM interfaces, a condition that causes a command or other operation to fail. 
Contrast Warning.
error list. In DSM programmatic interfaces, a group of tokens used within a response record 
to provide error and warning information. An error list consists of a list token that 
denotes an error list (different from the token that starts a data list or a generic list), 
followed by an error token, other tokens explaining the error (optional), and an end-list 
token. Error lists can be nested within other error lists. The return token cannot be 
included in an error list. See also return token
. 
error number. In DSM programmatic interfaces, a value that can be assigned to a return 
token, or to the last field of an error token, to identify an error that occurred. Some error 
numbers are defined in the data communications (ZCOM) definitions; others are defined 
by individual subsystems. 
error token. In DSM programmatic interfaces, a token in a response message that indicates 
the reason an error occurred during a programmatic command. Compaq subsystems 
enclose each error token in an error list, which can also contain additional information 
about the error. A response record must contain a return token and can also contain error 
lists to explain the error further. The token code for the error token is ZSPI-TKN-
ERROR. Its value is a structure consisting of the subsystem ID and an error number 
identifying the error. See also error list
, error number, or return token.
Ethernet. A popular local area network technology invented at the Xerox Corporation Palo 
Alto Research Center. An Ethernet itself is a passive coaxial cable; the interconnections 
all contain active components. Ethernet is a best-effort delivery system that uses 
CSMA/CD technology. Xerox Corporation, Digital Equipment Corporation, and Intel 
Corporation developed and published the standard for 10 Mbps Ethernet. 
Ethernet 4 ServerNet adapter (E4SA). A ServerNet adapter for Ethernet local area 
networks (LANs) that contains four Ethernet ports.
Ethernet meltdown. An event that causes saturation or near saturation on an Ethernet. It 
usually results from illegal or misrouted packets and typically lasts only a short time. As 
an example, consider an IP datagram directed to a nonexistent host and delivered by way 
of hardware broadcast to all machines on the network. Gateways receiving the broadcast 
will send out ARP packets in an attempt to find the host and deliver the datagram.
event. In DSM terms, a significant change in some condition in the system or network. 
Events can be operational errors, notifications of limits exceeded, requests for action 
needed, and so on.
event log. A file or set of files maintained by EMS to store event messages generated by 
subsystems. 










