NonStop S-Series Server Description Manual (G06.24+)

Glossary

HP NonStop S-Series Server Description Manual—520331-003

Glossary-78

process lifetime

process lifetime. The period that begins when an Open System Services (OSS) process is

created and ends when its OSS process ID is returned to the system for reuse.

PROCESS object type. In a subsystem, the object type for the subsystem manager

process itself or any generic process.

processor. (1) A functional unit of a computer that reads program instructions, moves data

between processor memory and the input/output controllers, and performs arithmetic

operations. A processor is sometimes referred to as a central processing unit (CPU),

but the HP NonStop™ servers have multiple cooperating processors rather than a

single CPU. (2) One or more computer chips, typically mounted on a logic board, that

are designed to perform data processing or to manage a particular aspect of computer

operations.

processor and memory board (PMB). A logic board that has lockstepped

microprocessors, the main memory system, and the ServerNet memory interface (SMI)

application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) to act as an interface between the

microprocessors and memory and the ServerNet fabrics. This board is part of the

processor multifunction (PMF) customer-replaceable unit (CRU).

processor cache. A small, fast memory holding recently accessed data in order to speed

up subsequent access to the same data. Cache memory is built from faster memory

chips than main memory, and it is most often used with process or main memory but

also used in network data transfer (to maintain a local copy of data), and so forth.

processor dump. A copy of the memory of a processor. A dump can be to disk or to tape.