Users Guide

Glossary 105
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