Quick Reference Guide

284 Glossary
attribute
As it relates to DMI, an attribute is a piece of
information related to a component. Attributes can be
combined to form groups. If an attribute is defined as
read-write, it may be defined by a management application.
autoexec.bat file
The autoexec.bat file is executed when you boot your
system (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 system, 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 system's hard drive on a regular
basis. Before making a change to the configuration of
your system, 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 system.
beep code
A diagnostic message in the form of a pattern of beeps
from your system'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 integrated circuit
(IC) package that uses an array of solder balls, instead
of pins, to connect to a system board.
binary
A base-2 numbering system that uses 0 and 1 to
represent information. The system performs
operations based on the ordering and calculation of
these numbers.
BIOS
Acronym for basic input/output system. Your system'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 system.
BMC
Abbreviation for baseboard management controller,
which is the controller interface between the RAC and
the managed system’s ESM.
boot routine
When you start your system, 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 system by pressing
<Ctrl><Alt><Del>; otherwise, you must perform a
cold boot by pressing the reset button or by turning the
system off and then back on.
bootable diskette
You can start your system from a diskette. To make a
bootable diskette on a system running Windows, insert
a diskette in the diskette drive, type
sys a: at the
command line prompt, and press <Enter>. Use this
bootable diskette if your system 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.