Quick Reference Guide

290 Glossary
switching topology), and Fibre Channel Arbitrated
Loop (FC_AL).
firmware
Software (programs or data) that has been written onto
read-only memory (ROM). Firmware can boot and
operate a device. Each controller contains firmware
which helps provide the controller's functionality.
flash BIOS
A BIOS that is stored in flash memory rather than
in ROM. A flash BIOS chip can be updated in place,
whereas a ROM BIOS must be replaced with a
newer chip.
flash memory
A type of EEPROM chip that can be reprogrammed
from a utility on diskette while still installed in a
system; most EEPROM chips can only be rewritten
with special programming equipment.
format
To prepare a hard drive or diskette for storing files.
An unconditional format deletes all data stored on
the disk.
FPBGA
Abbreviation for field programmable gate array, a
programmable logic chip (PLD) with a high density
of gates.
FRU
Abbreviation for field replaceable unit.
ft
Abbreviation for feet.
FTP
Abbreviation for file transfer protocol.
FQDN
Abbreviation for fully qualified domain name.
It consists of a host and domain name, including
top-level domain.
Example:
www.webopedia.com .
www is the host, webopedia is the second-level domain,
and
.com is the top-level domain.
function commands
Commands that specify an action to be performed.
G
Abbreviation for gravities.
GB
Abbreviation for gigabyte(s). A gigabyte equals
1024 megabytes or 1,073,741,824 bytes.
gcc
Abbreviation for gnu C complier.
GMT
Abbreviation for Greenwich Mean Time, which is the
standard time common to every place in the world.
GMT nominally reflects the mean solar time along the
prime meridian (0 longitude) that runs through the
Greenwich Observatory outside of London, UK.
graphics coprocessor
See coprocessor.
graphics mode
A video mode that can be defined as x horizontal by
y vertical pixels by z colors.