Users Guide

122 Glossary
authentication
The Server Administrator remote access controller has
two methods of authenticating user access:
RAC authentication and local operating system
authentication. RAC authentication is always enabled.
Administrators can set up specific user accounts and
passwords that allow access to the RAC.
Operating systems also require administrators to define
different levels of users and user accounts; each user
level has different privileges. Local operating system
authentication on the RAC is an option for
administrators who do not want to define one set of
privileges for users in the operating system and a
separate set of users and accounts for the RAC. If you
enable local operating system authentication for the
RAC, you enable any user with Administrator status on
the operating system to log in to the RAC.
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 a controller that provides the intelligence in
the IPMI structure.
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, 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 will
not boot from the hard drive.
bpi
Abbreviation for bits per inch.