Compatibility Guide

Glossary 181
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.
OID
Abbreviation for object identifier. An implementation-specific integer or pointer
that uniquely identifies an object.
online access service
A service that typically provides access to the Internet, e-mail, bulletin boards,
chat rooms, and file libraries.
OTP
Abbreviation for one-time programmable.
PAM
Acronym for Pluggable Authentication Modules. PAM allows system
administrators to set an authentication policy without having to recompile
authentication programs.
parallel port
An I/O port used most often to connect a parallel printer to your system. You can
usually identify a parallel port on your system by its 25-hole connector.
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.
PC card
A credit-card sized, removable module for portable computers standardized by
PCMCIA. PC cards are also known as "PCMCIA cards." PC Cards are 16-bit devices
that are used to attach modems, network adapters, sound cards, radio transceivers,
solid state disks and hard disks to a portable computer. The PC Card is a "plug and
play" device, which is configured automatically by the Card Services software.