Glossary
141 AlterPath Console ServerUser Manual
Glossary
Authentication The process by which a user’s identity is checked within the
network to ensure that the user has access to the requested
resources.
Basic In/Out System Chips on the motherboard of a computer contain read only
(BIOS) memory instructions that are used to start up a computer. The
operating system of a PC also makes use of BIOS
instructions and settings to access hardware components such
as a disk drive. Some BIOS/CMOS settings can be set to scan
for viruses, causing problems for some installation programs.
Baud Rate The baud rate is a measure of the number of symbols
(characters) transmitted per unit of time. Each symbol will
normally consist of a number of bits, so the baud rate will
only be the same as the bit rate when there is one bit per
symbol. The term originated as a measure for the
transmission of telegraph characters. It has little application
today except in terms of modem operation. It is
recommended that all data rates are referred to in bps, rather
than baud (which is easy to misunderstand). Additionally,
baud rate cannot be equated to bandwidth unless the number
of bits per symbol is known.
Boot To start a computer so that it is ready to run programs for the
user. A PC can be booted either by turning its power on,
(Cold Boot) or by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Del (Warm Boot).
Break Signal A break signal is generated in an RS-232 serial line by
keeping the line in zero for longer than a character time.
Breaks at a serial console port are interpreted by Sun servers
as a signal to suspend operation and switch to monitor mode.
Checksum A computed value which depends on the contents of a block
of data and which is transmitted or stored along with the data
in order to detect corruption of the data. The receiving system
recomputes the checksum based upon the received data and