Dell PowerEdge 400SC User Manual
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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.
BIOS
Basic input/output system. Your system's BIOS contains programs stored on a flash memory chip. The BIOS controls the following:
l
Communications between the processor and peripheral devices
l
Miscellaneous functions, such as system messages
bit
The smallest unit of information interpreted by your system
blade
A module that contains a processor, memory, and a hard drive. The modules are mounted into a chassis that includes power supplies and fans.
boot routine
When you start your system, the boot routine 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 . Otherwise, you must perform a cold boot by pressing the reset
button or by turning the system off and then back on.
bootable diskette
A bootable diskette is used to start your system if the system will not boot from the hard drive.
BTU
British thermal unit
bus
An information pathway between the components of a system. Your system contains an expansion bus that allows the processor to communicate with
controllers for the peripheral devices connected to the system. Your system also contains an address bus and a data bus for communications between the
processor and RAM.
C
Celsius
cache
A fast storage area that keeps a copy of data or instructions for quick data retrieval. When a program makes a request to a disk drive for data that is in the
cache, the disk-cache utility can retrieve the data from RAM faster than from the disk drive.
CD
Compact disc. CD drives use optical technology to read data from CDs.
component
As they relate to DMI, manageable components are operating systems, computer systems, expansion cards, and peripherals that are compatible with DMI.
Each component is made up of groups and attributes that are defined as relevant to that component.
COMn
The device names for the serial ports on your system