Glossary

baseboard management controller

The BMC complies with the Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) standard, responsible for collecting, processing, and storing sensor signals, and monitoring the operating status of each component. The BMC provides the hardware status and alarm information about the managed objects for the management module, so that the management module can manage the objects.

A baseband local area network (LAN) architecture developed by Xerox Corporation in cooperation with DEC and Intel. Ethernet uses Carrier Sense Multiple Access/Collision Detection (CSMA/CD) and supports a data transfer rate of 10 Mbps on multiple cables. The Ethernet specification is the basis for the IEEE 802.3 standard.

Generic Routing Encapsulation is an internet based term applied to the encapsulation of IP datagrams tunneled through the internet. Generic Routing Encapsulation (GRE) is a mechanism for encapsulating any network layer protocol over any other network. GRE serves as a Layer 3 tunneling protocol, and provides a tunnel for transparently transmitting data packets.

In a running system, insertion or removal of a component does not affect normal running of the system.

keyboard, video, and mouse

A card connected to the mainboard through the connector, level to the mainboard. It is used on a device which has high requirement for space usage.

The front-most or rear most element of a server, which serves to mount components, such as handles, indicators, and ports, and also seals the front of the chassis for airflow and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC).

A computer expansion bus standard based on the existing PCI programming and communication standards and a faster serial communication system. Intel is a major contributor to this standard. PCIe is used only for interconnection between applications. A PCI system can be turned into a PCIe one by modifying the physical layer instead of software. PCIe delivers a faster speed and can replace almost all existing bus standards including AGP and PCI.

redundant array of independent disks

A storage technology that combines multiple drives into a logical unit in several ways called "RAID levels", providing redundancy and delivering higher storage performance than a single disk.

The ability of a system to keep functioning normally in the event of a device failure by having a backup device automatically replace the faulty one.

A non-volatile storage area and associated interfaces for storing system platform events for later retrieval.

A special computer that provides various services for clients over a network.