BBB

To copy data (file, directory, or volume) to storage media such as floppy disks, cartridge tapes, hard disks, or other media. Data that is backed up can be restored if the original is corrupted or destroyed.

The central part of a network, which carries the heaviest traffic, transmits at the fastest rate, and connects smaller networks that have lower data-transfer rates.

See background processing.

Computer processing that occurs without interaction with the user.

In TTS, the process of halting an incomplete transaction and leaving the database in its original condition.

A duplicate of data (file, directory, volume), copied to a storage device (floppy diskette, cartridge tape, hard disk). A backup can be retrieved and restored if the original is corrupted or destroyed.

In programming, the ability of a function to behave in the same way as it did in previous versions of a software product.

In application software, the ability of a version of a software product to accept and manipulate user files created in earlier versions of that product.

The carrying capacity of a circuit, usually measured in bits per second (bps) for digital circuits, or hertz (Hz) for analog circuits.

The first page of a print job that supplies information about a print job, such as the name of the user who initiated the job, and the time and date of printing.

In symmetric multiprocessing, a synchronization mechanism that guarantees that all participating threads have reached a specified point in their execution before any of the threads are allowed to proceed.

In NDS, the class used in the creation of an object in the Directory tree.

The standard set of NDS object classes and properties defined by Novell. The schema can be extended by custom applications.

An executable file containing a sequence of several commands that are carried out in turn when the file is run. A DOS batch file has a .bat extension.

A test of a finished product by a select group of users, both internal and external to the developer’s company. Beta testing follows alpha testing.

Describing a numbering system with a radix of 2 that uses only the digits 0 and 1, or a signalling system that uses only two states, OFF (0) and ON (1). Binary numbering can be used to encode data.

A flat (nonhierarchical) network database used by NetWare® versions before 4.0 that contains definitions for objects such as users, print queues, servers, and so on.

The container object in the Directory tree that enables NDS servers to provide network information to servers and programs that depend on using the NetWare bindery.

An entry in a bindery.

The identification of a person through biological characteristics, such as fingerprints, voiceprints, iris or retinal structure, or hand-written signatures. Biometric identification is more trustworthy than using passwords or smart cards, which can be stolen.

A set of programs, usually in firmware, that enables each computer’s CPU to communicate with printers, disks, keyboards, consoles, and other attached input and output devices.

A contraction of the term "binary digit." A bit (1 or 0) is the smallest unit of information a computer can process.

The rate at which bits (binary digits) are transmitted over a communications line. Bit rate is usually expressed in bits per second (bps).

A set of bits that define attributes of an object, or the options of a function.

The smallest amount of disk space that the server reads or writes at a time. All disk accesses are measured in blocks. The block size for a volume is defined at installation, and is usually between 4 KB and 64 KB.

A thread (process) that has suspended operation and is waiting for some event to occur before it can continue execution. For example, a thread might block (or sleep) while waiting to complete a device read or to acquire a lock or resource, allowing other threads to run in the meantime.

In NLM™ programming, the temporary suspension of the operation of a thread, which is retained in memory without terminating. Blocking allows other threads to run. A blocked thread is also described as sleeping.

In NLM programming, a function that relinquishes control of the CPU. Some functions block while waiting for a given event to occur (for example, a device read). Some functions block to allow other threads to run.

To start or restart a computer and ready it for use. A "cold" boot is done by turning on the power switch. A "warm" boot resets the computer without turning off the power source.

Bootstrap Protocol. A TCP/IP protocol that enables an internet node (for example, a diskless workstation) to discover certain start-up information, such as its IP address.

The boundaries of a window or dialog box.

bits per second. The number of bits transmitted or received in one second.

A location in a program that brings up the debugger.

A device that connects two or more physical networks, forwarding frames between networks based on information in the data-link header. Because it operates at the data-link layer, it is transparent to the network-layer protocols. See also router.

To halt a the operation of, as in "to bring down the server."

To start a the operation of, as in "to bring up the server."

To send a message to all connected nodes on a data communications network (as opposed to sending a message to a single node).

bridging router. A device that routes some protocols and bridges others.

To scan a collection of items, such as a database, a file manager view, a list box, Web pages, or text files, for a particular item or for items of interest. To browse implies observing rather than changing information.

A utility that combines viewing with the ability to perform other actions, depending on rights or other dependencies. For example, a Web browser allows a user to access pages on the World Wide Web; a NetWare Administrator browser window allows a user to access the NDS tree.

Berkeley Software Distribution. A socket interface in UNIX first introduced in BSD UNIX.

A temporary storage location in memory where data can be held for processing.

A buffer can be used to hold data in an area where it can be easily accessed. It is often used to compensate for differences in data-flow rates (for example, between a terminal and its transmission line). A buffer can also be used as a backup mechanism, holding data that can then be retransmitted if an error is detected during transmission.

An error in a program.

A common pathway, usually hardware, between multiple devices. All devices on the bus receive the same data, but only those to which the data is addressed will use the data.

A network in which all workstations and the NetWare server are connected to a central cable (called a trunk or bus). A common example is Ethernet.

A group of consecutive binary digits (bits) that a computer recognizes as one unit. In almost all computers, a byte consists of eight bits equivalent to a single character, such as the letter A. Earlier computers, however, have used 16-bit or 32-bit bytes.