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76 Appendix A: Hardware glossary
• POST
Power-on self test. This test is performed by the BIOS, as soon as the computer is
turned on. POST gathers information about what the unit contains, and ensures
that everything is working properly. It works by performing a list of tasks related
to testing the RAM, the on-board hardware, the expansion boards, the keyboard,
the hard disk drives, and other installed components. If all the tasks are completed,
the BIOS will proceed to boot the operating system. If a task cannot be completed,
POST will report an error to the BIOS, and a message will be displayed.
• Protocol
A set of standards (rules/formats) for transmitting information "packets" between
computer software and hardware devices. Information packets are structured
according to the standards of a protocol. On a network, the data link or Media
Access Control protocol standard, such as the CSMA/CD, provides the access
method, and TCP/IP provides the control and routing method to transmit (move)
information packets.
• RAID
Redundant array of independent disks. A RAID configuration keeps the same data
on one hard disk in synchronization with the data on one or more different hard
disks. By placing data on multiple disks, the mean time between failures is reduced
and fault tolerance is increased.
• RAM
Random access memory. RAM is memory in which the operating system,
application programs, and data in current use are stored so that they can be
accessed by the processor. Information stored in RAM is lost when power is cut
off. RAM chips can be typically installed on a memory module (such as a DIMM
or SO-DIMM memory module) that is plugged into the SHB.
See also DIMM and SO-DIMM.
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