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C Glossary of Network Terminology
BPS An acronym for Bits Per Second. The term BPS is used on a network as a
measurement of speed or data throughput.
client A computer workstation connected to a Local Area Network (LAN) that
has access to resources located on another (usually more capable) computer
called a server, HP NetServer, or file server. A client can request some service to
be performed by another networked device.
CPU An acronym for Central Processing Unit (CPU). A complex set of
electrical circuits that executes stored program instructions. The CPU is the brain
of the computer.
device database This database stores a list of devices discovered the last time
the server was operational. The device database is used to detect changes to the
server. For example, if a hard drive is no longer operational after a power outage,
it will be discovered when the list of current devices is compared to the list stored
in the device database.
device driver A software utility which, when installed on a system, supports a
particular hardware component, such as a printer, disk drive, or interface card.
DHCP An acronym for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. DHCP was
designed to reduce the complexity of IP network administration by providing a
standard methodology for automatically configuring network hosts. A DHCP
server provides the client with a valid IP address, a subnet mask and a default
gateway. DHCP service is set up using the DHCPADMN program.
DMA An acronym for Direct Memory Access. The DMA channel is a
transaction policy in which data is transferred directly between a peripheral
device and the computer's main memory without CPU intervention.
driver Software or firmware between hardware devices (such as video boards,
printers, and keyboards) and the software application.
file server A computer equipped with relatively large amounts of mass storage
which provides file handling services to a network. A file server may impose
various levels of control as it regulates access to common data files and
applications available to the network.
host adapter There are numerous kinds of adapters--usually integrated into the
computer's main circuit board--that permit the computer to communicate with a
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