NBP
Acronym for Network Bootstrap Program. The remote boot image
downloaded by the PXE client via TFTP or MTFTP.
Network management
Along with server and system management, one of the three major
components of managing a computing environment. Network management
includes optimizing the performance, configuration, security, failure
analysis, and repair of the infrastructure components in a LAN, WAN, or
Internet/intranet. Infrastructure components include items such as
switches, adapter cards, routers, bridges, and gateways, but not the end-
nodes themselves.
NSB
Network Service Boot. A Network Service Boot is the ability for a PC user to
request, at PC boot time, access to remote boot capabilities by invoking a
special key (usually F12). NSB is implemented within MBA and also may be
implemented in the PC BIOS.
Option ROM
ROM associated with a plug and play device. May be located on the device
or in non-volatile storage on a system. MBA is implemented as an Option
ROM for a NIC.
PCI PM
PCI Bus Power Management Interface Specification.
POST
Acronym for Power On Self-Test. POST processing in the BIOS is responsible
for initializing the system hardware and starting IPL.
Power management
Technology that allows a system to consume less power when not in use
and to be fully operational when awakened.
Preboot Execution Environment (PXE)
A means by which agents can be loaded remotely onto systems to perform
management tasks in the absence of a running OS. To enable the
interoperability of clients and downloaded bootstrap programs, the client
preboot code must provide a set of services for use by a downloaded
bootstrap. It also must ensure certain aspects of the client state at the point
in time when the bootstrap begins executing. 3Com's PXE solution is
embedded in MBA.
Remote Procedure Call (RPC)
An industry-standard method for communication with remote, networked
systems. DMI Version 2.0 specifies RPCs as the standard mechanism for
remote access to manageable systems.
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