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Glossary
ACU
An Automatic Calling Unit is a device used to
make calls (dial) on a telephone network.
address
ASCII Code
BIOS
boot
boot block
boot program
buffer
character device
configuration
controller
A number, label, or name that indicates the
location of information in the computer’s memory.
American Standard Code for Information
Interchange—An 8-bit code that is used when
transmitting data between computers or between
a computer and a terminal.
Basic Input/Output System provides a
standardized software/device communications
interface.
To start the operating system, so called because
the kernel must bootstrap itself from secondary
storage into an empty machine. No login [3] or
process persists across a boot.
The first block of a file system [1], which is
reserved for a booting program.
Loads the operating system into core.
1. A staging area for input/output where
arbitrary-length transactions are collected into
convenient units for system operations; the
file system [3] uses buffers, as does stdio.
2. To use buffers.
A device upon which a file system [1] cannot be
mounted, such as a terminal or the null device.
The arrangement of the software or hardware of
a system, peripheral, or network as defined by
the nature, number, and chief characteristics of its
functional units.
A device that directs the transmission of data over
the data links of a network.
GLOSSARY GL-1