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Back end In a client/ server environment, the application on the server that processes requests for data from the client.

Backbone A network used to link several networks together. For example, several Token Rings and Ethernets may be connected using a single FDDI backbone.

Back up (v), Backup (n) A copy of a file, directory, or volume on a separate storage device from the original, for the purpose of retrieval in case the original is accidentally erased, damaged, or destroyed.

Backup catalog A backup set that displays a list of the files and folders previously backed up. See backup set.

Backup set The name for the set of files you backed up. For example, perhaps only the C:\data and C:\mail directories were backed up. DATA and MAIL might be used as the backup set names. See backup set.

Baud rate A measure of the actual rate of symbols transmitted per second, which may represent more than one bit. A given baud rate may have more than one bps (bits per second) rate. Baud rate is often used interchangeably with bps, although this is technically incorrect.

Bandwidth The range of frequencies that a communications cable or channel can carry. In general use, the term refers to the volume of data that can travel on a bus or over a cable.

Bank An area on the systemboard that contains slots for memory modules.

Batch file A text file containing a series of DOS instructions to the computer, telling it to perform a specific task (for example, AUTOEXEC.BAT is a batch file that contains a series of startup commands).

BBS (Bulletin Board System) A term for dial-up on-line systems from which to download software, leave messages for other users, and exchange information. BBBs proliferated in the 1980s before the WWW became popular. A BBS functions somewhat like a stand-alone Web site, but without graphics. However, unlike Web sites, each BBS has its own telephone number to dial into.

BBS (BIOS Boot Specification) This is a feature within the BIOS that creates, prioritizes, and maintains a list of all Initial Program Load (IPL) devices, and then stores that list in NVRAM. IPL devices have the ability to load and execute an OS, as well as provide the ability to return to the BIOS if the OS load process fails for some reason. At that point, the next IPL device is called upon to attempt loading of the OS.

BDC (Backup Windows NT domain controller) A computer on a network that holds a read-only copy of the SAM (Security Accounts Manager) database.

Beam detect mirror Detects the initial presence of a laser printer's laser beam by reflecting the beam to an optical fiber.

Binary A Binary Digit is the basic binary unit for storing data. It can either be 0 or 1. It takes 8 bits to equal a byte

BIOS or System BIOS or ROM BIOS (Basic Input/ Output System) Firmware that controls much of a computer's input/ output functions, such as communication with disk drives, the printer, RAM chips, and the monitor.

BISNYC (bisynchronous) Computer communications in which both sides simultaneously transmit and receive data.

bit A binary digit: the smallest piece of information that can be recognized and processed by a computer. A bit is either 0 or 1. Bits can form larger units of information called nibbles (4 bits), bytes (8 bits), and words (usually 16 bits). See also data bit

bps (bits per second) The number of data bits sent per second between two modems. Used as a measure of the rate at which digital information is handled, manipulated, or transmitted. Similar, but not identical, to baud rate.

Block Consists of a number of bytes. Block sizes vary, but a block size of either 512 or 1024 user data bytes is commonly used.

BMP (Bit-map file) A type of graphics file in which the image is written as a series of 0s and 1s. These files have the extension. BMP and can be loaded into paint programs to be edited and printed.

Boot Drive The drive that the operating system first loads from (usually :A: or :C).

Boot loader menu In Windows NT, a startup menu that gives the user the choice between Windows NT and another OS such as Windows 95.

Boot partition The hard drive partition where the Windows NT operating system is stored. The system partition and the boot partition may be different partitions.

Boot sector virus An infectious program that can replace the boot program with a modified, infected version of the boot command utilities, often causing boot and data retrieval problems.

Bootable Array Support Refers to the ability to make the system boot from a RAID array instead of from a standalone (single) disk.

Bootable disk For DOS, a floppy disk that can upload the operating system filrs necessary for computer startup. It must have the two hidden system files IO.SYS and MSDOS.SYS, and also COMMAND.COM.

Break code A code produced when a key is released. See Make code.

Bridge A hardware device or box, coupled with software at a Data Link Layer, used to connect similar networks and network segments. See Router.

Buck-boost regulator A line-interactive UPS that offers good line conditioning and has an automatic voltage regulator that boosts the voltage during electrical sags.

Buffer 1] An area of RAM (usually 512 bytes plus another 16 for overhead) in which DOS stores data temporarily. See also frame buffer.

2] An area of memory, often referred to as a 'cache', used to speed up access to devices. It is used for temporary storage of data read from or waiting to be sent to a device such as a hard disk, CD-ROM or tape drive.

Burst SRAM Memory that is more expensive and slightly faster than pipelined burst SRAM. Data is sent as a two-step process; the data address is sent, and then the data itself is sent without interruption.

Burst transfer A means of sending data across the bus, with one packet immediately following the next, without waiting for clock beats and/ or addressing of the information being sent.

Bus 1] A group of wires used to carry a set of related signals or information within a computer from one device to another.

2] An electronic traffic lane through which electrical signals are carried from one chip to another chip. Most often used in the context of communication between the processor and other system components. There are many different kinds of bus including ISA, EISA, MCA and the local bus standards PCI and VL-Bus.

Bus enumerator A component of Windows 95 Plug-and-Play that locates all devices on a particular bus and inventories the resource requirements for these devices.

Bus mouse A mouse that plugs into a bus adapter card and has a round, 9-pin mini-DIN connector.

Bus Mastering This allows peripheral devices and IDEs to access the system memory without going through the CPU (similar to DMA channels).

Bus network architecture A network design in which nodes are connected in line with one another, with no centralized point of contact.

Bus speed The speed at which the data on the systemboard is moving.

Byte A sequence of adjacent binary digits that the computer considers a unit. A byte consists of 8 bits.