Glossary

baud rate

The speed at which data is transmitted from one computer system to another using a modem.

board

See Serial Parallel Controller card.

boot

To load the system software into memory and start it running.

configure

To inform your system about peripheral devices, parallel ports, and serial ports.

default

A preset value that is assumed to be correct for most users. Defaults can be changed by the user.

diskette

A removable disk of magnetic medium for storing software instructions and data. The outer jacket of the diskette is made of firm plastic and measures 3 1/2-inches (88.9 mm) in diameter. The diskette contains the Serial Parallel Controller device driver, installation and configuration scripts, and Sundiag.

halt

To intentionally stop your system from running.

install

To copy files that contain machine executable instructions from diskette or other media to your system.

installation script

Files that contain instructions to install and configure your Serial Parallel Controller device driver into your system.

jumper block

A plastic box or boxes located on your Serial Parallel Controller card. Jumpers are used to select a protocol (RS-423 or RS-232) on your card. Serial Parallel Controller is preset to use RS-423.

kernel

The heart of the SunOS Operating System.

laser printer

A high-speed, high-resolution printer that uses laser technology to produce output.

loadable device driver

A device driver that can be installed on your system without reconfiguring the kernel of your SunOS Operating System. This type of driver is usually installed with an installation script.

log in

To access a system by typing a username and, in most computing environments, a password.

Man Pages

Online manual pages explaining the SunOS Operating System commands. To view the Man Pages, they must be loaded into memory on your system.

modem

A device that enables your system to communicate with another computer system through telephone lines.

modem cable

A cable used to connect a modem to a SPARC desktop system or Serial Parallel Controller patch panel. Terminals and printers require a null modem cable.

null modem cable

A cable used to connect a terminal or printer to a SPARC desktop system or Serial Parallel Controller patch panel. Modems require a modem cable.

parallel port

A port (also called a unidirectional parallel interface) where a parallel cable is connected. The Serial Parallel Controller card provides one unidirectional parallel port for printer interfaces.

patch panel

A metal box with eight serial ports and one unidirectional parallel port. Serial and parallel devices (also called peripheral devices) are plugged into the patch panel. The patch panel is connected to the Serial Parallel Controller card with a Sun supplied 96-pin shielded cable.

peripheral device

A device connected to your system unit by a cable, but not part of the basic system.

protocol

A standard interface for communicating data between one computer system and another using a modem.

SBus card

A printed circuit card (also called a board) that enables users to extend or upgrade the computing capability of Sun workstations. An SBus card is installed in an SBus slot.

SBus slot

A long, narrow connector in the system unit that provides an electronic connection in your system for an SBus card.

serial port

A port on the back of the system unit where a serial cable is connected. The SPARCstation 1+ has two serial ports. The Serial Parallel Controller card provides eight additional serial ports.

Serial Parallel Controller

Refers to the Serial Parallel Controller card and device driver, including the other parts that come with the product.

Serial Parallel Controller card

An SBus card inserted into an SBus slot in SBus-based SPARC desktop systems. It allows users to connect additional serial and parallel devices to a system. Two interfaces are supported: a serial interface for serial devices, and a unidirectional parallel interface for parallel printers, plotters, scanners, and other parallel devices.

Serial Parallel Controller device driver

A loadable device driver that interacts with the SunOS Operating System to control the Serial Parallel Controller card.

Sundiag

Diagnostics software that tests your Serial Parallel Controller card and device driver for proper operation. Using Sundiag Serial Parallel Controller is optional, but assumes that Sundiag is installed on your system.

superuser

A user with full access privileges on a computer system, in contrast to a regular user whose access to directories and files in a UNIX file system is limited.

system

Any computer (also called a computer system) that enables users to run programs or applications. In this book, the term specifically refers to SBus- based SPARC desktop systems, together with the SunOS Operating System and peripheral devices.

system unit

The casing that contains the system memory, Central Processing Unit (CPU), hard disk, diskette drive, and frame buffer. The system unit is where you install the Serial Parallel Controller card, as well as other SBus cards.

tape

1/4-inch (6.35 mm) magnetic tape containing the Serial Parallel Controller device driver, installation and configuration scripts, and Sundiag Serial Parallel Controller . The tape can be ordered as an option to the 3 1/2-inch (88.9 mm) diskette.

terminal

A device that consists of a video display and keyboard that you use to type and display data. A terminal is a second point of access in addition to your system. (Not the same as a monitor, which is a system component of the SPARCstation 1+).

wrist strap

An anti-static accessory that provides grounding for static electricity between your body and the chassis of your system to protect your system from damage. Electric current and voltage do not pass through the wrist strap.