Glossary

bigpipe

The bigpipe utility provides command line access to the BIG-IP software.

BIOS

BIOS stands for basic input/output system. The BIOS is software that is built-in to the computer and determines what the computer can do without accessing programs from a disk.

Configuration utility

The Configuration utility is the browser-based application that you use to configure the BIG-IP software.

DHCP

DHCP stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. It is a protocol used to assign dynamic IP addresses to network devices. When using DHCP, a network device can have a different IP address each time it connects to the network.

DNS

DNS stands for Domain Name System. It is a service that translates domain names into IP addresses. For example, the domain name www.siterequest.com might translate to 101.102.103.104.

dossier

A dossier is an encrypted list of key platform characteristics used to identify the platform, and to enforce or restrict activation on the platform. See also registration key.

host

A host is a network server that manages one or more virtual servers that the BIG-IP software uses for load balancing.

Integrated Lights-Out (iLO)

The integrated Lights-Out (iLO) control panel is the central management program used by the ProLiant BL380 G3 system. The program offers a web and command line interface.

license certificate

A license certificate is a digital file created by the F5 Networks license server. The license server uses your product registration key and dossier to process the file, which is stored on the BIG-IP system. See also registration key and dossier.

network boot

A network boot is a method of starting up a computer (loading the operating system and other basic software) from a network, rather than from a source within the computer itself, such as the hard drive or CD-ROM. See also PXE.

NIC

NIC stands for network interface card. It is an expansion board used to connect a computer to a network.

PCI

PCI stands for Peripheral Component Interconnect, a local bus standard. The HP DL380 G3 includes three PCI-X expansion slots. See also PCI-X.

PCI-X

PCI-X stands for PCI extended which is an enhanced PCI bus. PCI-X is backward-compatible with existing PCI cards. See also PCI.

port

A port is represented by a number that is associated with a specific service supported by a host.

PXE

PXE stands for Pre-Boot Execution Environment, a network boot method. It allows you to boot a computer from a server on a network before you boot the operating system on the local hard drive. See also network boot.

registration key

The registration key is a 25-character string that you need to license your F5 Networks products. You may have received the registration key from F5 Networks by email, or you may find it on the back of the CD case. See also dossier.

Setup utility

The Setup utility guides you through the initial system configuration process. The Setup utility runs automatically when you turn on a system for the first time.

SSH

SSH stands for Secure Shell. It is a protocol used for secure remote login and other secure network services over a non-secure network.

SSL

SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer. It is a protocol that uses a public key to encrypt data that is transmitted through the Internet over an SSL connection. URLs that use an SSL connection start with https: instead of http:.

subnet

A subnet is the portion of a network that shares a common address component. For instance, on a TCP/IP networks, subnet includes all devices whose IP addresses have the same prefix segment.

Telnet

Telnet is a terminal emulation program for TCP/IP networks. Telnet runs on your computer and connects it to a server on the network. Telnet then allows you to enter and execute commands as though you were directly connected to the server console.

terminal emulator

A terminal emulator is a program that mimics a terminal.

virtual server

A virtual server is a specific combination of a virtual IP address and a virtual port, associated with a content site that is managed by BIG-IP software or other type of host server.