Dell GX240 User's Guide - Page 288

www.dell.com | support.dell.com MTBF Mean time between failures. A measurement of estimated equipment reliability. The higher the MTBF, the longer the equipment should last. For example, if the MTBF is 10,000 hours, the equipment should run, on the average, at least 10,000 hours before failing. Network Adapter An expansion card that connects a computer to other computers on a network. The network adapter works with the network OS to transfer information over the network. See NIC. NIC Network Interface Controller. Also referred to as a network adapter. NiCad Nickel cadmium. A chemical composition used in certain rechargeable batteries. NiMH Nickel-metal hydride. A chemical composition used in certain rechargeable batteries. Node In networking and communications, a node is any computer or device attached to a network. NVRAM Non-volatile random-access memory (RAM). Memory that does not lose its contents when you turn off your computer. NVRAM is used for maintaining the computer configuration information such as date, time, and other usersettable system setup options. On-Board Usually refers to components that are physically located on a circuit board. For example, the system boards of many present-day computers have integrated video, sound, and/or network controllers. OS Operating system. The program that, after being loaded initially into the computer at start-up, manages all the other application programs in a computer. The application programs use the OS by making requests for services through an API. Often the OS also allows direct interaction by the user. 36