Glossary

3DES

Tripple Data Encryption Standard, an encrypting algorithm

 

(cipher) that processes each data block three times, using a unique

 

key each time. 3DES is much more difficult to break than straight

 

DES. Because it is the most secure of the DES combinations,

 

3DES is also slower in performance.

Authentication

The process by which a user’s identity is checked within the

 

network to ensure that the user has access to the requested

 

resources.

Basic In/Out System

 

(BIOS)

Chips on the motherboard of a computer contain read only

 

memory instructions that are used to start up a computer. The

 

operating system of a PC also makes use of BIOS instructions and

 

settings to access hardware components such as a disk drive.

 

Some BIOS/CMOS settings can be set to scan for viruses,

 

causing problems for some installation programs.

Baud Rate

The baud rate is a measure of the number of symbols (characters)

 

transmitted per unit of time. Each symbol will normally consist of

 

a number of bits, so the baud rate will only be the same as the bit

 

rate when there is one bit per symbol. The term originated as a

 

measure for the transmission of telegraph characters. It has little

 

application today except in terms of modem operation. It is

 

recommended that all data rates are referred to in bps, rather than

 

baud (which is easy to misunderstand). Additionally, baud rate

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Cyclades User's Guide manual Basic In/Out System, Baud Rate