B

B-node (Broadcast Node)

A NetBIOS name resolution method that relies exclusively on broadcast. A host needing to resolve a name request sends a message to every host within earshot, requesting the address associated with a hostname.

baseline

A set of collected data that is representative of the normal or beginning performance statistics. You can compare the current performance statistics against a baseline to troubleshoot problems.

BGP (Border Gateway Protocol)

An IP routing protocol that enables groups of routers (organized in ASs) to share routing information to create efficient routes. BGP is commonly used by ISPs as an Internet routing protocol. BGP is defined in RFC 1771.

binary circular log

A logging file format used by counter logs that record data continuously to the same log file, overwriting previous records with new data when the file reaches its maximum size. Binary circular logs have the .blg extension.

binary log

A logging file format used by counter logs that allows you to record data instances that are intermittent. Only binary file formats can accommodate instances that are not persistent throughout the duration of the log. Binary logs have the .blg extension.

BOOTP (Bootstrap Protocol)

An Internet protocol that enables a diskless workstation to discover its own IP address from a BOOTP server. BOOTP is still used to allow DHCP requests and responses to traverse a routed network.

bridge

A device that works on the physical layer (that is, Layer 2) of the OSI model to connect two network segments. A bridge listens to traffic on both segments and builds a list of MAC addresses that reside on each. It forwards packets from one segment to the other if the destination system is known.