B

b-node

A NetBIOS implementation that uses broadcast NetBIOS name queries for name registration and resolution.

See also network basic input/output system (NetBIOS).

bandwidth

The data transfer capacity of a transmission medium.

In digital communications, the transfer capacity expressed in bits per second (bps) or megabits per second (Mbps). For example, Ethernet accommodates a bandwidth of 10,000,000 bps or 10 Mbps.

In analog communications, the difference between the highest and lowest frequencies in a specific range. For example, an analog telephone line accommodates a bandwidth of 3,000 hertz (Hz), the difference between the lowest (300 Hz) and highest (3,300 Hz) frequencies that it can carry.

BOOTP

See bootstrap protocol (BOOTP).

BOOTP relay agent

See DHCP/BOOTP Relay Agent.

bootstrap protocol (BOOTP)

A protocol used primarily on TCP/IP networks to configure diskless workstations. RFCs 951 and 1542 define this protocol. DHCP is a later boot configuration protocol that uses this protocol. The Microsoft DHCP service provides limited support for BOOTP service.

See also Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP).

See also Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP).

bottleneck

A condition, usually involving a hardware resource, that causes a computer to perform poorly.