BCCITB key terms

The primary processor that fetches, decodes, and executes instructions, performing arithmetic and logic operations and coordinating other components. Performance depends on core count, clock speed, cache size, and instruction set architecture.

Volatile working memory that temporarily holds data and program instructions the CPU is actively using. Contents are lost when power is removed, so insufficient capacity causes slowdowns through swapping.

Storage device using flash memory with no moving parts, offering faster access times, lower power draw, and greater shock resistance than spinning disks. Common interfaces include SATA and NVMe over PCIe.

Magnetic storage device with rotating platters and moving read/write heads. It offers high capacity at low cost per gigabyte but is slower and more fragile than flash-based storage.

The main circuit board connecting the CPU, memory, storage, and expansion cards. Its chipset and form factor determine which processors, RAM types, and peripherals a system can support.

Any external or internal device connected to a computer to add functionality, such as keyboards, printers, webcams, or scanners. Peripherals connect through interfaces like USB, Bluetooth, or Thunderbolt.

Low-level software stored on a hardware device that controls its basic operation and is typically updated rarely. Examples include BIOS/UEFI on motherboards and controller code inside printers and drives.

Modern replacement for BIOS that initializes hardware at boot and hands control to the operating system. It supports larger disks, graphical setup screens, Secure Boot, and faster startup.

Software that lets the operating system communicate with a specific hardware device. Outdated or mismatched drivers are a frequent cause of device failures and stop errors.

A technique where the operating system uses disk space as an extension of RAM, moving inactive pages to a swap file or partition. Excessive paging degrades performance noticeably.

A reserved area on storage, also called a swap file, where the operating system stores memory pages moved out of RAM. Its size and location can be configured or managed automatically.

The ordered process a computer follows from power-on through firmware self-tests, locating a bootable device, and loading the operating system kernel. Changing boot order is a common troubleshooting step.

A diagnostic startup option that loads only essential drivers and services. It helps isolate problems caused by faulty drivers, malware, or third-party software that prevents normal startup.

A numeric label assigned to a device on a network so data can be routed to it. IPv4 uses 32-bit addresses; IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses to overcome address exhaustion.

A value that identifies which portion of an IP address refers to the network and which refers to the host. It determines whether traffic is delivered locally or sent to a gateway.

The router address a device sends traffic to when the destination is outside its local subnet. A missing or incorrect gateway prevents access to external networks while local traffic still works.

A hierarchical service that translates human-readable hostnames into IP addresses. Resolution failures typically appear as name-not-found errors even when connectivity itself is fine.

A protocol that automatically assigns IP addresses, subnet masks, gateways, and DNS servers to clients from a pool. It reduces manual configuration errors on large networks.

A logical segmentation of a physical network that groups devices regardless of their location. VLANs improve security and reduce broadcast traffic by separating traffic at layer two.

A network device that forwards frames between devices on the same network segment using MAC addresses. Managed switches add features such as VLANs, port mirroring, and link aggregation.

A device that forwards packets between different networks and chooses paths based on IP addresses. Home routers typically combine routing, switching, wireless access, and firewall functions.

A security control that permits or blocks network traffic according to rules based on addresses, ports, and protocols. It can be host-based software or a dedicated network appliance.

A social engineering attack that tricks users into revealing credentials or installing malware through fraudulent messages that impersonate trusted sources. User reporting and email filtering are key defenses.

Malicious software that encrypts files or locks systems and demands payment for restoration. Reliable offline backups and prompt isolation of infected hosts limit its impact.

Authentication requiring two or more independent evidence types, such as a password plus a one-time code or hardware key. It reduces the impact of stolen passwords substantially.

The principle of granting users and systems only the access needed to perform their tasks. It limits the damage from compromised accounts and accidental changes.

A copy of data kept separately so it can be restored after loss, corruption, or attack. Effective strategies define frequency, retention, storage location, and regular restoration testing.

Software that records, categorizes, prioritizes, and tracks support requests through their lifecycle. It provides an audit trail and supports reporting on workload and response times.

A documented commitment defining expected service levels, such as response and resolution targets, availability, and support hours. It clarifies expectations between a provider and its customer.

The process of transferring an issue to a higher support tier or specialist when it exceeds the current agent's authority, skills, or time targets. Clear escalation paths protect service quality.

A structured investigation to identify the underlying reason a problem occurred rather than only treating symptoms. It often uses techniques such as the five whys or cause-and-effect diagrams.

The practice of restoring normal service as quickly as possible after disruption, prioritizing impact over deep diagnosis. Permanent fixes are typically handled separately as problem management.

A controlled process for planning, approving, implementing, and reviewing modifications to IT systems. It reduces the risk of outages caused by uncoordinated or untested changes.

Running multiple isolated virtual machines or environments on one physical host through a hypervisor. It improves hardware utilization, simplifies testing, and supports rapid provisioning.

Delivery of computing resources such as servers, storage, and software over a network with on-demand provisioning and pay-per-use billing. Service models include IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS.

A lightweight, isolated runtime package containing an application and its dependencies that shares the host operating system kernel. Containers start quickly and are commonly orchestrated at scale.

A configuration combining multiple physical disks for redundancy, performance, or both. Common levels include mirroring, striping, and parity-based schemes, none of which replaces a proper backup.

The plans and resources for restoring IT services after a major disruption, including alternate sites, backups, and defined recovery time objectives. It is tested periodically to confirm effectiveness.