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A metal frame used for holding server computers and networking equipment. A standard rack is 19" wide. There are wider racks that are 23" wide, built to hold wider equipment. Racks range in height, but are typically either 24 or 42 rack units, with each unit being 1.75".
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Rack - Date: Fri, 03 Oct 2003 21:55:44 -0000From: Seth JohnsonSubject: Phoenix and MS to Integrate BIOS with Windows(This is it. -- Seth)-----Original Message-----From: "Ryan Jairam"Date: Fri, 3 Oct 2003 19:50:04 -0400Subject: Phoenix and MS moves to integrate Windows with BIOSA deal with BIOS maker Phoenix Technologies would allow the operatingsystem to directly control hardware. It also raises concerns over whocontrols the software in PCs.Microsoft has expanded its relationship with BIOS maker PhoenixTechnologies in a deal designed to more closely integrate the basicbuilding blocks of the PC with the Windows operating system.Full story at:http://news.zdnet.co.uk/software/developer/0,39020387,39116902,00.htmRyan Jairam http://news.zdnet.co.uk/software/developer/0,39020387,39116902,00.htmMicrosoft moves to integrate Windows with BIOSMatthew BroersmaZDNet UKOctober 03, 2003, 17:25 BSTA deal with BIOS maker Phoenix Technologies would allow the operatingsystem to directly control hardware. It also raises concerns over whocontrols the software in PCsMicrosoft has expanded its relationship with BIOS maker PhoenixTechnologies in a deal designed to more closely integrate the basicbuilding blocks of the PC with the Windows operating system.The relationship, announced this week, is designed to make PCs simplerand more reliable, the companies said. The move is likely to putconsumer rights advocates on their guard, however, since bothMicrosoft and Phoenix are involved in plans to integrate digitalrights management (DRM) technology at the operating system andhardware level. DRM is designed to give copyright owners more controlover how users make use of software and content, but has beencriticised as eroding consumer rights.A BIOS, or basic input/output system, is the software that ties theoperating system to a PC's hardware. Traditionally, it has carried outbasic tasks such as hardware and system configuration, and has beenstandardised and simple enough to allow the installation ofalternative operating systems, including Linux.Phoenix's Core System Software (CSS) is a next-generation BIOS with amore sophisticated integration of operating system and hardware, forexample making it easier for system administrators to remotely monitorthe hardware configurations of their systems. CSS is designed for non-PC systems such as blade servers and embedded industrial devices aswell as traditional desktops.Microsoft said integration should mean simpler and more reliablecomputers. "This is a pivotal change for the industry, and it willrapidly advance serviceability, deployment, and management forservers, mobile devices, and desktops," said Microsoft general managerof Windows hardware Tom Phillips, in a statement. "Effectively,Phoenix is creating an entirely new category of system software."Microsoft said the next-generation BIOS would allow future versions ofWindows to manage server blades when they are connected to a system,without needing to be turned on. The BIOS would also allow bettercontrol of unauthorised devices connected to a system, Microsoft said.Phoenix is one of the biggest BIOS providers, its customers includingfour of the top five PC manufacturers. Its products are also used byconsumer electronics makers such as Pioneer, Matsushita, Sony andToshiba.Both Microsoft and Phoenix are currently arguing for closerintegration of Windows with PC hardware, and DRM integratedthroughout. Microsoft is planning to tie Windows DRM features to thehardware platform via its controversial Next Generation SecureComputing Base (NGSCB) project, formerly known as Palladium. NGSCB isassociated with the next version of Windows, code-named Longhorn,which is due in about two years' time.Phoenix recently said it is touting round a BIOS with built-in DRMtechnology to major PC manufacturers. In September the company said ithad developed a prototype of its Core Management Engine (CME)including DRM from Orbid. The DRM technology would allow contentproviders to identify which PCs and devices were authorised to play
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