What is the primary purpose of a server's BIOS?

The primary purpose of a server's BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is to perform hardware initialization during the booting process. When a server is powered on, the BIOS is the first piece of software that runs, and it initializes and tests the hardware components, such as the processor, memory, and storage devices, ensuring that they are functioning correctly before the operating system is loaded. This hardware initialization is crucial for the server to operate correctly.

The BIOS also allows for configuration of hardware settings and can provide low-level control over the hardware, such as boot device selection and system clock settings. None of the other options relate specifically to the core responsibilities of the BIOS. Managing network traffic relates more to network operating systems or dedicated networking hardware, storing user data pertains to storage devices or file systems, and firewall protection is the function of security software and hardware solutions.