Glossary

Bandwidth refers to carrying capacity. The greater the bandwidth, the more data the bus, phone line, or other electrical path, can carry. Greater bandwidth, then, also results in greater speed.

A BBS (Bulletin Board System) is a computer system with a number of modems hooked up to it which acts as a center for users to post messages and access information.

The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) program resides in the ROM chip, and provides the basic instructions for controlling your computer’s hardware. Both the operating system and application software use BIOS routines to ensure compatibility.

A buffer is a portion of RAM which is used to temporarily store data, usually from an application, though it is also used when printing, and in most key- board drivers. The CPU can manipulate data in a buffer before copying it, all at once, to a disk drive. While this improves system performance--reading to or writing from a disk drive a single time is much faster than doing so repeatedly-- there is the possibility of losing your data should the system crash. Informa- tion stored in a buffer is temporarily stored, not permanently saved.

Abus is a data pathway. The term is used especially to refer to the connec- tion between the processor and system memory, and between the processor and PCI or ISA local buses.

Bus mastering allows peripheral devices and IDEs to access the system memory without going through the CPU (similar to DMA channels).

A cache is a temporary storage area for data that will be needed often by an application. Using a cache lowers data access times, since the needed information is stored in the SRAM instead of in the slower DRAM. Note that the cache is also much smaller than your regular memory: a typical cache size is 512KB, while you may have as much as 1GB of regular memory.

Cache size refers to the physical size of the cache onboard. This should not be confused with the cacheable area, which is the total amount of memory which can be scanned by the system in search of data to put into the cache. A typical setup would be a cache size of 512KB, and a cacheable area of 512MB. In this case, up to 512MB of the main memory onboard is capable of being

S1857 Trinity 371

Tyan S1857, Trinity 371 Motherboard specifications

The Tyan Computer Trinity 371 motherboard, also known as the Tyan S1857, is a versatile and reliable choice for various computing needs. Designed primarily for the industrial and server markets, this motherboard is known for its robust build quality and extensive feature set that supports a wide range of applications.

One of the standout features of the Tyan S1857 is its support for AMD processors, specifically the Socket A (462) interface. This compatibility allows users to utilize a variety of AMD CPUs, including the Athlon and Duron series, ensuring that the motherboard can accommodate different performance requirements. The motherboard supports a maximum of 1.5GB of DDR SDRAM, enhancing its ability to handle memory-intensive applications and multitasking operations efficiently.

Additionally, the Tyan Trinity 371 offers integrated VIA Apollo KT133A chipsets, which provide reliable performance and optimized speed for both desktop and server environments. The motherboard supports a 100MHz Front Side Bus (FSB), ensuring high data transfer rates and improved overall system performance. The inclusion of five PCI slots permits the addition of various expansion cards, such as graphics cards, network cards, and additional storage controllers, enhancing the system’s versatility.

From a storage perspective, the Tyan S1857 features a standard IDE controller that supports up to four IDE devices. This includes the ability to connect multiple hard drives and optical drives, providing ample storage options for user needs. The motherboard also supports RAID configurations, which can enhance data redundancy and performance for server applications.

On the connectivity front, the Tyan Trinity 371 incorporates a variety of ports, including USB and serial ports, facilitating connections to peripherals and external devices. The onboard Ethernet connectivity ensures that users can easily connect to networks, making it suitable for both standalone and networked environments.

The Tyan S1857 also emphasizes stability and durability, making it a reliable choice for critical applications. Its design considers thermal management, allowing for effective heat dissipation, which is essential for maintaining optimal operating conditions, especially in industrial settings.

In summary, the Tyan Computer Trinity 371 motherboard, or Tyan S1857, stands out for its comprehensive feature set, robust support for AMD processors, and reliable performance in various applications. Its ability to support expansion through additional slots, RAID configurations, and versatile connectivity options makes it an excellent choice for both industrial and server environments.