Configuration | Refers to the way a computer is set up; the combined hardware |
| components (computer, monitor, keyboard, and peripheral devices) that |
| make up a computer system; or the software settings that allow the |
| hardware components to communicate with each other. |
CPU | Central Processing Unit. The “brain” of the computer that performs the |
| actual computations. The term Microprocessor Unit (MPU) is also used. |
DMA Bus | A feature that allows a peripheral to control the flow of data to and from |
Master | system memory by blocks, as opposed to PIO (Programmed I/O) where |
| the processor is in control and the flow is by byte. |
Device Driver | A program that allows a microprocessor (through the operating system) |
| to direct the operation of a peripheral device. |
Differential SCSI | A hardware configuration for connecting SCSI devices. It uses a pair of |
| lines for each signal transfer (as opposed to |
| references each SCSI signal to a common ground). |
Dword | A double word is a group of four consecutive bytes or characters that are |
| stored, addressed, transmitted, and operated on as a unit. The lower two |
| address bits of the least significant byte must equal zero in order to be |
| dword aligned. |
EEPROM | Electronically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory. A memory |
| chip typically used to store configuration information. See NVRAM. |
EISA | Extended Industry Standard Architecture. An extension of the |
| bus standard. It allows devices to perform |
External SCSI | A SCSI device installed outside the computer cabinet. These devices are |
Device | connected in a continuous chain using specific types of shielded cables. |
| The SCSI Trade Association (STA) supports the use of “Ultra SCSI” over |
| the term |
| The SCSI Trade Association (STA) supports the use of “Ultra2 SCSI” |
| over the term |
Fast SCSI | A standard for SCSI data transfers. It allows a transfer rate of up to 10 |
| Mbytes/s over an |
| SCSI bus. |
FCC | Federal Communications Commission. |
Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations |