GlossaryG
Address - A specific location in memory, designated either numerically or by a symbolic name.
Asynchronous Data Transfer - A method of transmission which does not require a common clock, but separates fields of data by stop and start bits. It is slower than synchronous data transfer.
BIOS - Basic Input/Output System. Software that provides basic read/write capability. Usually kept as firmware (ROM based). The system BIOS on the mainboard of a computer is used to boot and control the system. The SCSI BIOS on your host adapter acts as an extension of the system BIOS.
Bit - A binary digit. The smallest unit of information a computer uses. The value of a bit (0 or 1) represents a
Bus - A collection of unbroken signal lines across which information is transmitted from one part of a computer system to another. Connections to the bus are made via taps on the lines.
Bus Mastering - A
Byte - A unit of information consisting of eight bits.
Chain - A topology in which every processor is connected to two others, except for two end processors that are connected to only one other.
CISPR - A special international committee on radio interference (Committee, International and Special, for Protection in Radio).
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 Micro Processor Unit (MPU) is also used.
DMA - Direct Memory Access. A method of moving data from a storage device directly to RAM, without using the CPU’s resources.
DMA Bus Master - A feature that allows a peripheral to control the flow of data to and from 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 - A hardware configuration for connecting SCSI devices. It uses a pair of lines for each signal transfer (as opposed to
Dword - A double word is a group of 4 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 -
Glossary
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