Glossary 153
UNIX — Universal Internet Exchange. UNIX, the
precursor to Linux, is an operating system written in the C
programming language.
uplink port — A port on a network hub or switch used to
connect to other hubs or switches without requiring a
crossover cable.
UPS — Uninterruptible power sup ply. A battery-powered
unit that automatical ly supplies power to your system in the
event of an electrical failure.
USB — Universal Serial Bus. A USB connector provides a
single connection point for mul tiple USB-compliant
devices, such as mice and keyboards. USB devices can be
connected and disconnected while the system is running.
utility — A program used to manage system resources—
memory, disk drives, or printers, for example.
UTP — Unshielded twisted pair. A type of wiring used to
connect systems in a business or home to a telephone line.
V — Volt(s).
VAC — Volt(s) alternating curr ent.
VDC — Volt(s) direct current.
VGA — Video graphics array. VGA and SVGA are video
standards for video adapters with greater resolution and
color display capabilities than previous standards.
video adapter — The logical circuitry that provides (in
combination with the monitor) your system’s video
capabilities. A video adapter may be integrated into the
system board or may be an expansion card that plugs into an
expansion slot.
video driver — A program that allows graphics-mode
application programs and operating systems to display at a
chosen resolution with the desired number of colors. Video
drivers may need to match the vi deo adapter installe d in the
system.
video memory — Most VGA and SVGA video adapters
include memory chips in addition to your system’s RAM.
The amount of video memory installed primarily influences
the number of colors that a program can display (with the
appropriate video drivers and monitor capabilities).
video resolution — Video resolution (800 x 600, for
example) is expressed as the number of pixels across by the
number of pixels up and down. To display a program at a
specific graphics resolution, you must install the appropriate
video drivers and your monitor must support the resolution.
W — Watt(s).
WH — Watt-hour(s).
win.ini file — A start-up file for the Windows operating
system. When you start W indows, it consults the win.ini file
to determine a variety of options for the Windows operating
environment. The win.ini file also u sually includes sections
that contain optional settings for Windows application
programs that are installed on the hard drive.
Windows 2000 — An integrat ed and complete Microsoft
Windows operating system that does not require MS-DOS
and that provides advanced operating system performance,
improved ease of use, enhanced workgroup functionality,
and simplified file management and browsing.
Windows Powered — A Windows operating system
designed for use on NAS systems. For NAS systems, the
Windows Powered operating system is dedicated to file
service for network clients.
Windows Server 2003 — A set of Microsoft software
technologies that enable software integration through the
use of XML Web servi ces. XML Web services are small
reusable applicati ons writte n in XML that al low data to be
communicated between otherwise unconnected sources.
XML — Extensible Markup Language. XML is a way to
create common information formats and to share both the
format and the data on the World Wide We b, intranets, and
elsewhere.
ZIF — Zero insertion force.