R A I D — Redundant array of independent disks. A method of providing data redundancy. Some common implementations of RAID include RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 10, and RAID 50. See also guarding, mirroring, and striping.

R A M — Random-access memory. The system’s primary temporary storage area for program instructions and data. Any information stored in RAM is lost when you turn off your system.

R A S — Remote Access Service. This service allows users running the Windows operating system to remotely access a network from their system using a modem.

R E A D M E F I L E A text file, usually shipped with software or hardware, that contains information supplementing or updating the product’s documentation.

R E A D - O N L Y F I L E A read-only file is one that you are prohibited from editing or deleting.

ROM — Read-only memory. Your system contains some programs essential to its operation in ROM code. A ROM chip retains its contents even after you turn off your system. Examples of code in ROM include the program that initiates your system’s boot routine and the POST.

ROMB — RAID on motherboard. R P M Revolutions per minute. RTC — Real-time clock.

SAS — Serial-attached SCSI.

SATA — Serial Advanced Technology Attachment. A standard interface between the system board and storage devices.

SCSI — Small computer system interface. An I/O bus interface with faster data transmission rates than standard ports.

SDRAM — Synchronous dynamic random-access memory. S E C Second(s).

S E R I A L P O R T An I/O port used most often to connect a modem to your system. You can usually identify a serial port on your system by its 9-pin connector.

S E R V I C E T A G A bar code label on the system used to identify it when you call Dell for technical support.

S I M P L E D I S K V O L U M E The volume of free space on a single dynamic, physical disk.

SMART — Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology. Allows hard drives to report errors and failures to the system BIOS and then display an error message on the screen.

Glossary

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