Glossary

Disk Drive - A hardware device which provides for the storage of data on diskettes or hard metal disks that have a magnetic coating. A disk drive functions by spinning at high speed while moving a device called the read/write head across the disk’s surface in order to read or write data in magnetic code.

DRAM - An acronym for Dynamic Random Access Memory. A type of memory chip that only keeps its memory if supplied with regular clock pulses and a chance to regularly refresh its data. It is slower and more cost effective than SRAM. See SRAM.

ECP - An acronym for Expanded Capabilities Port. A standard set by Hewlett Packard and Microsoft Corporation to expand the capabilities of the parallel port.

EDO Memory - An acronym for Extended Data Output. A type of DRAM with built-in cache.

EISA - An acronym for Extended Industry Standard Architecture. EISA is a bus design standard which is fully backward compatible with the ISA bus. Although it is a 32-bit bus, it only runs at 8MHz. See PCI, VESA, and ISA.

EPP - An acronym for Enhanced Parallel Port. A standard which increases the capabilities of the parallel port.

EPROM - Acronym for Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory. A type of ROM chip that can be programmed with relatively simple tools that will retain its data until erased. It can only be erased by exposing the circuitry in the chip to ultraviolet light. See also Flash ROM.

External Cache - Cache which is external to the CPU. See Cache.

Fast SCSI - A SCSI data transfer standard that allows a rate of up to 10MB/sec.

Fast Wide SCSI - A SCSI data transfer that allows a rate of up to 20MB/sec.

Flash ROM - A type of ROM chip that will retain its data until erased. It can be erased or reprogrammed by supplying it with +12V of voltage. See ROM and

EPROM.

Full Size - A standard system board size measuring approximately 12" x 13.75".

Gigabyte - A disk storage capacity measurement. Approximately one thousand megabytes or 1,073,741,824 bytes.

IDE - An acronym for Integrated Device Electronics. A standard for communicating between a hard drive and a computer.

Internal Cache - Cache which is built into the CPU. See Cache.

ISA - An acronym for Industry Standard Architecture. A well-established bus standard that originated with the IBM AT. See PCI, VESA, and EISA.

Jumper - a small plug that fits over and shorts pins on a circuit board. Jumpers allow the various functions of the board to be enabled or disabled.

Kilobyte (KB) - 1,024 bytes.

L1 Cache - See Internal Cache.

L2 Cache - See External Cache.

G-2

M54E2 System Board Manual