Tyan Computer Tyan S1598 user manual Glossary

tion about Plug and Play devices in the system BIOS. This information helps properly configure the system each time it boots.

Firmware is low level software that controls the system hardware.

Form factor is an industry term for the size, shape, power supply type, and external connector type of the PCB (personal computer board) or motherboard. The standard form factors are the AT and ATX, although TYAN also makes some Baby-AT boards.

A Global timer is an onboard hardware timer, such as the Real Time Clock.

Handshaking is a form of encryption. One system, typically the server, sends an encryption scheme to another agent, typically a client. Thus, the client’s data is protected during transmittal to the server.

HDD stands for Hard Disk Drive.

H-SYNCcontrols the horizontal properties of the monitor.

IC (Integrated Circuit) is the formal name for the computer chip.

IDE Integrated Device (or Drive) Electronics is a simple, self-contained hard drive interface. It can handle drives up to 8.4GB in size. Almost all IDEs sold now are in fact Enhanced IDEs (EIDEs).

IDE INT (IDE Interrupt) is a hardware interrupt signal that goes to the IDE.

I/O Input/Output is the connection between your computer and another piece of hardware (mouse, keyboard, etc.).

IRQ An Interrupt Request is an electronic request that runs from a hardware device to the CPU. The interrupt controller assigns priorities to incoming requests and delivers them to the CPU. It is important that there is only one device hooked up to each IRQ line; doubling up devices on IRQ lines can lock up your system. Happily, Plug and Play operating systems take care of these details for you.

ISA stands for Industry Standard Architecture. ISA is a slower 8- or 16-bit BUS (data pathway).

S1598 Trinity ATX

GLOSSARY

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