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32 AP100 Hardware Reference Guide
IV. Appendix
IV. Appendix
Glossary
Byte (Binary Term)
One byte is a group of eight contiguous bits. A byte is used to represent a single alphanumeric
character, punctuation mark, or other symbol.
COM Port
COM is a logical device name used by to designate the computer serial ports. Pointing devices,
modems, and infrared modules can be connected to COM ports. Each COM port is configured
to use a different IRQ and address assignment.
CPU (Central Processing Unit)
The CPU, sometimes called “Processor,” actually functions as the “brain” of the computer. It
interprets and executes program commands and processes all the data stored in memory. Cur-
rently, there are socket 7, slot 1, and slot 2 CPUs. Intel Pentium Processors fit on socket 7, Intel
Pentium II fit on slot 1, and Intel Xeon fit on slot 2.
IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics)
IDE devices integrate the drive control circuitry directly on the drive itself, eliminating the
need for a separate adapter card (in the case for SCSI devices). UltraDMA/33 IDE devices can
achieve up to 33MB/Sec transfer.
LPT Port (Line Printer Port)
Logical device name reserved by DOS for the computer parallel ports. Each LPT port is con-
figured to use a different IRQ and address assignment.
PCI Bus (Peripheral Component Interconnect Local Bus)
PCI bus is a specification that defines a 32-bit data bus interface. PCI is a standard widely used
by expansion card manufacturers.
Peripherals
Peripherals are devices attached to the computer via I/O ports. Peripheral devices allow your
computer to perform an almost limitless variety of specialized tasks.
POST (Power On Self Test)
When you turn on the computer, it will first run through the POST, a series of software-controlled
diagnostic tests. The POST checks system memory, the motherboard circuitry, the display, the
keyboard, the diskette drive, and other I/O devices.
PS/2 Port
PS/2 ports are based on IBM Micro Channel Architecture. This type of architecture transfers
data through a 16-bit or 32-bit bus. A PS/2 mouse and/or keyboard may be used on ATX
motherboards.
RAID (Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks)
RAID can be set up to provide mirroring (for fault tolerance), parity (for data guarding), or
striping (for data distribution over several drives for increased performance). A RAID card is
required to setup a RAID system.
RAM (Random Access Memory)
There are several different types of RAM such as DRAM (Dynamic RAM), EDO DRAM (Ex-
tended Data Out DRAM), SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM).
ROM (Read Only Memory)
ROM is nonvolatile memory used to store permanent programs (called firmware) used in cer-
tain computer components. Flash ROM (or EEPROM) can be reprogrammed with new pro-
grams (or BIOS).
SCSI (Small Computer System Interface)
High speed parallel interface defined by the X3T9.2 committee of the American National Stan-
dards Institute (ANSI) for connecting many peripheral devices.
Glossary