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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 supply. A battery-powered
unit that automatically 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 multiple 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).
VA C — Volt(s) alternating current.
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 video adapter installed 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 Windows, it consults the win.ini file
to determine a variety of options for the Windows operating
environment. The win.ini file also usually includes sections
that contain optional settings for Windows application
programs that are installed on the hard drive.
Windows 2000 — An integrated 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 services. XML Web services are small
reusable applications written in XML that allow 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 Web, intranets, and
elsewhere.
ZIF — Zero insertion force.