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Glossary 171
specific device (such as a serial connector, parallel
connector, or expansion slot) and allows the processor to
communicate with that device.
IRQ — interrupt request — An electronic pathway assigned
to a specific device so that the device can communicate with
the processor. Each device connection must be assigned an
IRQ. Although two devices can share the same IRQ
assignment, you cannot operate both devices
simultaneously.
ISP — Internet service provider — A company that allows
you to access its host server to connect directly to the
Internet, send and receive e-mail, and access websites. The
ISP typically provides you with a software package, user
name, and access phone numbers for a fee.
K
Kb — kilobit — A unit of data that equals 1024 bits. A
measurement of the capacity of memory integrated circuits.
KB — kilobyte — A unit of data that equals 1024 bytes but
is often referred to as 1000 bytes.
key combination — A command requiring you to press
multiple keys at the same time.
kHz — kilohertz — A measurement of frequency that
equals 1000 Hz.
L
LAN — local area network — A computer network
covering a small area. A LAN usually is confined to a
building or a few nearby buildings. A LAN can be
connected to another LAN over any distance through
telephone lines and radio waves to form a wide area
network (WAN).
LCD — liquid crystal display — The technology used by
portable computer and flat-panel displays.
LED — light-emitting diode — An electronic component
that emits light to indicate the status of the computer.
local bus — A data bus that provides a fast throughput for
devices to the processor.
LPT — line print terminal — The designation for a parallel
connection to a printer or other parallel device.
M
Mb — megabit — A measurement of memory chip capacity
that equals 1024 Kb.
Mbps — megabits per second — One million bits per
second. This measurement is typically used for transmission
speeds for networks and modems.
MB — megabyte — A measurement of data storage that
equals 1,048,576 bytes. 1 MB equals 1024 KB. When used
to refer to hard drive storage, the term is often rounded to
1,000,000 bytes.
MB/sec — megabytes per second — One million bytes per
second. This measurement is typically used for data transfer
ratings.
media bay — A bay that supports devices such as optical
drives, a second battery, or a Dell TravelLite™ module.
memory — A temporary data storage area inside your
computer. Because the data in memory is not permanent, it
is recommended that you frequently save your files while
you are working on them, and always save your files before
you shut down the computer. Your computer can contain
several different forms of memory, such as RAM, ROM,
and video memory. Frequently, the word memory is used as
a synonym for RAM.
memory address — A specific location where data is
temporarily stored in RAM.
memory mapping — The process by which the computer
assigns memory addresses to physical locations at start-up.
Devices and software can then identify information that the
processor can access.
memory module — A small circuit board containing
memory chips, which connects to the system board.
MHz — megahertz — A measure of frequency that equals 1
million cycles per second. The speeds for computer
processors, buses, and interfaces are often measured in
MHz.
Mini PCI — A standard for integrated peripheral devices
with an emphasis on communications such as modems and
NICs. A Mini PCI card is a small external card that is