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Glossary
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LaCie d2 SCSI Hard Drive
9. Glossary
Buffer
- RAM cache that is faster than the data that is being delivered. Buffers are used so data may be stored and delivered
to the receiving item, as it is needed.
Bus
- Electronic links that enable data to flow between the processor, RAM and extension cables (peripherals).
Configuration
- When talking about a PC, configuration is understood to be the sum of the internal and external components
of the system, including memory, disk drives, the keyboard, the video subsystem and other peripherals, such as the mouse,
modem or printer. The configuration also implies software: the operating system and various device managers (drivers), as
well as hardware settings and options set by the user via configuration files.
Controller
- This is a component, or an electronic card (referred to in this case as a "controller card"), which enables a
computer to communicate with certain peripherals. The controller manages the operation of the peripheral associated with
it and links the PC bus to the peripheral via a ribbon cable inside the PC. An external controller is an expansion card which
fills one of the free slots inside your PC and enables a peripheral (CD-ROM drive, scanner or printer) to be connected to
the computer.
Data Stream
- The flow of data that accomplishes a task, usually related to moving data from storage to computer RAM or
between storage devices.
Digital
- Discrete information that can be reduced to zero bits or one bit.
Driver (peripheral manager)
- A software component which enables the computer system to communicate with a peripheral.
Most peripherals will not operate correctly — if at all — if the appropriate drivers are not installed on the system.
Folder
- A list created on a disk to store files. Creating folders and subfolders enables you to organize the storage of your files
in a logical, hierarchical manner so that you can find and manage them more easily.
GB (GigaByte)
– This value is normally associated with data storage capacity. Basically, it means a thousand million or a bil-
lion bytes. In fact, it equals 1,073,741,824 bytes (or 1,024 x 1,024 x 1,024).
Hardware
- Physical components of a computer system, including the computer itself and peripherals such as printers,
modems, mice, etc.
Hub
- A device which links several peripherals together onto the same bus. Active hubs, which regenerate and retransmit
signals down the cable, require a power supply. Passive hubs only interconnect various components.