 |
|
| fff | |
|
|
|
|
Here are some definitions of computer and networking in general. If you can not find a definition you are looking for below, please email us. # A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 10baseT - The Ethernet standard for local area networks using twisted-pair cable carrying data at 10 megabits per second (Mbps). 100baseT - The Ethernet standard for local area networks using twisted-pair cable carrying data at 100 megabits per second (Mbps). Address - The location of an Internet resource. An email address may take the form of roccospetbakery@hotmail.com. A web address looks something like http://www.roccospetbakery.com. AGP - (Advance Graphic Port), The bus allows the graphic controller to directly access texture map data from the main memory rather than having to move it to the graphic controllers' local memory first. ASCII - (American Standard Code for Information Interchange), A set of 128 alphanumeric and special control characters. ASCII files are also known as plain text files. Bandwidth - The amount of data that can be transmitted in a fixed amount of time. For digital devices, the bandwidth is usually expressed in bits per second (bps), kilobits per second (kbps) or megabits per second (Mbps) BIOS - (Basic Input/Output system), Often referred to as the CMOS, the BIOS provides an interface for a computer's hardware and software. Bit - Binary digit. The smallest piece of data (a 1 or a 0) that a computer recognizes. Bits per second (bps) - The number of bits transmitted every second, used as a measure of the speed at which a device, such as a modem, can transfer data. Broadband connection - A high speed connection. Broadband connections typically transfer data @ 256 kbps of faster. Bus - Circuitry that is used to move data. Byte - A series of 8 bits. Cable modem - A device that enables a high-speed connection to the internet by using the same wiring used for cable television over cable or coaxial or fiber optic cable. Cache - A region of memory where frequently accessed data can be stored for rapid access. CAS - (Column Address Strobe), is the signal which tells the DRAM to accept the given address a a column address. It is used with RAS and a row address to select a bit within the DRAM. Category 5 or CAT5 Cable - Twisted pair of copper cables rated @ 10Mbps and 100Mbps data rates used for Ethernet and Fast Ethernet networks. CD-R - Recordable compact disk in which data can be copied to the CD on more than one occasion, but data cannot be erased from CD. CD-RW - Rewritable compact disk in which data can be copied to the CD on more than one occasion and be erased. CGI - (Common Gateway Interface), the specification for how an HTTP server should communicate with server gateway applications. Cookies - Sweet snacks. Also the collective name for files stored on your hard drive by your Web browser that hold information about your browsing habits, like what sites you have visited, which newsgroups you have read, etc. CPU - (Central Processing Unit), The computer chip primarily responsible for executing instructions. DDR - (Double Data Rate), is a type of SDRAM in which data is sent on both the rising and falleng edges of clock cycles in a data burst. It is usually referred to as DDR as opposed to DDR SDRAM. DIMM - (Dual Inline Memory Module), A module with signal and power pins on both sides of the board (front and back). DHCP - (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol), A TCP/IP protocol that provides a means to dynamically allocate IP addresses to computers on a local area network. Domain - The Internet is divided into smaller sets known as domains, including .com (business), .gov (government), .edu (educational) and others. Domain Name - Allows you to reference Internet sites without knowing the true numerical address. Download - The process of copying data file(s) from a remote computer to a local computer. DRAM - (Dynamic random access memory), A type of memory component used to store information in a computer system. "Dynamic" means the DRAMs need a constant "refresh" (pulse of current through all of the memory cells) to keep the stored information. (See also RAM and SRAM.) DSL - (Digital Subscriber Line), A high speed data communication connection over existing copper telephone lines to allow users to access the internet. e-mail - Electronic mail ECC - (Error Correcting Code), Logic designed to detect and correct memory errors. EDO - (Extended Data Out), An asynchronous DRAM operating mode that improves access times compared to fast page mode (FPM) DRAMs. Ethernet - A standard for connecting computers to a local area network. Firewall - A combination of hardware and software that provides a security system to help prevent unauthorized access from the outside to an internal network or intranet. Flash Card - A small flash memory module. The memory chips are enclosed in a plastic case and retain data after they are removed from the system. The most common uses for these are in laptops, pagers, handheld computers, cell phones, digital cameras, and audio players. There are several different form factors of flash cards, including Compact Flash, SmartMedia, PCMCIA, and Small Form Factor Flash Card. Flash Memory - Flash memory is a non-volatile memory device that retains its data after the power is removed. FPM - (Fast page mode), A feature used to support faster sequential access to DRAM by allowing multiple accesses to the currently open row to be made after supplying the row address just once. FSB - (Front Side Bus), The main highway for data in a PC. It connects the processor, chip set, DRAM, and AGP socket. FSB is described in terms of its width in bits and its speed in MHz. FTP - (File Transfer Protocol), a set of rules for exchanging files between computers via the Internet. Gateway - Software or hardware that enables communication between different computer networks which have the same or different protocols. Also called a router. GIF - (Graphics Interchange Format), a common image format. Most images seen on web pages are GIF files Gigabit - Amount of memory equal to 1024 Megabits (1,073,741,824 bits) of information. Abbreviated Gb. Gigabyte - Amount of memory equal to 1024 Megabytes (1,073,741,824 bytes) of information. Abbreviated GB. Host - The main computer in ac system of computers or terminals connected by communication links. Host name - the DNS name of a device or computer on a network, which is used to locate computers on the network. HTML - (HyperText Markup Language), a collection of tags typically used in the development of Web pages. HTTP - (HyperText Transfer Protocol), a set of instructions for communication between a server and a World Wide Web client. HUB - A common connection point for devices in a network. It connects multiple segments of a (LAN) local area network. I/O Port - Connection to a CPU that provides a data path between the CPU and external devices, such as a keyboard, display, or reader. It may provide input only, output only, or both input and output. IEEE - (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), "I-triple-E" Founded in 1963, IEEE is an organization that develop standards for the computer and electronics industry IRC - (Internet Relay Chat), the system allowing Internet users to conduct online text based communication with one or more other users. ISDN - (Integrated Services Digital Network), a system of all digital, high bandwidth telephone lines allowing for the simultaneous delivery of audio, video and data. Data travels at 128K bps. ISP - (Internet Service Provider), the company which provides you with a connection to the Internet via either a Dial-up Connection or a Direct Connection. IP Address - (Internet Protocol Address), every computer on the Internet has a unique identifying number, like 191.1.24.2. Internet - The worldwide network of computers communicating via an agreed upon set of Internet protocol. Java - A programming language, similar to C++, created by Sun Microsystems for developing applets that are capable of running on any computer regardless of the operating system. JPEG - (Joint Photograhic Experts Group), a common image format. Most of the images you see embedded into Web pages are GIFs, but sometimes, especially in art or photographic Web sites, you can click on the image to bring up a higher resolution (larger) JPEG version of the same image. empty L1 Cache - Level 1 cache. A small cache integrated in a processor that provides quick access to the most recently used data. L2 Cache - Level 2 cache. L2 cache has the same purpose as L1 cache, but is usually not integrated into the processor. L2 cache is traditionally made of SRAM and in socket 7 and older motherboards was in some cases upgradeable. LAN - (local area network), A group of computers and devices connected together by a communication link that enables them to interact with one another on a network. Latency - The amount of time in nanoseconds (often measured in clock cycles) between a request to read the memory, and when it is actually output. SDRAMs are typically referred to as CL2 or CL3, with CL2 parts being faster. Mbps - (megabits per second), The rate of speed at which data travels over a median. Megabit - Amount of memory equal to 1,048,576 bits of information. (Abbreviated Mb.) Megabyte - Amount of memory equal to 1,048,576 bytes of information. (Abbreviated MB.) Megahertz - (MHz), measurement of clock cycles in millions of cycles per second. MIME - (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions), a protocol for allowing email messages to contain various types of media (text, audio, video, images, etc.). MPEG - (Motion Picture Experts Group), a video file format offering excellent quality in a relatively small file. Video files found on the Internet are frequently stored in the MPEG format. Full length movies (like Top Gun) are available on CD and are stored in the MPEG format. Nameserver - A computer running a program that converts domain names into appropriate IP addresses and vice versa. NAT - (Network Address Translation), A standard way to allow multiple devices on a private network to share one IP address on the internet. NAT is a way to help home networks against hackers. Operating System - Software controlling the overall operation of a multipurpose computer system, including such tasks as memory allocation, input and output distribution, interrupt processing, and job scheduling. Parity - A bit added to a group of bits to detect the presence of an error. The parity bit looks at the other 8 bits and determines if they are even or odd and correspondingly is a 0 or 1. The system compares the 8 bits with the parity bit. If they both are even or odd, the data is assumed to be correct. If one is even and one is odd, there is an error, and typically the system will fail. PC100 - The PC100 specification defines the requirements for SDRAM modules used on 100MHz FSB motherboards. PC133 - The PC133 specification details the requirements for SDRAM modules used on 133MHz FSB motherboards. PC133 SDRAM can be used on 100MHz FSB motherboards but will not yield a performance advantage over PC100 memory at 100MHz. PCB - (Printed Circuit Board), Board that contains layers of circuitry that is used to connect components to a system. PCI - (Peripheral Component Interconnect), A standard that allows PCI compliant devices to connect to your PC PCMCIA - (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association), A peripheral device that has the shape of a credit card in which connects to your laptop. Plug & Play - A set of specifications developed to allow a computer to automatically detect and configure a device by installing the correct device drivers. POP - (Post Office Protocol), a method of storing and returning email. PPP - (Point-to-Point Protocol), a protocol for converting a dial-up connection to a point-to-point connection over the Internet. Frequently used for accessing the World Wide Web over phone lines. Considered more stable than a SLIP connection. Protocols - A set of rules designed to enable computers to communicate with each other. Proxy Server - A component that manages internet traffic to and from a LAN and can provide many features, such as caching which allows storing frequently used web pages. This will allow a user to access the website faster when they return to it. empty RAM - (Random Access Memory) A group of memory chips, typically of dynamic RAM type, which function as the computer's primary workspace. more... RAS - (Row address strobe), The signal that tells the DRAM to accept the given address as a row address. Used with CAS and a column address to select a bit within the DRAM. RDRAM - Rambus DRAM is a revolutionary type of DRAM that uses a 16-18 bit data path and is designed to operate with FSB speed of 800MHz, producing a burst transfer rate of 1.6 gigahertz. RIMMTM - Rambus inline memory modules used for Rambus DRAM. Router - A router is a device or software on a computer that forwards packets of data to a different network. SDRAM - Synchronous dynamic random access memory delivers bursts of data at high speeds using a synchronous interface. Its is actually SDR SDRAM (single data rate SDRAM) but is usually used to referred to as just "SDRAM." Server - A computer on a network that shares it resources with other computers. Search Engine - A tool for searching information on the Internet by topic. Popular engines include InfoSeek, Inktomi and Web Crawler. Shareware- Software that is available on a free limited trial basis. Sometimes this is a fully featured product, other times it lacks some of the features of the commerical version. If you find the product useful, you are expected to register the software, for which in return you will receive the full featured commercial version. SIMM - Single inline memory module. A high-density DRAM package alternative consisting of several components connected to a single printed circuit board. SLDRAM - Synchronous link dynamic random access memory. SLDRAM is a type of SDRAM that uses a multiplexed command bus allowing fewer pins to increase bandwidth and allow higher FSB speeds. SLIP - (Serial Line Internet Protocol), a protocol allowing you to use a dial-up connection as an Internet connection. Similar to a PPP connection, though far less stable. SMTP - (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol), a protocol dictating how email messages are exchanged over the Internet. SNMP - (Simple Network Management Protocol), A protocol that manages and monitors devices and their functions. Snail Mail - Plain old paper mail. United States Post Office SODIMM - Small outline dual inline memory module. Smaller and thinner than standard DIMMs, SODIMMs are typically used in laptop computers. SORIMMTM - Small outline Rambus inline memory module. SORIMMs have a smaller profile that standard RIMMs and are used in laptop computers and systems that have strict size requirements. SPAM - Non-Internet: Delicious "meat" in a can! Internet: Sending multiple, sometimes thousands, of unwelcome messages to a newsgroup or mailing list to promote a commercial product or Web site. Speed - The time it takes to put information into memory or get information out of memory. It is measured from the time that an address and proper control signals are given, until the information is stored or placed in the device's output(s). RAM speed is typically expressed in nanoseconds (lower is faster) for EDO and FPM, and in MHz (higher is faster) for SDR SDRAM, DDR, SDRAM, and RDRAM. System Bus - The primary pathway between the CPU and memory. Also known as frontside bus. T1 - A category of leased telephone line service, allowing transfer rates of 1.5 Mbps (megabytes per second) over the Internet. TCP/IP - (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol), A set of standard protocol used on the Internet that provides communication between network of computers with different hardware and operating system. UNIX - A powerful operating system used on the backbone machines of the Internet. World Wide Web servers frequently run on UNIX. URL - Uniform Resource Locator - the method by which Internet sites are addressed. An example would be "http://www.millennium-mailing.com", the address of the this home page. USB - (Universal Serial Bus), An external bus that supports plug & play devices. A single USB port can support up to 127 peripheral devices. Virtual Memory - This is system memory that is simulated by the hard drive. When all the RAM is being used (for example if there are many programs open at the same time) the computer will swap data to the hard drive and back to give the impression that there is slightly more memory. VPN - (Virtual Private Network), An extension of a network that provides a secure channel by encrypting information over a public network. VPN's provide remote access to private networks. WAN - (Wide Area Network), A communication network that connects geographically separated areas. empty empty empty
|
|
