B-4
Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations
LVD
Low Voltage Differential. LVD is a robust design methodology that
improves power consumption, data integrity, cable lengths and support
for multiple devices, while providing a migration path for increased I/O
performance.
LVD Link
Low Voltage Differential Link allows greater Ultra2 SCSI device
connectability and longer SCSI cables. LVD Link lowers the amplitude of
noise reflections and allows higher transmission frequencies.
Mbyte
Megabyte. A measure of computer storage equal to 1024 kilobytes.
Mainboard
A large circuit board that holds RAM, ROM, the microprocessor, custom
integrated circuits, and other components that make a computer work. It
also has expansion slots for host adapters and other expansion boards.
Main Memory
The part of a computer’s memory which is directly accessible by the CPU
(usually synonymous with RAM).
Motherboard
See Mainboard. In some countries, the term Motherboard is not
appropriate.
Multitasking
The executing of more than one command at the same time. This allows
programs to operate in parallel.
Multithreading
The simultaneous accessing of data by more than one SCSI device. This
increases the data throughput.
NVRAM
NonVolatile Random Access Memory. Actually an EEPROM
(Electronically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory chip) used to
store configuration information. See EEPROM.
Operating
System
A program that organizes the internal activities of the computer and its
peripheral devices. An operating system performs basic tasks such as
moving data to and from devices, and managing information in memory.
It also provides the user interface.
Parity Checking
A way to verify the accuracy of data transmitted over the SCSI bus. One
bit in the transfer is used to make the sum of all the 1 bits either odd or
even (for odd or even parity). If the sum is not correct, an error message
appears.
PCI
Peripheral Component Interconnect. A local bus specification that allows
connection of peripherals directly to computer memory. It bypasses the
slower ISA and EISA buses.