| A | B |
|---|
| Bus | A common pathway, or channel, between multipiple devices |
| Data Bus | An internal pathway across which data is transfered to and from the processor or to and from memory |
| Address Bus | An internal channel from the cpu to memory across which the addressesses of data(not the data) are transmitted |
| PC Bus | The bus architecture used in first generation IBM PC's and XT's |
| ISA | An expansion bus commonly used in Pc's. It accepts plug-in-play boards that control the sound; video display and others |
| EISA | A PC bus standard that extends the 16-bit ISA bus (AT bus) to 32 bits and provides bus mastering |
| PCI | Provides "plug and play" capability, automatically configuring the PCI cards at set up |
| Plug and Play | The ability to add a new component and have it work without having to perform any technical analysis |
| Bandwidth | The transmission capacity of an electronic line such as a communications network, computer bus or computer channel |
| Bus Master | A bus design that allows the peripheral controllers to access the computers memory independently of the CPU |
| Bus Speed | The speed of the bus and how fast it transfers information |
| Expansion Slot | A receptable inside a computer or other electronic system that accepts printed circuit boards |
| Legacy | Describes older computer systems hardware, software |
| Firewire | High speed serial bus. Allows for connection of up to 63 devices primarily used for digital video |
| Adapter | A device that allows one system to connect to and work with another. An adapter is often a simple cirucuit that converts one set of signals to another |
| Interrupt | A signal that gets the attention of the CPU and is usually generated when I/O is required |
| Jumper | A small plug placed over pins to configure hardware settings |
| DMA | Stands for direct memory access. Specialized circruitry or a dedicated microprocessor that transfers data from adapters to memory without using CPU |
| 1/0 address | On PC's a three digit hexadecimal number used to identify and signal a peripheral device like a serial port, parellel port, or sound card |
| AGP | Stands for accelerated graphics port. Architecture that is based on the PCI architecture and is designed specifically to speed up 3D graphics |
