| A | B |
|---|
| Serial Port | the enternal connector on a computer that is used as an interface between the computer and a serial device such as a modem. |
| parallel port | the parallel port is found on just about all PC's. It's a 25-pin interface cable(DB-25) that is designed for connection to printer |
| modem | modulator/demodulator. a device to turn digital signals to analog ones and back again so they can be transmitted and translated back to digital at another modem wthout loss. |
| asynchronous | this method of communication transfers data without a specific timing mechanism between the two communication paraties. |
| RS-232C | serial interface used on a PC, usually implemented as a 9-pin interface. |
| Request to send (RTS) | RS-232 handshaking signal out from the originating mode to the recieving modem, requesting permission to begin the data transmission. |
| Data Set Ready (DSR) | An RS-232 handshaking signal that is sent from a modem by its computer, indicating its ability to send data. |
| Data Terminal Ready (DTR) | An RS-232 handshaking signal that is sent to a modem from its own computer, indicating its readyness to accept data. |
| Clear To Send (CTS) | An RS-232 handshaking signal sent from the reciever to the transmitter, indicating readiness to access data. |
| Framing | The process of using start, stop, and parity bits to verify asynchronous transmission. |
| Data Rate | The number of bits of data that are tranmitted per second. Not to be confused with baud rate. |
| Baud Rate | The number of signal cahnges that ar data transmission line makes in one second. Not to be confused with data rate. |
| Crosstalk | Interference caused by 'leaks'' from a nearby communication channel. |
| Handshaking | Signals transmitted back and forth over a communications network that establish a valid connection between two stations. |
| I/O Port | A place on a computer where you can plug in peripheral devices. Also referred to as input/output port, or port. |
| Centronics | Parallel port standard taht uses a 36-pin connector to connect to the printer, and a DB-25 connector to connect to the PC. |
| USB Standard | Stands for Universal Serial Bus. A hardware interface for low-speed peripherals such as the keyboard, mouse, joystick, scanner, printer, and telephony devices. |
| Hot Swap | To change our a device without needing to power down the PC during installation or remove the divice. |
| FireWire | A high-speed serial bus developed by Apple and Tesas Instruments that allows for the connection of up to 63 devices. |
| Isochronous | Uses a single device for clocking and all other devices set their internal clocks to this one device. |
