| A | B |
|---|
| DRAM | Dynamic random access memory, loses all data when the power is disconnected or shut down. |
| Floppy Disk | Originally in 5.5 inch size, the later 3.5 inch model held 1.4 mb of data. |
| Microprocessor | Another name for a CPU, it is an integrated circuit that essentially governs the functions of the computer. |
| Telnet | Network protocol that allows a user to login and manipulate a remote computer. |
| TCP/IP | Set of communication protocols used by the Internet. Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol delivers data in packets from one Internet Addressed device to another. |
| Ethernet Network | Computer based networking technology for most LANs. Combines the use of standardized wiring, data packet formats and protocols for sharing information across a LAN. |
| CAT 5 Cable | Four twisted pairs of wires, can support data speeds of up to 1000 mbps. |
| Switch | Device that channels |
| LAN | Local Area Network of computers within a single building or organization. |
| WAN | Wide Area Network that spans a larger geograpcal area and may include 2 or more LANs. |
| SAN | Storage Area Network that connects different kinds of data storage drives with data servers. |
| Wi-Fi | Wireless Fidelity, refers to the 802.11 wireless frequency and its protocols. |
| 802.11b | Wireless frequency with a data transfer rate of 11 mbps. |
| 802.11g | Wireless frequency with a data transfer rate of 54 mbps. |
| Internet | Developed by ARPANet and the U.S. Military in the 1960's, it is the larges netowrk of interconnected computers on the planet. |
| Monitor | Computer display. |
| Keyboard | Primary input device, allows charater based text input to a computer. |
| Mouse | First appeared with the Apple Lisa, it allows user to "point and click" to perform operations on a computer. |
| USB | The Universal Serial Bus interface allows hot pluggable peripherals to be added to the computer. USB 2 can transfer data at up to 400 mbps. |
| Firewire | Developed by Apple, it allows data transfer rates of up to 400 mbps. |
| Hard Drive | Long term memory device within a computer, it stores all local data and applications. |
| Motherboard | The board that contains the ROM, VRAM, circuits and traces of the computer. |
| Power Supply | Device that supplies "juice" to the computer. |
| Traces | Small metallic pathways on a motherboard that transmit information between the motherboard's components. |
| RAM | Random Access Memory, it stores the computers most frequently used commands and is dynamic in that it is erased ewhen power is turned off. |
| ROM | A form of built-in memory, it contains the instructions that allows your computer to boot up and load the operating system. |
| VRAM | A special form of RAM used to store image data for a computer display. |
| PRAM | Parameter Random Access Memory. This type of memory is found in Macintosh computers, and powered by a battery. It is used to store system configurations, as well as the date and time, even when the machine is turned off. |
| SIMM | Single Inline Memory Module. A circuit board on which RAM memory chips are mounted. |
| DIMM | Dual In-line Memory Module; a small circuit board that can hold a group of memory chips. A DIMM is capable of transferring 64 bits instead of the 32 bits each SIMM can handle. |
| Fan | Component that lowers the temperature of the microprocessor in a computer. |
| Bluetooth | A wireless protocol that is used to communicate from one device to another in a small area usually less than 30 feet. |
| CPU | Central Processing Unit; the brains of the computer. The CPU interprets and executes the actual computing tasks. |
| Modem | Modulator-demodulator - a device or program that enables a computer to transmit data over analogue telephone lines. |
| DSL | Digital Subscriber Line. This is technology that uses ordinary copper telephone lines to provide Internet speeds ranging from 1.5 to 9 Mbps--speeds that are 30 to 50 times faster than a regular 56-kbps dial-up modem. |
| Cable Modem | A special type of modem that connects to a local cable TV line to provide a continuous connection to the Internet at speeds up to 1.5 mbps. |
| ISP | Internet Service Provider, or a company/group/individual who provides internet service to end users. |
| Dial Up | A connection to the Internet, or other remote computer or network, made by dialling up an access telephone number. |
| Peripherals | A piece of equipment (mouse, printer, scanner, etc) attached to a computer to perform tasks that a computer cannot do itself. |
| Hardware | The physical components of a computer system |
| Software | Computer programs; instructions that make hardware work. Two main types of software are system software (operating systems), which control the workings of the computer, and applications, such as word processing programs, spreadsheets, and databases. |
| Operating System | The most important program that runs on a computer: the operatign system ("OS") performs basic tasks such as recognizing input from the keyboard, sending output to the display screen, keeping track of files and directories on the disk, and controlling peripheral devices such as disk drives and printers. PCs operating systems include DOS and Windows XP; Macintosh operating systems include OS 9.2 and OS X. |
| UNIX | A computer operating system. UNIX is designed to be used by many people at the same time (it is multi-user) and has TCP/IP built-in. It is the most common operating system for servers on the Internet. |
| Linux | A version of UNIX that has gained popularity because of its stability as an operating system for hosting web servers. Linux is open source software and is freely available over the Internet. |
