DMTF — Distributed Management Task Force — A consortium of hardware and software companies who develop
management standards for distributed desktop, network, enterprise, and Internet environments.
domain — A group of computers, programs, and devices on a network that are administered as a unit with common rules
and procedures for use by a specific group of users. A user logs on to the domain to gain access to the resources.
DRAM — Dynamic Random-Access Memory — Memory that stores information in integrated circuits containing capacitors.
driver — Software that allows the operating system to control a device such as a printer. Many devices do not work
properly if the correct driver is not installed in the computer.
DSL — Digital Subscriber Line — A technology that provides a constant, high-speed Internet connection through an analog
telephone line.
dual-core — A technology in which two physical computational units exist inside a single processor package, thereby
increasing computing efficiency and multi-tasking ability.
dual display mode — A display setting that allows you to use a second monitor as an extension of your display. Also
referred to as extended display mode.
DVD-R — DVD recordable — A recordable version of a DVD. Data can be recorded only once onto a DVD-R. Once
recorded, the data cannot be erased or written over.
DVD+RW — DVD rewritable — A rewritable version of a DVD. Data can be written to a DVD+RW disc, and then erased
and written over (rewritten). (DVD+RW technology is different from DVD-RW technology.)
DVD+RW drive — drive that can read DVDs and most CD media and write to DVD+RW (rewritable DVDs) discs.
DVI — Digital Video Interface — A standard for digital transmission between a computer and a digital videodisplay.
E
ECC — Error Checking and Correction — A type of memory that includes special circuitry for testing the accuracy of data
as it passes in and out of memory.
ECP — Extended Capabilities Port — A parallel connector design that provides improved bidirectional data transmission.
Similar to EPP, ECP uses direct memory access to transfer data and often improves performance.
EIDE — Enhanced Integrated Device Electronics — An improved version of the IDE interface for hard drives and CD drives.
EMI — ElectroMagnetic Interference — Electrical interference caused by electromagnetic radiation.
EPP — Enhanced Parallel Port — A parallel connector design that provides bidirectional data transmission.
ESD — ElectroStatic Discharge — A rapid discharge of static electricity. ESD can damage integrated circuits found in
computer and communications equipment.
expansion card — A circuit board that installs in an expansion slot on the system board in some computers, expanding the
capabilities of the computer. Examples include video, modem, and sound cards.
expansion slot — A connector on the system board (in some computers) where you insert an expansion card, connecting it
to the system bus.
ExpressCard — A removable I/O card adhering to the PCMCIA standard. Modems and network adapters are common types
of ExpressCards. ExpressCards support both the PCI Express and USB 2.0 standard.
extended display mode — A display setting that allows you to use a second monitor as an extension of your display. Also
referred to as dual display mode.
extended PC Card — A PC Card that extends beyond the edge of the PC Card slot when installed.
F
Fahrenheit — A temperature measurement scale where 32° is the freezing point and 212° is the boiling point of water.
FBD — Fully-Buffered DIMM — A DIMM with DDR2 DRAM chips and an Advanced Memory Buffer (AMB) that speeds
communication between the DDR2 SDRAM chips and the system.
FCC — Federal Communications Commission — A U.S. agency responsible for enforcing communications-related
regulations that state how much radiation computers and other electronic equipment can emit.
fingerprint reader — A strip sensor that uses your unique fingerprint to authenticate your user identity to help secure
your computer.
folder — A term used to describe space on a disk or drive where files are organized and grouped. Files in a folder can be
