Intel
®
Raid Controller SRCU41L User Manual
19
Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations A
Table 10. Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations
Term
Definition
Active
Termination
The electrical connection required at each end of the SCSI bus, composed of active voltage
regulation and a set of termination resistors. Ultra SCSI, Ultra2 SCSI, Ultra160 SCSI, and
Ultra320 SCSI require active termination.
BIOS
Basic Input/Output System. Software that provides basic read/write capability. Usually kept
as firmware (ROM based). The system BIOS on the mainboard of a computer is used to boot
and control the system. The SCSI BIOS on your host adapter acts as an extension of the
system BIOS.
Configuration
Refers to the way a computer is setup; the combined hardware components (computer,
monitor, keyboard, and peripheral devices) that make up a computer system; or the software
settings that allow the hardware components to communicate with each other.
Device Driver
A program that allows a microprocessor (through the operating system) to direct the
operation of a peripheral device.
Differential
SCSI
A hardware configuration for connecting SCSI devices. It uses a pair of lines for each signal
transfer (as opposed to Single-Ended SCSI which references each SCSI signal to a common
ground).
Domain
Validation
Domain Validation is a software procedure in which a host queries a device to determine its
ability to communicate at the negotiated Ultra320 data rate.
EEPROM
Electronically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory. A memory chip typically used to
store configuration information, as it provides stable storage for long periods without
electricity and can be reprogrammed. See NVRAM.
External SCSI
Device
A SCSI device installed outside the computer cabinet. These devices are connected together
using specific types of shielded cables.
Host
The computer system in which a storage adapter is installed. It uses the storage adapter to
transfer information to and from devices attached to the SCSI bus.
Host Adapter
Board (HAB)
A circuit board or integrated circuit that provides a device connection to the computer
system.
Internal SCSI
Device
A SCSI device installed inside the computer cabinet. These devices are connected together
using an unshielded ribbon cable.
Main Memory
The part of a computer’s memory which is directly accessible by the CPU (usually
synonymous with RAM).
NVRAM
Non-volatile Random Access Memory. Actually an EEPROM (Electronically Erasable Read-
Only Memory chip) used to store configuration information. See EEPROM.
PCI and PCI-
X
Peripheral Component Interconnect. A high performance local bus specification that allows
connection of devices directly to computer memory. The PCI Local Bus allows transparent
upgrades from 32-bit data path at 33 MHz to 64-bit data path at 33 MHz, and from 32-bit data
path at 66 MHz to 64-bit data path at 66 MHz.
Peripheral
Devices
A piece of hardware (such as a video monitor, disk drive, printer, or CD-ROM) used with a
computer and under the computer’s control. SCSI peripherals are controlled through a SCSI
Shortened Product Name
(host adapter).
