S2056 Tomcat i810e
75
EDO RAM
(
E
xtended
D
ata-
O
ut
RAM
) speeds access to memory locations by
assuming that memory addresses are static: the next time it looks for a bit of
data, it will be at the same spot, or one nearby.
EEPROM
Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM, also called Flash BIOS, is
a ROM chip which can, unlike normal ROM, be updated. This allows you to
keep up with changes in the BIOS programs without having to buy a new chip.
TYANs BIOS updates can be found at http://www.tyan.com/html/drivers.html
ESCD
(
E
xtended
S
ystem
C
onfiguration
D
ata) is a format for storing informa-
tion about Plug and Play devices in the system BIOS. This information helps
properly configure the system each time it boots.
Firmware
is low level software that controls the system hardware.
Form factor
is an industry term for the size, shape, power supply type, and
external connector type of the PCB (personal computer board) or motherboard.
The standard form factors are the AT and ATX, although TYAN also makes
some Baby-AT boards.
A
Global timer
is an onboard hardware timer, such as the Real Time Clock.
Handshaking
is a form of encryption. One system, typically the server, sends
an encryption scheme to another agent, typically a client. Thus, the clients
data is protected during transmittal to the server.
HDD
stands for
H
ard
D
isk
D
rive.
H-SYNC
controls the horizontal properties of the monitor.
IC
(
I
ntegrated
C
ircuit) is the formal name for the computer chip.
IDE
I
ntegrated
D
evice (or Drive)
E
lectronics is a simple, self-contained hard
drive interface. It can handle drives up to 8.4GB in size. Almost all IDEs sold
now are in fact Enhanced IDEs (EIDEs).
IDE INT
(
IDE
Int
errupt) is a hardware interrupt signal that goes to the IDE.
I/O
I
nput/
O
utput is the connection between your computer and another piece
of hardware (mouse, keyboard, etc.).
GLOSSAR
Y