Tiger i7525 (S2672)
Appendix I: Glossary
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EMRL:
Embedded RAID Logic. An Adaptec specific RAID technology.
ESCD (Extended System Configuration Data):
a format for storing information about Plug-n-
Play devices in the system BIOS. This information helps properly configure the system each time
it boots.
Fault-tolerance:
a term describing a system where one component can quickly be replaced
without causing a loss of service, such as in a RAID system.
Firmware:
low-level software that controls the system hardware.
Form factor:
an industry term for the size, shape, power supply type, and external connector type
of the Personal Computer Board (PCB) or motherboard. The standard form factors are the AT and
ATX, although TYAN also makes some Baby-AT and ATX Footprint boards.
Global timer:
onboard hardware timer, such as the Real-Time Clock (RTC).
Handshaking:
a process where two devices initiate communications. One device, typically the
server, sends a message to another device, typically a client, in order to request establishment of
a communications channel. The two devices will then exchange messages back and forth in order
to settle on a communications protocol.
HDD:
stands for Hard Disk Drive, a type of fixed drive.
H-SYNC:
controls the horizontal synchronization/properties of the monitor.
IC (Integrated Circuit):
the formal name for the computer chip.
IDE (Integrated Device/Drive Electronics):
a simple, self-contained HDD interface. It can handle
drives up to 8.4 GB in size. Almost all IDEs sold now are in fact Enhanced IDEs (EIDEs), with
maximum capacity determined by the hardware controller.
IDE INT (IDE Interrupt):
a hardware interrupt signal that goes to the IDE.
I
/O (Input/Output):
the connection between your computer and another piece of hardware
(mouse, keyboard, etc.)
Initial Program Load (IPL):
a feature built into BBS-compliant devices, describing those devices
as capable of loading and executing an OS, as well as being able to provide control back to the
BIOS if the loading attempt fails.
IPL:
see Initial Program Load.
IRQ (Interrupt Request):
an electronic request that runs from a hardware device to the CPU. The
interrupt controller assigns priorities to incoming requests and delivers them to the CPU. It is
important that there is only one device hooked up to each IRQ line; doubling up devices on IRQ
lines can lock up your system. Plug-n-Play operating systems can take care of these details for
you.
ISA (Industry Standard Architecture):
a slower 8- or 16-bit bus (data pathway).
