Dell Latitude XT (Late 2007) User Manual

Page 234

Advertising
background image

234

Glossary

device — Hardware such as a disk drive, printer, or keyboard that is installed in or

connected to your computer.
device driver — See driver.
DIMM — dual in-line memory module — A circuit board with memory chips that

connects to a memory module on the system board.
DIN connector — A round, six-pin connector that conforms to DIN (Deutsche

Industrie-Norm) standards; it is typically used to connect PS/2 keyboard or mouse

cable connectors.
disk striping — A technique for spreading data over multiple disk drives. Disk striping

can speed up operations that retrieve data from disk storage. Computers that use disk

striping generally allow the user to select the data unit size or stripe width.
DMA — direct memory access — A channel that allows certain types of data transfer

between RAM and a device to bypass the processor.
docking device — provides port replication, cable management, and security features

to adapt your notebook to a desktop workspace.
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

book.book Page 234 Tuesday, May 13, 2008 5:03 PM

Advertising