Dell Precision 470 User Manual

Page 194

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Glossary: Dell Precision Workstation 470 and 670 Computers User's Guide

file:///T|/htdocs/systems/ws670/EN/ug_en/glossary.htm[3/20/2013 9:32:02 AM]

hard drive — A drive that reads and writes data on a hard disk. The terms hard drive and hard disk are often used

interchangeably.

heat sink — A metal plate on some processors that helps dissipate heat.

help file — A file that contains descriptive or instructional information about a product. Some help files are associated with a

particular program, such as Help in Microsoft Word. Other help files function as stand-alone reference sources. Help files

typically have a filename extension of .hlp or .chm.

hibernate mode — A power management mode that saves everything in memory to a reserved space on the hard drive and

then turns off the computer. When you restart the computer, the memory information that was saved to the hard drive is

automatically restored.

hot swap — To remove a component from the computer and install a new component while the power is on and the

computer is running.

hotspare — A spare hard drive that automatically replaces a failed hard drive on any array associated with any HBA.

HTML — hypertext markup language — A set of codes inserted into an Internet web page intended for display on an Internet

browser.

HTTP — hypertext transfer protocol — A protocol for exchanging files between computers connected to the Internet.

Hz — hertz — A unit of frequency measurement that equals 1 cycle per second. Computers and electronic devices are often

measured in kilohertz (kHz), megahertz (MHz), gigahertz (GHz), or terahertz (THz).

I

IC — Industry Canada — The Canadian regulatory body responsible for regulating emissions from electronic equipment, much

as the FCC does in the United States.

IC — integrated circuit — A semiconductor wafer, or chip, on which thousands or millions of tiny electronic components are

fabricated for use in computer, audio, and video equipment.

IDE — integrated device electronics — An interface for mass storage devices in which the controller is integrated into the hard

drive or CD drive.

IEEE 1394a — Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. — A high-performance serial bus used to connect IEEE

1394a-compatible devices, such as digital cameras and DVD players, to the computer.

infrared sensor — A port that allows you to transfer data between the computer and infrared-compatible devices without

using a cable connection.

integrated — Usually refers to components that are physically located on the computer's system board. Also referred to as

built-in.

initialize — Process of preparing a drive for use by the controller. When a drive is initialized, the controller records the RAID

signature on the drive.

I/O — input/output — An operation or device that enters and extracts data from your computer. Keyboards and printers are

I/O devices.

I/O address — An address in RAM that is associated with a specific device (such as a serial connector, parallel connector, or

expansion slot) and allows the processor to communicate with that device.

IrDA — Infrared Data Association — The organization that creates international standards for infrared communications.

IRQ — interrupt request — An electronic pathway assigned to a specific device so that the device can communicate with the

processor. Each device connection must be assigned an IRQ. Although two devices can share the same IRQ assignment, you

cannot operate both devices simultaneously.

ISP — Internet service provider — A company that allows you to access its host server to connect directly to the Internet,

send and receive e-mail, and access websites. The ISP typically provides you with a software package, user name, and access

phone numbers for a fee.

K

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