Asus A7S8X-MX: Glossary

Glossary

ASUS A7S333 motherboard

1394

1394 is the IEEE designation for a high performance serial bus tht offers data transfers

at 100/200/400 Mbps. This serial bus defines both a back plane physical layer and a

point-to-point cable-connected virtual bus. The primary application of the cable version

is the integration of I/O connectivity at the back panel of personal computers using a

low-cost, scalable, high-speed serial interface. The 1394 standard also provides new

services such as live connect/disconnect capability for external devices including disk

drives, printers and hand-held peripherals such as scanners and cameras. This is a

new standard to complement the slower USB interface and to compete with the more

expensive SCSI interface.

AC97 (Audio Codec '97)

AC '97 is the next step in enabling PCs with audio quality comparable to consumer

electronics devices. The specification defines new cost-effective options to help

integrate the components necessary to support next-generation auto-intensive PC

applications such as DVD, 3-D multiplayer gaming and interactive music. The

specification also defines new extensions supporting modem and docking to help both

desktop and mobile manufacturers adopt these new technologies more quickly and

cost-effectively. This specification uses software emulation to compete with the PCI

SoundBlaster specification.

ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface)

The ACPI specification defines a cross-platform interface designed to support many

operating systems. ACPI defines a flexible and abstract hardware interface that

provides a standard way to integrate power management features throughout a PC

system, including hardware, operating system and application software. This enables

the system to automatically turn ON and OFF peripherals such as CD-ROMs, network

cards, hard disk drives, and printers, as well as consumer devices connected to the PC

such as VCRs, TVs, phones, and stereos. With this technology, peripherals will also be

able to activate the PC. For example, inserting a tape into a VCR can turn on the PC,

which could then activate a large-screen TV and high-fidelity sound system.

AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port)

An interface specification that enables high-performance 3D graphics on mainstream

PCs. AGP was designed to offer the necessary bandwidth and latency to perform

texture mapping directly from system memory.

Bus Bus Frequency Bandwidth Data Transfer Rate

PCI 33MHz 33MHz 133MByte/sec

AGP 1X 66MHz 66MHz 266MByte/sec

AGP 2X 66MHz 133MHz 512MByte/sec

AGP 4X 66MHz 266MHz 1024MByte/sec

Backup. A copy of a file, directory, or volume on a separate storage device from the

original. This copy is for the purpose of data retrieval in case the original is accidentally

erased, damaged, or destroyed.

BIOS (Basic Input/Output System)

BIOS is a set of routines that affect how the computer transfers data between computer

components, such as memory, disks, and the display adapter. The BIOS instructions

are built into the computer’s read-only memory. BIOS parameters can be configured by

the user through the BIOS Setup program. The BIOS can be updated using the

provided utility to copy a new BIOS file into the EEPROM.

Bit (Binary Digit)

A bit is he basic unit of digital data used by the computer. A bit equals either: 0 or 1.

Boot

Boot means to start the computer operating system by loading it into system memory.

When the manual instructs you to “boot” your system (or computer), it means to turn ON

your computer. “Reboot” means to restart your computer. When using Windows 95 or

later, selecting “Restart” from “Start | Shut Down...” will reboot your computer.

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Bus Master IDE

PIO (Programmable I/O) IDE requires that the CPU be involved in IDE access and

waiting for mechanical events. Bus master IDE transfers data to/from the memory

without interrupting the CPU. Bus master IDE driver and bus master IDE hard disk

drives are required to support bus master IDE mode.

Byte (Binary Term)

One byte is a group of eight contiguous bits. A byte is used to represent a single

alphanumeric character, punctuation mark, or other symbol.

Cache Memory. A type of RAM that allows a faster from the CPU than a regular RAM.

The cache memory eliminates the CPU wait state. When the CPU reads data from the

main memory, a copy of this data is stored in the cache memory. The next time the

same address, the data is transferred from the cache memory instead of from the main

memory.

CODEC (Compressor/Decompressor). A software component that translates video or

audio between its uncompressed form and the compressed form in which it is stored.

COM Port

COM is a logical device name used by to designate the computer serial ports. Pointing

devices, modems, and infrared modules can be connected to COM ports. Each COM

port is configured to use a different IRQ and address assignment.

Concurrent PCI

Concurrent PCI maximizes system performance with simultaneous CPU, PCI and ISA

bus activities. It includes multi-transaction timing, enhanced write performance, a

passive release mechanism and support for PCI 2.1 compliant delayed transactions.

Concurrent PCI provides increased bandwidth, reduced system latencies, improves

video and audio performance, and improves processing of host based applications.

CPU (Central Processing Unit)

The CPU, sometimes called “Processor,” actually functions as the “brain” of the

computer. It interprets and executes program commands and processes data stored in

memory. Currently, there are socket 370 (for Pentium III FC-PGA and Celeron-PPGA),

socket 7 (for Pentium, AMD, Cyrix, IBM), slot 1 (for Pentium II and III), slot 2 (for Xeon),

and slot A (for AMD) processors.

Device Driver

A device driver is a special set of instructions that allows the computer’s operating

system to communicate with devices such as VGA, audio, printer, or modem.

DOS (Disk Operating System)

DOS is the foundation on which all other programs and software applications operate,

including Windows. DOS is responsible for allocating system resources such as

memory, CPU time, disk space, and access to peripheral devices. For this reason, DOS

constitutes the basic interface between you and your computer.

DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory)

A type of RAM that requires refresh cycles to prevent the loss of the data stored in it.

There are several different types of DRAM such as, EDO DRAM (Extended Data Output

DRAM), SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM), and RDRAM (Rambus DRAM) and DDR

DRAM, (Double-Data Rate DRAM).

Flash ROM

non-volatile memory device that retains its data even when power is removed. This

device is similar to EPROM, but unlike EPROM which can be erased only using an

ultra-violet light, flash ROM can be electrically erased. Flash ROM is normally used for

system BIOS, which initiates hardware devices and sets up necessary parameters for

the OS. Since the flash ROM contents can be modified, users can easily update the

BIOS..

IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics)

IDE devices integrate the drive control circuitry directly on the drive itself, eliminating the

need for a separate adapter card (in the case for SCSI devices). UltraDMA/33 IDE

devices can achieve up to 33MB/Sec transfer.

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Appendix: Glossary

I/O (Input/Output)

The data transfers from the input devices like a keyboard, mouse, or scanner, to the

output devices like a printer or the monitor screen.

I/O Address

The specific memory location for a particular device. Two devices cannot share the

same I/O address space.

IrDA (Infrared Data Association)

An internaltional organization that creates and promotes inter-operable, low cost,

infrared data interconnection standards that support a walk-up, point-to-point model.

The IrDA protocol is designed to support transmission of data between two devices over

short-range point-to-point infrared at speeds between 9.6Kbps and 4Mbps.

ISP (Internet Service Provider)

A company that provides customer access to the Internet and the World Wide Web for a

fee. The ISP also provides Internet utilities and services like e-mail, newsgroup,

weather reports, and a host of others. The user can connect to the ISP using a modem

installed in the computer and connected to a phone line.

LPT Port (Line Printer Port)

Logical device name reserved by DOS for the computer parallel ports. Each LPT port is

configured to use a different IRQ and address assignment.

MMX

A set of 57 new instructions designed to accelerate multimedia and communications

applications, such as 3D video, 3D sound, video conference.

Modem

A device that allows a computer to talk to another computer through the phone system.

Network

An interconnected computer system linked by telephone wires, or other means.

OnNow

The OnNow design initiative is a comprehensive, system-wide approach to system and

device power control. OnNow is a term for PC that is always ON but appears OFF and

responds immediately to user or other requests. The OnNow design initiative involves

changes that will occur in the Microsoft Windows operating system, device drivers,

hardware, and applications, and also relies on the changes defined in the Advanced

Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) specification.

PC100/133

This is an industry-standard designation for memory capacity as a measure of the

speed of the memory bus. New platform requirements ensure that memory does not

become a bottleneck to system performance.

PCI Bus (Peripheral Component Interconnect Local Bus)

PCI bus is a standard specification that defines a 32-bit data bus interface.

PCI Bus Master

The PCI Bus Master can perform data transfer without local CPU help and the CPU can

be treated as one of the Bus Masters. PCI 2.1 supports concurrent PCI operation to

allow the local CPU and bus master to work simultaneously.

POST (Power On Self Test)

Powering on the computer initiates the POST, a series of software-controlled diagnostic

tests. The POST checks system memory, the motherboard circuitry, the display, the

keyboard, the diskette drive, and other I/O devices.

PS/2 Port

PS/2 ports are based on IBM Micro Channel Architecture. This type of architecture

transfers data through a 16-bit or 32-bit bus. A PS/2 mouse and/or keyboard may be

used on ATX motherboards.

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RDRAM (Rambus DRAM)

Developed by Rambus, Inc., this type of memory can deliver up to 1.6GB of data per

second. RDRAM is the first interface standard that can be directly implemented on high

performance VLSI components such as, CMOS DRAMs, memory controllers, and

graphics/video ICs.

RAM (Random Access Memory). The computer’s primary storage area used to write,

store, and retrieve information and program instructions which are passed to the CPU

for processing. The information in RAM can be repeatedly re-written with new data.

Compared to other storage media like magnetic tape, floppy disk, and hard disk, RAM

has an extraordinarily fast access rate. RAM, however, is volatile, which means that the

data stored in it are lost when the system power is turned off, or if power glitches occur.

See also DRAM and SDRAM.

ROM (Read Only Memory)

ROM is nonvolatile memory used to store permanent programs (called firmware) used

in certain computer components. Flash ROM (or EEPROM) can be reprogrammed with

new programs (or BIOS).

SCSI (Small Computer System Interface)

High speed multi-threaded I/O interface defined by the X3T9.2 committee of the

American National Standards Institute (ANSI) for connecting many peripheral devices.

The standard started from 10MBytes/sec to 160MBytes/sec available today.

SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM)

A type of DRAM with access signals that are synchronized with the CPU clock,

eliminating the delay associated with data transfers between the CPU and memory.

SDRAM takes memory access away from the CPU control; internal registers in the

memory accept the request, and lets the CPU do something else while the data

requested is assembled for the next time the CPU talks to the memory.

SPD for SDRAM module

Serial Presence Detect (SPD) is most like an ID detect for SDRAM module, it using a

EEPROM component on DIMM module for storing module configuration information

inside. The Serial Presence Detect function is implemented using a 2048 bit EEPROM

component. This nonvolatile storage device contains data programmed by the DIMM

manufacturer that identifies the module type and various SDRAM organization and

timing parameters.

System Disk

A system disk contains the core file of an operating system that boots up the operating

system.

TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol). The communications

protocol used by the UNIX system and the Internet. TCP checks for lost packets, puts

the data from multiple packets into the correct order, and requests that missing or

damaged packets be resent.

USB (Universal Serial Bus)

A 4-pin serial cable bus that allows up to 127 plug and play computer peripherals such

as keyboard, mouse, joystick, scanner, printer, modem, and monitor to share a

bandwidth through a host scheduled token based protocol. This allows attaching or

detaching while the host and other peripherals are in operation. Supports synchronous

and asynchronous transfer types over the same set of wires up to 12Mbit/sec. USB 2.0

provides twice the transfer rate compared to USB 1.0 and competes with the 1394

standard.

Wake-On-LAN

Computer will automatically wake-up upon receiving a wake-up packet through a

Network interface when it is under power soft-off, suspend or sleep mode.

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Appendix: Glossary