Users Guide

Glossary 97
config.sys file
The config.sys file is executed when you boot your
system (before running any commands in the
autoexec.bat file). This start-up file contains commands
that specify which devices to install and which drivers to
use. This file also contains commands that determine
how the operating system uses memory and controls files.
console redirection
Console redirection is a function that directs a managed
system’s display screen, mouse functions, and keyboard
functions to the corresponding devices on a management
station. You may then use the management station’s
system console to control the managed system.
controller
A chip that controls the transfer of data between the
microprocessor and memory or between the
microprocessor and a peripheral device such as a disk
drive or the keyboard.
control panel
The part of the system that contains indicators and
controls, such as the power switch, hard drive access
indicator, and power indicator.
conventional memory
The first 640 KB of RAM. Conventional memory is
found in all systems. Unless they are specially designed,
MS-DOS
®
programs are limited to running in
conventional memory.
CPU
Abbreviation for central processing unit. See also
microprocessor.
device driver
A program that allows the operating system or some
other program to interface correctly with a peripheral
device, such as a printer. Some device drivers—such as
network drivers—must be loaded from the config.sys
file (with a device= statement) or as memory-resident
programs (usually, from the autoexec.bat file).
Others—such as video drivers—must load when you
start the program for which they were designed.
DHCP
Abbreviation for Dynamic Host Configuration
Protocol, a protocol that provides a means to
dynamically allocate IP addresses to computers
on a LAN.
DIMM
Acronym for dual in-line memory module. A small
circuit board containing DRAM chips that connects to
the system board.
directory
Directories help keep related files organized on a disk
in a hierarchical, "inverted tree" structure. Each disk
has a "root" directory; for example, a
C:\> prompt
normally indicates that you are at the root directory of
hard drive C. Additional directories that branch off of
the root directory are called subdirectories.
Subdirectories may contain additional directories
branching off of them.
DKS
Abbreviation for dynamic kernel support.
DTK
Abbreviation for Deployment ToolKit.
DMA
Abbreviation for direct memory access. A DMA
channel allows certain types of data transfer between
RAM and a device to bypass the microprocessor.
DRAC II
Acronym for Dell OpenManage™ Remote Assistant
Card, version 2.
DRAC III
Acronym for Dell™ Remote Access Card III.
DRAC III/XT
Acronym for Dell Remote Access Card III/XT.
DRAC 4
Acronym for Dell Remote Access Card 4.