Quick Reference Guide

Glossary 293
K
Abbreviation for kilo-, indicating 1000.
KB
Abbreviation for kilobyte(s), 1024 bytes.
KB/sec
Abbreviation for kilobyte(s) per second.
Kbit(s)
Abbreviation for kilobit(s), 1024 bits.
Kbit(s)/sec
Abbreviation for kilobit(s) per second.
key combination
A command requiring you to press multiple keys at the
same time. For example, you can reboot your system
by pressing the <Ctrl><Alt><Del> key combination.
kHz
Abbreviation for kilohertz, 1000 hertz.
LAN
Acronym for local area network. A LAN system is
usually confined to the same building or a few nearby
buildings, with all equipment linked by wiring
dedicated specifically to the LAN.
lb
Abbreviation for pound(s).
LCC
Abbreviation for leaded or leadless chip carrier.
LCD
Abbreviation for liquid crystal display.
A type of display used in many portable computers.
LCDs utilize two sheets of polarizing material with a
liquid crystal solution between them. An electric
current passed through the liquid causes the crystals to
align so that light cannot pass through them. Each
crystal, therefore, is like a shutter, either allowing light
to pass through or blocking the light.
LIF
Acronym for low insertion force. Some systems use
LIF sockets and connectors to allow devices, such as
the microprocessor chip, to be installed or removed
with minimal stress to the device.
LED
Abbreviation for light-emitting diode. An electronic
device that lights up when a current is passed
through it.
local bus
On a system with local-bus expansion capability, certain
peripheral devices (such as the video adapter circuitry)
can be designed to run much faster than they would
with a traditional expansion bus. Some local-bus designs
allow peripherals to run at the same speed and with the
same width data path as the system's microprocessor.
LPTn
The device names for the first through third parallel
printer ports on your system are LPT1, LPT2, and LPT3.
LRA
Abbreviation for local response agent.