User's Manual

Glossary 105
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.
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.
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.
MB
Abbreviation for megabyte(s). The term megabyte
means 1,048,576 bytes; however, when referring to hard
drive storage, the term is often rounded to mean
1,000,000 bytes.
memory
A system can contain several different forms of
memory, such as RAM, ROM, and video memory.
Frequently, the word memory is used as a synonym for
RAM; for example, an unqualified statement such as
"a system with 16 MB of memory" refers to a system
with 16 MB of RAM.
memory address
A specific location, usually expressed as a hexadecimal
number, in the system's RAM.
memory manager
A utility that controls the implementation of memory
in addition to conventional memory, such as extended
or expanded memory.
memory module
A small circuit board containing DRAM chips that
connects to the system board.
MHz
Abbreviation for megahertz.
microprocessor
The primary computational chip inside the system that
controls the interpretation and execution of arithmetic
and logic functions. Software written for one
microprocessor must usually be revised to run on
another microprocessor. CPU is a synonym for
microprocessor.
modem
A device that allows your system to communicate with
other systems over telephone lines.
modular system
A system that can include multiple server modules.
Each server module functions as an individual system.
To function as a system, a server module is inserted
into a chassis which includes power supplies, fans, a
system management module, and at least one network
switch module. The power supplies, fans, system
management module, and network switch module are
shared resources of the server modules in the chassis.
See server module.
MS-DOS
Acronym for Microsoft Disk Operating System.
NIC
Acronym for network interface controller.