Quick Reference Guide

406 Glossary
DMA
Abbreviation for direct memory access. A DMA channel allows certain types of
data transfer between RAM and a device to bypass the microprocessor.
DMTF
Abbreviation for Distributed Management Task Force, a consortium of
companies representing hardware and software providers.
dpi
Abbreviation for dots per inch.
DRAM
Acronym for dynamic random-access memory. A system's RAM is usually made
up entirely of DRAM chips. Because DRAM chips cannot store an electrical charge
indefinitely, your system continually refreshes each DRAM chip in the system.
drive-type number
Your system can recognize a number of specific hard drives. Each is assigned a
drive-type number that is stored in NVRAM. The hard drive(s) specified in your
system's System Setup program must match the actual drive(s) installed in the
system. The System Setup program also allows you to specify physical parameters
(logical cylinders, logical heads, cylinder number, and logical sectors per pack) for
drives not included in the table of drive types stored in NVRAM.
DSU
Abbreviation for disk storage unit.
DTE
Abbreviation for data terminal equipment. Any device, such as a computer system,
that can send data in digital form by means of a cable or communication line.
The DTE is connected to the cable or communication line through a data
communication equipment (DCE) device, such as a modem.
ECC
Abbreviation for error checking and correction.
ECP
Abbreviation for Extended Capabilities Port.