Glossary Of Terms And Abbreviations - Asus LSI 896 Manual

3. Configuring

Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations

Address - A specific location in memory, designated either numerically or by
a symbolic name.
Asynchronous Data Transfer - A method of transmission which does not
require a common clock, but separates fields of data by stop and start bits. It is
slower than synchronous data transfer.
BIOS - Basic Input/Output System. Software that provides basic read/write
capability. Usually kept as firmware (ROM based). The system BIOS on the
mainboard of a computer is used to boot and control the system. The SCSI
BIOS on your integrated SCSI acts as an extension of the system BIOS.
Bit - A binary digit. The smallest unit of information a computer uses. The
value of a bit (0 or 1) represents a two-way choice, such as on or off, true or
false, and so on.
Bus - A collection of unbroken signal lines across which information is trans-
mitted from one part of a computer system to another. Connections to the bus
are made via taps on the lines.
Bus Mastering - A high-performance way to transfer data. The integrated
SCSI controls the transfer of data directly to and from system memory without
bothering the computer's microprocessor. This is the fastest way for multitasking
operating systems to transfer data.
Byte - A unit of information consisting of eight bits.
Chain - A topology in which every processor is connected to two others, ex-
cept for two end processors that are connected to only one other.
CISPR - A special international committee on radio interference (Committee,
International and Special, for Protection in Radio). B-2 Glossary of Terms and
Abbreviations
Configuration - Refers to the way a computer is set up; the combined hard-
ware components (computer, monitor, keyboard, and peripheral devices) that
make up a computer system; or the software settings that allow the hardware
components to communicate with each other.
CPU - Central Processing Unit. The "brain" of the computer that performs the
actual computations. The term Micro Processor Unit (MPU) is also used.
DMA - Direct Memory Access. A method of moving data from a storage de-
vice directly to RAM, without using the CPU's resources.
ASUS LSI SCSI User's Manual 15