1.
Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP): 32-bit Bus designed exclusively for video cards.
2.
address bus: bus system that connects CPU with main memory module. Identifies memory locations where data is stored and retrieved
3.
backplane: Circuit board with slots along the length of the board. Ensures easy upgrades of any and all components
4.
bus: collection of conductors that connect multiple parts, allowing them to work together for a specific purpose
5.
bus mastering: allows data to be transferred directly between 2 devices without going through the CPU
6.
chipset: handles data manipulation and motherboard traffic that would otherwise have to be done by the CPU
7.
CMOS setup program: program that allows one to identify the hard drive type and other storage systems in the PC, select power/management features, and select boot order of storage devices
8.
control bus: a bus that delivers command signals from the CPU to devices
9.
data bus: a bus used to move information between PC components
10.
direct memory access (DMA): combination of software and hardware that allows certain devices access to RAM without going through the CPU
11.
Enhanced Parallel Port (EPP): parallel port standard that allows a throughput as high as 2 Mbps. Also referred to as IEEE-1284 standard
12.
expansion card slots: connectors that allow devices to be quickly and easily plugged in to the bus system
13.
Extended Capabilities Port (ECP): parallel port standard that provides for bidirectional communication and has enhanced capabilities to support multiple devices
14.
Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA): 32-bit expansion bus, designed in response to IBM's MCA bus system. ISA cards can also fit into this slot.
15.
field replaceable unit (FRU): any major part of a computer system that could be completely replaced on site rather than repaired
16.
Firewire (IEEE1394): bus system that provides a high rate of data transfer (up to 400Mbps) and can serve up to 63 devices in a daisy-chain fashion
17.
flash BIOS: BIOS that is stored on a reprogrammable chip, allowing for easy upgrades
18.
form factor: the physical shape or outline of a motherboard and the location of the mounting holes
19.
I/O bus: slower bus used to communicate with keyboards, mice, floppy drives, printers, etc
20.
I/O port address: the memory address assigned to a device so that it may be identified by other devices
21.
Industry Standard Architecture (ISA): an I/O expansion bus system featuring a 16-bit data bus
22.
internal bus: the bus that is found inside of the CPU
23.
IRQ: A signal that interrupts the process taking place inside the CPU and asks that the CPU pay attention to a particular device
24.
local bus: a bus system that connects directly to the CPU and provides communication to high-speed devices mounted closely to the CPU
25.
memory address range: an assigned section of memory used as a temporary storage area for data before it is transferred
26.
memory bus: bus that connects the CPU to RAM
27.
MicroChannel Architecture (MCA): I/O expansion bus system featuring a 32-bit data bus. Not compatible with ISA bus
28.
north bridge: the portion of the chipset that controls high speed data systems such as graphics and DVD hardware
29.
Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI): 32-bit data bus system that provides the high-speed bus structure used for faster CPUs
30.
Plug and Play (PnP): BIOS function that allows the automatic detection and configuration of new hardware components. Automatically assigns system resources such as DMA channels, IRQs, memory, port assignments
31.
power bus: bus system that sends electrical power for small consumption devices such as speakers, lights, and switches
32.
south bridge: the portion of the chipset that controls the slower devices associated with the PCI and ISA buses
33.
Universal Serial Bus (USB): bus system designed to replace expansion slots, with a data transfer rate of up to 480Mbps. Can support up to 127 devices in a daisy-chain configuration
