Glossary 217read-only file — A read-only file is one that you are prohibited from editing ordeleting.ROM — Read-only memory. Your system contains some programs essential to itsoperation in ROM code. A ROM chip retains its contents even after you turn off yoursystem. Examples of code in ROM include the program that initiates your system’sboot routine and the POST.ROMB — RAID on motherboard.rpm — Revolutions per minute.RTC — Real-time clock.SAS — Serial-attached SCSI.SATA — Serial Advanced Technology Attachment. A standard interface between thesystem board and storage devices.SCSI — Small computer system interface. An I/O bus interface with faster datatransmission rates than standard ports.SDRAM — Synchronous dynamic random-access memory.sec — Second(s).serial port — An I/O port used most often to connect a modem to your system. Youcan usually identify a serial port on your system by its 9-pin connector.service tag — A bar code label on the system used to identify it when you call Dell fortechnical support.simple disk volume — The volume of free space on a single dynamic, physical disk.SMART — Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology. Allows hard drives toreport errors and failures to the system BIOS and then display an error message on thescreen.SMP — Symmetric multiprocessing. Used to describe a system that has two or moreprocessors connected via a high-bandwidth link and managed by an operating system,where each processor has equal access to I/O devices.
