184 GlossaryCPU — Central processing unit. See processor.DC — Direct current.DDR — Double-data rate. A technology in memory modules that potentially doublesthe data rate by transferring data on both the rising and falling pulses of a clock cycle.device driver — A program that allows the operating system or some other program tointerface correctly with a peripheral.DHCP — Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. A method of automaticallyassigning an IP address to a client system.diagnostics — A comprehensive set of tests for your system.DIMM — Dual in-line memory module. See also memory module.DNS — Domain Name System. A method of translating Internet domain names, suchas www.example.com, into IP addresses, such as 208.77.188.166.DRAM — Dynamic random-access memory. A system’s RAM is usually made upentirely of DRAM chips.driver — See device driver.DVD — Digital versatile disc or digital video disc.ECC — Error checking and correction.EMI — Electromagnetic interference.ESD — Electrostatic discharge.ESM — Embedded server management. See iDRAC.expansion bus — Your system contains an expansion bus that allows the processor tocommunicate with controllers for peripherals, such as NICs.expansion card — An add-in card, such as a NIC or SCSI adapter, that plugs into anexpansion-card connector on the system board. An expansion card adds somespecialized function to the system by providing an interface between the expansionbus and a peripheral.expansion-card connector — A connector on the system board or riser board forplugging in an expansion card.F — Fahrenheit.FAT — File allocation table. The file system structure used by MS-DOS to organizeand keep track of file storage. The Microsoft® Windows® operating systems canoptionally use a FAT file system structure.Fibre Channel — A high-speed network interface used primarily with networkedstorage devices.flash memory — A type of electronic chip that can be programmed and
