Acronym definitions Flashcards
AC - Alternating Current
Flow of electrons alternating directions
ACL - Access Control List
the permissions attached to or configured on a network resource, such as a folder, file or firewall. Specifies which subjects are allowed or denied access and the privileges given over the object.
ACPI - Advanced Configuration Power Interface
An open standard to communicate between the operating system and hardware to enable power management features.
ADF - Automatic Document Feeder
device that feeds media automatically in to a scanner or printer
ADSL - Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line
provides a fast downlink but a slow uplink
AES - Advanced Encryption Standard
provides symmetric encryption - the same key is used to encrypt and decrypt
AHCI - Advanced Host Controller Interface
a logical interface used by SATA drives to communicate with the bus
AP - Access Point
provides connectivity between wireless devices and a cabled network; often referred to as hotspots
APIPA - Automatic Private Internet Protocol Addressing
windows clients configured to obtain an address automatically . The host randomly selects an address from the range 169.254.x.y.
ARP - Address resolution Protocol
when two systems communicate using IP, an IP address is used to identify the destination machine. Performs the task of resolving an IP address to a hardware address (MAC address)
ATA - Advanced Technology Attachment
originally introduced in 1984; hard drive standards defining both the older parallel (PATA) and the modern S (Serial) ATA drives.
ATAPI - Advanced Technology Attachment Packet Interface
Series of standards that enables mass storage devices other than hard drives to use the IDE/ATA controllers. Popular with optical drives
ATM - Asynchronous Transfer Mode
a set of high-speed data transmissions protocol
ATX - Advanced Technology Extended
Popular motherboard form factor that generally replaced the AT form factor
AUP - Acceptable Use Policy
Defines what actions employees many or may not perform on company equipment. This policy defines the handling of passwords, e-mail, and many other issues
A/V - Audio/Visual
Pertaining to the recording and reproduction of sounds and pictures
BD-R : Blu ray Disc-Recordable
blu-ray disc format that enables writing data to blank discs
BIOS - Basic Input Output System
Firmware that directly controls a particular piece of hardware
BD-RE: Blu-ray disc Rewritable
allows writing and REwriting several times on the same BD
BNC - Bayonet Neill-Concelman
uncommon coax connector secured with a quarter twist
BSoD - Blue Screen of Death
Infamous error screen that appears when Windows encounters an unrecoverable error
BYOD - Bring Your Own Device
in some IT Departments employees are permitted to use their own phone or other mobile devices instead of company-issues ones
CAD - Computer-Aided Design
design workstation
CAPTCHA - Completely Automated Public Turing Test to tell Computers & Humans Apart
Authentication challenge
CD - Compact Disc
useful for long-term storage of music and data; optical media
CD-ROM - Compact Disc-Read Only Memory
Read-only compact storage disc for audio or video data
CD-RW - Compact Disc Rewritable
CD Tech that accepts multiple reads/writes like a hard drive
CDFS - Compact Disc File System
generic name for ISO-9660. File structure, rules, and conventions used when organizing and storing files and data on a CD
CFS - Central File System or Common File System or Command File System
method to unify all storage devices within a network or organization to facilitate a single management point and to provide user access to any file or data within the organization
CIFS - Common Internet File System
a dialect of the Server Message Block (SMB) protocol. Currently depreciated but still widely supported
CMOS - Complementary Metal - Oxide Semiconductor
originally computer systems had a stand alone CMOS chip - a tiny bit RAM hooked up to a small batter that enabled it to hold system settings for the BIOS firmware even with the computer off. This has long since been incorporated in to the chipset. CMOS is informally used to refer to the CMOS setup program or system setup utility
CNR - Communications and Networking Riser
Proprietary slot used on some motherboards (MOBO) to provide a connection for modems, sound cards, and NICS (network interface cards) that is free from sound interference
COMx - Communication port (X=Port Number)
Serial communications ports once common on computers. COMx is used to designate a uniquely numbered COM port such as COM1 or COM2, etc
COMx - Communication port (X=Port Number)
Serial communications ports once common on computers. COMx is used to designate a uniquely numbered COM port such as COM1 or COM2, etc
CPU - Central Processing Unit
Processor
CPU - Central Processing Unit
Processor
CRT - Cathode-Ray Tube
In short, a Monitor that uses CRT rather than LCD. tube of a monitor in which rays of electrons are beamed onto a phosphorescent screen to produce images
DaaS - Data as a Service
attached service
DAC - Discretionary Access Control
authorization method based on the idea that there is an owner of a resource who may at his or her discretion assign access to that resource.
DB-25-Serial Communications D-Shell Connector
25 PINS, D-shaped connectors once used for a variety of connections in the PC and networking world. Can be male with prongs or female with holes and have a varying number of pins or sockets. Also called D-Shell connectors.
DB-9 - Serial Communications D-Shell Connector
9 Pins . A 2 row DB Connector (male) used to connect the computer’s serial port to a serial-communication device such as a modem or a console port on a managed switch.
DDos - Distributed Denial of Service
a denial-of-service attack conducted thru a large set of attackers at widely distributed locations
DC - Direct Current
type of electricity in which the flow of electrons is in a complete circle in one direction
DDR - Double Data Rate
A type of memory that sends and receives data twice every clock cycle, and therefore is capable of twice the data transfer rate of standard SD (synchronous dynamic) RAM
DFS - Distributed File System
a storage environment where shared files are accessed from storage devices within multiple servers, clients and peer hosts.
DDR - Double Data Rate/DDR RAM - Double Data Rate Random Access Memory
A type of memory that sends and receives data twice every clock cycle, and therefore is capable of twice the data transfer rate of standard SD (synchronous dynamic) RAM
DHCP - Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
Protocol that enables client hosts to request and receive TCP/IP settings automatically from an appropriately configured server. *Uses UDP ports 67 and 68
DIMM - Dual Inline Memory Module
32 or 34 bit type of DRAM packaging with the distinction that each side of each tab inserted into the system performs a separate function. DIMMs come in a variety of sizes: with 184-, 240-, and 288-pin being the most common on desktop computers
DLT - Digital Linear Tape
high-speed, magnetic tape storage technology used to archive and retrieve data from faster, online media such as hard disks
DLP - Digital Light Processing or Data Loss Prevention
Digital Light Processing - display tech that reflects and directs light onto a display surface using micromechanically operated mirrors. *Data Loss Prevention - system or set of rules designed to stop leakage of sensitive information. Usually applied to internet appliances to monitor outgoing network traffic
DMA - Direct Memory Access
technique that some PC hardware devices use to transfer data to and from the memory without using the CPU
DMZ - Demilitarized Zone
A lightly protected or unprotected subnet network positioned between an outer firewall and an organization’s highly protected internal network. Used mainly to host public address servers (such as Web servers)
DNS - Domain Name Server
TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) name resolution system that translates a host name in an IP Address. Uses UDP (Uniform Demand Protocol) Port 53
DoS - Denial of Service
an attack on a computer resource that prevents it from performing its normal operations, usually by overwhelming it with large numbers of requests in an effort to monopolize its resources
DRAM - Dynamic Random Access Memory
Memory used to store data in most personal computers. DRAM stores each bit in a “cell” composed of a transistor and a capacitor. **Because the Capacitor in a DRAM cell can only hold a charge for a few milli-seconds DRAM must be continually refreshed, or Re-written, to retain its data
DRM - Digital Rights Management
Code schemes for enforcing what users can and can’t do with commercial software or digital medial files.
DSL - Digital Subscriber Line
high-speed internet connection tech that uses a regular telephone line for connectivity.
DSL - Digital Subscriber Line
high-speed internet connection tech that uses a regular telephone line for connectivity. DSL comes in several varieties, including Asymmetric (ADSL) and Symmetric (SDSL) and many speeds. Typical home-user DSL connection is ADSL with faster download speeds and slower upload speeds.
DVD - Digital Versatile Disc
Optical Disc Format that provides for 4-17 GB of video or data storage
DVD-ROM - Digital Versatile Disc - Read Only Memory
Equivalent of the standard CD-ROM
DVI - Digital Visual Interface
special video connector designed for digital-to-digital connections; most commonly seen on PC video cards and LCD monitors. Some versions also support analog signals with a special adapter.
DVI-D - Digital Visual Interface - Digital
Starting to become more obsolete due to HDMI
ECC - Error Correcting Code
Special Software, embedded on hard drives that constantly scans the drives for bad blocks.
EFS - Encrypting File System
storage organization and management service, such as NTFS (New Technology File System) that has the capability of applying a cipher process to the stored data
EIDE - Enhanced Integrated Drive Electronics
marketing concept of hard drive-maker Western Digital, encompassing 4 improvements for IDE drives, including drives larger than 528 MB, four devices, increase in drive throughput and non-hard drive devices.
EMI - Electromagnetic Pulse
Potentially damaging burst of electromagnetic energy caused by events such as electrostatic discharge (ESD) lightening, Nuclear detonations, etc..
EPROM - ERASABLE Programmable Read-Only Memory
a type of memory chip that can be programmed electrically and erased by exposure to ultraviolet light
ERD - Emergency Repair Disc
saves critical boot files and partition info and is the main tool for fixing boot problems in older versions of Windows. Newer versions of Windows call this a system repair disc (Windows 7) or recovery drive (Windows 8/8.1 and 10).
eSATA - External Serial Advance Technology Attachment
Serial ATA-based connector for external hard drives and optical drives.
ESD - Electrostatic Discharge
Uncontrolled rush of electrons from one object to another. A real menace to PCs, as it can cause permanent damage to semiconductors!!
EULA - End User Licensure Agreement
change management step that entails educating and training users about what has changed and how to use any new systems, devices OR features
EMP - Electromagnetic Pulse
Potentially damaging burst of electromagnetic energy caused by events such as electrostatic discharge (ESD) lightening, Nuclear detonations, etc..
EULA - End User Licensure Agreement
Agreement that accompanies a piece of software, to which the user must agree before using the software. Outlines the terms of use for the software and also lists any actions on the part of the user that violate the agreement.
*EMI - Electromagnetic Interface
electrical interference from one device to another, resulting in poor performance of the device being interfered with. Examples: Static on your TV while running a blow dryer, or placing two monitors too close together and getting a “shaky” screen
exFAT - Extended File Allocation Table
a microsoft - proprietary file system that breaks the 4 GB file size barrier, supporting files up to 16-exabytes (EB) and a theoretical partition limit of 64-zetabytes. Envisioned for use with flash media devices with a capacity of or exceeding 2 TB.
FAT - File Allocation Table
Hidden table that records how files on a hard disk are stored in distinct clusters; the only way DOS (Disk Operating System) knows where to access files. There are two FATs, mirror images of one another in case one is destroyed or damaged.
FAT32 - 32-bit File Allocation Table
File allocation table that uses 32-bits to address and index clusters. Commonly used with USB Flash - media drives and versions of Windows prior to XP.
FSB - Front Side Bus
On older PC architectures the wires that connect the CPU to its external memory outlet. The part of a computer MOBO that allows the computer’s processor to communicate with the RAM and the other components on the MOBO. Also the part of a bus where the driver sits.
FTP - File Transfer Protocol
Rules that enable two computers to talk to one another during a file transfer. Protocol used when you transfer a file from one computer to another across the Internet. FTP uses ports 20 & 21
FQDN - Fully Qualified Domain Name
A Complete, bottom-to-top label of a DNS (Domain Name Service) host going from the specific host to the top-level domain that holds it and all of the intervening domain layers, each layer being separated by a dot. Ex: mail.totalseminars.com
GDDR - Graphics Double Data Rate
Found on high performance video cards
GDI - Graphics Device Interface
Component of Windows that utilizes the CPU rather than the printer to process a print job as a bitmapped image of each page.
GUI - Graphic User Interface
Interface that enables user to interact with the computer graphically, by using a mouse or other pointing device to manipulate icons that represent programs or documents, instead of using only text as in early interfaces. **Pronounced “GOOEY”
GUID - Globally Unique Identifier
a 128-bit number used by Microsoft Windows to identify a user , software component, or other entity
GPS - Global Positioning System
Tech that enables a mobile device to determine where you are on a map.
GPT - GUID Partition Table
Partitioning scheme that enables you to create more than four primary partitions without needing to use dynamic disks.
GPU - Graphics Processing Unit
Specialized processor that helps the CPU by taking over all of the 3-D rendering duties.
HAL - Hardware Abstraction Layer
Part of the Windows OS that separates system-specific device drivers from the rest of the OS.
HAV - Hardware Assisted Virtualization
processor features that speed up and simplify virtualization. Required for some hypervisors to function. (Hypervisor - software that enables a single computer to run multiple operating systems simultaneously).
HDD - Hard Disk Drive
Data - recording system using solid disks of magnetic material turning at high speeds to store and retrieve programs and data in a computer.
HDMI - High Definition Media Interface
single multimedia connection that includes both high-definition video and audio. Used to connect a computer to LCDs, projectors and VR headsets
HTML - Hypertext Markup Language
script-like language for creating hypertext documents such as those on the World Wide Web. To Publish information on the Internet.
HTPC - Home Theater PC
A home theatre PC designed to attach to a TV or projector for movie and TV viewing.
HTTP - Hypertext Transfer Protocol
Extremely fast protocol used for network file transfers in the WWW. environment. Uses PORT 80
HTTPs - Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure
(Over secure Sockets layer) Secure form of HTTP used commonly for Internet business transactions or any time when a secure connection is required. USES PORT 443
I/O - Input/Output
General term for reading and writing data to a computer. “Input” includes data entered from a keyboard, identified by a pointing device (such as a mouse) or loaded from a disk. “Output” includes writing information to a disk, viewing it on a monitor, or printing it to a computer.
IaaS - Infrastructure as a Service
Cloud-hosted provider of virtualized servers and networks
IDE - Integrated Drive Electronics
PC specification for small-to-medium sized hard drives in which the controlling electronics for the drive are part of the drive itself, speeding up transfer rates and leaving only a simple adapter or paddle. IDE only supported two drives per system of no more than 504 MB each, and has been completely supplanted by Enhanced IDE (EIDE) which supports four drives of over 8 GB each and more than doubles the transfer rate
IDS - Intrusion Detection System
application that inspects packets, looking for active intrusions. Functions inside the network, looking for threats a firewall might miss, such as viruses, illegal log-on attempts, and other well-known attacks.
IEEE - Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Leading Standards-Setting group in the US. THE HIGHLY-EDUCATED GEEKS WHO CAME UP WITH MOST OF THESE STANDARDS AND ACRONYMS
IMAP - Internet Mail Access Protocol
A protocol for viewing email on a personal computer while leaving it in place on the host system. Contrast POP (Post Office Protocol) which delivers mail and than deletes it from the server.
IMEI - International Mobile Equipment Identity
A 15-digit number used to uniquely identify a mobile device, typically a smartphone or other device that connects to a cellular network.
IMSI - International Mobile Subscriber Identity
A unique number that represents the actual user associated with a particular SIM card. The IMSI is usually available from the carrier, to ensure that stolen phones are not misused. The IMSI number can also be used to unlock a phone.
IP - Internet Protocol
(IP Address) numeric address of a computer connected to the Internet. An IPv4 address is made up of four octets of 8-bit binary numbers translated into their shorthand numeric values. An IPv6 address is 128 bits long. The IP address can be broken down in to a network ID and a host ID also called “Internet Address”
IPCONFIG - Internet Protocol Configuration
Command line utility for Windows servers and workstations that displays the current TCP/IP configuration of the machine
IP - Internet Protocol
(IP Address) numeric address of a computer connected to the Internet. An IPv4 address is made up of four octets of 8-bit binary numbers translated into their shorthand numeric values (EX: 192.168.4.1). An IPv6 address is 128 bits long. The Internet Protocol version 6 consist of 8 sets of four hexidecimal numbers. Colons are used to separate the numbers
IPsec - Internet Protocol Security
Microsoft’s encryption method of choice for networks consisting of multiple networks linked by a private connection, providing transparent encryption between the server and the client.
IrDA - Infrared Data Association
Protocol that enables communication through infrared devices, with speeds of up to 4 Mbps.
IRQ - Interrupt Request
Signal from a hardware device, such as a modem or a mouse, indicating that it needs the CPU’s (Processor’s) attention.
ISA - Industry Standard Architecture
An obsolete expansion interface, which began to be replaced by PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) and AGP( Accelerated Graphics Port) in the mid-1990s.
ISDN - Integrated Services Digital Network
process of sending telephone transmission across fully digital lines end-to-end, replacing the analog telephone system. DSL reduced demand for ISDN substantially.
ISP - Internet Service Provider
Company that provides access to the Internet, usually for money.
KB - Knowledge Base
Large collection of documents and FAQs that is maintained by Microsoft. **Found on Microsoft’s Web Site, the Knowledge Base is an excellent place to search for assistance on most operating system problems.**
**KVM - Keyboard Video Mouse
Hardware device that enables multiple computers to be viewed and controlled by a single keyboard, screen and mouse.