Glossary - IBM Ultrastar 18ZX Installation Manual

IBM storage products

GLOSSARY

ANSI (American National Standards Institute)
ANSI is the lead organization for encouraging and developing technological standards. ANSI represents
the United States in the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) and the ISO (International
Standards Organization).
Backup
Storing information from a hard drive on another storage area in order to prevent data loss. Tape
drives and Zip drives are two common mediums for saving vital information contained on a hard drive.
BIOS (Basic Input/Output System)
The BIOS is the first level of software contained in a computer. It provides basic, low-level
control for keyboards, video, hard disk drives, and floppy drives. The BIOS provides the initial
intelligence allowing the computer system to find an operating system to run.
Boot/Boot-up
To prepare a computer system for operation by loading an operating system.
Capacity
The amount of information, expressed in bytes, that can be stored on a hard drive. Also known as
storage capacity.
Compatibility
The capability of a hardware or software component to conform with the interface requirements of a given
data processing system without adversely affecting its functions.
Cylinder
(1) In an assembly of magnetic disks, the set of all tracks that can be accessed by all the magnetic
heads of a comb in a given position.
(2) The tracks of a disk storage device that can be accessed without repositioning the access
mechanism.
Disk Drive
The primary data storage device used by computers. Disk drives are used to record, store and
retrieve digital information in a computer system.
Electrostatic Discharge
The rapid change in electrical energy caused by static electricity. This can damage or destroy
electronic equipment or hardware. Prevention consists of grounding oneself before handling any
electronic equipment.
FAT16/FAT32 (File Allocation Table)
The file allocation table is a group of specific sectors in a hard drive that contain an "address book" for the
files on a hard disk drive. In other words, it keeps track of the physical location of files on each platter.
There are usually two FATs (kept in different locations) on a hard drive. One is kept as a backup in case
data corruption occurs on the other FAT. FAT32 is used in the Windows® 95 & Windows® 98 operating
systems. FAT32 receives its designation because it allows 32 bits of data to be read as opposed to 16
bits at a time as in FAT16.
FDISK
FDISK is a program run in DOS that allows a user to partition a hard disk drive. Partitioning your hard
disk drive is essential for it to work properly.
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