Dell EC280 Owner's Manual page 66

DIMM — dual in-line memory module — A circuit
board with memory chips that connects to a memory
module on the system board.
DIN connector — A round, six-pin connector that
conforms to DIN (Deutsche Industrie-Norm)
standards; it is typically used to connect PS/2
keyboard or mouse cable connectors.
disk striping — A technique for spreading data over
multiple disk drives. Disk striping can speed up
operations that retrieve data from disk storage.
Computers that use disk striping generally allow the
user to select the data unit size or stripe width.
DMA — direct memory access — A channel that
allows certain types of data transfer between RAM
and a device to bypass the processor.
docking device — See APR.
DMTF — Distributed Management Task Force — A
consortium of hardware and software companies who
develop management standards for distributed
desktop, network, enterprise, and Internet
environments.
domain — A group of computers, programs, and
devices on a network that are administered as a unit
with common rules and procedures for use by a
specific group of users. A user logs on to the domain
to gain access to the resources.
DRAM — dynamic random-access memory —
Memory that stores information in integrated circuits
containing capacitors.
driver — Software that allows the operating system to
control a device such as a printer. Many devices do
not work properly if the correct driver is not installed
in the computer.
DSL — Digital Subscriber Line — A technology that
provides a constant, high-speed Internet connection
through an analog telephone line.
66
Glossary
dual display mode — A display setting that allows you
to use a second monitor as an extension of your
display. Also referred to as extended display mode.
DVD-R — DVD recordable — A recordable version
of a DVD. Data can be recorded only once onto a
DVD-R. Once recorded, the data cannot be erased or
written over.
DVD+RW — DVD rewritable — A rewritable
version of a DVD. Data can be written to a
DVD+RW disc, and then erased and written over
(rewritten). (DVD+RW technology is different from
DVD-RW technology.)
DVD+RW drive — drive that can read DVDs and
most CD media and write to DVD+RW (rewritable
DVDs) discs.
DVI — digital video interface — A standard for
digital transmission between a computer and a digital
video display.
E
ECC — error checking and correction — A type of
memory that includes special circuitry for testing the
accuracy of data as it passes in and out of memory.
ECP — extended capabilities port — A parallel
connector design that provides improved
bidirectional data transmission. Similar to EPP, ECP
uses direct memory access to transfer data and often
improves performance.
EIDE — enhanced integrated device electronics —
An improved version of the IDE interface for hard
drives and CD drives.
EMI — electromagnetic interference — Electrical
interference caused by electromagnetic radiation.
®
ENERGY STAR — Environmental Protection
Agency requirements that decrease the overall
consumption of electricity.
EPP — enhanced parallel port — A parallel connector
design that provides bidirectional data transmission.