LaCie 301297U - 1TB Ethernet Disk XP Embedded Network Attached Storage Online Manual page 63

LaCie Ethernet Disk
User's Manual
Data Stream – The flow of data that accomplishes a task, usually related to moving data from storage to computer RAM or
between storage devices.
Digital – Discrete information that can be broken down to zero or one bits.
Driver (peripheral manager) – A software component that enables the computer system to communicate with a peripheral.
Most peripherals will not operate correctly – if at all – if the appropriate drivers are not installed on the system.
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) – This is a communications protocol that allows network administrators to
centrally manage and automate the assignment of Internet Protocol (IP) addresses in an organization's network. Using IP, each
computer that connects to the Internet must have a unique IP address.
Ethernet – A LAN technology, based on the IEEE 802.3 standard. The most common Ethernet systems are 10BASE-T, which
provides transmission speeds up to 10Mb/s, and 100BASE-T (also known as Fast Ethernet), which provides transmission
speeds up to 100Mb/s, and Gigabit which provides 1000Mb/s (see also Gigabit Ethernet below).
File System – Links the physical map of a disc to its logical structure. Thanks to the file system, users and computers can easily
display path, directories and files recorded onto the disc.
FTP (File Transfer Protocol) – This is a standard Internet protocol that uses the Internet's TCP/IP protocols to exchange files
between computers on the Internet. It is commonly used to download programs and other files to a computer from a server.
Firmware – Permanent or semi-permanent instructions and data programmed directly into the circuitry of a programmable
read-only memory or an electronically-erasable, programmable read-only memory chip. Used for controlling the operation of
the computer or tape drive. Distinct from the software, which is stored in random access memory and can be altered.
Folder – A list created on a disk to store files. Creating folders and sub-folders enables you to organize the storage of your
files in a logical, hierarchical manner so that you can find and manage them more easily.
Format, -ting, -ted – This is a process where a device is prepared to record data. In this process, the hard disk writes special
information onto its own recording surfaces into areas (blocks) that are ready to accept user data. Since this operation causes
all current user data stored on the hard disk to be lost, this is an infrequent operation that usually only happens at the factory
that created the hard disk. It is unusual for something to happen to a hard disk that requires the end-user to initially perform
this operation.
Gigabit – Unit of measure, commonly used to express the amount of data in one second between two points. E.g. in the term
Gigabit Ethernet – 1 gigabit per second (1 Gbps) equals 1 billion bits per second and is equivalent to 1000Mb/s.
Glossary
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