Dell Precision Workstation 450 User Manual page 321

and 64-bit data paths, providing a high-speed data path between the microprocessor
and devices such as video, drives, and networks.
PI O — programmed input/output — A method of transferring data between two
devices through the microprocessor as part of the data path.
P — A single point on a display screen arranged in rows and columns to create
I XE L
an image. A video resolution, such as 800 x 600, is expressed as the number of pixels
across by the number of pixels up and down.
P - - P — The ability of the computer to automatically configure
L U G A N D L A Y
devices. Plug and Play provides automatic installation, configuration, and
compatibility with existing hardware if the BIOS, operating system, and all devices
are Plug and Play compliant.
POS T — power-on self-test — Diagnostics programs, loaded automatically by the
BIOS, that perform basic tests on the major computer components, such as memory,
hard drives, and video. If no problems are detected during POST, the computer
continues the start-up.
P — Any software that processes data for you, including spreadsheet,
R O G R A M
word processor, database, and game packages. Programs require an operating system
to run.
PS / 2 — personal system/2 — A type of connector for attaching a PS/2-compatible
keyboard, mouse, or keypad.
PX E — pre-boot execution environment — A WfM (Wired for Management)
standard that allows networked computers that do not have an operating system to
be configured and started remotely.
R
R AI D — redundant array of independent disks — A system of two or more drives
working together for performance and fault tolerance. RAID drives are typically used
on servers and high-end PCs.
The three most common RAID levels are 0, 3, and 5:
• Level 0: Provides data striping but no redundancy. Level 0 improves
performance but does not provide fault tolerance.
• Level 3: Same as Level 0, but also reserves one dedicated drive for error
correction data, providing good performance and some level of fault tolerance.
• Level 5: Provides data striping at the byte level and also stripe error correction
information, resulting in excellent performance and good fault tolerance.
R AM — random-access memory — The primary temporary storage area for
program instructions and data. Any information stored in RAM is lost when you turn
off your computer.
R — A text file included with a software package or hardware
E A D M E F I L E
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Glossar y