61 lines
2.3 KiB
Plaintext
61 lines
2.3 KiB
Plaintext
A Glossary for 386
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BUS SPEED: Modems, disk drives and facsimile boards connected to
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a bus generally operate at 10 MHz or less. In contrast, an 80386
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CPU's clock speed goes as high as 33 MHz.
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CACHE: Dedicated memory area that buffers data or instructions
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ready for use.
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CACHING CONTROLLER: Massive buffer with up to several megabytes
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of dedicated RAM to improve hard-disk access time.
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DIP: Dual in-line package, the traditional bug-like integrated
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circuit chip.
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DRAM: Dynamic random-access memory chip.
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FCC RATING: Measure of radio-frequency interference from circuitry
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signals. Class A is for office computers. Class B indicates a
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better-shielded machine for use near radios and televisions.
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INTERLEAVED MEMORY: Identical data in two different memory banks.
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One always remains available while the other is being refreshed.
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MEMORY CACHE: Portion of memory set aside and not subtracted from
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the 640K that holds the next instructions or data for the CPU;
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controlled by dedicated chip or software.
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PROTECTED MODE, 286: 16-bit operating mode that assists
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multitasking and consumes up to 16M RAM. An 80286 computer in
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protected mode can run only one MS-DOS program under OS/2.
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PROTECTED MODE, 386: A 386 chip can address up to four gigabytes
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of memory by switching into 32-bit internal operation. Few
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applications need more than 16M.
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REAL 8086 MODE: Start-up operating mode of 8086/88, 286 and 386
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computers.
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RFI: Radio-frequency interference emitted by a poorly shielded
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computer or external device such as a hard disk.
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SHADOW RAM: Software that loads the 16-bit system or video BIOS
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from a chip on the motherboard into faster 32-bit RAM upon
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power-up.
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SIMM: Single in-line memory module carrying many memory chips.
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SIP: Single in-line package. Integrated circuit chip with all
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leads coming off one side.
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SRAM: Static random-access memory chip. Faster and costlier than
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DRAM.
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TEMPEST: The ultimate RFI rating. A Tempest computer radiates no
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electro-magnetic signals that might be intercepted remotely.
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VIRTUAL 8086 OPERATION: An 80386 chip can set aside memory to run
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programs on a simple, 8086-like virtual computer. That is how 386
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UNIX operating systems run PC-compatible programs. |