Ultimate Guide to IT Hardware Acronyms

IT Hardware Acronyms

Do you know your GBICs from your GPUs? Your DAS from your DIMMs? Moving into a career in IT can be like learning a new language. There are acronyms for almost everything, which can seem a little overwhelming if you’re starting out. Even if you’ve been working in IT for years, the continuous technological advancements, upgrades and new product releases can be a mind field! That’s why we’ve created a breakdown of the common acronyms you’ll come across to help give a better understanding of your devices and how they work.

Many of the below acronyms you may have heard of but might not be sure of their exact meaning. In this guide we list all of the acronyms you need to know when working with IT hardware.

Acronyms of some of our main products

 

 

 

CPU

CPU – Core Processing Unit

Also referred to as: Processor

 

Also referred to as a processor, the CPU is the primary component of a computer that processes instructions from hardware and software running on the computer.

 

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DAS

DAS – Direct Attached Storage

 

DAS is storage directly attached to the computer accessing it, rather than accessed over a computer network. Examples include hard drives, solid-state drives, optical disc drives and storage on external drives.

 

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ram

DDR – Double Data Rate

 

Also referred to as: double pumped, dual-pumped, double transition

 

Double Data Rate is the advanced version of synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM) which can transfer data twice as quickly, by transferring data on both the rising and falling edges of the clock signal. SDRAM sends signals once per clock cycle. DDR (double data rate) transfers data twice per clock cycle.

 

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ram

DIMM – Dual In-Line Memory Module

 

A module containing a circuit board comprising of a series of dynamic random access memory circuits, designed to be used in personal computers, workstations and servers.

 

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memory

ECC – Error Correction Code

 

Error correction code is used to verify data transmissions by locating and correcting errors, commonly used by random access memory (RAM) chips.

 

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fiber channel

FC – Fibre Channel

A Fibre Channel is a high-speed data transfer protocol primarily used to connect computer data storage to servers in storage area networks (SAN).

 

sfp

GBIC – Gigabit Interface Converter

 

transceiver that converts electrical optical signals to electrical currents and vice versa, typically used in Ethernet and fibre optic systems. It acts as an interface for high-speed networking, enabling network devices such as a router or switch to have support for different connections.

 

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gpu

GPU – Graphics Processing Unit

 

A processor designed to manage and boost the performance of graphic operations, including 2D and 3D graphics.

 

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hba

HBA – Host Bus Adapter

Also referred to as: Host Controller, Host Adapter.

Host Bus Adapter connects a computer, which acts as a host system, to other network and storage devices.

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HDD

HDD – Hard Disk Drive

Also referred to as: Hard Drive

Hard Disk Drive is a non-volatile data storage device, typically installed internally in a computer attached directly to the disk controller of the motherboard connected using an ATA, SCSI or SATA cable. A HDD is made up of spinning magnetized disks determining the speed your computer is able to access information.

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iDRAC

iDRAC – Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller

Designed for secure local and remote server management, an Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller is used to help deploy, update and monitor servers.

 

HPE ILO

ILO – Integrated Lights Out

A remote server management processor embedded on the system board of HP ProLiant and Blade Servers to allow remote controlling and monitoring of servers.

 

 

IP Phone

IP Phone – Internet Protocol Phone

IP Phone is a method of delivering voice communications and multimedia sessions over Internet Protocol (IP) networks, such as the internet.

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lrdimm

LRDIMM – Load Reduced Dual In-line Memory Module

A load-reduction dual in-line memory module (DIMM) used in servers containing a memory buffer (MB) chip that increases the speed of the memory, reduces the load on a server’s memory bus and reduces power consumption.

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MSA

MSA – Modular Storage Array

A storage array, also called a disk array, is a data storage system for block-based storage, file-based storage, or object storage. Rather than store data on a server, storage arrays use multiple drives in a collection capable of storing a huge amount of data, managed by a central management system. Modular storage arrays are typically based on two controllers, which are kept apart from the unit’s disks. In essence, this ensures that, if one controller experiences a failure, the second will take over from the first automatically.

Shop MSAs

 

nic

NIC – Network Interface Card

 

Also referred to as:  Network Adapter and Ethernet Card 

 

Network Interface Card is a component that connects a computer to a computer network using an Ethernet cable.

 

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NVME

NVME – Non-volatile Memory Express

A hardware interface for Solid State Drives (SSDs) designed to accelerate the transfer speed between enterprise and client systems using a computers Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) bus.

 

 

psu

PSU – Power Supply Unit

Also referred to as: Power Supply, P/S and PS.

power supply unit is a component that converts main AC to low-voltage regulated DC power for the internal components of a computer.

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RAID Controller

RAID Controller – Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks

RAID Controller is a system of data storage that uses multiple hard drives to store data. Various storage techniques can be used to achieve different levels of data redundancy, error recovery and performance improvement.

 

ram

RAM – Random Access Memory

Also referred to as: primary memory, main memory and system memory.

RAM is a high-speed component that allows information to be stored and retrieved on a computer. It temporarily stores data which can be accessed randomly quickly, unlike a hard disk drive (HDD). RAM is volatile meaning it retains data as long as the computer is on, but is lost once it is turned off.

Shop Memory

 

SAN

SAN – Storage Area Network

SAN is a high-speed network of storage devices that connects servers with storage devices such as disk arrays, RAID hardware and tape libraries, providing a shared pool of storage space.

Shop SANs

 

SAS

SAS – Serial Attached SCSI

A type of serial transmission protocol that moves data to and from computer storage devices such as hard disk drives and tape drives.

 

SATA

SATA – Serial Advanced Technology Attachment

Also referred to as: Serial ATA

A computer bus interface used to connect a host bus adapter to mass storage devices such as hard disk drives, optical drives, and solid-state drives (SSD).

 

SCSI

SCSI – Small Computer System Interface

An SCSI is a set of parallel interface standards used for connecting and transferring data from peripherals such as disk drives to computers.

 

ram

SDRAM – Synchronised Dynamic Random Access Memory  

SDRAM is Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) with an interface that is synchronous with the system carrying bus data, coordinated by an externally supplied clock signal.

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sff

SFF – Small Form Factor / LFF – Large Form Factor

Hard Drive form factor relates to the size of the drive and determines the physical compatibility with the drive bays in a storage array, enclosure or server.

The most common form factor for enterprise class hard drives are large form factor and small form factor. SFF Hard Drives are 2.5inch long. LFF hard drives are 3.5 inches long.

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sfp

SFP – Small Form-Factor Pluggable

Also referred to as: Transceiver

A device used to transmit and receive optical or electrical signals between network devices. They connect network cables to a variety of devices with media converters, network routers and switches.

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SODIMM

SODIMM – Small Outline Dual In-Line Memory Module

SODIMM is a type of computer memory built using integrated circuits; a smaller alternative to a DIMM used in desktops and PCs.

 

ssd

SSD – Solid State Drive

A storage medium that uses non-volatile memory to hold and access data. Internal Solid State Drives connect to a computer using IDE or SATA connections. Unlike a hard disk drive (HDD) an SSD has no moving parts, allowing it to access data quicker and have a lower power consumption.

Shop SSDs

 

 

Intelligent Servers is a leading refurbished server, storage, networking and components reseller. We specialise in HP, Dell and Cisco, supplying thousands of businesses across Europe. Call: 01423 223430 Email: sales@intelligentservers.co.uk Live chat: Mon-Fri 9am-5.30pm

 

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Comments
20/08/2021 11:29
USB can be plugged in series but is not a series bus.