To some, it may appear that computer technicians speak a different language then english. Really, all we do is abbreviate words into letters so they are easier to say and type.
Some technicians even go as far as having a friendly (ego) competition with other technicians. Who knows the most abbreviations is the smartest technician (No joke!).
In this post you can find many of the common abbreviations that most IT technicians use.
RAM = Random Access Memory
This is what your computer uses to store all the data that it requires fast, such as what’s currently being displayed on your screen, or what you are typing into a text document, to what programs you are currently running.
HDD = Hard Disk Drive
A Hard Disk Drive (Sometimes known as a Hard Drive) is where your computer’s long term memory is. This is where all your files are saved.
TCP/IP = Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol
Transmission Control Protocol and Internet Protocol are both separate entities. They however make the internet work. TCP is used in making sure data gets to a location properly and intact. It is what checks to make sure the data arrives correct also. IP is really your machines “Address” to where TCP should send the data. All IP addresses should be unique within a network. A common example of an IP address is 192.168.1.1
DNS = Domain Name Server
Domain Name Servers are a real beauty! They are what translates english (domain names) into IP addresses (Computer Language). For example, DNSs will translate http://www.google.com (What we remember) into 209.85.171.100 (What computers know).
DHCP = Dynamic Host Control Protocol.
A DHCP server is a computer that hands out IP address to other computers. This computer makes sure that no 2 computers have the same IP address.
CPU = Central Processing Unit
The CPU is no doubt the brain of the computer. This is where all the calculations, computations and processing occurs inside your computer.
VM = Virtual Memory.
Virtual Memory acts the same as the RAM, except Virtual Memory is stored on the hard drive also.
GFX = Graphics Card
The graphics card is what is used to display all the information on the screen. For video rendering and gaming, it is also where additional data is stored (Such as 3D objects).
BIOS = Basic Input Output System
If the CPU is the brain of your computer, this is definitely the heart. The BIOS is what controls all the data from your keyboard, mouse, screen, HDD - everything about your computer and converts it into digital signals.
POST = Power On Self Test
This is all those funny beeps and burps your computer does when you first turn it on. Your computer is checking to make sure everything is intact and working correctly before it proceeds to load up the operating system.
ADSL (DSL) = Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line
This is the way the internet is sent across telephone lines. It uses extremely high frequency (Too high for humans to hear) to get the best broad rate.
FTP = File Transfer Protocol
This is just a fancy way of saying “copying files”. FTP is responsible for transferring say picture files from your home computer, to a website you may have. FTP supports all files types.
HTTP = Hyper Text Transfer Protocol
This is responsible for transmitting HTML (Webpages) to your browser when on the internet. It can also transfer pictures, songs and other file types.
ISP = Internet Service Provider
These guys provide the internet for you!
LAN = Local Area Network
Every computer that is on the same network as you is in your “LAN”, by “local network” it means no routing has to happen to communicate to the remote computer.
WAN = Wide Area Network
The internet is a perfect example of a WAN. A WAN is many networks placed together.
OS = Operating System
Windows is an operating system.
This of course is not every possible acronym. Some may disagree with the way I have explained these too! But that’s ok =), that’s what comments are for!
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This post was written by Slyke on December 8, 2008
