IT Equipment Glossary

Computers and IT equipment can be complicated, especially when it comes to the internal components that make them tick. Yes, we’re talking about computer hardware and equipment, or in other words – the physical elements that make up a specific system. But there are more than just hard drives, central processing units (CPUs) and CD-Rs that you should be familiar with regarding this equipment. With that being said, here’s a brief IT equipment glossary that you can reference for need-to-know information about the internal components of the aforementioned equipment, from VOIP to WAP:

CRT Monitors: CRT, or cathode ray tube, monitors are typically made of glass and conventional in nature, as modern-day versions like plasma, LCD and LED have largely overtaken the CRT market. These larger, box-type monitors work as an electron beam moves back and forth across the screen, as phosphor dots illuminate active portions of the screen.

Data Center: These centers are facilities used to store computers and other IT equipment that’s crucial to a business. Data centers typically include several servers, backup power sources, communications systems and security devices.

Data Destruction: Also known as “hard drive shredding,” data destruction is a safe, effective means of ridding things like computer hard drive data and other electronic data so that it cannot be recovered.

Drive Wiping: The permanent removal of hard drive data without damaging the hard drive. DoD compliant software is able to write over the hard drive data many times, causing the data to be irretrievable.

Firewall: Hackers and spammers are always on the hunt for sensitive information that they can gain from. And that’s where firewall equipment comes in handy – it’s added network protection to help safeguard your organization from outside threats.

Hard Drives: Simply put, this is device that stores computer data for future retrieval. A hard drive stores and retrieves data using rapidly rotating discs, which are coated with a magnetic material.

HDMI: HDMI stands for “High Definition Multimedia Interface.” Specifically, it’s a connection that transmits audio and video to a computer monitor, TV or video projector in a high definition format.

Laptops: The counterpart of a stationary desktop computer, laptops are portable computers that can literally be taken anywhere and everywhere. Laptops are commonly also referred to as “notebooks” or “notebook computers.”

LCD Monitors: LCD, or “liquid crystal display,” is a type of monitor that uses the light modulating properties of liquid crystals to illuminate a computer screen. LCD monitors are typically more advanced and able to provide a better, cleaner-looking picture than CRT monitors.

Refurbished: Many people confuse the terms “refurbished” and “used.” Here’s the big difference – refurbished electronics are those that have been repaired or had components replaced after testing. “Used” is a term simply used to describe something that’s been in use, but not necessarily improved from a prior condition.

RingCentral: RingCentral is a telecommunications service that utilizes the cloud for the purposes of streamlining and simplifying things like e-mail, fax and phone service.

Routers: Routers are electronic devices that transmit data between devices on a network.

Servers: A system that provides a network service across a network. There are various types of servers, some of which only run on a single dedicated computer and others can host several.

  • Rack server: Also commonly referred to as a “rack-mounted server,” this type of server is a computer that’s used as a server that’s installed in a rack framework.
  • Tower server: Similar to a rack server, but instead of being installed into a small, compact enclosure, tower servers are built into a large upright cabinet.
  • Home server: A server that resides in a home and provides services to other devices within the specific household through a home network.
  • Mini rack server: Also known as a “rack-mount mini server,” these servers are even smaller and more compact than the rack server.
  • Blade server: A modified, scaled down server that’s designed to minimize the space and energy needed.
  • Mobile server: A mobile server is a portable server, typically a laptop. It’s designed to respond to requests for service across a network.
  • Ultra-dense server: A flexible server based on a platform that can provide three times the productivity as single rack servers.
  • Super server: Also referred to as a “service dispatcher,” this type of server runs primarily in the background, usually to start other servers when necessary.
  • Server CPUs: The core processing unit, or CPU, of a server.
  • Server FC cards: The fibre channel, or FC, card of a server.
  • Server RAID cards: A redundant array of independent disks, or RAID card, of a server.
  • Server replacement boards: The applicable boards that are required when repair or replacement becomes necessary.

Switches: A networking device used to connect multiple devices on the same network. These took the place of hubs because of their ability to manage traffic.

Tablets: By often having only a single unit that houses all components of a PC, these devices allow for ultra-portability.

Tape Libraries: Also commonly referred to as a “tape silo,” “tape robot” or “tape jukebox,” a tape library is a storage device used to store and identify tape drives and tape cartridges.

Toughbook: A trademarked name of computers from Panasonic that were introduced in 1997, which describes a rugged, better constructed computer. Toughbooks are better able to stand up to spills, drops, extreme temperatures and more rough handling, making them best used in fields like construction, emergency response and manufacturing.

VOIP Phones: Also known as an “IP phone,” VOIP stands for “voice over Internet protocol.” It’s a style of phone that places calls over the Internet rather than a public switch network.

Wireless Access Points: Wireless access points, or WAP, are devices that allow other Wi-Fi enabled devices to connect to the Internet.

Wireless Phones: Also known as “cordless telephones,” these types of phones replace the handset cord with a radio link. The handset then works together with a base station which is connected to the standard telephone line.

If you need one or more of these items, know that RepowerIT buys and sells gently used IT equipment at a competitive price. For more information and IT equipment support, contact us today.