RAID
Also known as:
Redundant Array of Independent Disks
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RAID is a method for using multiple hard disks in place of one. One use of RAID is to store multiple exact copies of all data on separate drives. This is called mirroring (or RAID-1) and safeguards against disk failure by always having a backup on hand. Another use is to store different chunks of the same set of data on multiple drives. This allows more space and speed to retrieve data, but does not safeguard against disk failure. This is called striping (or RAID-0). You must have a raid controller to connect hard drives to in order to use RAID. Many motherboards come with a built-on RAID controller.
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RAM
Also known as:
Random Access Memory
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Random access memory is used for very fast and temporary data storage. The most important use of RAM is for system memory on a personal computer. System memory contains loaded programs and most data associated with running processes. RAM allows programs to run very fast by off-loading them from the hard disk. Hard disks are many times slower than RAM. RAM loses its contents when power is turned off. Random Access means data can be read or written in RAM in any order at any time.
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RJ-11
Also known as:
Registered Jack-11
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The standard connection jack for phone cabling in the USA. The jack has space for 4 wires but phones only need to use two of them.
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RJ-45
Also known as:
Registered Jack-45
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RJ-45 is a serial connector usually connected to Category-5 cabling for use in local area networks (LANs). A large portion of networks on the Internet use this specification. An RJ-45 connector has room for 8 wires.
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ROM
Also known as:
Read-Only Memory
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ROM is usually stored on a memory chip and contains intructions (like program code) which can only be read. ROM is used commonly for the BIOS on computers which enables booting up. Some types of ROM can be flashed, which allows one to replace the contents of the ROM with new instructions.
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