Computer Hardware, Firmware, Storage, Operating Systems, and Linux

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering computer hardware, motherboard components, storage technologies, firmware, server architectures, networking ports, operating systems, and Linux virtualization concepts.

Hardware

The physical parts of a computer system that you can actually see and touch with your hands, such as the screen, keyboard, mouse, and internal chips.

Software

The invisible programs, apps, and games that tell the computer what to do, like web browsers, drawing apps, and video games.

Firmware

Special built-in instructions saved inside a piece of hardware that act like its instincts, telling it how to wake up and speak to the rest of the computer.

Peripherals

Extra gadgets plugged into the outside of a computer to help put information in or get information out, like a keyboard, mouse, printer, or webcam.

Motherboard

The big main circuit board inside the computer that connects all the parts together so they can share power and talk to each other.

CPU (Central Processing Unit)

The main computer chip that acts like the brain, doing math, following instructions, and running all your programs.

RAM (Random Access Memory)

Super-fast temporary working desk space where active apps sit; everything on it disappears the moment the power is shut off.

Chipset

A group of helper chips on the motherboard that acts like traffic controllers, guiding data between different parts of the computer.

Northbridge

An older helper chip that used to manage the fastest communications between the processor, memory, and graphics card.

Southbridge

An older helper chip that handled slower traffic connections, like USB ports, audio, and storage drives.

PCH (Platform Controller Hub)

A single modern chip that took over the older southbridge chores, handling connections like USB and drives while the brain handles the fast tasks.

PSU (Power Supply Unit)

The metal box that takes strong power from a wall outlet and converts it into safe, smaller voltages (such as $1\,\text{V}$, $3\,\text{V}$, $5\,\text{V}$, and $12\,\text{V}$) for each component.

Graphics Card / GPU

A specialized expansion card with its own processor and memory built specifically to paint pictures, videos, and 3D games on your screen.

Bus

An electronic highway made of tiny electrical pathways that carries data and signals from one computer part to another.

Bus Slot / Expansion Slot

The physical socket on the motherboard where you can plug in add-on cards to give the computer extra powers.

Bus Width

The number of lanes available on a data highway, determining how many bits of information can travel side-by-side at the same time.

PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect)

An older type of expansion slot on the motherboard used for adding cards across shared parallel data tracks.

PCIe (PCI Express)

The modern, ultra-fast expansion slot system that uses dedicated serial lanes to connect high-speed parts like graphics cards and SSDs.

ATX / Micro-ATX

Standard blueprints and size guidelines for motherboards and cases that make sure screw holes, plugs, and sizes match up properly.

HDD (Hard Disk Drive)

A storage device that saves data onto spinning magnetic platters; it holds lots of files cheaply, but moving parts make it slower and fragile.

SSD (Solid-State Drive)

A modern storage drive that saves data onto silent flash memory chips with zero moving parts, making it much faster and more durable than an older hard drive.

ROM (Read-Only Memory)

Permanent memory chips that hold essential startup instructions that can be looked at anytime but are not changed or erased during normal use.

Byte

A standard building block of computer information made of $8$ bits grouped together, written using a capital B.

PATA / IDE

An older drive connection method famous for using wide, flat gray ribbon cables to connect hard drives.

SCSI (Small Computer System Interface)

A family of drive connections for enterprise computers; older versions used very thick, heavy multi-wire cables described as ribbon cables on steroids.

SATA (Serial ATA)

A common slim cable and port standard used to plug hard drives and 2.5-inch solid-state drives into a motherboard.

NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express)

A high-speed communication language made specifically so flash drives can communicate directly through PCIe lanes without getting held back.

M.2

A tiny drive shape resembling a small stick of gum that mounts directly flat onto the motherboard without bulky cables.

USB (Universal Serial Bus)

The popular plug and cord design used everywhere to connect peripherals like mice, keyboards, game controllers, and flash drives.

BIOS (Basic Input/Output System)

The traditional, older starter software that wakes up the hardware the moment you turn on the computer.

UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface)

The modern replacement for BIOS that boots computers faster, provides stronger security, and supports mouse clicks with visual menus.

POST (Power-On Self-Test)

A quick automatic hardware checkup the computer runs at boot to make sure key parts like memory and the screen work before starting the main system.

CMOS

A tiny battery-backed memory chip that remembers setup settings, like the calendar date and clock time, even when the computer is unplugged.

Boot

The startup process a computer undergoes from the instant power turns on until the main system loads and is ready to use.

Server

A dedicated, always-on computer that provides files, websites, or online games to other client computers over a network.

Service

A specific job or program running on a server, such as delivering an email, sharing files, or hosting a webpage.

Standalone / Tower Server

A server housed inside its own upright cabinet case that stands on its own on a floor or desk like a tall desktop PC.

Rack-Mount Server

A flat, modular server shaped like a thin tray designed to slide neatly into a tall metal equipment shelf alongside other servers.

Blade Server

A super-thin server module that slides into a shared master chassis to pool together fans, cords, and power supplies to save room.

Multi-Processor Server

A heavy-duty server configured with two or more physical CPU sockets on its motherboard to power through massive amounts of work.

Port 25

The standard numbered network doorway servers use to pass email messages to one another.

Port 80

The default network doorway used for regular, unencrypted website pages that do not have a security lock icon.

Port 443

The secure, encrypted network doorway used for protected website browsing where passwords and personal data stay scrambled and safe.

Port 1433

The standard network doorway computers knock on to connect to a Microsoft SQL Server database.

Port 3306

The default network doorway applications use to access and retrieve data from a MySQL database.

Operating System (OS)

The master control software (like Windows, macOS, or Linux) that manages the computer parts, organizes files, and lets apps run.

Kernel

The innermost engine of an operating system that stays in charge of talking directly to the physical chips and dividing up processor time and memory.

Device Manager

A tool in Windows that lists all connected components, letting technicians update drivers and fix hardware issues.

Volatile Memory

Memory that requires electricity to hold onto its data; the moment power disappears, everything stored in it is instantly lost.

Nonvolatile Memory / Storage

Storage media that safely keeps its files and data even when the device is completely powered off and unplugged.

Deprecation / Deprecated

A warning status on an old tool or setting stating it is outdated and will be removed in the future, so people should switch to the newer version.

Bastion Host ("Bouncer Server")

A heavily protected security computer placed at the front door of a private network that checks everyone's identity before letting them enter.

Use Case

A straightforward explanation describing the real-world goal or practical task a piece of technology is built to accomplish for a person.

SOP (Standard Operating Procedure)

A clear, written list of step-by-step instructions that workers follow every time so a task is finished properly and without mistakes.

Hardening

The process of making a computer tougher against attacks by turning off unused features, closing doors, and changing default passwords.

Payload

The essential cargo inside a transmitted message, or the harmful trick inside computer malware that actually does damage.

Threat

Any outside danger, bad actor, or mishap that could potentially exploit a system and cause damage or data loss.

Vulnerability

A hidden weakness, crack, or bug in software or hardware that could allow an attacker to sneak inside.

Latency

The tiny delay or waiting time between clicking a command and seeing the data or game actually react, commonly called lag.

Throughput

The amount of data that successfully travels from one place to another over a network within a certain period of time.

Linux Distribution ("Distro")

A ready-to-use operating system package that bundles the core Linux kernel with system tools, desktop menus, and apps like Ubuntu or Fedora.

GNU

A playful recursive acronym standing for "GNU's Not Unix!", representing an extensive collection of free, open-source computer utilities.

Virtualization

A clever technique where software imitates real physical hardware, letting you run multiple simulated computers inside one real computer.

Virtual Machine (VM) / Guest

A pretend computer created by software that runs its own separate operating system completely isolated inside the main physical computer.

Host System

The real physical computer that lends out its physical processor, memory, and drive space to run virtual machines.

Hypervisor

The master software or firmware that creates and supervises virtual machines while dividing up the real computer hardware fairly.

Type 1 Hypervisor (Bare-Metal)

A virtualization manager installed straight onto bare physical server hardware without an ordinary operating system sitting underneath.

Type 2 Hypervisor

Virtualization software (such as VirtualBox or VMware Workstation) that installs and runs like a regular app inside your normal desktop operating system.

Open Source Software (OSS)

Programs whose underlying recipe code is shared publicly for free so anyone can look at it, learn how it works, modify it, and share improvements.

Closed Source Software

Proprietary software where the underlying code is kept locked and secret by its creator, usually requiring a paid purchase to use.

Freeware

Software that you can download and use for free, but whose creator keeps the underlying source code private and hidden.

Shareware

Software distributed on a trial basis so you can test it for free before deciding whether to pay to keep using it.

WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux)

A built-in Windows feature that lets you run native Linux command-line tools directly inside Windows without booting a full separate virtual machine.

Dual Boot Installation

A setup where two different operating systems are installed on the same computer drive, letting you choose which one to run every time you start up.