User's Manual
Glossary 195
QFP
Acronym for quad flat pack.
RAC
Acronym for remote access controller. Dell 
OpenManage Server Administrator supports all RACs. 
These include the DRAC II, DRAC III, DRAC III/XT, 
ERA, and ERA/O. 
RAID
Acronym for redundant array of independent drives.
RAM
Acronym for random-access memory. The computer's 
primary temporary storage area for program instructions 
and data. Each location in RAM is identified by a 
number called a 
memory address
. Any information stored 
in RAM is lost when you turn off your computer.
RAMBUS
Acronym for Rambus DRAM, a type of memory 
(DRAM) developed by Rambus, Inc.
RAMDAC
Acronym for random-access memory digital-to-analog 
converter.
RAW
Unprocessed. The term refers to data that is passed 
along to an I/O device without being interpreted. In 
contrast, 
cooked
 refers to data that is processed before 
being passed to the I/O device. 
It often refers to uncompressed text that is not stored 
in any proprietary format. The term comes from UNIX, 
which supports cooked and raw modes for data output 
to a terminal. 
RDRAM
Acronym for Rambus DRAM. A dynamic RAM chip 
technology from Rambus, Inc. Direct RDRAMs are 
used in computers. Direct RDRAM chips are housed 
in RIMM modules, which are similar to DIMMs but 
have different pin settings. The chips can be built with 
dual channels, doubling the transfer rate to 3.2 GB/sec.
read-only file
A read-only file is one that you are prohibited from 
editing or deleting. A file can have read-only status if:
• Its read-only attribute is enabled.
• It resides on a physically write-protected diskette or 
on a diskette in a write-protected drive.
• It is located on a network in a directory to which the 
system administrator has assigned read-only rights 
to you.
readme file
A text file included with a software package or hardware 
product that contains information supplementing or 
updating the documentation for the software or 
hardware. Typically, readme files provide installation 
information, describe new product enhancements or 
corrections that have not yet been documented, and 
list known problems or other things you need to be 
aware of as you use the software or hardware.
real mode
An operating mode supported by 80286 or higher 
microprocessors, real mode imitates the architecture of 
an 8086 microprocessor.
refresh rate
The rate at which the monitor redraws the video image 
on the monitor screen. More precisely, the refresh rate 
is the frequency, measured in Hz, at which the screen's 
horizontal lines are recharged (sometimes also referred 
to as its 
vertical frequency
). The higher the refresh rate, 
the less video flicker can be seen by the human eye. The 
higher refresh rates are also noninterlaced.
RFI
Abbreviation for radio frequency interference.
RGB
Abbreviation for red/green/blue.
RIMM
Acronym for Rambus In-line Memory Module, which 
is the Rambus equivalent of a DIMM module. 










