14 Glossary
LAN
Local Area Network.
LPT1
Name assigned to the parallel port by the Windows operating system.
A second parallel device is assigned LPT2 (if there is another parallel
port). Also called the printer port.
M
master
Part of a two-sided communication that initiates commands (to a
“slave” that carries out the commands).
megabyte
(MB) 1,048,576 bytes.
memory
Electronic storage area in a computer that retains information and
programs. A computer has two types of memory — read-only
memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM).
microprocessor
A semiconductor central processing unit that is the principal
component of a microcomputer. Usually contained on a single chip
that includes an arithmetic logic unit, control logic, and control-
memory unit.
MIDI
Musical Instrument Digital Interface. An interface for connecting
suitably equipped musical instruments to suitably equipped
computers.
MIF
Management Information File. A file stored on a PC that holds
system data such as a model ID and serial number that can be
manipulated over a network from a centralized location.