Hardware

**Hardware**

 * CPU || Central Processing Unit ||
 * USB || Universal Serial Bus ||
 * RAM || Random Access Memory ||
 * ROM || Read Only Memory ||
 * HDD || Hard Disk Drive. Main storage of a computer using a disk and electromagnetic writing. ||
 * USB || Universal Serial Bus ||
 * DVD || Digital Versatile Disk, storage medium using an optical disk ||
 * Case || Houses all computer components ||
 * PSU || Power Supply Unit. Transformer in a case that converts AC power to DC and lowers voltage to a usable amount for motherboard and system components. ||
 * UPS || Uninteruptible Power Supply. A battery backup system that provides power to a PSU in the event of a power outage. ||
 * Firewire || Highspeed serial bus standard used by artists, poets, and other people with bad judgement who would actually buy an Apple computer. ||
 * MB || Motherboard. Main circuit board in a computer that contains the main components of the computer and connects peripherals. ||
 * Fan/Heatsink || Used on CPU chips, graphics cards, cases, and anywhere else emits a great deal of heat. Cools equipment to allow operation. ||
 * SSD || Solid State Drive. Uses non-volatile memory chips to store data with no moving parts. ||


 * //Networking//**
 * router || directs network traffic to connect between systems and networks ||
 * MAC || media access control, the physical address of a machine ||
 * NIC || Network Interface Card ||
 * Firewall || Physical firewall with preset conditions to disallow traffic coming in or out. ||
 * Cat-5 || Most commonly used network cable. ||
 * RJ-45 || Registered Jack, cable connector using 8 pins. Commonly attached to Cat-5. ||


 * //Biometrics//**
 * Retinal Scanner || Scans the retina of the eye to establish identity ||
 * Fingerprint Scanner || Scans a fingerprint, usually a thumb, to establish identity. ||
 * Facial Recognition Scanner || Camera that scans a person's face to establish their identity before using a computer. ||