Configuration
The way a system is set up, or the assortment of components that make up the system. Configuration can refer to either hardware or software, or the combination of both. For instance, a typical configuration for a PC consists of 32MB (megabytes) main memory, a floppy drive, a hard disk, a modem, a CD-ROM drive, a VGA monitor, and the Windows operating system.
Many software products require that the computer have a certain minimum configuration. For example, the software might require a graphics display monitor and a video adapter, a particular microprocessor, and a minimum amount of main memory.
When you install a new device or program, you sometimes need to configure it, which means to set various switches and jumpers (for hardware) and to define values of parameters (for software). For example, the device or program may need to know what type of video adapter you have and what type of printer is connected to the computer. Thanks to new technologies, such as plug-and-play, much of this configuration is performed automatically.
Read Also:
- configuration file
A file that contains configuration information for a particular program. When the program is executed, it consults the configuration file to see what parameters are in effect. The configuration file for DOS is called CONFIG.SYS. Older versions of the Windows operating system stores configuration information in files with a.INI extension. The two most important configuration […]
- configuration item
In ITIL terminology, configuration items (CI) are components of an infrastructure that currently is, or soon will be under configuration management. CIs may be a single module such as a monitor or tape drive, or more complex items, such as a complete system.
- configuration management
In ITIL terminology, configuration management refers to the process of defining configuration items (CI) within a system and recording and reporting on the status of the CIs and any requests for change, then verifying the correctness of a CI.
- configuration management database
Abbreviated as CMDB, in ITIL terminology the configuration management database is a database that contains all relevant information about each configuration item (CI) including the CI location, status, and also its interconnectivity with other configuration items. The CMDB is also used to consolidate disparate data sets and be a current and accurate source of information […]
- configurator
A name for a type of software tool used in e-commerce or the name used to describe only the engine of a sales configuration system. The configurator manages the part of the sales system that enables customers to choose different components and options when making a purchase, such as item color and size or in […]