We’ve compiled a full list of commonly encountered IT terminology that will help you better understand the industry and how it works. By familiarizing yourself with basic computer terms and definitions, you’ll allow yourself to understand manuals, descriptions, and everyday jargon necessary to fully grasp IT products and services.
You’ll find our tech glossary is conveniently laid out below in alphabetical order with an easy navigation interface so you can quickly reference words related to technology.
In addition to our tech terms, you can also find other resources to help you learn more about the role of technology in modern industry, including blogs, whitepapers, and case studies. Though our list of IT terms to know is expansive, if you have any further questions regarding things to know about technology, please contact us.
A Virtual Machine Monitor (VMM), also known as a hypervisor, is software that creates and manages virtual machines by providing an abstraction layer between the virtual machines and the physical hardware. The VMM allocates resources like CPU, memory, and storage to each VM and ensures isolation between them. There are two types of hypervisors:
VMMs are essential for server consolidation, testing environments, and enabling cloud computing services.
In computing, a Virus is a type of malicious software (malware) that attaches itself to legitimate programs or files. When executed, it can replicate itself and spread to other programs or systems, often causing harm such as corrupting data, consuming system resources, or compromising security. Viruses can be transmitted through email attachments, downloads, or removable media. Protecting against viruses involves using antivirus software, keeping systems updated, and practicing safe computing habits to prevent infection.
VMware is a leading provider of virtualization and cloud computing software and services. VMware’s products enable organizations to virtualize their IT infrastructure, including servers (vSphere), networks (NSX), storage (vSAN), and desktops (Horizon). By abstracting hardware resources, VMware solutions help businesses reduce costs, increase efficiency, enhance scalability, and simplify IT management. VMware’s technologies are widely used in data centers to create flexible and dynamic virtual environments.
Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) is a technology that hosts desktop operating systems on centralized servers in a data center. Users access these virtual desktops over a network using endpoint devices like PCs, thin clients, or tablets. VDI provides centralized management of desktops, enhances security by keeping data within the data center, and offers flexibility for remote work. It reduces hardware costs and simplifies software updates and patches by managing them centrally.
Vector Graphics are images created using mathematical formulas that define geometric shapes like points, lines, curves, and polygons. Unlike raster graphics, which are made up of pixels, vector graphics can be scaled up or down without loss of quality. This makes them ideal for logos, illustrations, and graphic designs that require resizing for different media. Vector graphics are commonly used in graphic design software like Adobe Illustrator and are essential for high-resolution printing and digital displays.
Volatile Memory refers to computer memory that requires power to maintain the stored information. When the system is powered off, all data stored in volatile memory is lost. The most common type of volatile memory is Random Access Memory (RAM), which is used by the CPU to store data that is actively being used or processed. Volatile memory offers high-speed data access, which is essential for system performance and smooth operation of applications.
A Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) is a logical grouping of network devices configured to communicate as if they were on the same physical LAN, regardless of their physical location. VLANs segment network traffic to improve performance, enhance security by isolating sensitive data, and simplify network management. They are configured through network switches, allowing administrators to control broadcast domains and manage network policies efficiently.
Virtual Reality (VR) is a simulated experience that immerses users in a virtual environment using computer technology. VR typically involves wearing a headset that displays 3D images and tracks head movements to adjust the perspective. It creates interactive and immersive experiences for gaming, education, training simulations, and design visualization. VR technology enhances user engagement by providing a realistic sense of presence in a virtual world.
Visual Basic is a programming language and integrated development environment (IDE) developed by Microsoft. It is designed for building Windows-based applications with a graphical user interface (GUI). Visual Basic simplifies programming by providing a drag-and-drop environment, pre-built components, and an easy-to-understand syntax. It enables rapid application development (RAD), making it accessible for beginners and efficient for professional developers creating custom software solutions.
A Virtual Machine (VM) is an emulation of a computer system that runs on a host operating system. VMs provide the functionality of a physical computer, running their own operating systems and applications in an isolated environment. This isolation allows multiple VMs to coexist on a single physical machine, optimizing hardware utilization. Virtual machines are used for testing software, running legacy applications, consolidating servers, and enhancing security by isolating applications from the host system.