(1) Short for
Protocol Data Unit. The
term used to describe
data as it moves from one layer of
the
OSI model to another. In this reference, PDU is
often used synonymously with
packet.
(2) Short for
Power Distribution Unit.
An electrical
device used to control the distribution
of power to individual loads. The PDU may be a stand-alone controlled device or
it may be integrated directly into the
UPS
(uninterruptible
power supply).