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55 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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What is a computer?
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A computer is a machine that can solve problems by accepting data, performing operating on that data and presenting the results of those operations.
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What are the three main components of a computer system?
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Hardware, software and data
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Who developed the computer architecture that is used in most personal computers today?
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John von Neumann
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What is the main problem with von Neuhann architecture?
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All processes must travel through the CPU. It is anable to both read and write, so there is a queue of instruction waiting to be processed.
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List three other computer architectures.
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Harvard
Symmetric Multi-processing Multicore |
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What is Harvard architecture? Advantages and Disadvantages?
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designed so that the CPU is designed to read an instruction and data from memory at the same time. Can be faster, because it is able to fetch the next instruction and complete the current instruction at the same time. Speed is gained at the expense of more complex electrical circuitry.
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What is Symmetric Multi-Processing architecture? Advantages and Disadvantages?
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designed for two or more identical processors to be connected to a common memory source. Allows any available processor to work on any task no matter where the data is located in memory. More processors = greater speed. Only one processor can access a memory point at a time, others will idle if they require memory at the same time.
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What is Multicore processing architecture? Advantages and Disadvantages?
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many users can connect at the same time. Each will have a separate thread of instructions being executed simultaneously. User’s processes will not be lined up and waiting ‘in turn’ as in von Neumann architecture. Processors improve performance and speed. Price increase as more cores are added.
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What is hardware?
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The name given to components that you can touch and manipulate.
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What is software? List 10 different pieces of software.
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Software is the general name for the application programs that you load onto your computer to create files. It can be bought in CD, DVD or USB form, purchased and downloaded from the internet, or preinstalled on new computer systems.
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What is the CPU?
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The 'brains' of the computer. A piece hardware that interprets and executes computer instructions. It works with binary digits (bits).
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What are the three main components of a CPU? Describe.
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The control unit (CU) – directs the operation of the computer by reading instructions from memory, decoding them, and activating circuits to execute the instructions. It coordinates input and output devices, instructs the ALU and organises the movement of information to and from memory.
The arithmetic logic unit (ALU) – includes components that can add and compare numbers and store partial results. The interface unit – moves program instructions and data between the CPU and other hardware components. |
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What is the difference between analogue and digital computers.
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Analogue - can have many values along a line: e.g. a dimmer switch on a light bulb. Digital only deals with two values, e.g. on or off.
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What is a system clock?
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The timing mechanism of the computer.
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What is the clock rate?
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the number of times a second that the system clock pulsates.
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What is a bus?
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The wires that take the information around the computer.
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What is a word?
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A set number of bits grouped together.
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What is a megahertz?
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a million pulses of the system clock per second.
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What is the difference between input and output devices?
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Input devices load information into the computer while output devices send data out of the computer.
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Are there any devices that act as both input and output devices?
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Modem, CD/DVD drive, memory, touch screen.
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What is memory?
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Memory is a hardware component where data is stord.
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What is the basic storage capacity of a:
Floppy disk, CD DVD USB Harddrive External hard drive? |
1.44 mb
700 mb (80 mins) 4.7 Gb 16 gb. between 60 and 1 T |
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Describe 1st Generation computers.
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-very large and power hungry
- Made with vacuum tubes, capacitors and resistors. - unreliable - needed human operators to set switches. - bugs regularly flew into them, causing components to burst. |
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Describe 2nd Generation computers
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- smaller than 1st due to use of transitors instead of vacuum tubes.
- needed less power, more reliable - programmed with punch cards, eliminating use of switches. |
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Describe 3rd gen computers.
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- Integrated chips were introduced, reducing cost.
- Keyboards and monitors used - disk storage was improved. |
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Describe 4th gen computers.
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- currently what we have today.
- silicone chips control circuitry - small enough to sit on a desk - software developed and secondary memory devices were invented over time. |
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Describe 5th gen computers.
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- the future.
- will have true artificial intelligence - better processing systems. |
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What is a computer network?
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A group of computers that are cabled together and can share peripherals.
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Why would a company use a network instead of a standalone computer?
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Stand-alones would each need their own individual printer, modem, etc while networked computers can share. Reduces cost of computing.
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Explain LAN and WAN and the difference between them.
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LAN - covers small geographical location with a small number of nodes
WAN - cover larger areas and more have more nodes. |
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What is a node?
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Any device on a network such as a terminal PC, printer, scanner, modem, etc
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What are the two network configurations?
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Peer-to-peer or client-server.
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What is a network topology/topography
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The way the computers are linked together in a network.
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What is a protocol
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a set of rules or way of doing something so that computers can understand each other.
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Explain Ethernet access protocol.
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Each node listens for a break in traffic to send data. If two nodes transmit at the same time, there is a collision, and the data is lost. It is resent at random times.
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Explain Token ring protocol
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EAch node can only send data when they have the token that is passed from node to node.Some modes can be configured to get the token for longer or more regularly than other nodes.
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What does FTP stand for
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File transfer protocol
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What does HTTP stand for
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Hypertext transfer protocol
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Advantages: Twisted Pair Cabling
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-Cheapest type
-useful for small runs |
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Disadvantages: Twisted pair cabling
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Prone to electrical interference
Slower data transfer than other types of cable |
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Advantages: Coaxial cabling
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-immune to electrical interference
- can transmit lots of data |
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Disadvantages: Coaxial cabling
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- boosters needed for long distances
- speed drops off significantly s the length of cable increases |
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Advantages: Optical cabling
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- can transmit huge amounts of data
- not suseptable to electrical interference |
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Disadvantages: Optical cabling
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- Most expensive type of cabling
- Very expensive to install. |
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List the responsibilities of a network or systems admin.
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-user management and network security
- installation, custmisation and maintenance of software, hardware and operating system - file level of access - network file maintenance - establish remote access and email - preserving copyright - backing up system data |
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How do the hardware, software and operating system interact?
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Hardware components of a computer system are given instructions by the CPU. Software applications run by the user send instructions to the operating system. The operating system interprest the instructions and tells the CPU what instructions to send the hardware components. It converts software commands into machine language to run the computer.
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What is CLI
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Command line interface. Files, folders and drives are viewed as lists of names and you type int commands for the computer system t execute programs.
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What is GUI
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Graphical user interface. Images are on the desktop can be interacted with to open folders, etc. Navigation is achieved through clicking icons.
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What are the 6 steps of the boot process?
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1. computer BIOS runs self tests
2. Computer will look for a system formatted disk int he default disk drive. A small bootstrap program in ROM loads another boostrap program from track 0 of the default disk. The larger bootstrap program in turn loads the core of the operating system into ram. 3. 3 core files are loaded into RAM including IO.SYS, containing the BIOS routines which enable the operating system to control machine dependent hardware features. 4. OS looks for CONFIG.SYS on the default drive. It is read and used to configure the system by installing device drivers. If not found, default settings are used. 5. COMMAND.COM loaded into RAM. It contains the proccess for carrying out internal operations. 6. Command interpreter searches the default drive for the AUSTOEXEC.BAT file. if not found, the computer will prompt user for correct time and date. |
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Describe a fully connected network topology
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All computers are connected directly to all others. Data is transmitted directly to the destination computer. Large cabling requirements, only used when speed is very important.
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Describe a star network topology
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all computers are connected to the main hub. data transmitted through the hub, onto the destination computer. lots of cabling required as each nod is connected to the hub.
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Describe a daisy chain network topology
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Nodes are connected directly the network port of another machine. Data travels in both directions until the correct node recieves it. little cabling is needed as networks are small and close together.
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Describe a tree network topology.
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Eachlevel is connected to all computers on the level below and above, but not to those on the same level. Data will follow each pathway until it reaches the correct node. heavy on cables as each machine is connected to one above and below it.
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Describe ring network topology
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All computers are connected to machines on either side. Data travels in one direction only. Medium cabling requirements as all computers are connected to two computers.
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Describe bus network topology
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Nodes are connected to a common cable with two endpoints. Data travelsin either direction to the correct node. Minimum cabling requirements as you only need the main cable and many smaller cables.
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