Using ICT Systems

Using ICT Systems

1. BIOS: Basic In Out System

   • The set of instructions used when the computer first starts up. It is stored in the ROM so it is not lost when the power is switched off. It stores all the settings needed to enable the computer to start.

2. Username: Used to identify the user and allocates the correct rights and documents to the user

3. Password: used to verify the username and used for security purposes

4. WIMP- Windows, Icons, Menus, Pointers

5. The control panel is used to customise the computer settings for users. For example you can change the language, create accounts for different users and devices here.

6. Bus/Line (LAN)

   • Each workstation us connected to a single backbone which links all the computers
     • Pros: If one workstation fails it does not affect the others, uses less cable then other topolagies making it a cheap option
     • Cons: if the backbone fails the whole network is down

7. Network- Two or more computers that are connected rogether so they are able to communicate and share resources.

   • LAN- Local Area Network
     • Covers a wide geographical area e.g. cities and countries, uses phone lines and satallites to connect, more expensive to run and build than LAN, LAN+LAN=WAN
   • WAN- Wide Area Network
     • A small network covering a single sight e.g. school, uses physical cables or Wi-Fi to connect to the network, it is cheaper to run and build than WAN
   • Advantages of a network: can share resources or communicate within the network, central backups which make it an easy task, security- virus checks only need to be done once for network computers, can continue to work on any computers on the network, installation of the system is quicker as it only needs to be done once/
   • Disadvantages of a network- viruses can rapidly spread around all workstations and cause havoc to files or efficiency on the network, network failure can lead to no-one on the network being able to access files or folders, slow service as the more data travelling around the network the slower things become,, it is not cheap as every machine needs to be connected e.g. using physical cables or Wi-Fi, expert support required as networks need constant monitoring to ensure performance is maintained and all components are working properly.

8. Peer to Peer (WAN)

   • All workstations work as the client and the server. All workstations are linked to each other.
     • Cons: It's expensive to set up and maintain, it's complex to set up due to the amount of cabling and connections needed, it's difficult to add a extra computer
     • Pros: All computers are connected to each other so if one fails data can still reach its destination

9. Ring (LAN)

   • Data flows in one direction only. All computers are connected to another computer on either side.
     • Pros: Does not need a centrall server, it is easy to expand and attach extra workstations
     • Cons: If the network cable breaks the workstations after the break will be affected.

10. Star (LAN)

    • Used for large amounts of workstations. All computers are connected to a central server.
      • Cons: If the server fails the whole network will stop, uses a lot of caballing herefore it could be expensive to set up
      • Pros: If a workstation/cable fails it does not affect the rest of the network, easy to add other computers to the network the rest of the network

11. Wireless connection- connecting devices together without the use of cables or wires e.g. Wi-Fi

    • Cons: Signals may be blocked by walls or obstructions, slower connection compared to cables, reduced security on wireless networks
    • Pros: mobility, no wires/cables to worry about, connect and disconnect anywhere
    • Wi-Fi- uses short range connection.uses radio waves for the connection, used to connect to the internet, speed 128mb per second.
    • Bluetooth: uses short range connection, uses radio waves for the connection, used to connect between devices, speed 3mb per second
    • Infrared (found in remote controls): uses short range connection, cheap technology compared to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, only works in line of sight though.

12. Hub: hardware device that connects multiple computers together in a network and allows them to share data packets. Each computer will be connected to a single port on the hub

    • Network Interface Card (NIC): A component to provide the physical connection to the network. Cables are used to connect the NIC to the rest of the network
    • Router: A device that transfers data from one network to another
      • Cable: A computer network passes data from one computer to another. It does this by using physical cables of some kind
        • Print Server: A computer on a network that controls the printers and sends the print jobs to the correct printer on the network.
        • Wireless Network: A network which is connected together using radio waves. The radio waves are used to send and receive data rather than the use of cables. Wi-FI is not as secure as cabled networks because the data transmitted by radio waves can be intercepted by others. Need to be secure by using passwords and encrypting data sent over the connection. Unsecured network allow many users to connect and use a network. Wireless networks can also be slower if there is lots of users and connections can be blocked by walls and objects. Lots of shops,restaurants and cafe's now provide Wi-Fi hot spots where the public can access the LAN with their own devices.
    • Server: A computer on the network that holds software, files and data so that they can be accessed by network users.

13. (See troubleshooting and error messages in book)

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