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Flashcards

Unit 1.1 - Understanding Computer Hardware

Joe O'Dwyer IT Cambridge Technical English 103 cards

Cards in this deck (103)

  1. 1What is an input device?A device that is used to take an input from the user so that instructions can be sent to the CPU.
  2. 2Characteristics and use of a mouse?- Point and click device.
    - Allows user to communicate with computer by placing a cursor at a specific point on the screen.
    - Computer screen tracks its movement and displays its location on the screen as a cursor.
  3. 3Advantages of a mouse?- Movement Flexibility.
    - Variety (Large variety of mice to suit individual needs)
  4. 4Disadvantages of a mouse?Location Needs (They need an unobstructed, flat surface to function).
  5. 5Characteristics and use of a keyboard?- Most common method of inputting data/instructions into a computer.
    - Keys allow access to a range of alphanumeric, special characters, as well as a number of commands through function keys.
    - Shortcuts to specific tasks can also be used via keyboards.
  6. 6Advantages of a keyboard?- Better than touchscreen (more responsive, better positioning of hands).
    - Better than voice recognition (more accurate).
    - Better than using a pen and paper (Neater, quicker).
  7. 7Disadvantages of a keyboard?- Efficient typing requires memorisation of key positions.
    - Chance of repetitive strain injury.
  8. 8Characteristics and use of a scanner?- Converts a document/photograph into a digital file that a computer can read or display.
    - Have been developed for other uses such as biometrics, with examples being iris and fingerprint scanning.
  9. 9Advantages of a scanner?- High detail.
    - Reliability (no dependence on phone line like fax).
    - Environmental benefits (limits paper use).
    - Ease of use.
  10. 10Disadvantages of a scanner?- Scanned ouptut quality can vary.
    - Maintenance can be expensive.
    - Also time consuming to scan something.
  11. 11Characteristics and use of a sensor?- Physical devices that detect stimuli (changes in the environment).
    - Generates signals that are transmitted to a computer.
    - These signals often lead the computer to decide on whether an action must be triggered.
  12. 12Advantages of a scanner?- Readings are more accurate than that of a human.
    - Can operate 24/7.
    - Allow for quick responses to stimuli.
  13. 13Disadvantages of a scanner?- Faulty sensors can give incorrect results.
    - Faults with the sensor can also go unnoticed.
  14. 14Purpose of a microphone?Record instructions or other sounds the user wishes to collect.
  15. 15Advantages of a microphone?- Useful if no mouse or keyboard is available.
    - Can allow user to use device hands free.
  16. 16Disadvantages of a microphone?- Cabled microphones can restrict user's movement.
    - May not fully recognise user's instructions first time.
  17. 17Purpose of a graphics tablet?Used in similar way to a keyboard but is used to enter data such aa handwriting and drawings (e.g. annotate a PDF document).
  18. 18Advantages of a graphics tablet?- Can allow for diagrams to be drawn on the computer.
    - Useful for making notes.
  19. 19Disadvantages of a graphics tablet?- Can be hard to control if the sensitivity is set too high/low.
    - Can be quite expensive.
  20. 20What is an output device?A device that receives the result of a processed instruction and displays it in a format which is convenient for the user.
  21. 21Characteristics and use of a printer?Produces hard copies of documents, data, information, images/photos.
    Examples include laser, 3D, LCD and LED.
  22. 22Advantages of a printer?- Convenient.
    - Can have multiple features (printing, scanning, faxing).
  23. 23Disadvantages of a printer?- High initial costs.
    - Have running costs (ink/toner, paper).
    - Encourage waste.
  24. 24Purpose of a plotter?A machine used in areas such as Computer-Aided Design (CAD) to produce large and accurate drawings.
  25. 25Advantages of a plotter?The transition from pen plotters to inkjet, laser print systems means the drawings can be produced quicker and to a higher quality.
  26. 26Disadvantages of a plotter?- Take up a lot of physical space.
    - More costly than printers.
  27. 27Characteristics and use of speakers/headphones?Provide the user with audio output. Speakers convert electronic signals from the sound card to sound waves which are audible to the user.
  28. 28Advantages of speakers/headphones?Speakers - Don't result in any ear damage.
    Headphones - Maintain Privacy.
  29. 29Disadvantages of speakers/headphones?Speakers - Don't maintain privacy.
    Headphones - Can lead to hearing damage.
  30. 30What does a modem do?Used for analogue-digital signal conversion. This is due to the fact that information is generated in a digital format, but can only be transmitted in an analogue format (transmission occurs via telephone wire). When the signal is being received, it must be converted back into a digital signal so it can be processed by the receiving.
  31. 31Purpose of a network interface card?A card that enables computers to communicate with other computers in a network. It's the hardware connection between the computer and network cable.
  32. 32Advantages of a network interface card?- Low cost.
    - Easy to troubleshoot.
  33. 33Disadvantages of a network interface card?Requires proper configuration and a hard wired connection.
  34. 34Other examples of communication devices?- Terminal Adapter.
    - Wireless Router.
    - Wireless Network Card.
    - Hub.
  35. 35Purpose of a terminal adapter?Links computer to an Integrated Services Digital Network.
  36. 36Purpose of a Wireless Router?Converts an internet signal into a wireless signal which computers and other devices use to communicate with each other and the router.
  37. 37Purpose of Wireless Network Cards?Used by computers and other devices to communicate wirelessly.
  38. 38Purpose of a hub?Allows multiple computers to communicate over a network via wired connection.
  39. 393 Components of the CPU?Cache
    Arithmetic Logic Unit
    Control Unit
  40. 40How does the CPU process instructions?By performing Fetch-Decode Execute cycles.
  41. 41Purpose of the cache?It will store and remember frequently processed instructions, meaning that the speed with which certain instructions is increased.
  42. 42Purpose of the motherboard?To hold all the other internal hardware components.
  43. 43Characteristics and purpose of the hard drive?The non-volatile storage device in a computer. Uses magnetic storage. Magnetic discs are read with a moving head inside the disc drive. Magnetic tapes are read by moving the tape past a read-write head.
  44. 44What is flash memory?A non-volatile form of memory that combines the permanence of ROM with the flexibility of RAM.
  45. 45Characteristics and Use of Solid State Storage?Type of flash memory. Replaces hard drives as main secondary storage in devices where large storage capacities aren't required.
  46. 46What is internal storage?Storage devices that are held within the machine and are designed to be kept there, such hard drives and RAM. Storage devices with low portability will be internal.
  47. 47What is removable storage?External storage devices that are designed to be portable and are non-volatile. Examples include optical and solid state storage.
  48. 48What is SCSI storage?Small Computer System Interface. Set of American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard electronic interfaces that allow personal computers to communicate with peripheral hardware faster and more flexibly than previous parallel data transfer interfaces.
  49. 49What is SAS storage?Serial-attached SCSI. Method used in accessing computer peripheral devices that employs serial means of digital data transfer over thin cables. SAS is especially of interest for access to mass storage devices, particularly external hard drives and magnetic tape drives.
  50. 50What is portable storage?Non-volatile storage devices that are designed to be able to cope with being transported (resistant to physical shock).
  51. 51What is cloud storage?Storing files on large, powerful servers that belong to large companies (Google, Microsoft) that can simply be accessed via a website providing the user has an internet connection.
  52. 52Why has cloud storage become a more popular choice for data storage in recent years?It saves having to carry round a storage devices (which could be lost, damaged) and you can rely on these companies not to lose your data.
  53. 53Characteristics of USB ports?Universal Serial Bus. Standard cable connection interface for personal computers and consumer electronic devices. Allows USB devices too be connected to each other with and transfer digital data over USB cables. They can also supply electric power across the cable to devices that need it.
  54. 54Characteristics of Firewire Ports?External connector, similar to USB, that provides a high speed connection between a computer and peripheral devices. Firewire ports are able transfer data at a rate of up to 400 Mbps.
  55. 55What is a SATA port?Short for Serial ATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment), is an IDE standard for connecting devices like optical drives and hard drives to the motherboard. It replaces Parallel ATA as the IDE standard of choice for connecting storage devices inside of a computer.
  56. 56What is a network port?A process-specific/application-specific software construct serving as a communication endpoint, which is used by the Transport Layer protocols of Internet Protocol suite, such as User Diagram Protocol (UDP) and Transmission Control Protocol (TCP).
  57. 57How is a specific network port identified?By its number (commonly referred to as port number), the IP address with which the port is associated and the type of transport protocol used for the communication. A port number is a 16-bit unsigned integer that ranges from 0 to 65535.
  58. 58What is a Fibre Channel port?A hardware pathway into and out of a node that performs data communications over an FC link.
  59. 59Purpose of RAM?Holds any open applications as well as a copy of the operating system while the computer is running.
  60. 60Purpose of ROM?It stores the BIOS (Basic Input Output System) which is required to boot up the computer.
  61. 61Characteristics of RAM?Stands for Random Access Memory. Volatile. RAM is the reason there is a delay in opening applications; they have to be loaded into RAM.
  62. 62Examples of computer features that can be enhanced with expansion cards?Network cards, sound cards, graphics cards.
  63. 63Describe a desktop computer?Where all the required components are incorporated into a single case, which includes the case.
  64. 64Pros and cons of a desktop computer?Pro: Reduces the physical space required to house a computer.
    Cons: Limits the ability to manipulate the existing hardware. More costly than original desktop PCs.
  65. 65Describe a Server?Essentially a computer that is designed for mass data storage and processing.
  66. 66Pros of servers?Much larger memory capacity and processing power.
  67. 67Cons of Servers?Traffic congestion can cause a server to stop functioning, which means that the server them cannot meet requests from clients.
  68. 68What are hybrid PCs?A tablet PC that can be attached to a keyboard to 'become' a laptop.
  69. 69Pros and cons of Hybrid PCs?Pros: More portable.
    Cons: Prices are still high. Processing power not sufficient for some tasks. Screen size.
  70. 70What is a smartphone?A mobile phone that is able to connect the Internet, thus giving it more capabilities.
  71. 71Pros and Cons of Smartphones?Pros: More capabilities. Can complete a wide range of tasks more efficiently.
    Cons: Most top-of-the-range phones are quite costly. People are often too attached to their phones, get distracted from other things.
  72. 72What is the Internet of Things (IoT)?The metaphorical community of multiple types of devices that are able to connect to the Internet. Its scope has now gone beyond traditional PCs to include fridges, watches, cars and much more.
  73. 73What is a mainframe computer?A large, room-sized machime used by large organisations to aid with bulk data processing.
  74. 74Pros and Cons of a mainframe computer?Pros: Can process mass amounts of data. Can support multiple workstations.
    Cons: Installation is complex. Also quite costly.
  75. 75What is a Quantum Computer?A computer that uses the principle of quantum superposition so that a bit can be a 1 and a 0 simultaneously. These quantum bits are called qubits.
  76. 76Pros and Cons of a Quantum Computer?Pros: The superposition of states within a qubit will allow many calculations to be performed at once.
    Cons: Still undergoing development. Be a while before it's available to the general consumer. Difficult to find a suitable temperature in which they can function.
  77. 77Characteristics of Copper connection?Mainly used in telephone wires. Used in the early days of the Internet. Two types of copper cables are unshielded twisted pairs and shielded twisted pairs.
  78. 78Characteristics of Fibre Optic connection?New types of cable being used for internet data transmission. Optical fibre materials aid the total internal reflection of light pulses down the cable. These pulses contain the data.
  79. 79Characteristics of Wireless connection?Transmit data via the use of longer wavelength Electromagnetic waves (Radio Waves, Microwaves, Infrared) due to their ability to diffract around obstacles.
  80. 80Examples of wireless connections?Bluetooth (10m range)
    WiFi (92 range)
    Laser (10km range)
    Infrared (Few metres, needs to be in line of sight)
    Microwave (Must be in line of sight, no obstructions)
  81. 81Characteristics of a hub?Central communication point for all devices in the network. All devices have equal call on the resources and receive copies of all transmissions.
  82. 82Characteristics of a switch?Similar to a hub. The device will receive packets, process them and will only forward them to the specific destination, rather than all devices connected to it.
  83. 83Characteristics of a router?A wireless router will receive the internet data through the phone line and then convert that data into radio signals. These signals are then picked up by network cards in devices and converted into internet data again.
  84. 84Characteristics of a modem?Used for analogue-digital signal conversion. Information is generated and needs to be processed in a digital format, but can only be transmitted in an analogue format.
  85. 85Characteristics of a Wireless Access Point?A hardware device or configured node on a LAN that allows wireless capable devices and wired networks to connect through a wireless standard, including WiFi and Bluetooth. WAPs feature radio transmitters and antennae, which facilitate connectivity between devices and the Internet or a network. A WAP is also known as a hotspot.
  86. 86What is a hybrid connectivity device?Will have more than one connectivity method available, such as a hybrid network hub. This device can connect devices to the Internet via wired connections (ethernet) as well as broadcasting a WiFi signal.
  87. 87What can IT technicians do to make the identification of hardware faults easier?Log all previous problems that have arisen, so that they can refer to it when a new problem comes up.
  88. 88Examples of some imformation needed when logging hardware faults?The user, the machine on which it occurred and the symptoms.
  89. 89What is an Event Viewer?A troubleshooting tool that is updated with information about a problem when one occurs. This information will include the cause of the problem, a unique event ID and who was logged on.
  90. 90Two examples of self-testing programs?Power on Self-Test (POST)
    Ping
  91. 91What is a POST program?Power on Self-Test. A function of the BIOS for a particular computer. Checks memory, power supply, hardware, CPU, BIOS and heat/cooling. Two types of BIOS-related diagnostic information are provided: Beep codes and POST codes.
  92. 92What is a ping program?Tests the connectivity between the requesting host and the destination host. Uses Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) to send an echo request message to the destination and listen for the response (echo reply message). Response shows that the host can be reached. Procedure can be repeated with different hosts until problem source is identifed.
  93. 93Why is it important to document the solving of problems?So that the technicians know of every step taken needed to solve the problem.
  94. 94What should be documented when solving a problem?States tools used.
    Record the actions.
    Product specification.
    Software/hardware used.
    Recording the time taken/cost.
  95. 95What to include in record keeping?- Maintenance Requirements.
    - The robustness of particular hardware.
    - Trends/patterns that identify which particular sets of action results in failures, and their timescales.
    - 'What if' scenarios.
  96. 96Values of the following metric prefixes? - Kilo - Mega - Giga - Tera - Peta- 10³ bytes
    - 10^6 bytes
    - 10^9 bytes
    - 10^12 bytes
    - 10^15 bytes
  97. 97What are the values of the following binary prefixes? - Kibi - Mebi - Gibi - Tebi - Pebi- 2^10 bits
    - 2^20 bits
    - 2^30 bits
    - 2^40 bits
    - 2^50 bits
  98. 98How are metric prefixes different from binary prefixes?Metric prefixes are 10 being raised to a power, whereas binary prefixes are 2 being raised to a power (so the values are multiples of 2).
    For example:
    1 Kilobyte = 10³ bytes = 1000 bytes
    1 Kibibyte = 2^10 bits = 1024 bytes
  99. 99Describe: - Binary? - Denary? - Hexadecimal?Binary - Base 2 Number System. Uses 1s and 0s. 1 binary digit is a bit.
    Denary - Base 10. 0-9. Used by humans.
    Hex - Base 16. 0-9 and A-F. One hex digit is used to represent a nibble (4 bits). Allows for more information to be displayed and interpreted.
  100. 100Hex Values?A - 10
    B - 11
    C - 12
    D - 13
    E - 14
    F - 15
  101. 101Converting from binary to denary?Take all the values that correspond to 1 and total them.
  102. 102Converting from denary to binary?Subtract the highest number possible from the binary table until you reach zero.
  103. 103Converting denary into hex?Divide the denary number by 16. The integer value will be the left digit. Take the value to the right of the decimal point and times it by 16, which will be the right digit.

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Cambridge Technical IT Flashcards on Unit 1.1 - Understanding Computer Hardware, created by Joe O'Dwyer on 23/11/2017.
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