Hardware, software and networking

Hardware, software and networking

1. Components

   • Hard drive
     • A disk drive is the main storage device
   • R.A.M
     • Volatile storage/ random access memory
       • Once the computer is turn off it does not save the data on the ram
   • CPU
     • Central Processing Unit
       • The CPU is responsible for executing a sequence of stored instructions called a program
   • Peripheral
     • An add on devices e.g Keyboard, mouse, printer
   • Backing storage
     • Storage that the ram takes its data from

2. Utility Software

   • Fire Wall
     • Decide which program can receive/ send data over the internet
       • Security
   • Anti-virus
     • Scan Scans your sytem for viruses periodically
       • Finds a virus then quarantines it
         • Database is kept up to date
   • Disk defragmenter
     • Fragment means apart
       • Moves parts of files together to be accessed quicker
   • Optimal, Performance + security
   • Disk Cleanup
     • Delete registry settings
       • Delete files not longer needed. E.g Temp internet files
         • delete temporary files/installation
   • Automatic updates
     • Checks if there are any updates from the software developer's website
       • Bugs fixes
         • Security

3. Operating systems

   • Linux
   • Windows
   • OSX
   • 6 main functions of an operating system
     • User interface
     • Security
       • Passwords / admin
     • CPU
     • Peripheral managment
     • Multi- tasking
     • Memory managment

4. BIOS

   • Keeps the time/date/calender up to date even when the computer is turn off