LO1 Understanding Computer Hardware

1.1 Computer Hardware

Communication Devices

Hubs - Used on LAN but sends packets of data to all devices regardless

Switches - Used on a LAN top direct packets to correct devices

Routers - Connected together diffrent networks using diffrent protocols

Input Device

Microphones

Keyboard

Mice

Output Devices

1.2 Computer Components

1.3 Computer System

1.4 Connectivity Methods

1.7 Units of Measure

1.6 Troubleshooting

1.9 Number

Diffrent Ports

Audio Jack - for sound in / out but no locking mechanism, as it gets older it becomes increasingly easier to pull out
standard across various audio devices

VGA

Ethernet - Wired internet connection but Can only go so far before signal degrades

HDMI - used for Monitor and Audio

Display port

Digital - high quality

Only for Images not sound

Not very widely used

Not as high quality as HDMI

USB - For Keyboard,Printer,Mouse,External Hard drive,Webcam,Headphones,Mic,Flash drives

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Connect thousands of different devices

Plug play

You can transfer power as well

Different types

Desktop/Server

Embedded Systems / Internet of things

Mainframe and Quantum Computers

Smartphone

Tablet/Hybrid/Laptop

Workstation made up of screen, keyboard and mouse with a case containing the motherboard, CPU, power supply, hard drives, optical drives and connectors as well as expansion cards

A network of objects that can have RFID (radio frequency identification) chips embedded in them.

Embedded computer systems are everywhere. Cars have computers which monitor emissions and adjust the engine settings as required. Other check for problems an alert the driver

Quantum computers are still experimental. They work with quantum bit (qubits) which aren’t limited to 0 and 1 like they are in PCs.

Qubits represent atomic particles (electrons and protons) and can have several different states at the same time.

A quantum computer can carry out data manipulations millions of times faster than current computers

Mainframes are huge machines designed to solve scientific and engineering problems that require complex calculations or manipulation, collections and storage of large amounts of data.

Smartphones can run applications, send and receive emails, take photos and videos, record sound, act as a GPS system, run apps to provide entertainment via your music or ebook library and run games. You can create documents, manipulate data or set your alarm.

Laptop - Just like the all in one PC but the muse function is replaced by a touchpad and keyboard combined

Hybrid - they can fold back, turning them into a tablet with a touch screen.

Tablet - a mobile device, typically with a mobile operating system and touchscreen display processing circuitry, and a rechargeable battery in a single, thin and flat package. Use touchscreen and have no keyboard

Bluetooth

Satellite Commuinication

Wi-Fi

Microwaves

Infrared

Wireless networking - which is often just known as Wi-Fi - is a way of getting broadband internet without wires. Wi-Fi allows you to connect several computers at once, anywhere in the house - or if you have a laptop, to even use your computer in the garden. You don't need to install extra phone lines or cables.

Bluetooth uses short-range wireless communications technology to replace the cables connecting electronic devices, allowing a person to have a phone conversation via a headset, use a wireless mouse and synchronize information from a mobile phone to a PC, all using the same core system.

A communications satellite is an artificial satellite that relays and amplifies radio telecommunications signals via a transponder; it creates a communication channel between a source transmitter and a receiver at different locations on Earth.

Microwaves are widely used for point-to-point communications because their small wavelength allows conveniently-sized antennas to direct them in narrow beams, which can be pointed directly at the receiving antenna. This allows nearby microwave equipment to use the same frequencies without interfering with each other, as lower frequency radio waves do

Two infrared devices can communicate with each other.
This is mainly used for contactless card payment used in actual cards and phones using Apple Pay.

1.5 Communication Hardware

Networks

Definition of a network -
In the simplest terms, a network consists of two or more computers connected together to share resources and information.

Networks predate the PC, but were simple given the centralisation of computing resources in the mainframe

To make a net work you need

A Protocol - a set of communication rules to make sure that interconnected machines talk the same language-

Network Interface Cards - The electronic interface for sending data

A Transmission medium - cable, fibre, infra red, wireless etc.

Hardware Hubs - hardware to perform traffic control and routing

Hardware checklist

Plugged into Computer

Plug on the wall/cockets on floor

Must be turned on

Socket in the wall/floor

Ethernet port/ check flashing light

USB port

Displayport on Graphics controller

Display port on monitor

Socket in wall/floor

monitor

kilo, mebi, gibi, tebi, pebi

1.8 Number Systems

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Decimal - humans work with

Binary - computer works with

Hexadecimal - which is used to express groups of binary digits

When we learn arithmetic, we use Base 10 numbers. (denary or decimal system).
The number 1583 means 1 'thousand', 5 'hundreds', 8 'tens' and 3 'units'...

The Binary number system is a Base 2 system.
Consider the binary number 10010110.

The Hexadecimal system is a base 16 system.
The digits used are 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,A,B,C,D,E and F.