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Computer Components - Coggle Diagram
Computer Components
Ports
Ports are connections which allow additional devices to be connected to the computer system. The most common type of port is USB. Before USB, manufactures would all make their own ports which led to there being many different types of complex ports for different devices. USB became a universal standard and it is now expected that the computer the user has will support this form of port because of its popularity.
Example: USB, Thunderbolt
USB: Universal serial bus. A standardized way of transmitting data and connecting hardware devices. It is often used for flash memory sticks as well as connecting a wide range of input and output devices to computer systems.
Firewire: Connects peripherals to computer systems. This technology was originally in competition with USB. It was made in collaboration of many companies including sony and apple. Firewire is now rarely used since USB has surpassed it.
Firewire transferred data at either 400 or 800 mbps (depending on the cable type)
USB 2 transfers data at 480 mbps
USB 3 transfers at about 5000 mbps
SATA (Serial ATA) is a cable which is used for connecting storage devices to the motherboard. There are many kinds of SATA cable but all of them allow data to be transmitted very fast - the slowest operates at 1.5 gbps. The fastest at 6 gbps.
Network port = A network port is designed to connect with ethernet cable. These ports can be found in NIC as well as on wall mounted sockets. Users who wish to connect their computer systems to a network can click in an ethernet cable between their computer and the socket. Once connected (and possibly authenticated), they will gain access to the network.
A fibre channel is a protocol which allows computer systems to make use of fibre optic cabling speeds. This protocol allows for data to be transmitted via fibre optic at up to 128 gbps. This technology is often used in data centers who host busy web servers and store large quantities of files - possibly using the cloud as storage.
Expansion cards
Expansion cards are slots on the motherboard that allow you to add extra functionality to the computer system. You can add graphics cards and sound cards as well as network cards to give the computer more functions.
Sound card is a piece of hardware which slots into the motherboard of a computer system and provides high quality sound output through a peripheral such as speakers. Sometimes these devices are built into the motherboard itself rather than installed into a separate expansion slot. Input devices such as a microphone may plug into the sound card.
NIC is an example of a communications device. It is responsible for sending packets of data across a network. NICs allow for wireless (WIFI) or wired (cabled) connections to a network. An NIC works by being a middleman between a computer and a network.
Storage controller = this is a piece of hardware which is used to manage attached storage devices such as HDD & SSD. All motherboards have built in storage controller - a dedicated one is only needed if you want to make use of a lot of drives - or if you want to configure them as a RAID.
Graphics cards are an expansion card that processes data to output to a output device. This card takes strain off the CPU by being dedicated to graphics, which can be heavy in terms of processing, especially for things like gaming. Graphics cards can improve performance and make things smoother.
Storage
Definition: Computer systems have two types of storage: Long term and short term. Short term storage is also known as memory. Contents of the long term storage is kept even when the power is turned off.
Long term Storage
Long term storage holds the application and operating system software and other essential files the computer needs to run.
Long term storage comes in a range of types. For example: Flash memory & Magnetic storage. Both of these storage types have different properties
Magnetic Storage (HDD)
Definition: A traditional Hard Drive is known as a HDD - Hard Disk Drive. It stores data magnetically on platters. Data is written to and retrieved via a series of mechanical read/write heads which move around the platters.
Very large storage space. Contains moving parts. Cheapest option per unit of storage. Usually internal to the computer system since it doesn't respond well to movement. Stores data magnetically on "platters" inside the sealed unit.
Solid State Drive (SSD)
Definition: A more modern Hard Drive is a SSD - Solid State Drive. These store data using tiny electronic gates. Data retrieval is hugely faster. This drive can be significantly smaller than HDD but also comes with some drawbacks.
A large amount of storage capacity but is usually smaller than HDD. Much expensive than HDD. Very rugged storage option. No moving parts, so responds much more positively to being moved as well as drops.
Other types of storage
Flash storage
Flash storage is a very fast form of storage. USB sticks are a good example of flash memory. The data in flash memory can only be changed a limited number of times.
Flash storage stores its data in electronic gates. Similarly with RAM, flash data access is random.
Flash memory can be both external and internet. External is both robust and portable. It is also expensive per gigabyte compared to other storage options.
SAS
SAS
SAS = Serial Attached SCSI
SAS is the successor to SCSI - it is also compatible with SATA cables.
SAS is used to transfer data between hardware devices.
SAS allows for transfers up to 12GBPS - the fastest speeds in the industry for common usage.
SCSI
SCSI = Small Computer System Interface.
Inside a computer system are many buses, some move data around, some control over devices and some are used for storing and retrieving data addresses.
SCSI is a bus which was once very popular and was used for connecting hard drives, optical storage, scanners, and other peripheral to a computer system.
SCSI allows for data transfer of up to 320mbps. This format has been around for more than 20 years.
The Cloud
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Advantages:
• The ability to access files from any location or any device as long as there is any internet connection.
• Access can be granted to another user so they can remotely access your data.
• Reduced needs to make backups (Cloud services make back ups for you).
• Data can be encrypted
Disadvantages:
• There is no guarantee that someone else is not accessing your data.
• A lack of direct control over your data.
• Access to data is only possible with access to the internet.
Memory
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Definition: Computer systems require memory to hold the results of calculations as well as instructions that are being executed. When you launch an application, the instructions from the storage are moved into memory. The CPU can only access instructions that are from the memory. The more memory a computer system has, the more software that can be ran at once. Increasing memory is often the cheapest way to increases the computers performance.
Power Supply
Definition: a power supply unit (PSU) is a component which delivers electrical current to the computer system. It is important to have the correct PSU with the required capabilities for the computer components. Too little power and the computer components will not be able to function. Too much power may damage components.
Processors
Definition: A processor is known as a Central Processing unit (CPU). It can be seen as the brain of the computer. All instructions are carried out in the CPU. The computer is useless without the CPU. Processors come in a range of speeds but most commonly run at over 3Ghz.
Ghz is an abbreviation for Gigahertz.
Modern processors contain multiple cores. These cores can each be treated as if they are separate CPU's in of themselves. It is common for modern CPU's to have 2 to 32 cores. The CPU can only access instructions or data that is already inside the RAM. The CPU contains registers that carry out certain tasks, and cache that stores frequently accessed data.
Motherboard
Definition: The motherboard is a piece of computer hardware which all other computer components are connected to each other. Motherboards vary hugely in features and price. The socket types of the motherboard can determine what types of CPU it can connect to as well as the possible amount of memory that the computer system can use.