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IT 1.1 - 2 - Coggle Diagram
IT 1.1 - 2
1.1 - 1.5
Computer hardware
Output devices: A device that executes commands sent by a computer.
Examples: projector, printer, speakers, monitor.
Biometrics: A method of security where the device owner must use a human characteristic to unlock a device or data (e.g fingerprint).
Input devices: A device that sends data to the computer,
Examples: mouse, keyboard, microphone, scanner.
Computer components
Essentials:
Processor: CPU, manages instructions sent to it.
Motherboard: Where most of the components are installed.
Power Supply: Provides the power to the computer.
Memory:
RAM: Volatile memory, stores in use applications and part of the operating system.
ROM: Non volatile, stores the BIOS
Cache: Very small volatile memory, holds recently performed and often used tasks.
Storage:
Magnetic: Uses magnets to store and read data, not robust due to moving parts, high storage capacity.
Optical: Low capacity, uses a laser for fast reading. Easily broken or warped due, used to store movies and music.
Solid State: No moving parts makes it robust, fast transfer speeds, can be very small and easy to lose.
Cloud: Stored on off-site servers and can be accessed from anywhere, data can be stolen and cannot be accessed without Wifi.
Types of computer system
Desktop: Bulky and hard to transport, but can be upgraded and have components replaces easily. USed to carry out a large range of activities.
Tablet/ Laptop: Laptops are usually less powerful than a desktop while being more portable, Tablets are less portable than smartphones but have a larger screen.
Smartphone: Mobile phones which are able to complete a large amount of tasks and are often used in communications.
Embedded Systems:
Mainframe: Very powerful and reliable computers which are used to solve large and complex problems.
Quantum: Experimental device, would be able to complete
tasks millions of times faster than other computers.
Connectivity Methods
Wired
Copper: Slow but cheat, more
malleable than fibre optic.
Fibre Optic: Fast but expensive
(high bandwidth), fragile.
Wireless
Bluetooth: Short range communication for
linking devices.
Infrared: Needs direct line of sight, short distance.
Microwave: LAN, uses microwave towers that must
have no obstruction, affected by weather.
Laser: Needs direct line of sight, but is long range,
affected by bad weather. Can be used in space.
Satellite: Point to point communication, delay
between transmission and reception.
GSM/ 5G: Global System for Mobile communication.
Comunitcations hardware
Devices:
Hub: Sends data packets to all connected devices, but only allows the intended device to view them
Switch: Sends data to a specific device on a network, using a destination address listed in the packets .
Modem: Sends data across a telephone network, converts the computer's digital data into an analogue signal.
Router: Transfers data packets between networks using a destination address.
Connections:
WAP: Wireless Access Point, provides a wireless connection to a wired network.
NIC: Network Interface Card, internal hardware used to connect a computer to a network.
1.6 - 1.9
Hardware Troubleshooting
Documentation: Every step taken as well as the fault must be documented, so future issues can be solved faster, and so someone else can take over without repeating previous tests,
Troubleshooting Tools:
Event Viewer: Type of utility software that lists detailed information about an error when it occurs.
POST: Power On Self Test, upon bootup, 1 beep means no error, and multiple means there are 1 or more errors discovered.
Ping Test: Connectivity test between 2 computers, a message is sent and the other computer returns an echo reply.
Units of measurement
Metric: Smallest to largest:
kilo, mega, giga, tera, peta.
Binary: Smallest to largest.
kibi, mebi, gibi, tebi, pebi
Number Systems
Binary: Two possible values, on and off (1 and 0).
Denary: Regular number system (0 - 9).
Hexadecimal: 16 possible values:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, A, B, C, D, E and F.
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Types of software
Open Source: Free software that users can see and edit the source code of.
Closed Source: Software that can cost money, where users are unable to share versions of the software online.
Off the Shelf: Made for general use, and can be used in many different ways.
Bespoke: Custom made software usually for an organisation, better a its intended task as it is built specifically for that.
Shareware: Offers a trial period to the user.
Freeware: Freely available to download and use, bu the software rights still belong to the software owner/ creator.
Embedded: Small computer within a large device, with a dedicated purpose, memory and storage resrictions.
Application software
Productivity Software: General use software for completing tasks.
Business Software: Specialist software for a business, usually bespoke software.
Development Tools:
Translator: Converts one type of language into another.
Compiler: Converts instructions into machine code (binary).
Debugger: Used to test code and display errors.