computer hardware

• input devices?


  piece of hardware equipment used to provide data signal controls to an information system control
• output device?


  Any computer hardware device used to convert data or information into human perceptible form
• communication device?


  Any piece of hardware or software used to send, receive or transmit data
• examples of input devices?


  keyboard, mouse, sensors, graphics tablet, VDU, barcode reader
• examples of output devices?

  braille terminal ,plotter, printers, speakers and headphones
• examples of communication devices?

  modem, Network Interface Card, terminal adaptor, wireless router, wireless network cards and Hub
• What is VDU?


  Visual display unit that displays text and graphics on a computer
• Visual display Unit benefits?

  • improved productivity
  • multitasking=
• limitations of Visual Display Unit?

  • limited viewing angles=
• Memory


  Electrical components used by computers to store data and instructions that can be accessed quickly by processor
• Memory


  • RAM
  • Cache
  • Optical disks
  • Magnetic disks
• Ports


  Virtual point where network connections start and end
• Ports


  • Ethernet
  • USB
  • HDMI
  • Firewire
• Storage


  Component of your computer that allows you to gain access and store data long term
• Storage


  • HDD
  • SSD (all volatile)
  • DVDs
  • Flash drives (all non-volatile)
• CPU

  Interprets, processes and executes instructions
• arithmetic logic unit-Performs arithmetic and logical operations
• • Control Unit - Directs the operations of the processor
• • Registers - Used to help store instructions and provide them to processors
• • Cache memory - Used to temporarily store data and instructions that the processor is likely to reuse
• • Clock - Used to coordinate all the computers components, higher the frequency the more instructions can be performed
• • Buses - High speed internal connection which is used to send control signals to and data between the processor and other components
• What is the role of the motherboard?


  Motherboard connects all internal components like memory processor and graphic cards and other hardware components.
• ethernet?


  used for cable based networks
• USB?


  enables the computer to connect to devices such as printers, cameras and mobile devices
• Firewire port?


  Similar to USB but only links devices which need high speed transfer of large amounts of data to computers using special cables
• Bluetooth


  Short range wireless interconnection of electronic devices
• WIFI


  Wireless networking technology that uses radio waves to provide wireless high speed internet connection
• optical fibre is plastic fibre which can transmit light from one end to another
• • Embedded system

  combination of computer hardware and software designed for a specific function
• examples of embedded software?

  washing machines, cars
• • Internet of Things

  describes a global network of connected objects which have RFID( radio frequency identification) chips embedded within them.
• • Desktop

  allows the user to carry out a range of activities including data manipulation, game playing design and communication facilities for business or personal use.
• • Mainframe

  designed to solve engineering problems that require complex calculations. They are very reliable and secure as they have rigorous backup capabilities and component redundancy, meaning if one component fails the other takes its place without stopping the processing.
• What are laser networks used for?

  communication systems
• what is the range for laser networks?

  1km
• What is infrared technology used for?

  wireless connections between computer devices
• What are microwave communications used for?

  point to point communication systems
• What is the range for WIFI?

  150ft
• What is the range for Bluetooth?

  10 metres