1.2.1-3 System Design Basics Flashcards
What are the five components of a computer system?
Hardware, Software, Human Resources, Peripherals and Network
What is hardware?
The physical parts of the computer.
What are internal hardware devices?
Components like motherboard or RAM
What are external hardware devices?
Peripherals
What are peripherals?
I/O (input/output) devices e.g. keyboard
What is software?
Computer programs or sets of instructions e.g. applications
What is the main difference between software and hardware?
Software is virtual as hardware is physical.
How is software stored?
As lines of code in binary. [usually]
What are Human Resources?
People who work for the company and the department who manages the resources.
What is another name for Human Resources?
End-users
What is a network?
Multiple devices that communicate with one another using a transmission medium
Give an example of a transmission medium?
Bluetooth, wifi, wires.
What are the four roles of the computer?
Client, Server, Router, Firewall, [ Email server, DNS server ]
What is a client?
a computer for a server, that can access the database.
What is a server?
Computer that provides data to other computers.
What is the difference between software and hardware in a server?
Software is purpose specific, hardware isn’t crucial.
What is a router?
A hardware device that routes data from LAN to another network connection. [can also be software on a server]
What is a DNS server?
Domain Name System Server - stores a table of names with their relevant IP addresses.
What is a Firewall?
A filter between trusted system or network and outside connections.
What are traffic models?
Different ways computers interact.
What is a client - server model?
A server providing resources and servers to one or more clients.
What is peer to peer model?
Different clients connected together over the internet.
What are the advantages of a client to server model?
Cheaper - needs less hardware to set up.
More secure and stable.
Easy to track data and repair.
What are the disadvantages of a client to server network?
Server breaks, the whole thing comes down.
Is slower because it has limited route options.
What are the advantages of a Peer to Peer model?
Not reliant on a server.
If something breaks there are still other routes.
Faster since more route options.
What is the disadvantages of a peer to peer network?
Expensive as needs more hardware.
Less control, harder to track data and harder to fix mistakes.
What is the internet?
It is a massive network of networks which spans the globe using hardware.
What is the WWW?
Websites which sit upon the internet
What is an IP address?
Internal protocol address, a unique number given to a computer every time it joins a network to identify it.
What is an ISP?
Internet Server Provider, the company who provides you with internet connection.
What is an URL?
Uniform resource locator, a fancy name for a web address.
What is the DNS?
Domain Name System, finds the computer which hosts the website you are looking for.
What is server hosting?
provides remote access to off-premises virtual or physical servers and associated resources
Give an example of server hosting.
I can access my one drive files from Cornwall using the host in Malvern.
What is web hosting?
When companies host websites from their location so people anywhere can access them.
What is the cloud?
A network of servers hosted on the internet which can host and process data.
Advantages of cloud storage
Cheaper since it is rented not purchased. Any connected computer can access it There is no need to upgrade Collaboration is easy Work is backed up
Disadvantages of cloud storage.
Sensitive data may have to be stored in another country since it doesn’t follow country data laws.
Completely reliant on network/internet.
What are social issues?
A problem that influences a group of people within a society.
What are ethical issues?
A problem that requires a choice to be made between right and wrong.
What is operational feasibility?
Measures how good a proposed system is at solving problems. How it satisfies requirements, and takes advantages of opportunities.
What is a merger?
A combination of two entities or more, that combine into one. Usually referring to companies or systems.
What is software incompatibility?
Where software cant work together, on different computers or on the same computer linked by a computer network.
5 Advantages of SaaS
- Great for organisation that wants minimum responsibilities
- cheaper than a lot of other cloud models.
- it uses a subscription that can be increased or decreasesd rather than hiring a large server.
- reduction in staff workload because they don’t need to be involved in software and hardware on site.
- SaaS is easy to run back up, should it go down.
5 Disadvantages of SaaS
- Not very reliable when it comes to software integration.
- SaaS isn’t that secure.
- Because it is run by a third party, disagreement between party and business.
- Laws might be different in different countries, as to third party storage.
- It is dependent for server infrastructure.
- Lack of control and customisability.
