All Deck Flashcards
What is the system unit?
The main part of a computer housing essential hardware components (CPU, memory, and storage) responsible for processing and storing data.
What does the system unit not include?
External devices like the monitor, keyboard, or mouse.
What is user support in IT systems?
Provides support to enable employees to complete their tasks.
What does data and information management involve?
Efficient storage and dissemination of organization data with a focus on disaster recovery and business continuity.
What is the role of networks in IT systems?
Supports communication between elements of an IT system using hardware and software.
What is systems integration?
Combining various systems to work seamlessly to support organizational functions like human resources or project tracking.
What do software systems do?
Implement algorithms, perform calculations, manipulate files, and automate repetitive or dangerous tasks.
Examples of software system tasks?
Sending emails, editing text, controlling a robotic arm.
What are the risks of unauthorized data access?
Data loss, exposure to competitors, and disruptions in availability.
What is an intranet?
Resources available for the public.
What is an internet (internal)?
Resources available only for specific users or systems within an organization.
What is an extranet?
Internal resources available to other specific organizations or users, like third-party consultants.
What does computer engineering (CE) focus on?
Designing hardware systems and the software that makes them function, including embedded systems.
What does computer science (CS) focus on?
Design and implementation of software, including robotics, AI, and problem-solving algorithms.
What does software engineering (SE) focus on?
Creating and maintaining reliable and efficient software systems.
What does information systems (IE) focus on?
Integrating IT solutions to meet organizational business goals.
What does information technology (IT) emphasize?
The technology that supports information systems, not the information itself.
What does an IT administrator do?
Sets policies for IT.
What does an IT architect do?
Sets strategy and usage for technology.
What does an IT engineer do?
Implements IT architect plans.
What does a help desk professional do?
Troubleshoots IT problems, supporting users like those using Apple or Google.
What does a DevOps professional do?
Admins, programmers, and engineers work together to fix IT issues.
What does a system administrator do?
Provides technical support for hardware/software issues.
What does a network administrator do?
Designs, sets up, and maintains an organization’s network.
What does a database administrator do?
Installs and configures databases.
What does a security administrator do?
Installs, administers, and troubleshoots network security.
What does a web administrator do?
Troubleshoots error messages on a website.
What does a cloud architect do?
Oversees cloud computing systems.
What does a network architect do?
Designs networks and monitors traffic.
What does an automation architect do?
Modernizes business processes and evaluates automation potential.
What does a cybersecurity architect do?
Designs, builds, tests, and implements security systems.
What does a machine learning engineer do?
Enables organizations to take full control of their data.
What does a software engineer do?
Designs and develops software for systems, including operating and embedded systems.
What does a network engineer do?
Sets up, maintains, and upgrades systems supporting data exchange.
What does a cloud engineer do?
Identifies cloud migration opportunities to enhance IT operations.
What does technical support do?
Supports, monitors, and maintains workplace technology.
What does a help desk technician do?
Provides first-line support to customers in person or over the phone.
What does a project manager do?
Organizes resources to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget.
What does a web developer do?
Builds and maintains websites and their infrastructure.
What does a software tester do?
Creates and executes test plans for system anomalies.
What does technical sales do?
Identifies and helps clients adopt IT services or technologies.
What does a data analyst do?
Uses statistical methods to gain insights that support decision-making.
What does a systems analyst do?
Investigates business problems and creates information systems solutions.
What does a security analyst do?
Monitors a network for security breaches.
What does a cybersecurity specialist do?
Secures information systems and ensures data integrity, confidentiality, and availability.
What is the data pyramid?
Data: raw values, Information: understanding relations, Knowledge: understanding patterns, Wisdom: applied knowledge.
What is Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)?
Provides virtualized computing resources like virtual server space and network connections.
What is Platform as a Service (PaaS)?
Offers a platform for developing and managing web applications, with reduced infrastructure needs.
What is Software as a Service (SaaS)?
Delivers software via subscriptions with online access. Examples: Gmail, Google Docs.
What is big data?
A large collection of data that cannot be processed by traditional tools, used by companies like Amazon and Netflix.
What are information systems?
Data collections used to support decision-making, often involving technology.
What is data quality and its importance?
Data is valuable for decision-making; poor-quality data leads to financial losses.
What are types of bad data?
Duplicate, conflicting, incomplete, invalid, or unsynchronized data.
Precision (Quality Data Attributes)
Data must be accurate for its intended use; healthcare often requires higher precision.
Validity (Quality Data Attributes)
Data should meet collection criteria; invalid data can mislead decisions.
Reliability (Quality Data Attributes)
Data should be consistent regardless of how or where it’s stored.
Timeliness (Quality Data Attributes)
Data must be current for decision-making; outdated info can cause poor decisions.
Completeness (Quality Data Attributes)
Data should be comprehensive; incomplete data can lead to misinterpretations.
Computer System (Definition)
A system of hardware and software that stores, retrieves, and processes data.
Uses of Computer Systems
Typing, emails, gaming, web browsing, creating docs, storing data, analyzing results.
Presence of Computers
Now embedded in many devices like cameras, elevators, and temperature systems.
IPO Model
Input, Process, Output: Explains how a computer system functions.
IPOS Model
IPO Model plus Storage for holding input, output, and results.
Main Functions of a Computer System
Input, Process, Output, Storage: Performs tasks based on user or environment input.
Network (Definition)
A system connecting two or more devices to share data and info.
LAN (Network Type)
Local Area Network, connects devices in a single location (home or office).
WAN (Network Type)
Wide Area Network, connects devices over large distances, e.g., the internet.
Client-to-Server Network Design
Servers manage access and resources like user authentication.
Peer-to-Peer Network Design
Devices share resources directly without a server, e.g., BitTorrent.
Physical Topology
The actual layout of devices in a network, e.g., star topology.
Logical Topology
How data flows within the network, important for traffic management.
Bus Topology
All devices share a single communication line.
Star Topology
All devices connect to a central hub or router.
Ring Topology
Each device connects to two others, forming a circle.
Mesh Topology
Devices are interconnected for redundancy.
Protocols (Definition)
Languages for data exchange, e.g., TCP/IP used online.
Network Hardware
Devices like routers, access points, and switches that enable communication.
Cable Media
Media like fiber optic and Ethernet used for data transfer.
Abacus
Strings of beads used for calculations, one of the earliest calculating tools.
First Generation Computers (1946–1959)
Used vacuum tubes, large size, high power consumption, prone to malfunction.
First Gen Computers Programming
Relied on machine languages, could run one program at a time.
First Gen Computers Input/Output
Used punched cards for input, printed output.
First Gen Notable Models
ENIAC, EDVAC, UNIVAC, IBM-701, IBM-650.
Second Generation Computers (1959–1965)
Used transistors, smaller, more reliable, and economical than first-gen.
Second Gen Input/Output
Continued using punched cards, with tapes and disks for storage.
Second Gen Programming Languages
Assembly languages and early high-level languages like FORTRAN and COBOL.
Second Gen Notable Models
Honeywell 400, IBM 7094, CDC 1604, CDC 3600, UNIVAC 1108.
Third Generation Computers (1965–1971)
Used integrated circuits (ICs) on silicon chips, reducing size and improving speed.
Third Gen User Interaction
Users interacted via keyboards and monitors, with operating systems enabling multitasking.
Third Gen Notable Models
PDP-8, PDP-11, ICL 2900, IBM 360, IBM 370.
Fourth Generation Computers (1971–Present)
Used microprocessors, significantly reducing size, increasing processing capabilities.
Fourth Gen Notable Chip
Intel 4004 (1971) integrated all components on one chip.
Fourth Gen Home Computers
IBM home computer (1981) and Apple Macintosh (1984) introduced personal computing.
Fourth Gen Operating Systems
Developed MS-DOS, Microsoft Windows, and others.
Fifth Generation Computers (1980s–Present)
Uses ultra-large-scale integration (ULSI) and supports AI development.
Fifth Gen Key Features
Parallel processing, AI, natural language processing, robotics, neural networks.
Quantum Computing
Non-classical computation model, expected to be more efficient than modern computing.
Quantum Computing Power Efficiency
Expected to reduce power consumption by 100 to 1000 times.
Nanotechnology
Involves building structures at the molecular level using nanoscale tools.
Nanotechnology Applications
Medicine, automotive, aerospace, food, and electronics.
Computer Hardware
Physical components of a computer (monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc.).
CPU (Central Processing Unit)
Processes all information from programs, measured in gigahertz (GHz).
RAM (Random Access Memory)
Temporarily stores data for quick access, found in memory slots.
Hard Drive
Stores permanent and temporary data (programs, photos, documents).
HDD
Hard Disk Drive, uses spinning magnetic disks to store data.
SSD
Solid State Drive, uses flash memory chips for faster data access.
GPU (Graphics Processing Unit)
Processes graphic data, crucial for 3D rendering.
Expansion Card
Circuit board inserted to add functionality to a computer.
IPOS Model
Input-Process-Output-Storage model explaining how computers work.
Von Neumann Architecture
Another name for the IPOS model, includes CPU, storage, and peripherals.
ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit)
Performs operations on data like addition or subtraction.
Control Unit
Coordinates the activities of the CPU.
Registers
Temporary holding areas for data before processing.
MAR (Memory Address Register)
Holds the memory location of data to access.
MDR (Memory Data Register)
Holds data being transferred to/from memory.
AC (Accumulator)
Holds results from the ALU.
PC (Program Counter)
Holds the address of the next instruction to execute.
CIR (Current Instruction Register)
Holds the current instruction being processed.
RAM
Volatile memory that stores data temporarily while the computer is powered on.
ROM
Non-volatile memory that stores essential system instructions.
Input Devices
Devices like keyboards and mice that move data into the computer.
Output Devices
Devices like printers and monitors that move information out of the computer.
Address Bus
Carries the destination address for data processing.
Data Bus
Transfers data between the processor, memory, and I/O devices.
Control Bus
Carries control signals and status signals within the computer system.
System Unit
Houses key components like the motherboard, CPU, RAM, and power supply.
Motherboard
The main circuit board of the computer.
System Clock
Sends electrical pulses to synchronize the operation of computer components.
Expansion Slots
Sockets for installing expansion cards like graphics and network cards.
Ports
Sockets for connecting cables, like USB ports.
Secondary Storage Devices
Store data permanently, e.g., hard drives, flash drives, CDs, DVDs.
Bit
Smallest unit of storage, either 0 or 1.
Byte
Group of eight bits, enough to store a single character.
Input Devices Examples
Keyboard, mouse, barcode reader, stylus.
Output Devices Examples
Monitor, printer, speaker, 3D printer.
Modems
Send information over phone lines or coaxial cables.
Network Cards
Transfer data over network cables.
Bluetooth
Enables wireless communication between devices.
Supercomputers
Fastest computers used for scientific applications like weather forecasting.
Mainframe Computers
Support hundreds or thousands of users at once, ideal for large organizations.
Workstations
Single-user computers designed for technical applications like design.
Microcomputers
General-purpose computers for individual use, like desktops and laptops.
PAN (Personal Area Network)
Short-range communication network, e.g., Bluetooth.
LAN (Local Area Network)
Network within a single building or complex, like a school or office.
WAN (Wide Area Network)
Links systems over large distances, like across countries.
What is a network?
A collection of two or more connected devices that can communicate with each other.
What are the types of transmission media?
Wired: Twisted pair cables, coaxial cables, optical fiber cables. Wireless: Radio waves, microwaves, infrared waves.
What is a twisted pair cable?
Most widely used type of transmission media, available as UTP (unshielded) or STP (shielded) with various categories (e.g., CAT5, CAT6).
What is the maximum segment length of twisted pair cables?
100 meters (328 feet).
What is coaxial cable used for?
Used in computer networks and cable TV; it has bandwidth 80 times that of twisted pair wires.
What are fiber-optic cables?
Cables that transmit data using light, with bandwidth up to 26,000 times that of twisted pair cables.
What is wireless transmission?
Data transmission using electromagnetic waves (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, infrared).
What is the role of a repeater?
Extends the range of cabling by amplifying network signals.
What is the role of a bridge in a network?
Connects different types of networks and manages message traffic between them.
What is a switch used for in a network?
Manages LAN traffic, reducing unnecessary broadcasts by sending messages only to the intended device.
What does a router do?
Enables internet connectivity, acting as a gateway for LANs and forwarding data between networks.
What is the role of Tier 1 ISPs?
Backbone of the Internet, with high-speed, high-capacity international WANs.
What is the role of Tier 2 ISPs?
Regional ISPs that work with Tier 1 ISPs to provide communication infrastructure.
What is the role of Tier 3 ISPs?
Provide internet access to homes and businesses, also known as access ISPs.
What is an IP address?
A unique identifier for each device on a network.