C182.2.0 Flashcards
Information Technology
The technology used in creating, maintaining, and making information accessible.
IT professional roles
Administration and Support
Maintains all aspects of of the system including hardware, software, and programming.
System administrator
In charge of all aspects of the computer network
Network administrator
Focuses on the design, development, and support of database management systems.
Database administrator
Installs, configures, and administers firewall security to protect systems and proactively work to stop intrusions.
Security administrator
Installs, configures, maintains, secures, and troubleshoots web servers.
Web administrator
Support IT professionals
Help desk and training
What is information?
Processed data.
Defines the transition of data to information from knowledge to wisdom.
DIKW hierarchy
The input directly received by the user (or computer). It is generally not usable until it has been converted into a relevant form.
Data
Inferred from data; one or more processes have been applied to the data to transform it into a more useful form.
Information
Information has been put to use; information placed into a context.
Knowledge
Provides a social setting to knowledge; an understanding of the “why.” Can only come by having knowledge and experience.
Wisdom
A collection of data and information used to support the management of an organization. Also refers to the technical components and Human Resources that enable assembly storage, and processing of data and the delivery of information. Existed a lot longer than computers.
Information systems
What are characteristics of quality data?
Relevance
Timely
Thorough
Accurate
Reliable
IPOS
Input
Process
Output
Storage
What is input?
Raw data entered by the user
What is processing?
Raw data becomes organized or structured for usefulness
What is output?
Information is output so the user can see the results
What is storage?
Processed information is stored for permanent record
What is a computer system?
A collection of components that work together to meet the needs of the user; typically categorized as either hardware, software, networks, or users.
Physical components of a computer system which include the system unit and its components and peripheral devices; tangible aspects of the computer.
Hardware
Computer programs that tell the computer what to do—how to execute commands and process information.
Software
A collection of computers and resources connected by various media so that they can communicate with each other
Network
What is a user
The one that uses the computer
What are the software categories?
Systems
Applications
What is protocol?
Rules provided by which networks communicate with each other.
What is TCP/IP?
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol—most commonly used protocol; is required of all computers that communicate over the internet.
What is a protocol stack?
A collection of protocols, TCP/IP is an example.
Executes programs’ instructions and commands various components in the computer. Referred to as the “chip.”
CPU
Stores the programs being executed and the data they are using.
Memory
All peripheral devices where long term storage devices are used.
I/O subsystem
Topology that permits information to move between each component in a straight line.
Bus
Critical component of all computer based systems; consists of most of the hardware the computer needs in order to run; comes in a variety of shapes and sizes.
System Unit
Retrieves the instructions and the raw data that is input and coordinates or controls the sending of those instructions and data to the ALU.
Control Unit
Does the actual processing of the data; completing mathematical calculations and logical operations to process the data and converting the input of the keyboard text entry to output displayed on the screen.
ALU (arithmetic logic unit)
Controls the speed at which instructions are processed
System clock
Temporarily stores data before it is processed and sent to your screen or printer. Volatile (temporary). You can choose the amount of storage on the computer.
RAM (random access memory)
What are the two types of RAM?
Dynamic Ram (DRAM)—typically called main memory
Static RAM (SRAM)—cache memory and registers
First Generation
Vacuum tubes, relay switches, the need to program in machine language
Second Generation
Transistor components, magnetic core memory, smaller size, easier to program, disk drives and drums, called mainframe computers.
Third Generation
Silicon chips (IC’s — integrated circuits), reduced costs, mini computers, networks introduced via dumb terminals
Fourth Generation
Single chip processor, called microcomputer, first personal computer, rudimentary computer graphics, home use.
Written for a specific machine by the engineers who built and ran the computers; no need for OS since only one program could run at a time.
Machine/Low-Level Language
Easier than machine but still required detailed, precise, low level instructions.
Assembly language
Function is to translate one program language into another; take source code and convert it into another form; source code by itself cannot be read by a computer.
Language Translator Programs
Improve language translator; requires that components of the software all be defined before compilation can begin; code is more efficient.
Compiler
Programmer is limited to high level control constructs such as while, loops, for loops, if/else statements and not allowed to use primitive GOTO statements.
Structured programming
Characterized by the creation of windowed operating systems, easier real-world object modeling in programming code, and the application of inheritance in program code.
Object oriented programming
A type of programming language for which most of its implementations execute instructions directly and freely, without previously compiling a program into machine-language instructions.
Interpreted code
Small programs that place Linux commands or DOS batch files into a file
Shell scripting
The computer that the user is using; physically present with
Local computer
A computer being accessed over the network
Remote computer
Connects computers to each other with no real understanding of what is being transferred; used for private networks with local computers.
Network hub
Like a hub, but this will only send data that is intended for a specific computer.
Network switch
Connects multiple networks together; can be used to directly connect computers to a network; will relay messages to computers with appropriate IP addresses
Router
Can be connected to hub, switch, or router; many routers now also act as a wireless access point; sends out a wireless signal so computers on the network can connect without a cable
Wireless access point
Requires that a full pathway, or circuit, be est. before transmission can begin and maintained during the entire transmission; like calling someone on the phone
Circuited switch network
A message’s pathway is only est. as it is sent; the choice of pathway is based on availability and amount of message traffic
Packet switched network
A software emulator program that permits a computer user to use multiple computers and multiple platforms without the expense of purchasing multiple computers; allows a user to run software for different OS platform in their computer that would not otherwise be able to run that software; this allows multiple users on a network to access the software to support collaboration.
Virtual machine (VM)
Computers that have greater hard disk storage, faster response time and are used to respond to request from other computers on the network
Server
Contains one or more servers; client is a computer that will request information from another computer; server is a computer that takes requests and responds with the requested information; the software used facilitates communication with remote servers
Client-Server network
Sends files over the network at the request of clients.
Responds over LAN, within one location/site.
Support both application software and data files.
File server
Stores data files (web pages) and programs (scripts).
Responds from anywhere on the Internet.
Web server
Responds to queries by pulling from the database.
Typically only to local clients.
Web server
Monitors print jobs
Print server
Like web server or file server in that requests are for files and responses are the files; data delivered between client and server.
FTP server
Link between two resources; links two routers without any host or network in between
Point to point network
Devices connected along a single cable.
Size of network is restricted.
Bus network
Each device is connected to a central devices such as a hub or switch.
Star network
Each device is connected directly to its neighbors, and messages are forwarded from device to device until the proper destination is reached.
Ring network
Every device is connected directly to every other device in the network.
Mesh network
Turns a user-friendly domain name, like Google.com, into an Internet Protocol (IP) address like 70.42.251.42 that computers use to identify each other on the network.
Domain Name Server (DNS)
What are the parts of URL (Uniform Resource Locator)
Protocol, Domain name, Resource/Filename
Identifies the server on which the web page can be found
Domain name
Top level domain (TLD) name and Host name
Domain name parts
Identifies the organization that is responsible for the information on the page or provides the server space where the information is stored
Host name
Always ends with a period and a three or two letter extension which signifies the type of organization or country associated with the page
TLD name (top level domain)
Indicates the name of the file you are accessing, or the location of the document on the server
Resource/Filename ID
Can be either software or hardware; hardware is a dedicated server; software contains a list of the rules that describe the types of messages that should either be permitted to make it through, or those that should be blocked
Firewall
Attempts to identify if a file contains a virus or some form of malware
Anti-virus software
Consists of programs that end users run to accomplish tasks
Application software
Consists of programs that make up the OS; software that directly supports the computer system itself
System software
Works with hardware to provide a network service
Server software
Software that is stored on an individual computer
Local applications
Primary task is to allow a computer user to easily access the hardware and software of a computer system
Operating systems
Core components of the OS that is loaded when the computer is first booted.
Kernel
Provide specific interfaces between the OS running a computer and hardware devices.
Device drivers
An interface for the user, often personalized for that given user, that provides access to the kernel.
Shell
Programs that allow the user to monitor and improve system performance.
Utility programs
Software purchased from a vendor; also known as commercial
Proprietary software
Provides a trial version of the software.
Shareware
Usually software that has become obsolete; is free
Freeware
Software that has been moved into the public domain; can be used however you feel
Public domain
Created in the Open Source Community and made freely available as source code
Open source
Translates the entire program using a compiler, creating an executable program which can be run at a later time; the program can then be run as many times as one likes, without having to re-translate each time
Compiled language
Takes the most recently entered instruction, translates it into machine language, and executes it; must be translated manually each time.
Interpreted language
A computer language with a series of commands within a file that is capable of being executed without being compiled.
Script
Alphanumeric or text character
String data
Number with a decimal point
Floating-point
True/false, applying and/or when searching for data
Boolean/logical
One large single table; used if the amount of data that is being recorded is fairly minimal
Flat-file database
Has multiple tables (relations) with interrelated fields; most common structure for databases
Relational database
Organizes data using a tree like or organizational chart type structure
Hierarchical database
Problem definition, resource allocation, risk assessment
Project initiation
Organize activities, time estimation, cost estimation
Project planning
Variance reports, Status reports, Resource Allocation reports
Project executing and controlling reports
Adding to the scope of the project; can impact the allocation of resources.
Scope creep
Assesses the feasibility of the proposed project and selects a development methodology
Preliminary investigation
Determines the user requirements for the new system and develops logical models of the system
Analysis
A process for planning, creating, testing, and deploying information systems, including hardware and software
System development life cycle (SDLC)
Logical models are revised to ensure that the new system will meet the user requirements identified in the first step
Logical design
Logical models are converted into physical models
Physical design
Begin converting the models from the previous steps into the actual system; this step also includes installing hardware, testing the system, and training the end users
Implementation
Modifications or corrections to the system are made
Maintenance
Employed to assess whether the system does what the user expects and to ensure that it functions in a way that is useful to the user
User acceptance testing
The activity performed by an organization to ensure that critical business functions will be available to customer, suppliers, regulators, and other entities that must have access to those functions.
Business continuity
Create a copy of everything that is on a hard drive
Image backups
Everything on the hard drive is copied each and every time a backup is performed
Full backup
An initial full backup is completed and then subsequent backups only capture the changes since the last backup
Incremental backup
The OS writes data (and changes to data) to multiple hard drives at the same time.
Data mirroring
A secure location for storing backup media
Off-site storage
Physical location where an organization can move its operations that includes everything for normal business operations; quickest return to business but very expensive.
Hot site
Physical location like a shell that can be used for operations should the need arise; not equipped with hardware, servers, etc.; cheaper to have
Cold site
Having multiple data centers located in disparate regions; typically used by large organizations.
Site sharing
Software as a Service. Can access and use software through the Internet.
SaaS
Platform as a Service. Intention is to be able to quickly and reliably develop and deliver applications.
PaaS
Logging as a Service. All resources an IT dept. needs are located outside of the organization and are accessible by anyone, anywhere.
LaaS
A code of moral conduct or a set of principles that govern behavior.
Ethics
Privacy, Ownership, Control, Accuracy, Security
Administrator ethics
A device used to amplify or switch electronic signals and electrical power.
Transistor
The main circuit board of a computer; it holds and allows communication between many electronic system components, such as the CPU and memory, and provides connectors for other peripherals.
Motherboard
A whole number (non-fraction) that can be positive, negative, or zero, but it cannot have decimal places.
Integer
