Chapter 5 - Custom Configurations Flashcards
Which of the following is not a requirement for a graphic design workstation? A. Fast hard drive B. Maximum RAM C. Powerful CPU D. High-end video
A. Graphics design and CAD/CAM design workstations do not require a fast hard drive because the artist works with static images that do not stream from the drive. However, RAM in which to hold the highly detailed, sometimes 3D artwork before saving, a powerful processor for implementing complex algorithms on a small amount of information during rendering, and high-end video for assisting in the rendering and display of the images are necessary.
Which of the following is required when constructing an A/V editing workstation? A. Gigabit NIC B. Powerful processor C. Maximum RAM D. Fast hard drive
D. A/V editing workstations require specialized audio and video cards and large and fast hard drives and benefit from dual monitors. A fast NIC, extra RAM, and a faster than normal processor do not support the requirements of A/V editors.
Why do virtualization workstations require as many CPU cores as possible?
A. Each virtual machine has one or more cores installed directly in it.
B. Each virtual machine makes use of actual CPU resources for processing instructions and data.
C. Fault tolerance dictates that if one CPU core fails, there should be one or more in line to take its place.
D. Because each guest operating system runs in its own space, multiple cores are required to store the collective data.
B. Virtual machines do not imply virtual processing. The data storage, processing cycles, and RAM usage are all real. The separate hard drive and chassis for each operating system are virtual. The other answers all have at least one fundamental problem with their logic. CPU cores are not installed in virtual machines but in CPU packages within physical machines. CPU cores do not take over for each other. There is no fault tolerance among them. Storing data is the job of RAM, which should also be maximized for virtualization workstations.
Why is high-end cooling a requirement for gaming PCs?
A. Gaming PCs tend to overclock their CPUs and run multiple high-performance GPUs.
B. Gaming controllers have components for tactile realism that generate copious amounts of heat.
C. Digital sound cards generate more heat than analog sound cards.
D. Placing that many hard drives in such a small space generates too much heat.
A. The processors found in a gaming PC are many, and the CPU is often overclocked. Such a configuration generates too much heat for conventional cooling to dissipate before the system is damaged. These machines don’t have unusual hard-drive requirements. The cooling has no effect on external controllers, and sound cards don’t generate much heat, but analog would certainly generate more than digital.
Which of the following is not a common requirement of a home theater PC? A. Surround sound B. HDMI C. Micro-ATX case D. TV tuner
C. Home theater PCs are based on the mini-ITX motherboard and have their own form factor, HTPC, a more compact form factor than chassis made for micro-ATX boards.
Which type of system simply needs to run standard versions of Windows and desktop applications? A. Thin client B. Thick client C. Home server PC D. Virtualization workstation
B. Thick clients are standard desktop PCs. They stand in contrast to systems with specialized requirements, such as the remaining options.
Which of the following descriptions most closely matches that of a thin client?
A. A high-resolution monitor, keyboard, and mouse
B. A computer with a low-profile case
C. A laptop
D. A dumb terminal with a NIC
D. Although not all thin clients are devoid of local processing capability, some are. Highresolution graphics are not a requirement of thin clients, but even such systems require a system unit with a NIC.
Why should you equip a home server PC with a gigabit NIC?
A. All systems, including the server, should communicate at the same speed.
B. The server should not be allowed to communicate at the higher speeds of the rest of the network or it will be overused.
C. The server should exceed the communication speed of the clients to avoid a bottleneck.
D. The operating system home servers run is not compatible with Fast Ethernet.
C. Optimally, the server should communicate across a link that is the aggregate of all client links, but at the least, the server’s link should be a faster one to alleviate the potential bottleneck when all clients try to access the server simultaneously.
Which of the following reasons justifies having a powerful processor in a CAD/CAM workstation?
A. Only powerful processors can stream graphical information efficiently.
B. Manufacturing equipment is generally faster than design equipment, which needs faster processors to keep up.
C. Graphics adapters used in CAD/CAM do not have their own processors, so the CPU performs this job as well.
D. The algorithms used in rendering graphics can be processor intensive.
D. Quite simply, the rendering of 2D and 3D graphics makes use of complex algorithms that need all the processing power they can get to remain usable. These stations deal with static images, not streaming video. Manufacturing equipment is generally slower than computers used for the design phase. These workstations call for high-end video, which includes graphics adapters with GPUs often more powerful than the system’s CPU.
Why do A/V editing workstations benefit from more than one monitor?
A. Their software often has enough controls across their width that one monitor seems cramped.
B. While one graphics adapter works on one rendering project, the other can simply display a normal desktop.
C. Once the editing is complete, the second monitor is used to present the results to others on the team.
D. Additional monitors are used for remote collaboration among other editors.
A. Editors of this type of media have numerous controls and timelines to keep track of. These constructs often lie along the bottom of the application and run horizontally. Subsequent monitors allow the editor to spread out without shrinking the view excessively.
Which of the following is required by a virtualization workstation? A. Multiple host operating systems B. Maximum RAM allowed C. File sharing services D. Multiple NICs
B. Maximum RAM and CPU cores are the primary requirements for such systems. Although there are multiple guest operating systems, generally there is but one host to those guests. File sharing may be a service the administrator decides to offer, and multiple NICs might prove advantageous with virtual machines that are popular among the clients, but these workstations do not require either.
All of the following are recommended for gaming PCs except \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ . A. High-end cooling B. A RAID array C. High-end video D. Better sound card
B. Gaming PCs are not known for requiring fault tolerance or data persistence. RAID arrays, therefore, are generally not included. The other components are a benefit for gaming PCs, however.
Which of the following system types does not require a CPU enhancement of any sort? A. A/V editing workstation B. Gaming PC C. Graphic design workstation D. Virtualization workstation
A. A/V editing workstations require video enhancements and a hard drive capable of storing a large quantity of data and accessing it quickly. The other system types require faster or more plentiful processors.
Which of the following is the recommended video output technology for home theater PCs? A. DVI B. WUXGA C. HDMI D. YCbCr
C. Because of its exceptional capabilities of digital video and audio output as well as its potential for support of future standards, HDMI is the home-theater video output technology of choice. Neither DVI nor component (YCbCr and YPbPr) can make the same claims. WUXGA is a resolution of 1920x1200 and not a video output technology.
Which of the following is a common feature of a standard thick client?
A. Has enhanced video capabilities
B. Has a high-performance hard drive
C. Has as much RAM installed as is possible
D. Can run a full version of Windows
D. These standard systems do not have any special requirements, just that they can run Windows and desktop applications.
