Computer Architecture (not as in depth as you'd like)

Question 1

Definition

What is an Operating System?

Answer 1

An OS is a piece of software used to manage various functions of a computer.

Question 2

Definition

What is an application?

Answer 2

This is a piece of software designed to provide a specific task/functionality to end users.

Question 3

Definition

What is a Database?

Answer 3

A database (or DB) is a collection of information organised so that a computer system can quickly and easily access the desired information held within.

Question 4

Memorise

List the most common types of network.

Answer 4

LAN: Local Area Network (Office Building)

WAN: Wide Area Network (Multiple geographically seperate offices)

CAN: Campus Area Network (military base/uni campus)

MAN: Metropolitan Area Network (Town/City size)

HAN: Home Area Network (Home sized)

Question 5

Definition

What is Security?

Answer 5

The techniques used to ensure data cannot be read of compromised by those without thr authentication to do so.

Question 6

Definition

What is network security?

Answer 6

The techniques used by network admins to ensure that a network cannot be accessed or altered by those without the required authentication.

Question 7

XaaS

What are the benefits of Software as a Service?

Answer 7

This is when software is delivered via the internet for an end user.

There are a few main benefits to this approach:

Commercial software is available via the web.
Weak hardware with a browser can run hardware intensive software solutions.
SaaS is managed centrally from a server, which makes it easy to manage.
The user is not required to perform any software updates.

Question 8

XaaS

What are the benefits of PaaS?

Answer 8

Platform as a Service provides a platform for sofware creation over the web, and has many advantages.

These include:

Allows a multiuser system (one account, many users).
Built in load balancing (scalability).
An environment to build, test, deploy & maintain apps at various stages of development.

Question 9

XaaS

What are the benefits of IaaS?

Answer 9

This is the provision of infrastructure in the cloud.
It has a few main benefits.

Easily expandible resources - scalable.
Can easily distribute resources.
Cost is scaled to how much you use now, not how much you might need next year on sunday when theres a blue moon and a house fire.
Cost is spread over time - more easily digestible.