Data Processing

Question 1

What is data processing?

Answer 1

It involves the use of application programs to manipulate collected input data to obtain a desired output such as audio/video, graphic, etc.

Question 2

What are the types of data processing?

Answer 2

Batch
Real time
Online
Distributed
Time Sharing

Question 3

Batch processing

Answer 3

The system collects data and processes it in bulk or batches at a later time. It is suitable for accounting and business applications. Human interference required and high volume of data but rigid.

Question 4

Real time processing

Answer 4

Data is processed almost immediately it is inputted. It gives results immediately and is useful where time is critical, e.g. ATM, Hotel reservation

Question 5

Online processing

Answer 5

A type of real-time processing, done over the internet. It may not be as instant as real time but output is still fast, e.g. cloud computing.

Question 6

What is another name for real time processing?

Answer 6

Stream processing

Question 7

Time Sharing

Answer 7

Common with mainframe computers, time is shared among different users to get access to a particular CPU. CPU time is shared among all the jobs that need to be done.

Question 8

Distributed Data Processing

Answer 8

Here, multiple computers sharing the same communication network across different locations share data processing capability. Servers do the actual data processing.

Question 9

What is a computer network?

Answer 9

It refers to the interaction or linking of different independent or semi-independent computers for sharing of resources.

Question 10

What are the types of computer networks?

Answer 10

Hierarchical network
Peer To Peer network
Local Area Network
Wide Area Network

Question 11

Hierarchical network

Answer 11

Here, there is a centralized processing unit on a host, usually a mainframe or minicomputer. Others access the host through satellite terminals called dumb terminals because they cannot do any processing by themselves.

Processing and control functions are performed at several levels by computers specially suited for the functions performed at each level, e.g. bottling industry, hospital automation, etc

Question 12

Peer To Peer Network

Answer 12

It is a distributed application structure that partitions tasks or work between peers which have equal privileges and participants with equal abilities.

Question 13

Local Area Network

Answer 13

Confined to a relatively small area with computers quite close. It can be used in an office, a university campus, etc.

Question 14

Wide Area Network

Answer 14

Covers larger geographic distance. Computers may be farther apart.

Question 15

What is Network Topology?

Answer 15

It refers to the arrangement of various elements of a network for communication.

Question 16

What are the basic network topologies from which others originate?

Answer 16

Linear Bus
Star
RIng

Question 17

Linear Bus

Answer 17

• Devices are connected one after the other in a sequential chain.
• Connected computers are arranged on a trunk table with terminators at each end.
• If one link is severed, everyone is affected.

Question 18

What are the functions of terminators at the end of trunk tables in linear bus topology?

Answer 18

They absorb signals which have already been sent through the network.

Question 19

Star topology

Answer 19

It is for LAN and all nodes are individually connected to a central connection point like a hub or switch. It is expensive and difficult to maintain but one computer connection being severed does not affect others.

Question 20

RIng Topology

Answer 20

• Each node connects to exactly two other nodes in the form of a ring and signals are sent continuously.
• Movement of signals is either clockwise or anticlockwise.
• There is a second ring in the topology which moves in the opposite direction of the first ring and serves as backup for when the first fails.

Question 21

What is network security?

Answer 21

It consists of policies and practices that are adopted to prevent or monitor unauthorized access, misuse, denial and modification of a computer network and network-accessible resources.

Question 22

What are the common network security practices?

Answer 22

Physical security
Password
Personal Identification

Question 23

What are workstations?

Answer 23

A “workstation” is sometimes used to mean “any individual personal computer location hooked up to a mainframe computer.” In today’s corporate environments, many workers have such workstations. They’re simply personal computers attached to a local area network (LAN) that in turn shares the resources of one or more large computers.

Satellite stations on a peer-to-peer networking

Question 24

Server

Answer 24

Any device on a network, providing a special engine service.

Question 25

File Server

Answer 25

A core of LAN, it is a microcomputer that runs the network operating system and controls the activities of the network.

Question 26

Value Added Process

Answer 26

App programs that can be linked to the NOS to enhance its functionality w/o interfering with its regular operation.

Question 27

Host

Answer 27

A computer within a network, designated for running apps, time-sharing operations, services like database access and special programs

Question 28

Node

Answer 28

Any device or PC on a LAN

Question 29

Network Shell

Answer 29

A special program run by the work station that permits it to communicate with the file server, other workstations and other network devices.

Question 30

Protocol

Answer 30

A set of rules governing data transmission.

Question 31

Protocol Engine

Answer 31

Responsible for the logic of network communication

Question 32

Bridge

Answer 32

Any device that can form an interface between or connect two similar LANs

Question 33

Gateway

Answer 33

A computer that connects incompatible networks, eg. PCLAN

Question 34

Routers

Answer 34

While bridges link similar LANS that may not have the same protocols, a router can only send data through a compatible protocol path

Question 35

Repeater

Answer 35

A device set of intervals along a circuit to regenerate of boost the signal preventing its decay over distance.

Question 36

Repeaters and digital/analog signals

Answer 36

Repeaters regenerate digital signals without change; they simply boost analog signals

Question 37

Modem

Answer 37

Converts electrical signals from a computer into an audio form transmittable over telephone lines, or vice versa.