Lesson 2: Installing System Devices Flashcards
A system engineer is configuring fault tolerance with a configuration that uses a logical striped volume with two mirrored arrays. What redundant array of independent disks is the engineer using?
A.RAID 0
B.RAID 1
C.RAID 5
D.RAID 10
D. RAID 10
The engineer is configuring RAID 10 which is a nested RAID configuration that combines a logical striped volume (RAID 0) configured with two mirrored arrays (RAID 1).
Other options
A. RAID 0 requires at least two disks and provides no redundancy at all. If any physical disk in the array fails, the whole logical volume will fail.
C. RAID 1 is a mirrored drive configuration using two disks. Each write operation duplicates on the second disk in the set, introducing a small performance overhead.
C. RAID 5 uses striping (like RAID 0) but with distributed parity. Distributed parity means that error correction information spreads across all the disks in the array.
A hardware technician is purchasing mass storage devices and tells the salesperson that they must use flash memory technology. What type of devices will the salesperson show the technician?
A.HDD
B.SSD
C.RAM
D.CDs
B.SSD
The salesperson will show the technician solid-state drives (SSDs) which use flash memory technology to implement persistent mass storage.
Other options
A. Hard disk drives (HDDs) store data on metal or glass platters that have a magnetic coating on them. The drive accesses the top and bottom of each platter by its own read/write head.
C. Random-access memory (RAM) storage technology is nonpersistent. Nonpersistent means that the RAM devices can only hold data when the PC is on.
D. Compact Discs (CDs) are a mainstream storage format for music and video. All types of optical media use a laser to read the data encoded on the disc surface.
A hardware technician installed a new power supply unit (PSU) in a workstation and removed any unnecessary power connector cables. What type of PSU did the technician install?
A.Modular
B.Redundant
C.ATX
D.ATX12V
A. Modular
The hardware technician is installing a modular PSU which has detachable power connector cables that allow the technician to reduce the number of cables to the minimum required.
Other options
B. A redundant power supply unit, also called a failover power supply unit, is a second power supply unit in a computer system.
C. Advanced Technology Extended (ATX) is the original PSU standard in which the P1 connector is 20-pin (2x10) and wires with black insulation are ground, yellow are +12 V, red are +5 V, and orange are +3.3 V.
D. ATX12V is the version 2 PSU standard which defines a 24-pin (2x12) P1 form factor to replace the 20-pin one.
A software developer is creating an application that will run multiple parallel threads through the central processing unit (CPU) at the same time to reduce the amount of “idle time” the CPU spends waiting for new instructions to process. What type of process is the developer taking advantage of?
A.Multi-socket
B.Multithreading
C.Multicore
D.Processor extensions
B. Multithreading
The developer is taking advantage of multithreading which is when software runs multiple parallel threads through the CPU at the same time to reduce “idle time.”
Other options
A. Server motherboards are often multi-socket which means they use two or more physical CPUs, referred to as symmetric multiprocessing (SMP), to deliver performance benefits.
C. Multicore refers to a CPU design that puts two chips onto the same package. Most CPUs are multicore (more than two cores). Multicore and multithreading features are designated by nC/nT notation.
D. Processor extensions support virtualization, also referred to as hardware-assisted virtualization, and make the VMs run much more quickly.
Which of the following central processing unit (CPU) architectures implements a system-on-chip (SoC) where all the controllers, including video, sound, networking, and storage, are part of the CPU?
A.IA-32
B.x86
C.x64
D.ARM
D. ARM
Advanced RISC Machine (ARM) designs implement an SoC which means that all the controllers, including video, sound, networking, and storage, are part of the CPU.
Other options
A. The IA-32 (Intel Architecture) and x86-32 instruction sets define a CPU as IBM PC compatible. Intel and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) design and manufacture IA-32.
B. The x86-32 and IA-32 instruction sets define a CPU as IBM PC compatible. Intel and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) design and manufacture IA-32.
C. The x64 instruction set, developed initially by AMD as AMD64 or x86-64, extends the x86 instruction set for 64-bit operation.
A hardware technician is upgrading a device with multiple, identical central processing unit (CPU) packages. What class of computer is the technician most likely upgrading?
A.Workstation
B.Mobile
C.Desktop
D.Server
D. Server
The technician is upgrading a server-class computer. Server motherboards are often multi-socket, meaning that the technician can install multiple, identical CPU packages.
Other options
A. Regarding workstation-class PCs, most vendors use the term workstation to mean a high-performance PC, such as one used for software development or graphics/video editing.
B. Many mobiles, such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops, use advanced RISC machine (ARM)-based CPUs and need to prioritize power and thermal efficiency plus weight over pure performance.
C. The desktop segment covers a wide range of performance levels, from budget to gaming PC. These performance levels show up in the CPU manufacturer’s ranges.
A hardware technician is inspecting the notches on a dual inline memory module (DIMM) edge. What will the notches on the edge connector help the hardware technician determine? (Select all that apply.)
A.The DDR generation
B.If it is compatible with the slot
C.How to insert it properly
D.If it has a heat sink
A, B and C
A. The notches on a DIMM’s edge connector help the hardware technician identify the double data rate (DDR) generation (DDR3/DDR4/DDR5).
B. The notches on a DIMM’s edge connector help prevent the hardware technician from inserting the DIMM into an incompatible slot.
C. The notches on a DIMM’s edge connector help prevent the hardware technician from inserting the DIMM into a slot the wrong way around.
Other options
D. DDR memory modules, or DIMMs, typically feature heat sinks, due to the use of high clock speeds but that is not relevant to the notches on the DIMM’s edge connector.
To mitigate the heat a high-end gaming system will generate, an engineer is using a liquid-based cooling system in the design. Which of the following components are NOT a part of an open-loop, liquid-based cooling system?
A.Fans
B.Traditional heat sinks
C.Water blocks
D.Water loop
B. Traditional heat sinks
Are not a part of a liquid-based cooling system. A heat sink is a block of copper or aluminum with fins which expose a larger surface area around the component to the air.
Other options
A. Fans are a part of a liquid-based cooling system and engineers position them at air vents to dispel the excess heat.
C. Water blocks and brackets attach to each device to remove heat by convection. These attach in a similar way to heat sink/fan assemblies and then connect to the water loop.
D. A water loop is a part of a liquid-based cooling system and the water loop/tubing and pump push the coolant added via the reservoir around the system.
An employee is leaving the company and must return any removable storage devices they may have. What devices will the employee most likely return? (Select all that apply.)
A.Wireless card
B.USB flash drive
C.SD card
D.RAM
B. USB flash drive and C. SD card
B. The employee will most likely return universal serial bus (USB) drives which are a type of flash drive and are simply a flash memory board with a USB connector and protective cover.
C. The employee will most likely return secure digital (SD) cards. SD cards are a proprietary type of memory card that can have different sizes and performance ratings.
Other options
A. Computers can have an installed wireless card that allows internet connectivity without the requirement for a hard connection. This is connected directly to the motherboard and is not a removable storage device.
D. Random-access memory (RAM) is not removable storage. RAM is nonpersistent. Nonpersistent means that the RAM devices can only hold data when the PC is on.
An engineer is designing a new computer system and wants to provide active cooling to improve airflow and dissipate heat from around the components. What will the engineer use in the system?
A.Heat sinks
B.Fans
C.Thermal paste
D.Thermal pads
B. Thermal Paste
The engineer will use fans, which actively improve airflow and help to dissipate heat. Engineers use fans on the power supply and chassis exhaust points.
Other options
A. A heat sink is a block of copper or aluminum with fins. The fins expose a larger surface area to the air around the component to achieve a passive cooling effect by convection.
C. Thermal paste “glues” a heat sink to the surface of a chip to ensure the best transfer of heat by eliminating small air gaps.
D. A thermal pad performs a similar function to thermal paste. The pad is a compound that is solid at room temperature but softens when heated.
A hardware technician is tearing apart a non-functioning computer to salvage parts and pulls out a memory stick that synchronizes its speed to the motherboard system clock and has a peak transfer rate of 1600MBps. What type of memory has the technician removed?
A.SDRAM
B.Dynamic RAM
C.DDR SDRAM
D.ECC RAM
C. DDR SDRAM
Modern system RAM is double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM) and makes two data transfers per clock cycle and has a peak transfer rate of at least 1600MBps.
Other options
A. Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM) is so-called because its speed is synchronized to the motherboard system clock.
B. Dynamic RAM stores each data bit as an electrical charge within a single bit cell. A bit cell consists of a capacitor to hold a charge and a transistor to read the contents of the capacitor.
D. Error correcting code (ECC) RAM runs in workstations and servers that require a high level of reliability.
A hardware technician is building a server that will process financial data in real-time and wants to use error correcting code (ECC) RAM that will detect and correct errors, if possible. What other considerations will the technician need to include to support the ECC RAM? (Select all that apply.)
A.ECC - Capable Motherboard
B.72-bit data bus
C.Single-Channel memory
D.Two 64-bit data buses
A. ECC - Capable Motherboard and B. 72 - bit data bus
A. The motherboard must have a memory controller that is capable of supporting ECC RAM.
B. The technician will need to include a 72-bit data bus rather than the regular 64 bits to support the functions of the ECC RAM in the server.
Other options
C. Single-channel memory means that there is one 64-bit bus between the CPU and RAM, but this memory capability is not relevant to supporting ECC RAM in a server.
D. A dual-channel memory controller has two 64-bit pathways through the bus to the central processing unit (CPU), meaning that each transfer can send 128 bits of data.
A hardware technician is ordering power supply units (PSUs) for the organization’s desktop computers. Most PSUs designed for use with desktop PCs are based on which form factor?
A.ATX
B.SFF
C.PCIe
D.Mini-ITX
A. ATX
The technician is looking for the PSUs that have the Advanced Technology Extended (ATX) specification as most PSUs designed for use with desktop PCs are based on the ATX form factor.
Other options
B. Small form factor (SFF) personal computers are popular as home machines and for use as mini servers and often use Via’s Mini-ITX form factor.
C. The peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) bus uses point-to-point serial communications and is the mainstream interface for modern adapter cards.
D. The Mini-ITX (Information Technology Extended) form factor is appropriate for small form factor (SFF) personal computers which are popular as home machines and for use as mini servers.
A technician is installing new RAM in a company’s workstations. The IT supervisor insists on ECC RAM to ensure high levels of reliability. Which of the following statements regarding ECC RAM is true? (Select all that apply.)
A.Most motherboards are designed to support both UDIMMs and RDIMMs simultaneously.
B.For ECC RAM to function, only the CPU needs to be designed to support ECC operation.
C.Motherboards that are designed to support UDIMMs will typically not support RDIMMs, and vice versa.
D.Mixing non-ECC UDIMMs and ECC UDIMMs in the same system is generally not recommended.
C and D
C. Motherboards are generally designed for one type of DIMM (UDIMM or RDIMM) and do not support both.
D. Mixing non-ECC UDIMMs and ECC UDIMMs in the same system can lead to compatibility issues and is not recommended.
Other options
A. Most motherboards are designed to either support UDIMMs or RDIMMs, but typically not both.
B. Both the motherboard and CPU must be designed to support ECC operation for ECC RAM to function.
A student is learning about computer hardware and the instructor selects them to identify the component that executes program instruction code. How should the student respond?
A.CPU
B.RAM
C.Cache
D.HDD
A. CPU
The student should respond with CPU, or central processing unit. The CPU in a computing device executes the program instruction code.
*Other options**
B. Random access memory (RAM) is a space where the computing device loads applications and files so that users can perform operations on that data.
C. Cache is a small block of memory that works at the speed of the CPU or close to it, depending on the cache level.
D. A hard disk drive (HDD) stores data on metal or glass platters coated with a magnetic substance. The top and bottom of each platter has its own read/write head, moved by an actuator mechanism.
