SG: Ch 4: Custom PC Configurations Flashcards
Your network uses thin clients. A new technician is amazed that the computers have no hard drives and asks, “If the operating system is not resident on the client, where is it found?”
A. On a DVD inserted at bootup
B. On a USB flash drive
C. On the server for session-by-session client use
D. Embedded in a flash module on the motherboard
C. On the server for session-by-session client use
Clients request services of servers. Thin clients can request software services from their servers, whether in the form of running the software and passing the results to the client or passing the code of the software to the client to be executed by its processor and kept only in RAM.
A video editor at your company wants a second monitor, claiming that having only one monitor limits her ability to work. 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. Their software often has enough controls across their width that one monitor seems cramped.
Editors of this type of media have numerous controls and timelines to track. These constructs often lie along the bottom of the application and run horizontally. Subsequent monitors allow the editor to spread out her work without shrinking the view excessively.
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. A dumb terminal with a NIC
Although not all thin clients are devoid of local processing capability, some are. High-resolution graphics are not a requirement, but thin clients do require a system unit with a NIC.
Marcus, a network technician, has been asked to build a virtualization workstation for his manager. Which of the following are not common requirements that Marcus should consider for this custom configuration? (Choose all that apply.)
A. Surround sound
B. Maximum RAM
C. Large, fast hard drives
D. Multiple CPU cores
A. Surround sound
C. Large, fast hard drives
Virtualization workstations need to maximize the amount of RAM as well as CPU cores. Each virtualized instance of an operating system will be assigned its own memory and processor resources, and those resources are essentially reserved and off-limits to other virtual operating systems. Therefore, maximize both of them. Audio isn’t required on a virtualization workstation, so surround sound is not needed. Large fast hard drives will be nice but are not a primary requirement.
Peter is configuring a NAS. Which of the following should be his least-important priority to include in his NAS?
A. File sharing
B. Maximum RAM
C. Gigabit NIC
D. Media streaming
E. RAID array
B. Maximum RAM
A NAS should support file sharing and media streaming, and have a Gigabit NIC card and a RAID array. Additional RAM in a NAS offers no advantage for the performance of the NAS past a certain point. The tasks the NAS is asked to perform do not require high performance.
You have been hired as a consultant for a video editing company that needs all new workstations for its six editors. 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. Fast hard drive
A/V editing workstations require specialized audio and video cards and large and fast hard drives; they also benefit from dual monitors. A fast NIC, extra RAM, and a faster than normal processor do not support the requirements of A/V editors.
You have recently installed a NAS in your home so that all your family members could share media. You have a router and network cabling that supports Gigabit Ethernet. Why should you equip a NAS with a Gigabit NIC?
A. All systems, including the NAS, should communicate at the same speed.
B. The NAS should not be allowed to communicate at the higher speeds of the rest of the network or it will be overused.
C. The NAS should exceed the communication speed of the clients to avoid a bottleneck.
D. The operating system that a NAS runs is not compatible with Gigabit Ethernet.
C. The NAS should exceed the communication speed of the clients to avoid a bottleneck.
Optimally, the NAS should communicate across a link that is the aggregate of all client links, but at the very least, the NAS’s link should be a faster one to alleviate the potential bottleneck when all clients try to access the server simultaneously.
You are configuring a virtualization workstation for your home use. Which of the following is required for your new system?
A. Multiple host operating systems
B. Maximum RAM allowed
C. File sharing services
D. Multiple NICs
B. Maximum RAM allowed
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 systems benefit from increased RAM except ___________________. (Choose two.)
A. Network-attached storage device
B. Virtualization workstation
C. Graphic design workstation
D. Gaming PC
A. Network-attached storage device
D. Gaming PC
Virtualization and graphic design workstations benefit from as much RAM as can be installed. Network-attached storage devices and gaming PCs do not require a large amount of temporary storage of instructions and data. They are more about the rapid movement of graphical data toward an output device.
Danielle has been asked to configure virtualization at her company. She recommends that her manager buy multicore processors. What justification should she give as to why 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. Each virtual machine makes use of actual CPU resources for processing instructions and data.
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.
Which type of system simply needs to meet recommended requirements for standard versions of operating systems and support desktop applications?
A. Thin client
B. Thick client
C. Network-attached storage device
D. Virtualization workstation
B. Thick client
Thick clients are standard desktop PCs. They stand in contrast to systems with specialized requirements, such as the remaining options.
Robin has been asked to lead training for new technicians at a local PC distributor specializing in gaming PCs. For which one of the following should she not recommend upgraded parts?
A. High-end cooling
B. A RAID array
C. High-end video
D. Better sound card
B. A RAID array
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 uses would not require a custom configuration for a PC?
A. A computer running Windows 10 with 1 TB of data and 250 GB of applications installed
B. A computer running Windows IoT
C. A design computer used to drive a lathe that makes automotive rims
D. A computer to replace a Blu-ray player and DVR
A. A computer running Windows 10 with 1 TB of data and 250 GB of applications installed
The Windows 10 computer can be built as a normal system with a 2 TB or 3 TB drive. Windows IoT typically runs on a thin client. A type of CAD/CAM workstation capable of CNC would be used to create automotive wheel rims. A NAS is an ideal choice to take the place of both the Blu-ray player and DVR.
Which of the following system types does not benefit from video enhancements?
A. CAD/CAM design workstation
B. Network-attached storage device
C. A/V editing workstation
D. Gaming PC
B. Network-attached storage device
CAD/CAM design workstations, A/V editing workstations, and gaming PCs can all benefit from video enhancements. A NAS does not benefit from enhanced video and might not use a monitor at all.
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 possible
D. Can run a full version of Windows
D. Can run a full version of Windows
These standard systems do not have any special requirements, only that they can run Windows and desktop applications. Thick clients do not need enhanced video, hard drives, or RAM.
