Short Definitions Flashcards
Tablet
A device with operating system and touch screen display processing circuitry and rechargeable battery in a single thin flat package.
Can do what other computer do but lacks input/output abilities.
Larger than smartphone but may not always support access to cellular network
Control over system performance
Monitors overall system health to help improve performance.
Records delays between requests for a service and response from the system.
Clock rate/speed
Number of pulses per second generated by an oscillator that sets tempo for the processor.
Measured in MHZ,GHZ.
Trackball
Controls position of the cursor on the screen,movements are controlled by moving a ball.
Display resolution
Measures width x height in pixels of a television or a display device.
Executable files
To perform various functions or operations on a computer.
Cannot be read because it is compiled.
SMTP
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol
Set of communication guidelines that allow software to transmit email over the Internet.
- only works with outgoing messages.
Scanner
Electronic devices using light to scan paper images such as text, photos, illustrations and translate the images into signals that computer can store, modify, distribute.
Touch screen
Input device
Layered on top of electronic visual display.
Use to input information by multitouch gestures by touching the screen with fingers or stylus.
Multimedia
Integration of text,graphics, drawings, still and moving images,animation,audio, and other media where every type of information can be represented, stored,transmitted, and processed digitally.
Hypertext
A text with references (hyperlinks) that allows users to access related informations by clicking on the links or keywords within a document or web pages.
GPS
A satellite based navigation system using a receiver and algorithms to synchronise location, velocity and time data for air,sea and land travel.
Web browser
Locate and display webpages.
Can display graphics and text, multimedia, though they require plugins for some formats.
Ex: Internet Explorer, google Chrome, Microsoft Edge.
Data Encryption
Translate data into secret code before transmission.
Receiving devices must be able to decrypt data transmitted.
System file
Critical files without which a computer system may not operate correctly.
May be part of operating system.
Archive file
Collect multiple data files together in a single file for easier portability and storage or simply to compress files to use less storage space.
Bar code reader
Electronic device that read and send printed barcodes to computer.
Consists of light source, a lens and light sensor translating optical impulses into electrical ones.
HDMI
High Definition Multimedia Interface
Hold resolution quality of monitor ,projector, TV constant.
Reproduces screen quality better than VGA.
Send audio to external screen making it convenient and good quality choice.
Ethernet
Port/Jack on computer allows use of ethernet connector.
Allow creation of LANs
Used on routers, computers, modems.
Allow multiple local devices to share information and work together.
Desktop Computer
Personal computer for regular use at a single location due to its big size and power requirements.
Most common configuration is monitor,keyboard and mouse and a case that houses main components of PC, namely power supply, motherboard, hard drive and optical drive.
Laptop
Portable computers that you can take with and use in different environments.
Include a screen, keyboard and trackpad.
Have battery which allows them to operate without being plugged into a power outlet. Include power adaptor to charge battery.
Wireless connection
No physical connection between sender and receiver.
Network is connected by radio waves or microwaves to maintain communications.
VPN
Virtual Private Network
create secure private network connection over a public network as if your computing device is directly connected to private network.
Encrypts your internet traffic, difficult for anyone to intercept or access data.
Masks IP address, ensuring anonymity.
Bypasses geo-restrictions and censorship.
Enhances online privacy and security.
Prevents tracking by ISPs or third parties.
VoIP
Voice over Internet Protocol
allows to make voice calls over the internet instead of traditional phone lines.
converts voice into digital signals and transmits them over the internet to the recipient, who then hears the voice as if on phone call.
more cost-effective, features like video calling and instant messaging.
Internet Protocol
IP uses set of rules to send and receive messages at internet address level.
Input Devices
Keyboard
Mice
Scanner
Output Devices
USB drives
Hard disk drive
Solid state drive
Hard drive capacity
Amount of data,HDD can store.
Higher capacity can store more data like files, documents,photos, and videos.
Measured in GB and TB.
Benchmarking
Compare and evaluate performance of system against same/similar system.
Motherboard
It holds everything in place, lets components communicate with each other.
Foundation of computer
USB PORT
allows stand alone electronic devices to be connected via cables to a computer or to each other.
Updating/upgrading software files
Computers have latest tools and utilities to execute instructions.
Newer and faster processors require up to date software to achieve maximum efficiency.
Defragmentation
Process of grouping files together that are stored in fragments across storage devices.
Files can be read faster by processor and can increase the speed of computer.
Cache memory
Store data and instructions frequently accessed for quick access by CPU.
Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
Has special memory location called registers.
Perform addition, subtraction,multiplication and division, logic comparison.
Storage Devices
USB drives
Hard disk drive
Solid state drive
VLAN
Virtual Local Area Network
groups of workstations, servers and network devices that appear to be on same LAN despite geographical distribution.
removes latency in network, which saves network resources and increase network efficiency.
assist in issues like security, scalability, network management.
traffic easily controlled by VLANs
Server
A program or device that provides functionality for other programs or devices called clients
Internet of Things (IoT)
Encompasses everything connected to Internet.
Is made up of devices from simple sensors to smartphones and wearables- connected together
Virtualization
Refers to creation of a virtual resource such as server,desktop,operating system, file,storage, or network.
Video Graphic Array
15 pin connector used to produce an image on screen.
Found on computer monitor, TV sets
Services offered by ISP
Access Internet
Backup of data
Access to cloud
Telephone line and access to telephone network
Security system
User account, log in
DHCP
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
Automatically assign unique IP addresses to devices on a network, saving time and risk of conflicts.
Operates on client server model.
Leases IP addresses to clients for specific period of time, after which Client must renew the lease or obtain a new IP address.
FTP
File transfer protocol
Used for the transfer of computer files between a client and server on a computer network.
FTPs
- Encrypts data using SSL/TLS, ensuring secure communication.
- Protects against tampering and eavesdropping.
- Compatible with existing FTP infrastructure and clients supporting SSL/TLS.
- Supports implicit (always encrypted) and explicit (upgraded to encrypted) modes.
Provide THREE examples of peripherals that can be connected to a modern PC.
Mouse: An input device used for navigating and interacting with the graphical user interface.
Keyboard: An input device used for typing and executing commands.
Printer: An output device used for producing physical copies of documents and images.
WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy)
WEP is an older security protocol designed to protect wireless networks by encrypting data transmitted over the air. It uses the RC4 algorithm and typically uses 64-bit or 128-bit keys.
WEP has vulnerabilities and is now outdated and unsafe for modern wireless networks.
MIMO (Multiple Input, Multiple Output)
MIMO
* Utilizes multiple antennas for enhanced network performance.
- Enhances data throughput and range by sending and receiving multiple signals simultaneously.
- Uses spatial diversity to reduce signal interference and improve reliability.
- Utilized in modern Wi-Fi standards for higher data rates.
- Increases network efficiency for faster speeds and reliable connections.
SSID (Service Set Identifier)
SSID
* Unique name assigned to a wireless network.
- Acts as a “name tag” for the network.
- Broadcasted by the router or access point for easy detection and connection.
- Does not provide inherent security.
- Essential for identifying which network a device should connect to.
- Multiple SSIDs can be set up on a single router for different frequency bands.
