Technical Implementation Flashcards
What is the function Interpreting User Commands responsible for?
The commands which the user can give using the menu driven, graphical or command driven interface.
Why is both software and hardware necessary for a computer system to run properly?
Software provides the instructions and data needed to get the hardware components to do anything useful
What is the difference between distributed storage and offline storage?
Distributed storage is used online often where as offline storage is kept offline and is harder to access than distributed storage.
Distributed storage is when more than one computer is used to store data. ‘distributed amongst computers’. Off line storage is where data is removed from and stored separately from a network so that it cannot be accessed.
Advantages of a distributed storage system?
Should anything go wrong with 1 system, the data is held on many others and so data isn’t lost. It gives more storage space and processing power than just using one computer
Advantages of using offline storage
It keeps files backed up
Very Secure as it cannot then be accessed digitally as it isn’t connected to a network
What is a backup?
A backup is a copy of a piece of data/information stored in case the first is lost or damaged
Why are backups important to organisations/businesses?
It can cost them customers - and hence money
Where are backups stored?
Separately from the network in hard drives or tapes, or get stored online using the cloud
When should a backup be made?
Whenever necessary eg daily for companies - they have lots of data or just monthly/fort nightly/weekly for individual users
Name the three types of backup and describe the differences between them
Incremental - All data changes made since the last backup of any kind are restored.
Differential - Only data that has changed since the last full backup are stored.
Full - All data on a system is copied regardless of when it was last backed up.
Name an advantage of each of the three backup types
Full - No data is missed out ever
Incremental - The fastest (but takes longest to restore)
Differential - Saves space and time from a full backup
What is disk mirroring?
When a constant copy of data is made, this ensures data is never lost. However, fails to cope with user error/virus activity
State the difference between CD-R’s, CD-ROM’s and CD-RW’s
CD-R stands for readable, the disk is blank when purchased and the user can then store information once which cannot then be deleted or amended.
CD-RW stands for rewritable. This means that the user can store, edit and redevelop information as often as they wish on the blank disk.
CD-ROM stands for read only memory - means you cannot save to the disk as it already has data stored on it and you cannot change it.
What is the current range of data transfer for Bluetooth devices?
Varies between 32-33 feet
What are the main difference(s) between USB 2 and 3?
USB 3 uses smart changing, has much higher data transfer rate and higher charging power in comparison to 2
How is USB different to Bluetooth?
USB is used for wired connections and Bluetooth is used for wireless. USB has a shorter range than Bluetooth but a faster transfer rate
What is data transfer speed?
The rate at which data is transferred from one device to another. Measured in megabits or megabytes.
Name factors affecting the maximum data transfer speed
Noise, interface, errors during transfer and overheads
What is the difference between the three types of backing storage devices?
Built in storage such as a hard drive is when the backing storage device is connected to the computer and so cannot be moved around easily - not portable
External is when the backing storage is separate from the computer such as an external hard drive
A portable storage devices such as a USB flash drive are separate from the computer and can be moved around easily
Three characteristics of storage devices are
Built in?
External?
Portable?
Name two backing store devices which make use of magnetic storage
Floppy disks and magnetic tapes
Name two optical storage devices
CD-RW
DVD-RW
What is the difference between the optical and magnetic storage techniques?
Magnetic storage uses magnetic charges stored on a magnetisable metal oxide layer on a disk or tape.
Optical storage uses the reflection of a laser from a surface made of ‘lands’ and ‘pits’
What is a solid state storage device?
One which does not contain any moving parts I.e it is solid
What are advantages of using solid state storage devices?
Available in a range of capacities - suits all needs and budgets
Uses less power than hard drives meaning batteries last longer in portable devices
Can be used with fingerprint scanners, passwords, or with security software
Robust, hard to break due to their lack of moving parts
What are the current advantages of using solid state storage?
Surviving drops/falls
Lower power consumption - larger battery life
Access data at faster speeds than a hard disk
Ideal if you have to start up and shut down a PC on the move
What is the fastest type of backup?
Incremental but takes longest to restore the data
What is meant by the terms ‘networking’ and ‘connectivity’
Two or more computers joined together.
How they are joined together/connected.
What would be an example of a cloud system?
Onedrive, Gmail
How are cloud systems accessed?
Over the Internet rather than being downloaded to a users computer
What is a server?
A server is a computer that provides a service to a user. This could be providing access to files or emails or web pages
What are the advantages of using a client/server network?
Constant backups and access to files from any computer
Name and describe the three types of cloud systems.
Public/External - Through the Internet and open to all of those who have a dedicated Internet connection
Private/Internal - Property of an individual company who have paid for the right to use it - all data is kept internally and isn’t stored - usually on a physical server
Hybrid - A combination of Internal and external which is commonly used by companies who wish to keep data private but can still offer some for employee use
State a disadvantage of private clouds
Hardware and software must be leased by the company who have paid for the right to use it - this is expensive and may need updating.
State an advantage of public clouds
Cheaper to implement, very secure and provide remote access
Name the advantages of cloud based services
Easy expansion
Remote accessibility
Security
Environmentally friendly
Name the disadvantages of cloud based services
Bandwidth constraints
Security concerns
Public perception
Data protection
Describe the provision of infrastructure provided by cloud systems. Name two examples.
Provision of Infrastructure - Cloud provider gives customers processing power, RAM and storage for them to run their own software on - this is a virtual computer which may be expanded in terms of both processing and storage - as it will be hosted in a server warehouse.
Amazon EC 2
Google Compute
Describe the provision of platform service provided by cloud systems. Give two examples.
Providers go one step further than on infrastructure services ; complete platform with operating system and software on the virtual computer is given to companies.
Red hat open shift
Microsoft Azure
Describe the provision of software service provided by cloud systems. Give two examples.
The most commonly used and is often used by home users to pay for an individual application hosted on the cloud server. Examples include;
Microsoft Office Web
Google Mail
What are three advantages of cloud based services?
Remote accessibility
Easy expansion
Security
Environmentally Friendly
What are four disadvantages of cloud based services?
Bandwidth Constraints
Security Concerns
Public Perception
Data Protection
What is optical character recognition?
Converts a printed text page into a text file
Which type of ROM chip cannot be erased once written to?
PROM
Protected property of those who created it
What is the fastest level of cache?
Level 1 is faster to access than level 2 cache
Which backing storage type is used by a Desktop?
Magnetic storage on hard disk drives
State a disadvantage of solid state storage
It costs more per GB than using a hard disk drive
What is always a difference between a mobile phone and a tablet?
Tablet screen sizes are always larger
Name a flat screen technology
TFT - Most LCD screens are
Which type of RAM is non-volatile?
CMOS - Contents are not deleted when the system is switched off
Act which protects the rights of those who create software applications
Copyright, designs and patents Act
Open source software
Allows someone to see and modify the source code
Purpose of open source software
End users can view and learn from the source code
Real users suggest improvements by observation of the source code and how it works
Portable Application Feature
Run within a different environment with little or no modification
What is a cloud based resource and give an example?
Application and any files created using it can be accessed from any of the users devices if stored in the cloud
Eg Microsoft Office 365
Operating System used by a mobile phone
ROM based
Thin Client
Low specification computer used on a network where most applications run remotely on a server
Two factors which govern how quickly data can be transferred from a hard disk drive to a computer
Interface Type
Access Time
What makes a CD or DVD rewritable?
Entire disk contents will be erased, leaving the disk blank again, ready to be written to
Which memory type is used in solid state storage devices?
Flash ROM
What is a full backup?
Writing copies of all files on a system to magnetic tape at the end of every working day
What is an incremental backup?
A backup of all changes made since the last backup of any kind
What is a differential backup?
A backup of all of the changes made since the last full backup
What is an internal hard drive?
A hard disk drive built into a computer
How do pre-defined CDs and DVDs store digital data?
Creating grooves called pits which represent 1
Flat areas called lands which represent 0
What is offline storage?
Give an example
Any type of storage which is not connected to a computer
Eg Tape drive, External Hard Drive and Flash Drive
Public Cloud
Available to the general public
Strength of a public cloud
Extremely scalable with increased capacity available immediately
Strength of a private cloud
Greater Security
Benefits of Hybrid Cloud for companies
Combination of; Scalability Reliability Rapid Deployment Cost savings of public cloud storage
With;
Security
Full control of private cloud storage
SaaS
Applications are hosted by a service provider and made available to customers over a network such as the internet
PaaS
Users develop software applications using tools supplies by service provider via cloud computing
IaaS
Organisation provides equipment used to support operations, including storage, hardware, servers and networking components
Fast, powerful service with good security used by companies
Dedicated web hosting
Main difference between web hosting and cloud hosting?
Cloud hosting uses more than one server
What is a cloud based service?
A hardware or software resource which is made available over the Internet using a network of remote servers rather than a single dedicated server
Hardware (Input devices)
Digital Cameras Digital Video Cameras Scanners used to capture graphics and video Keyboard Touchscreen Microphone
Smaller Devices concern
Available memory
RAM likely to be limited on smart phones
Portable software
Software that runs on multiple platforms
Affects number of potential users
Portability and non-platform specific technologies
HTML
PHP
SQL
Licensed software
Users required to purchase single or multiple licenses to legally use the information system
Shareware
Limited to 30 days use before user is required to make small payment to unlock all software features
Freeware
If information system is entirely free
Licensed to prevent modification
Users may only pay for data
Proprietary software
Commercially produced
Supported by phone helplines and website forums
Should be error free
Limited to functions it had when purchased
Open source software
Created and maintained by a community of users and programmers
Anybody can modify, improve and republish the software
Software is constantly evolving
Not in a way which suits everyone
Open source software disadvantage
Prone to tampering
Virus/Trojan insertion
Source code may be edited by anyone
Financial Advantages for companies of using cloud storage
Do not have to pay for IT staff to install, maintain or update applications
Do not have to pay for latest versions of software
These are updated automatically by the provider
Other cloud services
Network telephone systems
Video Conferencing
Email
Virtual Servers
Other advantages of cloud computing
Quickly scalable
Terms of contracts are all that needs to be changed to have immediate access to extra facilities for companies
Cloud computing rise caused by
Increases in bandwidths
Cloud services expand and develop as bandwidths continue to increase
