YELLOW Revision Flashcards
Name all of the different types of computer systems
1) PCs
2) laptops
3) netbooks
4) mobile devices - such ask smart phones, tablets and wearables
5) games consoles
embedded systems - such as central heating, home appliances and the Internet of Things (IoT)
What are the different types of network?
LAN - local area network (less than 2km wide)
WLAN - Wireless local area network
WAN - wide area network (greater than 2km wide)
What are the connectivity methods for creating a network?
1) Wired
2) Wireless
What are the four different types of toplogies?
1) Bus
2) Ring
3) Star
4) Mesh
What does the protocol TCP stand for and what does it do?
Transmission Control Protocol
TCP breaks the data down into packets so that it can be sent over the internet / network
What does the protocol IP stand for and what does it do?
Internet Protocol
Is used to address the data packets that are sent over the internet / network
What does the protocol DHCP stand for and what does it do?
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
A network protocol that enables a server to automatically assign an IP address to a computer from a defined range of numbers configured for a given network
What does the protocol Ethernet stand for and what does it do?
Also known as IEEE 802.3. This is the standard / protocol for the physical and data connections between 2 or more devices.
What does the protocol HTTP stand for and what does it do?
Hypertext Transfer Protocol
Specific protocol used for sending hypertext for web pages
What does the protocol HTTPS stand for and what does it do?
Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure
Secured version of HTTP. Data is encrypted before transmission.
What does the protocol FTP stand for and what does it do?
File Transfer Protocol
A protocol for transferring files over the internet. You can download files from an FTP server or upload files to it.
What hardware device is used to hold all internal components so that communication between them is possible?
Motherboard
What hardware device is used to hold the files and data that are currently used by the computer but not yet saved?
Random Access Memory (RAM)
What does volatile memory mean?`
The contents of the memory disappear when the power is turned off.
What type of memory is RAM?
Volatile memory
What hardware device is used to hold the BIOS commands?
Read Only Memory (ROM)
What does BIOS stand for?
Basic Input / Output System
It is what boots up the system so that the operating system can take over.
What type of memory is ROM?
Non-volatile memory
What is a cache?
It is a small store of memory on or near the CPU. It is used for frequently accessed data to prevent the fetch / decode / execute cycle slowing down the computer.
It is made up of volatile memory
What is a CPU?
Central Processing Unit
The CPU takes instructional inputs from the computer’s RAM, decodes and processes the action, before delivering an output.
What are the three types of backing storage available?
1) Magnetic storage
2) Optical storage
3) Solid State storage
What is hybrid backing storage?
It is made up of two or more types of backing storage, usually including the cloud.
What is magnetic backing storage?
Magnetic storage uses the two types of magnetic polarities to represent the binary information consisting of zeros and ones. Examples include hard disk drive, magnetic tape and floppy disk
What is optical backing storage?
Data is recorded by making marks in a pattern that can be read back with the aid of light, usually a beam of laser light precisely focused on a spinning optical disc. Examples include Compact Disk (CD), Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) or Blu-ray
What is solid state backing storage?
These are a memory storage device with no moving parts where the data is saved as electrical transistors. Examples include Solid state hard drives (SSHD), USB Flash drives, Flash Memory Cards
What is the cloud backing storage?
The data is stored on remote servers which can only be accessed via an internet connection. The service is likely to cost a subscription price and does rely on the internet connection being fast and reliable.
What computer component is used to ensure access to a network?
NIC - Network Interface Card
What computer component is used to enhance the quality of sound used for gaming or sound editing?
Sound card
What computer component is used to enhance the visual quality used for gaming or video / photo editing
Video card
What does PSU stand for?
Power Supply Unit
State all 7 of the connectivity ports (and make sure you know what they all look like!)
1) USB
2) firewire
3) network
4) VGA
5) HDMI
6) DVI
7) Display port
List 6 input devices:
1) Mouse
2) keyboard
3) Microphone
4) Scanner
5) Dongle
6) GPS receiver
7) Graphics Tablet
List 6 output devices:
1) Headphones
2) Speakers
3) Monitor
4) Printer
5) plotter
6) Data projector
List 3 devices that are hybrid - both input and output devices.
1) Gaming headset
2) Digital Camera
3) Smart phone
4) Touch screen Tablet
What does a plotter do?
A plotter is much like a printer that is used for printing vector graphics. Instead of toner, plotters use a pen, pencil, marker, or another writing tool to draw multiple, continuous lines onto paper rather than a series of dots like a traditional printer.
What does a dongle do?
It is basically a very little modem with the ability to connect to wireless or mobile broadband - 4G or 3G
What does a graphics tablet do?
It is a computer input device that enables a user to hand-draw images, animations and graphics, with a special pen-like stylus
What does a network HUB do?
It is the most basic networking device that connects multiple computers or other network devices together. It does not have a routing table or any intelligence, so broadcasts all network data across each connection.
What does a network SWITCH do?
Switches allow different nodes (a network connection point, typically a computer) of a network to communicate directly with one another in a smooth and efficient manner. It is an intelligent component, meaning it provides directed messages between nodes.
What does a ROUTER do?
The main purpose of a router is to connect multiple networks and forward packets destined either for its own networks or other networks.
Routers are more intelligent than switches or hubs in that they can analyse the data being sent over a network, change how it is packaged, and send it to another network or over a different network.
What is an embedded system?
An embedded system is a combination of computer hardware and software, designed for a specific function - for example a smart fridge or washing machine.
What is the Internet of Things?
The interconnection via the Internet of computing devices embedded in everyday objects, enabling them to send and receive data. (E.g. your AI device talking to your fridge)
What is POST?
Stands for Power On Self Test
It is part of the BIOS and is the test that appears before the OS begins to load.
It will identify any problems found in the hardware that makes the computer system unable to boot.
It will also identify any hardware issues that allow a computer system to boot but cause problems with the computer performance.
What is fault diagnosis?
1) Fault detection - identify that a problem has occurred
2) Fault diagnosis - identify the piece of hardware or software at fault.
What are the POST beep codes?
They are a series of beeps that identify the error.
What is the POST process?
1) The BIOS is loaded into RAM
2) POST process begins
3) Any fatal problems found will cause beep codes to sound and the boot process to stop.
4) Any non fatal problems found will cause an error message to display and the boot process to stop.
What are the fault diagnosis tools?
1) POST
2) Device Manager
3) Task Manager
4) Update Manager
