IT Unit 2

What is a computer?

A computer is a machine that processes digital data

What is a technology system?

A technology system is the complete collection of components making up a single computer system

What is Malware?

Harmful software that can damage a system or steal information

What is meant by Hacking?

Unauthorised access to a computer system or network

Name 5 different computing devices

PC

Server

Laptop

Tablet

Gaming Console

What is a PC designed for?

A PC is designed for people to carry out multiple tasks at once

Name 3 things PC’s are used for

Playing video games

Browsing the internet

Office work

What are 3 types of servers?

A web server

A database server

A file server

What is an input device?

An input device is hardware used to enter data or instructions into a computer system

What is an output device?

An output device is hardware used to communicate data with another computer system or user

Name 6 input devices

Keyboard

Mouse

Sensors

Microphone

Touch screen

Scanner

Name 5 Output devices

Printers
Speakers
Force feedback devices
Screens
Projectors

What are 3 types of storage devices?

Solid-state storage
Optical storage
Magnetic storage

What is solid-state storage

A storage device that stores data on semiconductor chips and has no moving parts

What are 2 examples of Solid-state storage?

SD Card, USB Flash drive

What is Optical storage?

A type of storage media that uses lasers to read and store data

What are 2 examples of Optical storage?

CD’s, DVD’s and Blu-ray disks

What is an automated system?

An automated system is a computer-controlled system that can carry out tasks  automatically without human intervention

What are 3 advantages of automated systems?

 Speed  - Can be significantly faster than  humans 
 Safety  - Can work in dangerous environments 
 Accuracy  - Consistent and accurate

What are 3 examples of automated systems ?

Automatic doors
Self service checkouts
Production lines

Name 5 different capture devices

Barcode reader
Magnetic strip reader
Optical character reader
Optical mark reader
Radio Frequency identification (RFID)

What are the 4 types of networks?

LAN - Local Area Network
WAN - Wide Area Network
PAN - Personal Area Network
Mobile broadband

What is the purpose of LAN?

It connects devices within a small geographical area, such as a home, school or office.

What is the purpose of WAN?

Connects devices or networks over a large geographical area, such as between countries

What is the purpose of PAN?

Connects personal devices over a very short distance, e.g. a phone connected to wireless earbuds via Bluetooth .

What is the purpose of Mobile broadband?

Provides wireless internet access using a mobile network, such as 4G or 5G.

What are 5 common uses of network systems

File sharing
Communication
Internet access
Online services
Collaboration

What are the 2 methods of transferring data between devices?

Wired Transmission & Wireless Transmission

What are 3 different types of wired transmission? 

UTP/STP
Coaxial
Fibre Optic cables

What are the different types of Wireless transmission?

Wi-Fi
Bluetooth

What are the benefits & drawbacks of UTP & STP?

Benefits:
UTP- Cheap, lightweight and east to install
STP- Shielding reduces interference

Drawbacks:
UTP- has a limited transmission distance
STP- More expensive and harder to install than UTP

What are the benefits & drawbacks of Coaxial cables

Benefit: Less susceptible to external  interference 

Drawbacks: It has  limited bandwidth and its only useful over short distances 

What are the Benefits and drawbacks of Fibre optic cables?

Benefits: Extremely high data transfer speeds and it suffers from very little interference 

Drawbacks: Very expensive and there’s difficulty terminating cables

Name the 6 internal components of a computer system

1. Motherboard

2. CPU (Central Processing Unit)

3. Memory

4. Graphics/Sound Card

5. Heat dispersal systems

6. Storage Device

What are the three main components inside a CPU?

• Arithmetic Logic Unit

• Control Unit

• Registers

What is the function of the Arithmetic Logic Unit?

Performs arithmetic calculations and logical comparisons, such as addition and checking whether values are equal.

What is the function of the Control Unit?

Controls and coordinates CPU operations by directing the flow of data and instructions.

What are the 3 different kinds of Memory within a computer?

• RAM (Random Access Memory)

• ROM (Read Only Memory)

• Flash Memory

What is the difference between volatile memory (RAM) and non-volatile memory (ROM)?

Volatile(RAM) means any data being stored is lost when the computer is turned off

Non-volatile(ROM) means even when turned off the ROM permanently stores instructions

Describe the function of each of the 6 internal components of a computer system.

1. Motherboard - a printed circuit board (PCB) that holds the main components of a computer system. ​

2. CPU - Executes instructions, processes data and controls computer operations.

3. Memory(RAM) - Temporarily stores data and instructions currently being used by the computer.

4. Graphics card: Processes images and video for display.
   Sound card: Processes audio input and output.

5. Heat dispersal system - Removes heat from internal components to prevent overheating.

6. Storage Device - Stores data, files, applications and the operating system long-term, even when the computer is switched off.

What is System-on-a-Chip?

A System-on-a-Chip is a single microchip that contains all the components of a computer.​