Hardware Essentials Study Guide

Single-user systems

Found in personal computers, laptops, and desktops; manages computer resources and provides GUI.

Mobile device systems

Found in phones, tablets, and e-readers; includes Android and iOS.

Mainframe systems

Large-scale platforms for enterprise environments; examples include Windows Server and Unix.

Real-time systems

Operate in real time, like in pacemakers and cars.

Embedded control systems

Designed for single equipment control, like thermostats; examples include FreeRTOS and VxWorks.

Distributed systems

Allocate process power and programs to network users.

Barebones Computer System

Runs only one program at a time with minimal hardware.

Emulator

Computer or program imitating another; allows running Windows on Mac, for example.

Cross-platform application

Runs on multiple platforms like Linux, macOS, and Windows; examples include Flutter and Xamarin.

Multiprogramming

Multiple programs run simultaneously on a single device.

Multitasking

Allows multiple programs to run concurrently, managing system resources.

Multithreading

Enables CPU to execute multiple threads of the same process simultaneously.

Concurrency

Ability of multiple threads to access shared resources concurrently.

Batch processing

Computers periodically complete high-volume, repetitive data jobs.

HCL

Hardware compatibility list; lists compatible hardware for an OS or device management software.

Process control block

Manages processes, files, devices, metadata, and communication connections.

Operating system life cycle

Time from OS introduction to end of support (EOL); includes Alpha, Beta, Release Candidate, and more.

CPU

Principal part of a computer system, composed of ALU, CU, and registers; processes program instructions.

Arithmetic logic unit (ALU)

Performs arithmetic, logical, and bitwise operations on binary numbers.

Control unit (CU)

Orchestrates fetching, decoding, and execution of instructions in a CPU.

Registers

Smallest data-holding elements in a processor; supply operands to ALU and store results.

Accumulator

Register used to store data taken from memory.

Memory Address Register (MAR)

Holds the address of the location to be accessed from memory.

Memory Data Register (MDR)

Contains data to be written into or read out from the addressed memory location.

Program Counter (PC)

Keeps track of program execution by storing the memory address of the next instruction.

Instruction Register (IR)

Holds the instruction about to be executed in a CPU.

Pipelining

Overlaps fetch-decode-execute portions of instructions to increase CPU throughput.

32 vs 64 Architecture

32-bit compatible with 32/64, 64-bit only compatible with 64; 64-bit processes up to 16 Exabytes of RAM.

CISC

Complex Instruction Set Computing; x86 CPUs have better software compatibility.

RISC

Reduced Instruction Set Computer; utilizes a small, optimized set of instructions.

ARM

Advanced RISC Machines; focuses on reduced power for mobile devices and widely used in various devices.

Motherboard

Main printed circuit board in a computer, central connectivity point for components and peripherals.

PGA

CPU pins on AMD CPUs

LGA

CPU pins on Intel motherboards

Northbridge

Connects CPU to high-performance tasks like memory and graphics

Southbridge

Connects CPU to slower I/O operations like hard drives and USB devices

AGP

Port for 3D graphics acceleration

PCI slots

Used for LAN, sound, and capture cards

PCI-E 16x

Common slot for graphics cards with high bandwidth

IDE/PATA

Older connection for HDDs and optical drives

SATA

Faster replacement for IDE, used for storage devices

CMOS battery

Saves BIOS and settings on the motherboard

ATX

Full-sized motherboard form factor for desktops

Mini ATX

Smaller version of ATX with same features

Micro ATX

Similar to ATX but with fewer expansion slots

Mini ITX

Designed for small PCs like laptops

DIMM

Memory module for desktops and servers

SODIMM

Smaller DIMM version for laptops and compact systems

DRAM

Dynamic memory that needs continuous refreshing

SDRAM

Faster synchronous version of DRAM

Virtual RAM

Data transfer process between RAM and disk storage

DDR

Doubles RAM speed by sending data on clock edges

DDR2

Faster and more power-efficient than DDR

DDR3

Twice as fast as DDR2 with lower power usage

DDR4

Higher speed and lower power usage than DDR3

DDR5

Latest version with double the speed of DDR4

CPU Cache

Stores data for quick CPU access, faster than RAM

SRAM

Static memory used in CPU cache, faster than DRAM

ECC

Code for data accuracy checks and corrections

ROM

Read-only memory for booting programs

HDD

Mechanical storage with spinning disks

SSD

Electronic storage using flash memory, faster than HDD

Hybrid Drives

Combines SSD speed with HDD capacity

USB flash drives

Portable storage devices using flash memory

Memory cards

Compact storage for cameras and smartphones

NAS

Network storage accessible by multiple users

Cloud storage

Online service for storing and accessing data

RAID

Data storage system with different levels for redundancy

Virtualization

Creating virtual versions of physical IT resources like servers or storage devices.

Fidelity

Virtualization requirement ensuring accurate replication of resources.

Performance

Virtualization requirement focusing on efficient resource utilization.

Virtual Machines (VMs)

Software emulations of computer systems running on a host machine.

Virtual Sandbox

Secure isolated environment for testing software without risks.

Virtualizing legacy applications

Running older applications in a virtual environment for compatibility.

Cross-platform virtualization

Creating VMs that can run on different OS and hardware platforms.

Hypervisors

Software managing and creating virtual machines.

Type 1 Hypervisor

Directly runs on host hardware without an underlying OS.

Type 2 Hypervisor

Virtualization layer on top of host OS creating VMs within it.

Containers

Lightweight technology packaging and deploying software applications.

Cloud Computing

Delivery of computing resources over the internet for innovation and scale.

Cloud Services

Cloud-based services offering infrastructure, platforms, software, and storage.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

Cloud service providing virtualized computing resources over the internet.

Platform as a Service (PaaS)

Service offering a platform for developers to build and manage applications.

Software as a Service (SaaS)

Software applications provided over the internet on a subscription basis.

Desktop as a Service (DaaS)

Provider delivers virtual desktops to end users over the internet.

Persistent Desktop

Customizable desktop that retains user settings between sessions.

Non-persistent Desktop

Resets desktop to default each session, using shared cloud services.

Public Cloud

Third-party owned cloud infrastructure accessible over the internet.

Private Cloud

Cloud infrastructure exclusive to a single organization.

Hybrid Cloud

Combination of public and private cloud services.

Community Cloud

Cloud shared by organizations with similar interests.

Functional Requirements

Define system functions and behavior between inputs and outputs.

Non-functional Requirements (NFR)

Specify system performance criteria like speed, scalability, and security.

Integrated Development Environments (IDEs)

Software combining developer tools in a single interface for application building.

Compiled Languages

Converted into machine code by a compiler for specific machines.

Interpreted Languages

Executed line-by-line by an interpreter, slower but more portable.

Programmed I/O

Data transfer initiated by CPU instructions, requiring constant monitoring.

Interrupt Initiated I/O

Data transfer signaled by an interrupt, freeing CPU for other tasks.

Technology Stack

Combination of software, languages, and tools for application development.

Front-end

User interface part of a program using languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.