Chapter 1 & Bloom's Taxonomy – Study Notes (Cisco IT Essentials)

Bloom's Taxonomy: Levels of Understanding

  • Bloom's Taxonomy outlines a hierarchy of cognitive levels used to classify learning objectives and activities. It helps structure Effective Learning activities from remembering facts to creating new work.
  • Levels and associated focus (as presented across slides):
    • Creating: use info to create something new (design, build, plan, construct, produce, devise, invent).
    • Evaluating: critically examine info & make judgments (judge, critique, test; defend, criticize).
    • Applying: use info in a new (but similar) form (use, diagram, make a chart, draw, apply, solve, calculate).
    • Analyzing: take info apart & explore relationships (categorize, examine, organize, compare/contrast).
    • Understanding: understanding & making sense of info (interpret, summarize, explain, infer, paraphrase, discuss).
    • Remembering: find or remember info (list, find, name, identify, locate, describe, memorize, define).
  • Alternate mapping shown in another slide:
    • Remembering → Understanding → Applying → Analyzing → Evaluating → Creating (reverse order often used in practice; emphasizes building from recall to original creation).
  • Key verbs per level (from the slides):
    • Remembering: list, find, name, identify, locate, describe, memorize, define.
    • Understanding: interpret, summarize, explain, infer, paraphrase, discuss.
    • Applying: use, diagram, make a chart, draw, apply, solve, calculate.
    • Analyzing: categorize, examine, organize, compare/contrast.
    • Evaluating: judge, critique, test, defend, criticize, justify, prioritize, assess, monitor.
    • Creating: combine parts to form something new; design, formulate, devise, change, adapt, construct, produce.
  • Significance: Helps plan learning activities and assessments by aligning objectives with cognitive effort from recall to originality.

Chapter 1 & Personal Computer Hardware (Cisco IT Essentials 8.0)

1.1 Personal Computers

  • Objectives:
    • Explain how to keep personal computer components safe.
    • Explain components in a computer.
    • Explain electrical and ESD safety.

1.2 PC Components

  • Features and functions of computer components:
    • Cases and power supplies.
    • Motherboards.
    • CPUs.
    • Memory (RAM/ROM concepts).
    • Adapter cards and expansion slots.
    • Hard disk drives (HDD) and solid-state drives (SSD).
    • Optical storage devices.
    • Ports, cables and adapters.
    • Input devices.
    • Output devices.
1.2 PC Components (Cont.)
  • Additional topics:
    • Optical storage devices (CD/DVD/BD).
    • Ports, cables and adapters.
    • Input devices.
    • Output devices.

1.3 Disassemble a PC

  • Lab/policy objectives:
    • Explain the features and functions of each component in the tool kit.
    • Disassemble a computer.

Electrical Safety and ESD Safety

Electrical Safety

  • Electrical safety principles:
    • Electrical devices have specific power requirements.
    • AC adapters are matched to specific laptops; exchanging adapters can damage devices.
    • Some printer parts (e.g., power supplies) contain high voltage; consult the manual for locations.
    • Follow electrical safety guidelines to prevent electrical fires, injuries, and fatalities.

Electrical and ESD Safety

  • Electrostatic discharge (ESD):
    • Occurs when there is a buildup of electric charge on a surface that contacts another differently charged surface.
    • ESD can damage computer equipment if not discharged properly.
    • Threshold for feeling ESD is around 3000 volts3000\text{ volts}.
  • Preventive practices:
    • Keep components in antistatic bags until installation.
    • Use grounded mats on workbenches.
    • Use grounded floor mats in work areas.
    • Use antistatic wrist straps when working inside computers.

Electrical Safety Lab – Safety

  • Lab focuses on:
    • Personal Safety
    • Electrical Safety
    • Fire Safety
    • Compliance with Government Regulations

PC Components

1.2 PC Components: Cased hardware

Cases
  • Functions: The case houses internal components (PSU, motherboard, CPU, RAM, drives, adapters).
  • Form factor describes physical design and look of a case.
  • Common desktop form factors: horizontal case, full-size tower, compact tower, all-in-one.
  • Some manufacturers use additional naming (e.g., super tower, full tower, mid tower, mini tower, cube case).
Power Supplies
  • Purpose: Convert AC power to lower-voltage DC power for components.
  • Desktop power supply form factors include:
    • AT (Advanced Technology) – legacy systems.
    • ATX – updated AT standard; most common today.
    • ATX12V – common current standard for PCs.
    • EPS12V – designed for servers; also used in high-end desktops.
Connectors
  • Power supply connectors power various components (motherboard, drives):
    • 20-pin or 24-pin slotted connectors
    • SATA power connector
    • Molex connector
    • Berg connector
    • 4-pin to 8-pin auxiliary power connector
    • 6/8-pin PCIe power connector
  • Voltages provided: 3.3 V3.3\text{ V}, 5 V5\text{ V}, 12 V12\text{ V}
  • Rail concepts:
    • Power supplies can be single-rail, dual-rail, or multi-rail.
    • A rail is the PCB path to which cables connect; voltage stability is important to avoid power supply failure.
Motherboards
  • The backbone of the computer: a PCB with buses and interconnections for components.
  • Components may be soldered or added via sockets, expansion slots, and ports.
Motherboard Components
  • Major components on a motherboard:
    • CPU
    • RAM
    • Expansion slots
    • Chipset
    • BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) and UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) chips
    • SATA connectors
    • Internal USB connectors
Chipset
  • Definition: Integrated circuits on the motherboard that control how system hardware interacts with the CPU and motherboard.
  • Typical split:
    • Northbridge: controls high-speed access to RAM and video card.
    • Southbridge: enables CPU to communicate with slower devices (HDD/USB/expansion slots).
Form Factors
  • Motherboard form factors determine size/shape, mounting, power supply compatibility, and case compatibility.
  • Common form factors: ATX, Micro-ATX, ITX (Mini-ITX).
What is CPU?
  • CPU responsibilities: interpreting and executing commands.
  • CPU resides in a CPU package; the CPU socket connects the processor to the motherboard.
  • Modern CPU sockets/packaging architectures:
    • Pin Grid Array (PGA): pins on the bottom of the processor plug into the socket.
    • Land Grid Array (LGA): pins reside in the socket; processor has contact pads.
Cooling Systems
  • Cooling is essential for performance and longevity.
  • Cooling solutions: active (powered) and passive (not powered).
  • Active cooling includes case fans; passive cooling uses heat sinks or reduced operating speeds.
Memory (RAM/ROM) – Types and Concepts
  • Memory basics:
    • Memory chips store data in bytes; a byte = 8 bits.
    • ROM vs RAM: ROM is non-volatile storage for firmware; RAM is volatile working memory for CPU access.
    • More RAM improves system performance; motherboard limits maximum RAM.
Types of ROM
  • ROM types include: ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM.
Types of RAM
  • RAM types include: DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, DDR SDRAM, DDR2 SDRAM, DDR3 SDRAM, DDR4 SDRAM, DDR5, GDDR SDRAM.
Memory Modules
  • Memory modules are created by mounting memory chips on a module that plugs into a motherboard slot.
  • Common module types: DIP, SIMM, DIMM, SODIMM.
  • Memory speed affects data processing by the CPU; faster memory enables higher data throughput.
  • Cache memory: SRAM is fastest and used as CPU cache; typical cache levels are L1, L2, and L3.
  • Cache roles:
    • L1 cache: integrated in the CPU
    • L2 cache: often integrated into CPU now
    • L3 cache: used in some high-end CPUs
Memory Errors and Error Checking
  • Memory errors occur when data is not stored correctly.
  • Error-checking methods:
    • Nonparity memory: does not check errors.
    • Parity memory: uses 8 data bits + 1 parity bit for error checking.
    • ECC (Error-Correction Code) memory: can detect multiple-bit errors and correct single-bit errors.
Adapter Cards
  • Adapter cards expand capabilities by adding controllers or replacing ports.
  • Common examples: Sound card, NIC (Network Interface Card), Wireless NIC, Video/display adapter, Capture card, TV tuner, USB controller, eSATA card.
  • Expansion slots on the motherboard must match the card connector (e.g., PCI, Mini-PCI, PCI-X, PCIe, AGP).
Types of Storage Devices
  • Data drives provide non-volatile storage; can be magnetic, solid-state, or optical storage.
  • Media types:
    • Magnetic (e.g., HDD, tape drives)
    • Solid-state (SSD)
    • Optical (CD/DVD/BD)
Storage Device Interfaces
  • Devices connect via interfaces such as SATA or legacy EIDE (IDE).
  • SATA versions: SATA 1, SATA 2, SATA 3; speeds differ though cables/connectors remain the same.
Magnetic Media Storage
  • Magnetic storage uses magnetized regions to encode data.
  • Common magnetic drives: HDD (gigabytes to terabytes), Tape drives (archiving; removable tape cartridges).
Semiconductor Storage
  • SSDs store data in semiconductor flash memory; advantages include faster speed, no moving parts, lower noise, better energy efficiency, and less heat.
  • SSD form factors:
    • 2.5" drive-like form factor (disc drive form factor) ~ like HDDs
    • Expansion cards (plug into motherboard and mount as cards)
    • mSATA or M.2 modules (special sockets)
  • NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express): standard interface to leverage PCIe for SSDs; enables high performance and does not require special drivers on compliant systems.
  • SSHD (Solid State Hybrid Drive): combines magnetic HDD with onboard flash memory used as non-volatile cache; balances speed and cost.
Optical Storage Devices
  • Optical drives read/write data using laser on optical media.
  • Types: CD, DVD, Blu-ray Disc (BD).
  • Media can be pre-recorded (ROM), recordable (write once), or rewritable (R/W).
  • DVD/BD can be single-layer (SL) or dual-layer (DL); DL roughly doubles capacity.
Video Ports and Cables
  • Video ports carry analog, digital, or both signals to displays.
  • Common ports: extDVI,extDisplayPort,extHDMI,extThunderbolt(TB1/TB2/TB3),extVGA,extRCA.ext{DVI}, ext{DisplayPort}, ext{HDMI}, ext{Thunderbolt (TB1/TB2/TB3)}, ext{VGA}, ext{RCA}.
Other Ports and Cables
  • I/O ports for peripherals:
    • PS/2
    • Audio and game port
    • Network (RJ-45)
    • SATA, IDE (PATA)
    • USB
Adapters and Converters
  • Definitions:
    • Converter: translates signals between technologies (and often compatible adapters).
    • Adapter: physically connects one technology to another without signal translation.
  • Examples: DVI to VGA adapter, USB to Ethernet adapter, USB to PS/2 adapter, DVI to HDMI adapter, Molex to SATA adapter, HDMI to VGA converter.
Input Devices: Original and New

  • Original input devices include:

    • Keyboard and mouse
    • ADF/Flatbed Scanner
    • Joystick and Gamepad
    • KVM Switch

  • New input devices include:

    • Touch screen
    • Stylus
    • Magnetic strip reader
    • Barcode scanner

  • Other newer input devices:

    • Digital camera
    • Webcams
    • Signature pad
    • Smart card reader
    • Microphone

  • Most recent input devices:

    • NFC devices and terminals
    • Facial recognition scanners
    • Fingerprint scanners
    • Voice recognition scanners
    • VR headsets
Output Devices
  • Output devices convert binary data into human-perceivable form:
    • Monitors, projectors, VR headsets, printers, speakers, headphones
Monitors and Projectors
  • Monitor technologies: LCD, LED, OLED (various implementations).
  • Projectors: often LCD or DLP; brightness rated in lumens.
VR and AR Headsets
  • VR: immersive 3D environment; headset blocks ambient light.
  • AR: overlays digital info onto the real world; allows visibility of real surroundings.
Printers
  • Printers are output devices for hard copies; include inkjet, impact, thermal, laser, and 3D printers.
  • Can be wired or wireless; require consumables (ink/toner, etc.) and drivers to communicate with OS.
Speakers and Headphones
  • Audio output; many systems integrate audio on motherboard or via expansion card; devices may be wired or wireless (Bluetooth/WiFi).

1.3 Computer Disassembly

  • Lab safety emphasizes personal safety, electrical safety, fire safety, and compliance with government regulations during disassembly.

Technician’s Toolkit (Video Explanation)

  • Basic tools in a technician’s toolkit:
    • Anti-static wrist strap and mat
    • Compressed air
    • Extraction tool
    • Phillips head screwdriver
    • Torque screwdriver
    • Cable tester
    • Crimpers

Computer Disassembly Lab – Safety

  • Safety focus areas in the lab: personal safety, electrical safety, fire safety, regulatory compliance

Computer Disassembly Lab – Demonstration (Steps)

  • Steps to disassemble a computer (summary):
    1) Power off and disconnect the power supply
    2) Disconnect mouse and keyboard
    3) Remove case screws
    4) Remove SATA power and data cables; remove hard drive
    5) Remove the optical drive
    6) Remove adapter cards
    7) Remove power supply
    8) Remove front panel connectors
    9) Remove RAM
  • Notes: follow steps in order and handle components with care; if unsure, ask instructor for help.

Chapter 1 New Terms and Commands (Glossary)

  • Electrostatic discharge (ESD)
  • Static electricity
  • Antistatic wrist straps
  • Alternating current (AC)
  • Direct current (DC)
  • Advanced Technology (AT)
  • AT Extended (ATX)
  • ATX12V
  • EPS12V
  • SATA connector
  • Molex connector
  • Berg connector
  • 4-pin to 8-pin auxiliary power connector
  • 6/8-pin PCIe power connector
  • Printed circuit board (PCB)
  • Motherboard
  • Central Processing Unit (CPU)
  • Chipset
  • Serial Attached SCSI (SAS)
  • Northbridge / Southbridge
  • Universal Serial Bus (USB)
  • Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX (ITX)
  • Pin Grid Array (PGA)
  • Land Grid Array (LGA)
  • Passive cooling / Active cooling
  • RAM (Random Access Memory)
  • DIP / SIMM / DIMM / SODIMM
  • L1 / L2 / L3 cache
  • Parity / ECC memory
  • Sound adapter / NIC / Wireless NIC / Video adapter / Capture card / TV tuner card / USB controller card / eSATA card
  • PCI / Mini-PCI / PCI-X / PCIe / AGP slots
  • HDD / Tape drive / SSD / mSATA / M.2 / SSHD
  • CD / DVD / BD / DisplayPort / DVI / HDMI / TB / VGA / RCA
  • ADF / Flatbed Scanner / Joystick / KVM Switch
  • Touch screen / Stylus / Magnetic strip reader / Barcode scanner
  • Signature pad / Smart card reader / NFC devices
  • Facial recognition / Fingerprint / Voice recognition / VR
  • LCD / LED / OLED / DLP
  • BIOS / UEFI
  • SATA / EIDE (IDE) / SCSI
  • ROM / PROM / EPROM / EEPROM
  • DRAM / SRAM / SDRAM / DDR / DDR2 / DDR3 / DDR4 / DDR5 / GDDR
  • NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express)
  • SSHD (Solid State Hybrid Drive)
  • NVMe (PCIe SSD interface)