Tech Guide 1: Computer Hardware

1. What is computer hardware and what are the main hardware components?
Hardware is the physical equipment that is used for the computer system in a business or organisation. The major hardware components include:
a) the Computer Processing Unit: is where the data is manipulated and takes control of the tasks performed by the IT components.
b) Primary Storage: stores the organisations data temporarily
c) Secondary Storage: stores data and information for future uses and it is located in the internal CPU
d) Input technologies: accept data and other sources of information and converts them into a format understood by the computer
e) Output Technology: presents information and data that can be understood by people.
f) Communication technology: provide a flow of information/data from networks, to the Central processing unit and then gives it to other CPU computer networks.

2. What is Moore’s Law/what does it mean in relation to computers.
Moore’s law stemmed form a prediction made in 1965 that the complexity of the microprocessor would double every two years. This has increased the overall speed and performance of computers. This prediction is considerably accurate and the following changes have been made:
- transistors have miniaturised
- physical layers of the chips have become smaller to make the computer as efficient and pragmatic as possible
- change in materials used to improve the conductivity of the chip with the flow of electricity
- additional processors on chips
- Impact of cost with the price of computers being a relatively inexpensive modern commodity in the modern world.


3. In basic terms, describe how a microprocessor functions
A microprocessor consists of millions of microscopic transistors embedded on a circuit. The control unit assesses the actions of a program, decodes them and flows the data to various components including the registers, caches, primary and secondary storage and the output devices. The ALU then makes the mathematical formulas. The formulas then precede to the resistors where information is stored in the primary or secondary storage units.

4. What factors determine the speed of the microprocessor?
The processing speed of the microprocessor is based on:
the clockspeed which is a preset speed which times the activities of the chips usually measured in megahertz or gigahertz.
Word length is the number of bits that the CPU can process within 1 machine cycle
Bus width is the size of the paths of data by the electricl impulses. The wider the bus width the faster the computer is at processing information and carrying out tasks.
Transistor number: the more transistors placed on the chip the faster the speed of processing as the data and information has a shorter distance to travel among the transistors

5. What are the four main types of primary storage?
The four main types of primary storage are:
the register- it has a limited capacity to store instructions and data before and after processing
Random Access Memory (RAM): is the component that stores the software program and minimal amounts for processing. It is volatile and it can loose its contents if the power to the computer is lost. There are 2 forms of RAM
i. dyamic
ii. static
Cache memory: is a high speed memory that allows computers to temporarily store blocks of data and a processor that rapidly finds the data.
Read Only Memory (ROM): is non volatile so it retains instructions and acts as a safeguard. The read only memory cannot be change by the user of the computer and its only read by the computer.

6. What are the main types of secondary storage
Secondary storage holds data for an extended amount of time. Some of the characteristics of this data includes: it is non volatile, takes time to retrieve data and is inexpensive in comparison to primary storage. The main types of secondary data include:
Magnetic Media: magnetic tape is a cassette or cartridge holding large amounts of data. However it takes time retrieving the data as the large capabilities of data that can be held on it.
Hard drive is a fixed, mass storage device that is most commonly used for there efficiency in cost, speed and its storage capacity.
Optical Storage device: reads and holds data via lasers and magnetism, holding large amounts of data. Some forms of optical storage devices includes: holographic memory, DVD and CD’s
Flash memory devices: have the capability of holding and storing data that can be easily erased. They are non volatile and come in many of the latest cameras, computers, laptops etc.
Eneterprise Storage System: is an independent, external system that provides a large amounts of information, high degree of availability and protects from a loss of data

7. How does primary storage differ from secondary storage in terms of speed, cost and capacity?
Primary storage is particular to the general hardware of the computer and its basic storage capabilities. It is expensive to upgrade and the more information placed on the primary storage can affect the processing speed of the computer and therefore affecting the overall performance of tasks.
Secondary storage is external devices that extended the memory capacity a computer can hold and doesn’t affect the processing speed of the computer. In the present these forms of storage are relatively inexpensive, erasing unwanted files and information and are reprogrammable.
Primary storage differs from secondary storage in terms of speed cost and capacity.

8. What are enterprise storage systems?
Enterprise storage systems is an is an independent, external system that provides a large amounts of information, high degree of availability and protects from a loss of data. The types of Enterprise Storage Systems include:
Redundant Arrays of Independent Discs: is a standard storage device with multiple microcontrollers that duplicates data ensuring that no data is lost or ruined.
Storage Area Network: is the architecture for building networks that allow for data to be accessed from a variety of sources and servers.
Network Attached Storage: provides the storage of files to users who access the device over a network and is likened to a general file server.

9. Distinguish between human data input and source data automation.
Human data input requires an element of the human factor in entering data into relevant processes eg: key boards, touchscreens etc.
Source data automation devices input require minimal human input. This form allows for greater efficiency, reduces errors and mistakes and allows for easier sorting of data.