3.4 Given a scenario, install and configure motherboards, central processing units (CPUs), and add-on cards

Question 1

Platform from which all connected components communicate. Provides basic services needed for the machine to operate and provide communication channels through which connected devices such as the processor, memory, disk drives, and expansion devices communicate.

Answer 1

Motherboard form factor

Question 2

Standarized by intel in 195– Seen many updates over the years
* Power– 20 pin connector– 24 pin connector, additional 4/8 pin connector

Answer 2

Advanced Technology Extended (ATX)

Question 3

A series of low-power motherboards– Developed by VIA Technologies in 2001– Small form factor. Small form factor uses– Single-purpose computing, i.e., streaming media.

Answer 3

Information Technology
eXtended (ITX)

Question 4

Many expansion options– 32-bit and 64-bit bus width– Parallel communication. A common expansion interface on previous
computer generations– PCI Express is the newer technology.

Answer 4

Peripheral component interconnect (PCI)

Question 5

Replaces the older PCI standard
* Communicates serially - Unidirectional serial “lanes”– Slower devices don’t slow down everyone
* One, two, four, eight, sixteen, or thirty-two full-duplex lanes– x1, x2, x4, x8, x16, x32– “x” is pronounced “by” (“by 4,” “by 16”)

Answer 5

PCI Express (PCIe

Question 6

Power connector has 15 pins with 3 pins designed for 3.3V, 5V, and 12v and with each pin carrying 2.5 amps.

Answer 6

SATA

Question 7

Provides form of SATA meant for external connectivity. Uses a robust connector, longer shielded cables and strict but backward compatible. Electrical standards has advantage of speed. 3 times as fast of firewire or USB 2.0 but 3.0 is faster.

Answer 7

eSATA

Question 8

A simple electrical interface. Connector is attached to this. Many different uses– Power, peripheral connections, lights, and buttons

Answer 8

Headers

Question 9

Can Interface to the motherboard using SATA, PCI or PCIE slots.

Answer 9

M.2

Question 10

Motherboard attachment is necessary for these to use other components of the system. Current form is a rectangle with an expansion slot style.

Answer 10

CPU Sockets

Question 11

One of two major processor vendors in the world. Athlon models are one of these vendors.

Answer 11

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
(AMD)

Question 12

Market leader in Chip manufacturing

Answer 12

Intel

Question 13

Typically, capable of hosting more powerful processors and in some cases multiple processors.

a

Answer 13

Motherboard Server

Question 14

Supports multiple physical CPU packages– Split the load

Answer 14

Multisocket

Question 15

Can range from full-size motherboards to compact or
monitor-only systems– We can do a lot with increasingly smaller systems
* Single CPU - Reduces cost and complexity
* Memory slots - Usually two or four
* Expansion slots - May have limited options

Answer 15

Desktop

Question 16

Laptops - Small and light
CPUs - Limited in speed - Thermal throttling
Limited system modification– Memory, CPU, functionality
Portability - Smaller devices– Low power consumption

Answer 16

Mobile motherboards

Question 17

The software used to start your computer– The firmware - System BIOS, ROM BIOS– ROM or flash memory
Initializes CPU and memory - Build the workspace
POST - Power-On Self-Test
Look for a boot loader - Start the operating system

Answer 17

BIOS - Basic Input/Output System

Question 18

The default order for any system to check to see if it has a valid operating system. Usually, order is set for hard disk, then CD-ROM but components can be in any order

Answer 18

Boot options

Question 19

A security challenge
–Very small storage devices
–Very large capacities
* USB connections
–Convenient
–High speed
* US Department of Defense banned
USB flash media for 15 months in 2008
–SillyFDC worm

Answer 19

USB permissions

Question 20

Operating systems provide the abaility to encrypt an entite volume or drive protecting a mobile devices data in the event of theft.

Answer 20

Trusted Platform Module (TPM)
security features

Question 21

BIOS setting that assists with cooling. Allows you to specify speed and percentage.

Answer 21

Fan considerations

Question 22

Part of the UEFI specification
* Digitally sign known-good software
–Cryptographically secure
–Software won’t run without the proper signature
* Support in many different operating systems
–Windows and Linux support

Answer 22

Secure Boot

Question 23

System won’t start
–Need the password to start the operating system
* Supervisor Password
–Restrict BIOS changes
–Must use supervisor password to change
any BIOS configurations
* Remember your password!
–Must reset the BIOS to recover
–Usually a jumper

Answer 23

Boot password

Question 24

A specification for cryptographic functions– Hardware to help with encryption functions
* Cryptographic processor– Random number generator, key generators

Answer 24

TPM (Trusted Platform module)

Question 25

Often used in large environments (Clusters, redundant power) High-end cryptographic hardware– Plug-in card or separate hardware device Key backup - Secured storage for servers– Lightweight HSMs for personal use (Smart card, USB, flash memory) Cryptographic accelerators– Offload that CPU overhead from other devices

Answer 25

Hardware security module (HSM)

Question 26

Describes set of rules and methods and physical structure in CPU.

Answer 26

CPU Architecture

Question 27

Word size of the processor, Data can be processed in larger chunks which allows for greater precision. If the operating system is not 64 bit you cannot take advantage of the 64-bit processor.

Answer 27

X64/X86

Question 28

CPU architecture developed by Arm Ltd.– They design the chip, others license and build Simplified instruction set– Efficient and fast processing– Less power– Less heat Traditionally used for mobile and IoT devices– The lines are constantly blurring.

Answer 28

Advanced RISC Machine (ARM)

Question 29

Read notes from earlier.

Answer 29

Single-core/muticore

Question 30

Hyper-Threading Technology (HTT) One CPU, acts like two Doesn’t actually work as fast as two– 15% to 30% performance improvement Operating system must be written for HTT– Windows XP and later (any modern OS)

Answer 30

Multithreading

Question 31

Run other operating systems within a single hardware platform– Multiple operating systems share physical hardware components.

Answer 31

Virtualization support

Question 32

Extend the functionality of your computer– You may need more than the motherboard provides Relatively simple process– Designed for end-user installation Install hardware - Add a card Install a driver - Software for the operating system

Answer 32

Expansion cards

Question 33

Output– High-end audio– Advanced headphone amp– Home theater, Dolby decoding Multiple inputs– Music capture– Podcasting– Microphone

Answer 33

Sound card

Question 34

Many CPUs include an integrated GPU– Video functionality is built into the CPU package Discrete graphics– The GPU is not part of the CPU Separate interface card - High performance

Answer 34

Video card

Question 35

Video as an input– Video capture, live streaming, external cameras High performance– Video bandwidths can be quite high– PCI Express connection

Answer 35

Capture card

Question 36

Ethernet connection– Motherboard may not include a NIC– Onboard NIC may not be working Additional connections– Servers, routers, security devices

Answer 36

Network Interface Card (NIC)

Question 37

Cool air is pulled through a personal computer– Always check for good airflow Motherboard layout becomes important Component location is key– Devices, wiring, power Many different sizes

Answer 37

Fans

Question 38

Dissipate heat through thermal conduction– Copper or aluminum alloy Fins/grid increase surface area– Heat is then transferred to the cooler air They get HOT – don’t touch them! Thermal paste creates a good contact between the chip and the heat sink

Answer 38

Heat sink

Question 39

Thermal grease, conductive grease– Thermally conductive adhesive Place between the heat sink and the component– Improves thermal conductivity– Moves the heat away from the component A little bit goes a long way

Answer 39

Thermal paste

Question 40

Conduct heat without the mess - Cut to size and install Easy to use - Won’t leak and damage components Almost as effective as thermal paste– But still very good Not reusable - Remove and replace

Answer 40

Thermal Pads

Question 41

Coolant is circulated through a computer– Not a new concept– Automobiles, mainframe computers High-end systems Gaming, graphics Overclocking

Answer 41

Liquid cooling