Hardware Flashcards
specialized program code stored in flash memory; very closely tied to the basic functions of a specific
hardware device type and model; provides low-level code to allow PC components installed on a particular motherboard to be initialized so that they can load the main operating system software
Firmware
system setup program is accessed via a keystroke during the power-on (boot) process, typically when the PC vendor’s logo is displayed. The key combination used will vary from system to system. What are typical examples?
Esc, Del, F1, F2, F10, or F12
This defines the order in which the system firmware searches devices for a boot manager
boot options sequence or boot device priority
Feature of system setup that prevents the computer from booting until the correct user password is supplied. A supervisor password restricts access to the system setup program.
boot password
Specification for secure hardware-based storage of encryption keys,
hashed passwords, and other user- and platform-identification information.
trusted platform module (TPM)
An appliance for generating and storing cryptographic keys. This sort of solution may be less susceptible to tampering and insider threats than software based storage.
hardware security module (HSM)
What widely supported boot method is missing from the following list? HDD, Optical, USB.
Network/PXE (Pre-eXecution Environment)—obtaining boot information from a specially configured server over the network.
When you are configuring firmware-enforced security, what is the difference between a supervisor password and a user password?
The user password allows the boot sequence to continue, while a supervisor password controls access to the firmware setup program.
True or false? A TPM provides secure removable storage so that encryption keys can be used with different computers.
False. A trusted platform module (TPM) provides secure storage for a single computer as it is an embedded function of the CPU or motherboard chipset. The term hardware security module (HSM) is sometimes used to describe a secure USB thumb drive for storing encryption keys on portable media.
Allows the machine when it’s power is turned on to check that hardware components are there and that they are functioning
POST (Power-on Self Test)
Which of the following is about the configuration of settings for firmware, BIOS or CMOS?
CMOS
Standard form factor for most desktop PC motherboards and cases. Full size is 12”x9.6”; contains up to 7 expansion slots
Advanced Technology Extended (ATX)
Motherboard form factor; 9.6”x9.6” square board; maximum of 4 expansion slots
Micro-ATX
Motherboard form factor; 6.7”x6.7” square; one expansion slot
Mini-ITX
CPU socket form factor used predominantly by Intel where connector pins are located on the socket.
land grid array (LGA)
CPU socket form factor used predominantly by AMD where connector pins are located on the
CPU package.
pin grid array (PGA)
How many bits does a x86 CPU architecture use?
32-bit
How many bits does a x64 architecture CPU use?
64-bit
What is the maximum of addressable memory for 32-bit machines?
up to 4 Gb
What do you call a CPU with multiple CPUs within a single physical chip
Multi-Core
What do you call a motherboard with multiple physical CPU chips?
Multi-socket
CPU architecture that exposes two or more logical processors to the OS, delivering performance benefits similar to multicore and multisocket to threaded applications.
Multithreading
Firmware cryptographic solution; Specification for secure hardware-based storage of encryption keys, hashed passwords, and other user- and platform-identification information. Encrypts data at rest, stores keys.
TPM (Trusted Platform Module)
External or removable cryptographic component; can generate key pairs, key storage, can perform encryption/decryption
HSM (Hardware Security Module (HSM)
