Paper 2 Unit 7 Flashcards
(75 cards)
1
Q
What is the CPU?
A
Made up of a number of components to enable the computer to carry out instructions
2
Q
What is the RAM?
A
Holds data and instructions currently in use.
3
Q
What is the ROM?
A
Used to hold data when the computer is turned off, including start up instructions
4
Q
What is secondary storage?
A
It holds the OS, data and applications required, examples include a magnetic hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD)
5
Q
Give examples of an input device
A
Mouse, keyboard, touch pad and touchscreen
6
Q
Give examples of an output device
A
Display, printer, speakers
7
Q
What are mobile devices?
A
Portable or handheld computers with many of the same features as a PC. They are typically battery powered, include touchscreens have WiFi and/or cellular access and are small and light
8
Q
What are servers?
A
Computers that provide data storage, applications, services and access to resources for other computers (clients)
9
Q
What do file servers do?
A
Store and distribute files for clients
10
Q
What do application servers do?
A
Run applications for the client machine
11
Q
What do mail servers do?
A
Store, send and receive mail for the network users
12
Q
What do database servers do?
A
Store large data files that are centrally updated
13
Q
What do print servers do?
A
Manage central printing services and can handle multiple requests meaning printers do not need to be attached to every client
14
Q
What do web servers do?
A
Store data and applications that are available via web access to clients
15
Q
What to DNS servers do?
A
Keep a record of the IP addresses of the servers that host websites
16
Q
What do proxy servers do?
A
Act as a link between a client and the server to improve security by isolating the client from the server using an intermediary
17
Q
What are virtual servers?
A
They are not physical servers and operate from within special software called a hypervisor
18
Q
Give some examples of smart/internet-enabled devices
A
GPS trackers, sensors, biometrics, smart speakers, doorbells
19
Q
What are the processors in the CPU and what do they do?
A
Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) carries out all the calculations and logical decisions
Control Unit (CU) co-ordinates the activity of the CPU and memory in order to execute instructions
20
Q
What factors affect the CPU performance?
A
Clock speed- the faster the clock speed, the more instructions can be executed every second
Amount of cache memory- the more cache available, the better the performance of the computer
Number of processor cores- if the program allows for it, the CPU can carry out more processes at the same time
Word length- the quantity of data handled at one time, more data in one pass means fewer passes are needed
21
Q
What are the differences between RAM and ROM?
A
RAM is volatile, ROM is non-volatile
RAM holds any applications and data currently in use
ROM provides storage for start-up information
RAM can be read and written to, ROM is read-only
22
Q
Name different types of secondary storage
A
Magnetic, solid state and optical
23
Q
What is the mother board?
A
The main printed circuit board that contains all the electrical connections. It has sockets for various elements including the CPU, RAM, graphics cards and sound cards
24
Q
Why is cooling needed?
A
To keep all the components within an acceptable range of operating temperatures
25
How does a batch operating system work?
Jobs with similar requirements are batched together and run as a group
Used for tasks such as payroll systems
The users do not interact with the computer directly while the job is running
Jobs are prepared offline
26
How does a multitasking/time-sharing operating system work?
Handles multiple job at the same time by switching rapidly between them
Used on most PCs for standard running
Multiple jobs are stored in the RAM ready to run
Scheduling algorithms works out how to share processor time
27
How does a real-time operating system work?
Designed to carry out actions within a guaranteed amount of time, even when left running for long periods
Used for critical systems like microcontrollers
Systems designed for reliability and predictability
Response usually given within a fraction of a second
28
How does a network operating system work?
Runs a server to provide access to client devices and clients
Manages a range of network functions including users, security, applications, file and device sharing
29
How does a mobile operating system work?
Runs on mobile devices to allow them to run applications
Determines which features are available and which third-party applications can be added
30
What is utility software?
Small programs with one purpose designed to help maintain or support the system, often concerned with the upkeep of a computer system
31
Describe the different utilities a computer could use?
Anti-malware to detect and remove malware on the system
Disk defragmentation to organise and move the separate parts of data files so they are stored together, making them quicker to access
Backup is used to make copies of data to an alternative device or location in case the original is damaged or lost
32
What is application software?
Used to perform a task e.g word processors or web browsers
33
What are the different code development tools an IDE can include?
Linters to check for syntax errors
Version control to keep track of changes in the code
Unit testing
Code completion which predicts what the user will type
Inline highlighting of syntax errors
Breakpoints
Stepping
Variable inspection
Variable watch
Stack inspections
34
What is RAID 0 and its advantages and disadvantages?
Data is split evenly across 2 or more disks
Adv- large data store and fast
Dis- no redundancy
35
What is RAID 1 and its advantages and disadvantages?
Mirrored disks with 2 or more disks having the same data stored across them
Adv- if one drive fails there is no data loss
Dis- the speed and capacity are limited to that of the smallest, slowest drive
36
What is RAID 5 and its advantages and disadvantages?
Data is split between 3 or more disks, a checksum that can be used to restore the data is stored and split between the disks
Adv- large, fast and includes redundancy
Dis- storing the checksums reduces the capacity of the array
37
What is RAID 10 and its advantages and disadvantages?
4 or more drives with data split across drives that are mirrored (basically RAID 1 + RAID 0)
38
What is network attached storage?
Storage connected to a network that allows users to store and access from a central location. It's inexpensive, preconfigured and doesn't need any specialist staff, easy to back up, easy to add additional capacity, good for centralising data storage for small businesses
39
What is storage area network?
Storage that can be accessed by a network of servers. It is a dedicated high-speed network that interconnects groups of storage devices that can be accessed by multiple servers. Each server can access shared storage as if it were directly attached to the server. It can be secured and manage separately and multiple paths to it mean that one point of failure has little impact
40
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a computer network?
Adv- ability to share resources and devices, easy to exchange data, communication between users, centralised management
Dis- additional cost of necessary hardware, malware can spread throughout the network from a single infection, larger systems require specialist staff to manage the system
41
What are the benefits and drawbacks of wireless connections?
Benefits- flexible and easy to add new devices, useful for when users need to move around, often used as a supplement to a fixed wired network
Drawbacks- radio waves are subject to interference and are easy to intercept, small range
42
What are the benefits and drawbacks of bluetooth?
Benefits- very secure and does not require line of sight
Drawbacks- only suitable for very short distances
43
What are the benefits and drawbacks of wired connections?
Benefit- ethernet is a standard port, copper cables reduce interference, fibre-optic cables do not suffer from interference, data is harder to intercept so it is a more secure environment
Drawbacks- can involve a lot of work and disruption when installing additional wired connections to a network, workstations are in fixed locations, a lot of wires are subject to damage, large networks may require management from skilled staff, fibre-optic cabling requires specialist skills to install
44
What are the differences between LANs and WANs?
LAN covers a small geographical area, WAN covers a large geographical area
LANs usually have devices located on site whereas a WAN can have devices located around several locations
LAN hardware is usually owned and maintained by the organisation that uses it whereas WANs can make use of third-party hardware
45
What are personal area networks (PANs)?
A small, basic network used by a small number of people or a single person. The smallest type of PAN would use bluetooth to connect devices together.
46
What is bandwidth?
The quantity of data that can be transmitted in a given time
47
What is error rate?
The number of errors that occur within a given period of time
48
What is latency?
The delay between an action and the response
49
What is a client-server network and its advantages and disadvantages?
A network made up of servers (providing services for the network) and clients (providing access for the network users) where the users need access to the same range of software or files
Adv- managed centrally, files access by any client, central backup, activity can be monitored, set access levels
Dis- if the server fails, users cannot have access to the services it provide e.g files, server hardware can be very expensive, whole network can be subject to attack
50
What is a thin client network and its advantages and disadvantages?
A low-specification client computer that uses the server's processing power to run the applications. Data is moved from the client to the server for processing and the results sent back to the client.
Adv- resources are centrallised, no need to install or maintain applications on the client device, inexpensive, low power computers can serve as clients (cheap), good security
Dis- applications needing lots of processing power are not able to respond quickly, servers need to be very powerful for larger networks which can be costly, network needs high bandwidth
51
What is a peer-to-peer network and its advantages and disadvantages?
The computers all have equal status and are connected directly or indirectly to each other, files can be accessed by other peers.
Adv- easy to set up, no need for expensive hardware, one device failure will not affect other devices
Dis- no central management or support, no centralised backup, duplicate copies of devices include outdated versions, peers may go offline wile being accessed.
52
Name different network topologies
Star, mesh, tree, bus, ring, hybrid
53
What are the advantages and disadvantages of VLANs?
Adv- additional security can be used for the devices on the VLAN, physical environment can be configured for the users regardless of their physical location, data can travel securely within the VLAN, reduce the need for expensive routers
Dis- additional routers are required for larger networks, a threat to one system becomes a threat to multiple systems through the network
54
What is the difference between a switch and a router?
A router is hardware that connects different network together whereas a switch is hardware that connects different devices together to create a network
55
What are the 7 layers in the OSI protocol model?
Application- collects or delivers data and passes it to and from the presentation layer (HTTP, SMTP, FTP, DHCP, POP)
Presentation- looks after any conversations between data as sent on the network and data as they are needed by applications. (SSL, MIME, XDR, SSL, TLS)
Session- looks after starting, managing and terminating connection sessions (NETBIOS, PPTP, SAP)
Transport- concerned with keeping track of segments of a network, checking successful transmission and packetisation (UDP, TCP)
Network- transmission of data packets, routing (IP, IPX, AppleTalk)
Data link- control of access, error detection and correction (ARP, SLIP, HDLC, ATM, SDLS)
Physical- network devices and transmission media (IEEE.802, RS232, ISDN, Bluetooth)
56
What are the different layers in the TCP/IP model?
Application- concerned with the production and reception of data, packages data and passes it to the transport layer (HTTP(S), IMAP, DNS)
Transport- concerned with making and breaking connections via routers (TCP, UDP)
Internet- concerned with providing links across different network types (IPv4, IPv6)
Network access- passes data to the physical network (Wi-Fi, ethernet)
57
What is packet switching?
Dividing a message into units called packets and sending them to the recipient via the quickest route
58
What are virtual environments?
Simulated computer environments as opposed to physical ones
59
What are the key features of virtual environments?
Security, sharing, aggregation, emulation, isolation, managed execution, portability
60
What are the benefits and drawbacks of virtual environments?
Benefits- costs are reduced through more efficient hardware use, uptime is improved as a virtual machine can be moved from one server to another without needing to be shut down, data security is improved since the last known settings can be recovered, set up is simplified
Drawbacks- costs for large servers can be substantial, security is an issue if data is hosted on a remote system without sufficient security in place, server management can be an issue if new virtual servers are created instead of reusing existing ones which can add to the load of the physical severs
61
What are the different types of cloud computing?
Private- cloud infrastructure and services are solely used by one organisation
Community- used by several organisations with shared interests in a specific community e.g universities
Public- available for general use, members of the public, small businesses or large organisations
Hybrid- uses interconnected public and private cloud infrastructure
62
What is Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)?
A subscriber service that provides computer, network and storage resources on demand via the internet
63
What is Platform as a Service (PaaS)?
A subscriber service that provides the customer with a complete platform on the cloud, including hardware, software and infrastructure
64
What is Software as a Service (SaaS)?
A subscriber service that provides access to software applications from the cloud
65
What is Data as a Service (DaaS) and what are its advantages and disadvantages?
A cloud-based software that provides tools for working with data
Adv- platform independence, reliability, immediate access to data, straightforward collaboration, remote access, cost savings, centralised management and security
Dis- data outside the organisation being transferred may be considered less secure, compliance with legislation needs to be considered, range of applications may be limited by provider, transferring large quantities of data can be time consuming or can create bottlenecks in a network
66
What is cloud sourcing?
Where an organisation pays a third party cloud host provider to provide and support cloud services
67
What is cloud portability?
The ability to easily transfer data between cloud service providers or between a customers system to a cloud service
68
What is resilience?
The ability of a system to withstand and recover from a fault
69
What is redundancy?
The inclusion of duplicate facilities for mission-critical elements. If the elements fault, then the redundant items are brought into service to maintain the operation
70
Why are backups used?
To make copies of data and system settings to an alternative device or location in case the originals are damaged
71
What are hot, cold and warm sites?
Hot site- a back up facility that is a mirrored copy of the primary site
Cold site- a back up facility with just basic facilities
Warm site- a back up facility with network connections and the necessary hardware to perform a back up
72
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a full back up?
Adv- the easiest and most robust form of backup, easy and quick to restore all the data
Dis- requires a lot of secondary storage to keep the data, takes a long time to complete a full backup
73
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a differential back up?
Adv- recovery is easy, requiring the last full back up and the last differential back up to restore the system
Dis- requires a lot of secondary storage to store data from the full and differential data
74
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a incremental back up?
Adv- requires less storage space than the other 2 backups
Dis- uses full and incremental backup but this may differ from the current state of the system, needs a lot of processing to compare the backups, takes a long time to restore the system
75
What is device hardening?
The process of making a device more resilient to minimise the threats to the system.
