Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

IT Basics > Unit 1 > Flashcards

Unit 1 Flashcards

1
Q

Hardware

A

Physical parts attached to a computer

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Input device

A

Enables user to communicate w other computer
|- allows data to transfer from the user to the system

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Output devices

A

Allows the computer to communicate with the user

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Input device examples

A

-keyboards, mice & joystick
-scanners
-sensors
-microphones
-graphics tablet
-touch screen
-barcode readers

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Output device examples

A

-visual display unit/screen
-printers
-plotter
-braille terminal
-headphones & speakers
-projectors
-alarms

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

CPU (Central Processing Unit)

A

Controls the actions of the computer system & manipulates the data that is required for particular tasks

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Main CPU components

A

-control unit
-arithmetic logic unit (ALU)
-registers

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Control unit

A

Ensures the instructions required to operate the computer are retrieved & interpreted in the correct sequence
|- collects instruction from where stored & stores into a register

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Arithmetic logic unit

A

Mathematical & logical operations are carried out
|- and includes ‘+’ & ‘-’ as well as ‘and’ ‘or’ & ‘not’

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Registers

A

Small sections of high speed memory located in the CPU.
|- Are used to store small amounts of data needed during processing e.g address of next instruction

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Motherboard

A

Main circuit board of a computer

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Storage memory

A

Fast access storage

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Volatile memory

A

The data held is only saved whilst the computer has a power supply

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Non-volatile memory

A

The data held is not deleted when the computer is turned off

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

3 types of memory

A

-RAM
-ROM
-CACHE

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

RAM (random access memory)

A

-volatile storage
Holds all data & instructions for programs which are running on computer.
-made up of lots of storage locations, each identified by unique address

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

ROM (read only memory)

A

-non-volatile storage
Stores boet program/BIOS when a computers turned on
-BIOS loads up OS

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Cache memory

A

-volatile storage
Stores things that CPU needs to access frequently

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Secondary storage

A

Where all files & programs you chose to store on your device are saved
-non-volatile storage

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Types of secondary storage

A

-magnetic
-optical
-solid state
-cloud

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Magnetic secondary storage

A

Uses diff patterns of magnetisation to store data on a metal disc that spins
E.g floppy discs, magnetic discs, hard drives

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Optical secondary storage

A

Uses a laser beam to read the data from the disc as it spins
E.g CD, DVD, Blu-ray

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Solid state secondary storage

A

Uses flash memory to store data is a circuit
E.g solid state drive, USB sticks, SD cards

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Cloud secondary storage

A

Uses remote servers to store data via an internet connection
E.g USB sticks, iPhones, iPads, laptops, computers

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Port
Location where communication channel enters/leaves the computer system E.g USB port (where a device is plugged into a computer)
26
Types of port
-USB -FireWire -SATA -Ethernet -Fibre channel -SD card/ micro SD card
27
USB (universal serial bus.)
Enables computer to connect w stand alone devices E.g printers, cameras, phones
28
FireWire
Often used to link devices that need high speed transfer
29
SATA (serial advanced technology attachment)
Allows devices (optical & other hard drives) to connect to a computer -linked to another port on the motherboard w a 7 pin ribbon cable
30
Ethernet
Linked to a computers network card and enable connection to modems, routers & local area networks -most comps have at least 1 port
31
Fibre channel
High speed network tech, mainly used in storage data networks in commercial data centres
32
SD/micro SD card
Portable storage devices -ports to insert SD cards are in laptops -Micro SD cards use adaptors -SD cards built in, can use removable one
33
Expansion card
Printed circuit boards which have a connector which allows them to be inserted into an expansion slot on the motherboard -give computers extra facilities
34
Computer network
When 1 or more computers/devices are connected for communication
35
Wired connectivity
When data is transmitted in a network over a wire
36
Wireless connectivity
Data is transmitted via signals being sent using radio frequency
37
Connectivity methods
Wired: copper cable; fibre optic. Wireless: Bluetooth; WiFi; 5G; laser; laser.
38
Embedded system
A specialised computer system containing memory, a processor & input/output peripherals
39
Mainframe
Large computers used by large companies to process lots of data
40
Quantum computer
Exploits mechanical occurrences/events. |- e.g one use is to create better models for how atoms react with one another
41
Communication devices
Allows computers to communicate with one another |- this happens over a network
42
Communication device examples
-modem -network interface card -wireless network cards -wireless routers -hubs -terminal adapter -switch -wireless access point
43
Hardware troubleshooting
Fixing hardware of a computer |- e.g keyboard, mouse, motherboard
44
Steps of troubleshooting
1) identify - identify problem starting w simplest explanation first 2) theorise - create theory abt what the cause may be & prepare to test the theory 3) test Create plan for troubleshooting the problem & record the steps you take before moving onto the next test 4) Create a findings document that explains if & how the problem was fixed in case the problem occurs again.
45
Event viewer
e.v is a piece of utility software on windows computers- shows detailed info abt significant events which have happened to the computer
46
Power On Self Test (POST)
When a computer starts up, a POST test starts, it is an automatic check
47
Ping test
A test of the connection between 2 computers |- msg is sent to destination comp & waits for a return msg- the echo reply
48
Unit of measurement Bit
A single 1 or 0 binary. Lowest measurement of binary.
49
Unit of measurement Nibble
Equal to 4 bits or 1/2 a byte. Represents 16 values (0 -15)
50
Unit of measurement Byte
Equal to 8 bits or 2 nibbles. Represents 256 values (0 - 255)
51
Binary measurements
Calculated using a 2 base system. Means calc larger no.s rely on 2 power no.s 1024 bytes =1 KiB 1024 KiB = 1 MiB 1024 MiB = 1 GiB 1024 GiB = 1 TiB 1024 TiB = 1 PiB
52
Metric measurements
1000 bytes = 1 KB 1000 KB = 1 MB 1000 MB = 1 GB 1000 GB = 1 TB 1000 TB = 1 PB
53
Types of software
-open source software -closed source -off the shelf -bespoke -shareware -freeware -embedded software
54
Applications software
Software designed to carry out tasks |- e.g accounts management, text creation & editing, presentation prep & design drawing
55
3 types of productivity software
-productivity software -development software -business software
56
Productivity software
General use software for completing tasks accurately
57
Development software
Software tools used by programmers who are creating/modifying software |- IDE (integrated development software) is software which enables programmers to write & run code
58
Business software
Designed to support 1 or more business activities -CAD (computer aided design) -CAM (computer aided manufacturing) -MIS (management info system) -Project Management Software
59
Utility software
Dedicated software used for the maintenance & organisation of a computer system
60
Malware
Software designed to look for viruses
61
Operating system (OS)
A piece of software which is loaded by the BIOS when the computer boots. |- manages all system resources
62
4 types of OS
-single user -multi user -single processor -multi processor
63
Single processor OS
Type of OS you find on most desktop computers, laptops,tablets
64
Multi user OS
Allows more than 1 user to access the processor at the same time
65
Single processor OS
Used on systems where there is only one CPU
66
Multi processor OS
Used on devices which have more than 1 CPU
67
Communication methods
**Text:** -SMS -letters -instant messaging -email **Voice:** -VOIP -cellular/satellite -personal assistants **Online:** -video calling -website -social media
68
Procotcols
An agreed set of rules & signals that enables effective communication between computing devices
69
Types of protocols
-IP internet protocol -TCP transmission control p. -UDP user datagram protocol -SMTP simple mail transfer p. -POP post office p. -IMAP internet msg access p. -FTP file transfer p. -HTTP hypertext transfer p. -SNMP simple network management p. -ICMP internet control msg p.
70
Protocol stack
When several protocols are grouped together to accomplish a task |- e.g TCP/IP
71
TCP/IP
4 layered model which shows how data is sent over networks, such as the internet
72
TCP/IP 4 layers
-application -transport -internet -link
73
Server
A powerful type of computer that provides services to others on the network
74
Types of servers
-file -print -application -database -web -mail -hypervisor
75
Virtualisation
The creation of a virtual version of a device, software, OS or server
76
Types of server virtualisation
-server -client -storage -cloud
77
Advantages and disadvantages of virtualisation
**Benefits:** -Reduced costs -Higher performance at a lower cost -Disaster recovery -Improved security **Drawbacks:** -Poor performance -Complex -Expensive to set up -Easier for hackers
78
Network
2 or more computing devices connected for exchange of data
79
Configuration
Set up
80
3 examples of configuration
-IP addresses -default gateways -subnet masks
81
Types of network
Peer to peer & client server
82
Network topology
How the diff parts of the network are arranged & connected
83
Types of network topologies
Bus topology- devices connected to 1 comms line Ring topology- ring shape, connected to 2 others, token travels around Star topology- nodes connect directly to the centre Mesh topology- each node is connected to each other
84
LAN
Local area network. Small geographic location, no more than 1 mile apart 2 types- token ring, Ethernet
85
WLAN
Wireless local area network
86
2 types of LAN
Token ring- travels round the network collecting messages/links. Travels in 1 direction Ethernet- either half duplex or full duplex. Half travels 1 direction at a time, full travels both at same time
87
MAN
Metropolitan area network. Operate over a town, city or close cities
88
WAN
Wide area network. Spans geographically to other countries & continents |- e.g the internet
89
ADSL
Asymmetric digital subscriber line. Most common type of connection, downloads are fast
90
ISDN
Integrated services digital network. BT connects you to internet w copper wire. Some places still use this one ‘way street’
91
Leased line
Dedicated connection between the bus. & an outside location. Expensive, Sam upload/download speeds, high bandwidth.
92
Advantages & disadvantages of LAN
**Adv.** Enables sharing resources Ease of communication between users Inc. security **Dis. Adv.** Easier virus spread Printer queues= delays Depends on main server
93
Advantages & disadvantages of MAN
**Adv.** Covers larger area than LAN fast comms thru a city Cheaper to implement than a WAN **Dis. Adv.** Needs lots more cabling Made up of multiple LANs, security difficult More expensive to implement than a LAN
94
Advantages & disadvantages of WAN
**Adv.** Fast & efficient at spreading files widely Inc privacy **Dis. Adv.** Complicated & expensive to set up Expensive & difficult to manage Security issues more common than LAN
95
Business systems
MIS- management info systems CRM- customer relations management SOP- sales ordering processes SOP- standard operating systems Help desk
96
Business systems- MIS
Software & hardware used within bus.’s used to collect, store, analyse & present data.
97
Business systems- CRM
Tracks how the bus. interacts w current & potential customers to improve these relationships
98
Business systems- SOP (sales)
Process that starts to enable customers to buy products & the bus. to review sales
99
Business systems- SOP (standard)
Step-by-step instructions for how bus. tasks should be carried out
100
Business systems- Help desk
Enables employees in the bus. to get specialist support w tech issues
101
More connectivity methods- voice networks
Primarily transmit audio data using phones & telephone lines
102
More connectivity methods- PSTM
Public switched telephone network. The global collection of wired public telephone networks that can be used to transmit data over long distances. Uses cables

IT Basics (2 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions