Computer fundamentals

Computer
A computer accepts data as input and converts the required information in to output

Computer operation

INPUT
A computer accepts the data that is provided by means of input device such as keyboard

OUTPUT
A computer produces device such as printer/monitor

USES OF COMPUTER
Listening to music
Used in banks, hospital, military
Weather forecast
Communicating with others
TV and info
Looking information on internet

ELEMENTS

HARDWARE- it is a physical part of computer

SOFTWARE- set of instructions that guides the hardware what to do
PEOPLE- are the users
DATA- it is the input to the process
PROCEDURES- steps used to complete specific task
 SOFTWARE ARE OF 3 TYPES

SYSTEM SOFTWARE-
Operating system
Translator
Language

APPLICATION SOFTWARE
Generalized software
Customized software
UTILITIES

COMPUTER CLASSIFICATION

There are 3 classifications

FUNDAMENTALS
HARDWARE
SOFTWARE

PROCESS WISE
o ANALOG- user analog signal example; ECG
o DIGITAL COMPUTER- user data in the form of 0 and 1
o HYBRID- combination of analog and digital

COMMERCIAL
o Desktop
o Mainframe computer
o Mini computer
o Micro computer
o Super computer
o Portable computer
o Embedded computer
o Tablet pcs
 MODEM

Modem converts analogue signals in to digitals and digital into analogue. It sends and receives
Computer information over telephone lines. It is used to connect computer through internet.

High speed cable modems are sometimes built in to system unit but higher speed modems are
usually separate component.

NETWORK

Network are an interconnected group of computers

NETWORK MODEL

TCP/IP MODEL
o TRANSMISSION
o IT HAS 5 LAYERS
OSI/IP MODEL
o OPEN SYSTEM INTERCONNECTION
o IT HAS 5 LAYERS
NETWORK CLASSIFICATION UNDER TCP/IP MODEL
By functional relationship
o PEER TO PEER- inter connected nodes share resources among
each other without using central administrative system
o CLIENT SERVER NETWORK- requires resource from centralized
administrative system
Based on scale
LAN- local area network
MAN- metropolitan area network
WAN-wide area network
GAN- global area network
PAN- personal area network
CAN-campus area network

By network topology
o Determines how different nodes in network interact with each
other
 TYPES OF NETWORK TOPOLOGIES

BUS all devices connected to a central cable

Advantages;
Easy to use
Easy to install
Disadvantages
If there is single fault in central cable effects entire network
Cannot be used in large network
Fault identification is difficult

Central
 STAR; all devices connected to a single hub
o Advantages ;
- Fault identification is easy
- Single fault is one device doesnt effect the entire network
o Disadvantages ;
- More expensive
- Single fault in the hub effects the entire network

SINGLE
HUB