Computer Network & Hardware Fundamentals
Computer & Network Fundamentals
Understanding Computer Networks
A network is a group of interconnected devices which exchange information and share resources.
Network Components
- Server: A main computer that provides a service on a network.
- Client: A network computer used for accessing a service on a server.
Exercise Prompts (Original Fragments)
- Server: Most networks…
- Client: This is the desktop…
- Peripherals: Once you have…
- Hub: Desktops typically…
Types of Networks
The exchange of information among network members.
- Local Area Network (LAN): In a LAN, the computers are connected with wires.
- Wide Area Network (WAN): In a WAN, computers are connected wirelessly.
Network Access & Security
Password Security Best Practices
Usually, you need a password to use a network. It is important to keep your password secret. A password is a secret set of characters that allows access to a computer. The following rules make a password more difficult to guess:
Passwords Should:
- Be at least 6 characters long.
- Have a mixture of numbers and letters (of capital and small letters).
- Be easy to remember.
Passwords Should Not:
- Be a word from a dictionary.
- Be a common name.
- Include spaces, hyphens, or dots (*$).
Common Network & Data Issues
- If the cable fails, the whole network will fail.
- If you don’t use the right password, you won’t get access to the network.
- If you place a floppy disk near a magnet, you will destroy the data.
Computer Hardware Components
Core Components
- Motherboard: A printed circuit board which controls all the other components.
- System Unit: The main part of a computer which contains the main electronic components.
- Expansion Card: An electronic board which adds features to a computer.
- Disk Drive: A unit which reads and writes to disks.
Storage Devices
Floppy Disk
- A floppy disk can hold 1.44 MB of data.
Advantages:
- Most computers use floppy disks.
- Can be used to carry data.
- They are also very cheap.
Disadvantages:
- They are slow and have a limited capacity.
Fixed Hard Disk
Advantages:
- They are fast and can store much greater amounts of data than floppies.
Disadvantages:
- You cannot use them to transfer data.
Removable Hard Disk
Advantages:
- You can move data.
- They are almost as fast as fixed hard disks and have high capacities.
CD-ROM Drive
- A common storage device which reads from a CD disk.
Input & Output Devices
- Monitor: An output device which displays data on a screen.
- Lightpen: Using a lightpen, you can print…
- Scanner: A scanner can be used to draw pictures…
- Trackerball: Works in…
- Joystick: Another input…
- Barcode: A pattern of printed black lines which supermarkets use for pricing.
Common User Interface Elements
Dialog Box
This is a window which appears when information about a choice is needed or when options have to be selected.
Example: Exit Windows Dialog Box
This screen shows a Windows dialog box which allows you to shut down the session.
- What does this computer screen show? A text, and two buttons.
- What do you use this dialog box for? You use this dialog box to close Windows.
- What features does the dialog box contain? This dialog box contains text, and the OK and Cancel buttons.
- What happens if you click on each button? If you click the OK button, the system switches off. If you click the Cancel button, you return to Windows.
Other Screen Elements
- Aperture Grill Pitch: This indicates the amount of space between the dots which make up the image on a monitor.
- Command Button: This is part of the screen which is used to select an action, usually by clicking the mouse button over it.
- Maximum Resolution: This is a measure of the number of dots which make up the image on a monitor.
- Drop-down List Box: This shows a list of choices which the user can select from using the pointer.
- Text Box: This is part of a dialog box where the user can type file names and other information.
- Refresh Rate: This is the speed at which the monitor refreshes the image on the screen.
- Icon: A small picture on the screen which represents a program, folder.
Essential Computer Terminology
- Crosshair: +
- Hourglass (Bourglass): An icon resembling an hourglass, often indicating a waiting state (reloj de arena).
- PC (Personal Computer): The personal computer which people use, and is a personal computer which is most common in homes.
- Menu: You can find it in computers (electronic devices).
- Pointer: The arrow which points or selects a program, a file.
- Window: Which any computer program has.
- Notebook: A portable computer which is about the size of a piece of paper.