1. Computer Hardware Chapter 3
McGraw-Hill/Irwin
Copyright © 2010 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

2. Learning Objectives
Understand the history and evolution of computer hardware
Identify the major types and uses of microcomputer, midrange, and mainframe computer systems
Outline the major technologies and uses of computer peripherals for input, output, and storage

3. Learning Objectives
Identify and give examples of the components and functions of a computer system
Identify the computer systems and peripherals you would acquire or recommend for a business of your choice, and explain the reasons for your selection

4. Case 1: IBM, Wachovia, and Paypal
Researchers at the Cancer Institute use grid computing technology to convert images of cancerous tissues and cells into digital images
The grid checks digitized images for accuracy to ensure the bits/bytes translate into diagnoses
IBM, researchers, and doctors are building an image database to help oncologists diagnose and treat cancer patients faster and better
Grid computing technologies avoid the need for expensive, dedicated hardware
The processing load is distributed among commodity-priced equipment

5. Case Study Questions
Applications for grid computing in this case include medical diagnosis and financial transaction processing
What other areas would be well suited to the use of grid computing, and why?
Provide examples from organizations other than those included in the case

6. Case Study Questions
The joint effort by IBM and the Cancer Center of New Jersey works by digitalizing medical diagnoses on the World Community Grid
What are the advantages & disadvantages of relying on a volunteer-based network?

7. Case Study Questions
IBM, Wachovia, and Paypal are arguably large organizations. However, several vendors have started offering computing power for rent to smaller companies, using the principles underlying grid computing
How could small and medium companies benefit from these technologies?

8. Pre-Computer Calculations
Counting on fingers and toes
Stone or bead abacus
Calculate comes from calculus, the Latin word for small stone
1642: first mechanical adding machine
Invented by Blaise Pascal, wheels moved counters
Modified in 1674 by Von Leibnitz
Age of industrialization
Mechanical loom used punch cards

9. Early Computing 19th Century 1880s
Charles Babbage proposed the Analytical Engine, which could calculate, store values in memory, perform logical comparisons
Never built due to of lack of electronics
1880s
Hollerith’s punched cards used to record census data using On/Off patterns
The holes turned sensors On or Off when run through tabulating machine
This company became the foundation for IBM

10. Electronic Computers 1946 - First Generation Computer 1950s ENIAC
Programmable
5000 calculations per second
Used vacuum tubes
Drawbacks were size and processing ability
1950s
ENIAC replaced by UNIVAC 1, then IBM 704
Calculations jumped to 100,000 per second

11. Waves of Computing Late 1950s - Second Generation
Transistors replaced vacuum tubes
200,000 to 250,000 calculations per second
Mid-1960s - Third Generation
Integrated circuitry and miniaturization
Fourth Generation
Further miniaturization, multiprogramming, virtual storage
1980s - Fifth Generation
Millions of calculations per second

12. Microcomputers
1975
ALTAIR, programmed by flicking switches
1977
Commodore & Radio Shack produce PCs
1979
Apple computer, the fastest selling PC thus far
1982
IBM introduced the PC, which changed the market

13. Categories of Computer Systems

14. Microcomputer Systems
Called a personal computer or PC
Computing power now exceeds that of the mainframes of previous generations
Relatively inexpensive
Networked professional workstations used by businesses
Hand-held, notebook, laptop, tablet, portable, desktop, and floor-standing

15. Recommended PC Features

16. Microcomputer Uses Workstations
Supports heavy mathematical computer and graphics display demands
CAD, investment, and portfolio analysis
Network Servers
More powerful than workstations
Coordinates telecommunications and resource sharing
Supports small networks and Internet or intranet websites

17. Microcomputer Uses Terminals Types
Any device that allows access to a computer
Types
Dumb
Intelligent (Windows or Internet)
Transaction

18. Corporate PC Criteria Solid performance at a reasonable price
Operating system ready
Connectivity
Security-equipped

19. Information Appliances
Hand-held microcomputer devices
Known as personal digital assistants (PDAs)
Web-enabled PDAs use touch screens, handwriting recognition, or keypads
Mobile workers use to access or the Web, exchange data with desktop PCs or servers
Latest entrant is the BlackBerry
PDAs include
Video-game consoles
Cellular and PCS phones
Telephone-based home appliances

20. Midrange Systems
High-end network servers that handle large-scale processing of business applications
Not as powerful as mainframes
Less expensive to buy, operate, maintain
Often used to manage
Large Internet websites, intranets, extranets
Integrated, enterprise-wide applications
First became popular as minicomputers
Used as front-end servers
Assists mainframes with telecommunications and networks

21. Mainframe Computer Systems
Large, fast, powerful computer systems
Large primary storage capacity
High transaction processing
Handles complex computations
Widely used as superservers for…
Large client/server networks
High-volume Internet websites
Becoming a popular computing platform for…
Data mining, warehousing, electronic commerce applications

22. Supercomputer Systems
Extremely powerful systems designed for…
Scientific, engineering, and business applications
Massive numeric computations
Markets include…
Government research agencies
Large universities
Major corporations
Uses parallel processing
Billions to trillions of operations per second (gigaflops and teraflops)

23. The Next Wave of Computing
Harnessing the infinite amount of unused computing power
Desktops and laptops within an organization
Distributed or grid computing
Parallel computing that relies on complete computers connected to a network
Harnesses the unused CPU power in all connected computers, even between organizations

24. Computer System Concept
Input
Control
System of hardware devices organized by function
Processing
Storage
Output

25. Computer System Concept

26. Computer Processing Speeds
Early computers
Milliseconds (thousandths of a second)
Microseconds (millionths of a second)
Current computers
Nanoseconds (billionth of a second)
Picoseconds (trillionth of a second)
Program instruction processing speeds
Megahertz (millions of cycles per second)
Gigahertz (billions of cycles per second)
Commonly called “clock speed”

27. Computer Processing Speeds
Throughput
Ability to perform useful computation or data processing assignments during a given period
Speed is dependant on…
Size of circuitry paths (buses) that interconnect microprocessor components
Capacity of instruction processing registers
Use of high-speed cache memory
Use of specialized microprocessors, such as math coprocessor

28. Moore’s Law
Originally observed in 1965, Moore’s Law holds true today
Common corollary of Moore’s Law…
Computing prices will be cut in half every 18 to 24 months
This has been consistently accurate
Applies to cost of storage as well
Doubling of the number of transistors per integrated circuit every 18 to 24 months

29. Case 2: Apple, Microsoft, IBM, and Others
WIMP
Windows, icons, menus, and pointing devices have dominated computing for 15 years
New human interface technologies will revolutionize the way we interact with computers
Microsoft is working with Starwood Hotels & Resorts to introduce surface computing
Hotel guests use a virtual concierge to manipulate maps, photos, restaurant menus…
A logical extension of touch technology is gesture recognition
Hand or finger movements across a screen, or close to it, without requiring an actual touch

30. Case Study Questions
What benefits may Starwood Hotels derive from the introduction of touch-screen technology, as noted in the case?
What possible disruptions may occur as a result?

31. Case Study Questions
Bill Buxton of Microsoft stated that “Touch now may be where the mouse was in about 1983”
What do you make of his comments, and what do you think it would take for touch technology to displace the WIMP interface?
Advanced touch-screen technology is really a solution in search of a problem
Do you agree with this statement?

32. Peripherals
Peripheral
Generic name for all input, output, and secondary storage devices
Parts of the computer system (not the CPU)
All online devices
Online Devices
Separate from the CPU, but electronically connected to (and controlled by) it
Offline Devices
Separate from, and not under the control of, the CPU

33. Peripherals Advice

34. Input Technologies Common input devices Keyboard
Graphical User Interface (GUI)
Electronic mouse and trackball
Pointing stick
Touchpad
Touchscreen

35. Pen-Based Computing Used in Tablet PCs and PDAs
Pressure-sensitive layer, similar to touch screen, under liquid crystal display screen
Software digitizes handwriting, hand printing, and hand drawing

36. Speech Recognition Systems
Speech may be the future of data entry
Easiest, most natural means of human communication
Recognizing speech patterns
Discrete, requires pauses between each word
Continuous speech recognition software (CSR) recognizes continuous, conversationally paced speech

37. Speech Recognition Software
Speech recognition systems digitize, analyze, and classify speech and sound patterns
Compares to a database of sound patterns
Passes recognized words to software
Typically requires voice recognition training
Speaker-independent systems
Allow computers to recognize words from a voice never heard before
Typically used in voice-messaging computers

38. Optical Scanning
Devices read text or graphics and convert them into digital computer input
Enables direct entry of data from source documents
Document management library system
Scans documents, then organizes and stores them for easy reference or retrieval

39. Optical Scanning Scanners Optical Character Recognition (OCR)
Compact desktop models are popular for low cost and ease of use
Larger, more expensive flatbed scanners are faster, offer high-resolution color scanning
Optical Character Recognition (OCR)
Software that reads characters and codes
Used to read merchandise tags, sort mail, score tests, read bar codes

40. Other Input Technologies
Magnetic Stripe
Smart Cards
Digital Cameras
Magnetic Stripe
Reads the magnetic stripe on credit cards
Smart Cards
Microprocessor chip and memory on credit card
Used more in Europe than in the U.S.
Digital Cameras
Allows you to shoot, store, and download photos or full-motion video with audio into a PC
Images and audio can then be edited or enhanced
Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR)
Used by banks to magnetically read checks and deposit slips
Requires an iron oxide-based ink
Reader-sorter equipment magnetizes the ink, then passes it under a reading head to sense the signal
Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR)

41. Output Technologies Voice Response Video Displays Printed Output
Increasingly found along with video displays in business applications
Video Displays
Cathode-ray tube (CRT)
Liquid crystal display (LCD)
Plasma displays (TVs, flat-panel monitors)
Printed Output
Inkjet and laser

42. Storage Tradeoffs

43. Computer Storage Fundamentals
Uses two-state (binary) data representation
On (1) or Off (2)
Data processed & stored in computer systems through On/Off signals
Bit
Smallest element of data
Either zero or one
Group of eight bits, which operate as a single unit
Byte
Represents one character or number

44. Representing Characters in Bytes

45. Using Binary Code to Calculate

46. Storage Capacity Measurement
Kilobyte (KB)
One thousand bytes
Megabyte (MB)
One million bytes
Gigabyte (GB)
One billion bytes
Terabyte (TB)
One trillion bytes
Petabyte (PB)
One quadrillion bytes

47. Direct (Random) and Sequential Access
Direct or Random Access
Directly store and retrieve data
Each storage position has a unique address and can be accessed in the same length of time
Semiconductor memory chips, magnetic disks
Sequential Access
Data is stored and retrieved sequentially
Must be accessed in sequence by searching through prior data
Magnetic tape

48. Semiconductor Memory
Microelectronic semiconductor memory chips are used for primary storage
Advantages: small size, fast, shock and temperature resistance
Disadvantages: volatility; must have uninterrupted electric power or loses memory

49. Types of Semiconductor Memory
Random Access Memory (RAM)
Read-Only Memory (ROM)
1. Most widely used primary storage medium
2. Volatile memory
3. Read/write memory
1. Permanent storage
2. Can be read, but not overwritten
3. Frequently used programs burnt into chips during manufacturing
4. Called firmware

50. Flash Drives Sometimes called a jump drive
Uses a small chip containing thousands of transistors
Can store data for virtually unlimited periods without power
Easily transported
Highly durable
Storage capacity of up to 20 GB
Plugs into any USB port

51. Hard Disk Drives & Floppy Disks (diskettes)
Magnetic Disks
Hard Disk Drives & Floppy Disks (diskettes)
Floppy Disks (diskettes)
Magnetic disk inside a plastic jacket
Hard Disk Drives (hard drives)
Magnetic disk, access arms, and read/write heads in sealed module for stable environment
Fixed or removable
Capacity from several hundred MBs to hundreds of GBs
Used for secondary storage
Fast access and high capacity
Reasonable cost

52. RAID Storage Redundant Arrays of Independent Disks
Provides virtually unlimited online storage
6 to more than 100 hard disk drives are combined into a single unit
Data is accessed in parallel, over multiple paths, from many disks
Redundant storage of data on several disks provides fault-tolerant capacity
Storage area networks can interconnect many RAID units

53. Magnetic Tape Secondary storage Tape reels, cassettes, and cartridges
Used in robotic, automated drive assemblies
Archival and backup storage
Lower-cost storage solution

54. Optical Disks

55. Uses of Optical Disks Long-term storage of historical image files
Image Processing
Long-term storage of historical image files
Storage of scanned documents
Publishing Medium
Allows fast access to reference materials
Catalogs, directories, and so on
Interactive Multimedia Applications
Video games, educational videos, and so on

56. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
One of the newest, fastest growing storage technologies
System for tagging and identifying mobile objects
Used with store merchandise, postal packages, casino chips, pets
Special reader allows objects to be tracked as they move from place to place
Chips half the size of a grain of sand
Passive chips derive power from reader signal
Active chips are self-powered

57. RFID Versus Bar Coding Scans from greater distance RFID Can store data
More information can be tracked
Privacy Concerns
Invisible nature of the system
Capacity to transmit fairly sophisticated messages

58. Case 3: Kimberly-Clark & Daisy Brand
Almost $20 billion in sales in 37 countries
Wants to evolve into a demand-driven supply network
Uses SAP for forecast-to-stock and order-to-cash processes
Has been redesigning business processes and finding a way for technology to support those processes
RFID helps trace trailers and raw materials

59. Case 3: Kimberly-Clark & Daisy Brand
Daisy Brands
Sells perishable products through Wal-Mart
RFID helps manage flow of product and ensures marketing promotions proceed as planned
Lets customers track their orders
Knows when pallets of product arrive, and when they’re unpacked
Can dispatch people to investigate anomalies

60. Case Study Questions
Kimberly-Clark and Daisy Brands were two of the earliest adopters of RFID through their relationship with Wal-Mart
How has that initiative fared since it was announced?
Go online and research the most recent developments
Prepare a report to highlight any successes and failures in the advancement toward a fully RFID-enabled supply chain for the giant retailer

61. Case Study Questions
What is the value of having access to real-time (or near real time) information about sales and inventory?
Are there any dangers to having this capability, such as overreacting to short-term trends?