Lesson 13 – ALL ABOUT CLIENT COMPUTERS

Choosing desktop computers Understanding Network workstation requirements OVERVIEW

Desktop platforms Reliability and serviceability Price and performance CHOOSING DESKTOP COMPUTERS

Intel-based Macintosh-based UNIX/Linux based Desktop platforms

Multi-desktop platforms may lead to: Inter-platform software incompatibility. Lack of expertise in two platforms. More spare parts and expansion hardware. Unavailability of cross-platform software. Desktop platforms

Multi-desktop platforms may lead to: Limitation in the programs that can be developed. Software licensing problems. Differences between 32 and 64 bit processing. Desktop platforms

Important features: Reliability Serviceability Desktop platforms

Reliability: Computer uses high-quality components. Components are engineered to work well together. Reliable software used. Reliability and serviceability

Serviceability: Easy-opening cases requiring no tools. Quickly replaceable internal components. Easily updated Basic Input Output Software (BIOS). Services available from the manufacturer. Reliability and serviceability

Balance between performance and price. Strategies for getting the best price. Price and performance

Best price strategies: Bargaining/competitive bids. Purchasing on the performance side. Upgrading existing computers when needed Price and performance

Useful life: Length of time that an asset, such as a computer, will be able to perform useful work. Price and performance

Network workstation hardware Network workstation software UNDERSTANDING NETWORK WORKSTATION REQUIREMENTS

Computers need an interface to connect to the Network. The interface usually takes the form of a Network Interface Card (NIC). Expansion NIC. Integrated NIC. Network workstation hardware

NIC’s available for: Ethernet Networks Token Ring Networks Other Networks Network workstation hardware

Ethernet NIC’s available for: 10Base-2 media 10Base-T media 100Base-T media Network workstation hardware

Components: NIC drivers. Driver software for protocols. Network requestor. Network workstation software

Workstations acting in a peer-to-peer fashion have peer software that provides Network services to other workstations. Network workstation software

Network service software : Novell UNIX/Linux Windows NT Windows 2000 Windows 98 Network workstation software

Under Windows, Network software is managed through the Network Properties dialog box for Network Neighborhood. Network workstation software

Network Properties dialog box

Network Properties dialog box: Client Network interface Protocols Services Network workstation software

Selecting a Network component type

Client: This software interacts with servers to request Network services. Network workstation software

Network Interface: This describes the driver software that is installed for any installed NIC’s used to connect to a Network through a modem. Network workstation software

Protocols: This software adds support for any needed Networking protocols, such as TCP/IP, IPX/SPX, or NetBEUI. Network workstation software

Services: Additional Network service software, such as that used for NDS, also appears in the Network Properties dialog box. Network workstation software

Adding a protocol

SUMMARY Choosing desktop computers: Desktop platforms Reliability and serviceability Price and performance

Summary Understanding Network workstation requirements: Network workstation hardware Network workstation software