© 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public ITE PC v4.0 Chapter 1 1 Personal Computers and Applications Networking for Home and Small Businesses – Chapter 1

ITE PC v4.0 Chapter 1 2 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public Objectives  Identify the purpose and uses of personal computers and describe local and network applications.  Compare and contrast different types of computing devices.  Explain the binary representation of data.  Determine appropriate components and peripheral devices to meet requirements.  Install, verify, and upgrade computer components and peripherals.

ITE PC v4.0 Chapter 1 3 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public Purpose and Uses of Personal Computers  Multiple uses for computers

ITE PC v4.0 Chapter 1 4 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public Purpose and Uses of Personal Computers  Common local and network applications

ITE PC v4.0 Chapter 1 5 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public Types of Computing Devices  Different types of Computers

ITE PC v4.0 Chapter 1 6 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public Types of Computing Devices  Different types of Computers ClassDescription MainframeMainframes are often in a central location ServerServers are located centrally or distributed WorkstationWorkstations are used for software development, CAD, and engineering or scientific purposes DesktopDesktops are often used by individuals at home or an in organization LaptopLaptops provide desktop functionality in a mobile package HandheldHandhelds often provide business critical functions to mobile users

ITE PC v4.0 Chapter 1 7 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public Types of Computing Devices  Types and features of servers Blade servers are high density server solutions for server rooms. Rack mount servers are stored in a server rack with network equipment. Standalone servers are often used by small business that do not have server rooms.

ITE PC v4.0 Chapter 1 8 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public Types of Computing Devices Features of a desktop personal computer (PC) Word Processing/Spreadsheet software Business specific software Instant Messaging

ITE PC v4.0 Chapter 1 9 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public Types of Computing Devices  Features of a workstation Includes functionality of desktop Increased processor/memory Used for engineering applications

ITE PC v4.0 Chapter 1 10 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public Types of Computing Devices  Types and features of portable devices Portable devices vary in size, power and graphic capability and include: Laptop or notebook PC Tablet PC Pocket PC Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) Gaming device Cell phones

ITE PC v4.0 Chapter 1 11 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public Binary Representation of Data  Digital (binary) representation of various common forms of data  Using the proper units for measuring information

ITE PC v4.0 Chapter 1 12 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public Binary Representation of Data  Convert approximately between bits, bytes, Kilobytes, Megabytes, and Gigabytes

ITE PC v4.0 Chapter 1 13 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public Measuring speed, resolution and frequency  Download speeds are measured in bits per second  Screen resolutions are measured in pixels (Horizontal X Vertical)  Processor speeds are measured in frequency (MHz, GHz)  This tells how many calculations can be done per second

ITE PC v4.0 Chapter 1 14 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public Binary Representation of Data  Measuring speed, resolution and frequency

ITE PC v4.0 Chapter 1 15 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public Determining Appropriate Components and Peripheral Devices  Plan for computer purchase: preassembled or custom

ITE PC v4.0 Chapter 1 16 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public Determining Appropriate Components and Peripheral Devices AdvantagesDisadvantages PreassembledLower cost Adequate to perform most applications No waiting period for assembly Typically used by less knowledgeable consumers who do not require special needs Often lack the performance level that can be obtained from custom built computers Custom BuiltThe end-user can specify exact components that meet user needs Generally support higher performance applications such as graphics, gaming, and server applications Generally more costly than a preassembled device Longer waiting periods for assembly

ITE PC v4.0 Chapter 1 17 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public Determining Appropriate Components and Peripheral Devices  Motherboard CPU/RAM support PCI/PCI-e Onboard RAID

ITE PC v4.0 Chapter 1 18 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public Determining Appropriate Components and Peripheral Devices  Central Processing Unit (CPU) The “brain” of the computer Faster processors consume more power Speed is measured in MHz or most likely GHz  Bus Speed Bus is the electrical pathway on the motherboard used to communicate with different attached to the motherboard

ITE PC v4.0 Chapter 1 19 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public Determining Appropriate Components and Peripheral Devices  Random Access Memory (RAM) Stores programs in operation More RAM allows a user to operate more programs simultaneously Slow computers often lack RAM/CPU resources

ITE PC v4.0 Chapter 1 20 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public Determining Appropriate Components and Peripheral Devices  Common adapter cards include: Video cards Sound cards Network interface cards Modems Interface cards Controller cards

ITE PC v4.0 Chapter 1 21 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public Determining Appropriate Components and Peripheral Devices  Storage Devices and Requirements

ITE PC v4.0 Chapter 1 22 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public Determining Appropriate Components and Peripheral Devices  Optical Drives: use a laser to record and read information Read only: CD, DVD Write once: CD-R, DVD-R Write many: CD-RW, DVD-RW Newest format: Blu-Ray  Static Memory and Memory Sticks Solid state storage USB flash drives Compact Flash, SD (Secure Digital), MiniSD, MicroSD, MicroSDHC

ITE PC v4.0 Chapter 1 23 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public Determining Appropriate Components and Peripheral Devices  Peripheral device purposes and requirements

ITE PC v4.0 Chapter 1 24 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public Determining Appropriate Components and Peripheral Devices  Peripheral device include: Input devices - trackball, joystick, scanner, digital camera, digitizer, barcode reader, microphone Output devices - printer, plotter, speakers, headphones Storage devices - secondary hard drive, external CD/DVD devices, flash drives Networking - external modems, external NIC

ITE PC v4.0 Chapter 1 25 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public Determining Appropriate Components and Peripheral Devices  Importance of UPS and Surge Protector Surge Protector provides no backup power UPS Provides backup power Laser printers should not be plugged into UPS/Surge

ITE PC v4.0 Chapter 1 26 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public Install, Verify and Upgrade Components and Peripherals  Computer Repair Best Practices

ITE PC v4.0 Chapter 1 27 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public Install, Verify and Upgrade Components and Peripherals  Do not allow anyone who is not properly grounded to touch or hand off computer components. This is true even when working with a lab partner. When passing components, always touch hands first to neutralize any charges.

ITE PC v4.0 Chapter 1 28 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public Install, Verify and Upgrade Components and Peripherals  Installing Peripherals and Verifying Operation

ITE PC v4.0 Chapter 1 29 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public Summary  Computers are used all over the world and in all types of environments including: government, medical, education, manufacturing, legal and leisure.  There are many different types of computers available including: Mainframes, Servers, Desktop PCs, Workstations, Laptops and Hand-held portable devices.  Data is represented by binary digits (bits) organized into bytes (B), kilobytes (kB ), megabytes (MB), gigabytes (GB), and terabytes (TB). Data transfer rates are measured by bits per second. Computer screen resolution is measured in pixels. Analog frequencies, wireless transmissions and radio frequencies are measured in Hertz.

ITE PC v4.0 Chapter 1 30 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public Summary  Things to consider when purchasing a computer: Motherboard, CPU, RAM, Adapter Cards, Storage, Peripherals, UPS, Surge Suppressors  Computers are a collection of very complex components and peripherals. Safety procedures must be followed when working inside a computer, both to protect the equipment and prevent harm to the technician.

ITE PC v4.0 Chapter 1 31 © 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.Cisco Public