1. 4 Macquarie Fields College of TAFE Version 2 – 13 March 2000
4 - HARDWARE

2. Computer Systems Two Basic Areas: Hardware (already covered) Software
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Computer Systems
Two Basic Areas:
Hardware (already covered)
Software

3. Controls the processing and movement of data within the computer system

4. Software Systems software Controls entire computer system
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Software
Systems software
Controls entire computer system
Provides link between hardware and applications
Stored in part or full in ROM

5. Software Operating Systems Performs many tasks
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Software
Operating Systems
Performs many tasks
Instructs the CPU on how to start and instructions are stored in ROM
Configures Hardware
Management Tools
[Hyperlink will take you to Operating Systems]

6. Software Application Software Program/Set of Programs (suite)
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Software
Application Software
Program/Set of Programs (suite)
Allows user to perform a wide variety of tasks
Word Processing
Spreadsheets
Database
Desktop Publishing

7. Software Utility Manages the Resources of the computer
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Software
Utility
Manages the Resources of the computer

8. Two or more computers linked together

9. Network LAN Local Area Network WAN Wide Area Network
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Network
LAN Local Area Network
WAN Wide Area Network
[Hyperlink will take you to Local Area Networks – LAN]
[Hyperlink will take you to Wide Area Networks – WAN]

10. Network Topology (Architecture)
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Network Topology (Architecture)
Bus
Ring (token)
Star
[Hyperlink will take you to Bus Architecture]
[Hyperlink will take you to Ring Architecture]
[Hyperlink will take you to Star Architecture]

11. Operating Systems DOS – Disk Operating System UNIX OS/2
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Operating Systems
DOS – Disk Operating System
UNIX
OS/2
[Hyperlink will return you to Software]

12. Local Area Networks (LAN)
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Local Area Networks (LAN)
A local area network is a group of computers that are connected so that they can exchange messages and files and share resources like printers.

13. Local Area Networks (LAN)
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Local Area Networks (LAN)
Number of computers linked together
Small geographical area
Privately owned
Fast transmission speed
Relatively low cost
2-100 Mbps
[Hyperlink will return you to Network]

14. Wide Area Networks (WAN)
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Wide Area Networks (WAN)
Large Geographical Area
Privately or Public owned
Many Devices
Mainframes
File Servers
Uses Public Lines
High Cost
Slower – Mbps
[Hyperlink will return you to Network]
Mbps – Million Bits per second

15. Macquarie Fields College of TAFE
Bus Architecture

16. Bus Architecture Connects all nodes to a single bus
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Bus Architecture
Connects all nodes to a single bus
A signal addressed to another node is sent from a microcomputer to the bus
The other node recognises the addressed signal and accepts it
Connects all nodes to a single bus much as the components are organised within a computer.
A signal addressed to another node is sent from a microcomputer to the bus. All other nodes on the network, which are also connected to the same bus, examine the signal.
The other node recognises the addressed signal and accepts it. If the signal is not for that node it ignores it.

17. Advantages and Disadvantages Bus Architecture
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Advantages and Disadvantages Bus Architecture
Advantages
Since each node is separately connected to the network, any node can break down without affecting other nodes
Bus networks are relatively inexpensive and easy to install for small networks.
[Hyperlink will return you to Network Topology (Architecture)]
Since each node is separately connected to the network, any node can break down without affecting other nodes This feature makes bus architecture one of the most popular arrangements for networks

18. Macquarie Fields College of TAFE
Ring Architecture

19. Ring Architecture Arranges the nodes on a network in a circle
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Ring Architecture
Arranges the nodes on a network in a circle
When one of the microcomputers on the network sends a signal, it passes it to the next node on the network
If it is not addressed to that node, it is transmitted to the next node
If it is not addressed to that node, it is transmitted to the next node and so on around the circle until it reaches the node it is addressed to.

20. Advantages and Disadvantages Ring Architecture
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Advantages and Disadvantages Ring Architecture
Advantages
Offer high bandwidth and can span large distances.
Disadvantages
If one node breaks down, the entire network breaks down
Expensive and difficult to install
A ring network requires rewiring when new equipment is added
[Hyperlink will return you to Network Topology (Architecture)]
Because each node on the network transmits any signal that is not addressed to it, if one node breaks down, the entire network breaks down
Unlike the other two systems, where new equipment can be plugged into the bus or host computer, A ring network requires rewiring when new equipment is added. To insert a new node, the connection between two existing nodes must be broken. The new node is then installed and wired to the two adjacent nodes.

21. Macquarie Fields College of TAFE
Star Architecture

22. Star Architecture Nodes are connected to a central, or host, computer
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Star Architecture
Nodes are connected to a central, or host, computer
Signals are transmitted via the host
There are no direct connections between the nodes on the network except through the host computer
Signals are transmitted via the host, that is, when one of the microcomputers on the network sends a signal, it is sent to the host, which routes it to the node it’s addressed to.

23. Advantages and Disadvantages Star Architecture
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Advantages and Disadvantages Star Architecture
Advantages
Star networks are relatively easy to install and manage
If a node breaks down, no harm is done. The others continue to function
Disadvantages
If the host breaks down, so does the network
Bottlenecks can occur because all data must pass through the hub.
If the host breaks down, so does the network as programs are running off the file server.

24. Macquarie Fields College of TAFE
Mixed Topologies
These topologies can also be mixed. For example, a bus-star network consists of a high-bandwidth bus, called the backbone, which connects a collections of slower-bandwidth star segments.
[Hyperlink will return you to Network Topology (Architecture)]