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

2. Computer Systems Two Basic Areas: HardwareHardware (already covered) SoftwareSoftware Macquarie Fields College of TAFE

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

4. Software Systems software –Controls entire computer system –Provides link between hardware and applications –Stored in part or full in ROM Macquarie Fields College of TAFE

5. Software Operating Systems –Performs many tasks –Instructs the CPU on how to start and instructions are stored in ROM –Configures Hardware –Management Tools Macquarie Fields College of TAFE

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

7. Software Utility Manages the Resources of the computer Macquarie Fields College of TAFE

8. Two or more computers linked together

9. Network LAN Local Area Network WAN Wide Area Network Macquarie Fields College of TAFE

10. Network Topology (Architecture) Bus Ring (token) Star Macquarie Fields College of TAFE

11. Operating Systems DOS – Disk Operating System UNIX OS/2 Macquarie Fields College of TAFE

12. 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. Macquarie Fields College of TAFE

13. Local Area Networks (LAN) Number of computers linked together Small geographical area Privately owned Fast transmission speed Relatively low cost 2-100 Mbps Macquarie Fields College of TAFE

14. Wide Area Networks (WAN) Large Geographical Area Privately or Public owned Many Devices Mainframes File Servers Uses Public Lines High Cost Slower – 9600-33600 Mbps Macquarie Fields College of TAFE

15. Bus Architecture Macquarie Fields College of TAFE

16. 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 Macquarie Fields College of TAFE

17. 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. Macquarie Fields College of TAFE

18. Ring Architecture Macquarie Fields College of TAFE

19. 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 Macquarie Fields College of TAFE

20. 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 Macquarie Fields College of TAFE

21. Star Architecture Macquarie Fields College of TAFE

22. 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 Macquarie Fields College of TAFE

23. 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. Macquarie Fields College of TAFE

24. 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. Macquarie Fields College of TAFE