Computer Hardware Components

Hardware Components

• Hardware can be categorized into two types: hardware and software
• Workstations/PCs are made up of a processor, memory, graphics card, and storage
• Commonly used input devices include: mouse, keyboard, foot pedals, dictation microphones, and touch screen monitors
• Commonly used output devices include: display devices, printers, speakers, and servers

Workstation/PCs

• The processor is the heart of the workstation and processes digital inputs, based on instructions received from the program running
• RAM is high-speed memory used for storing data in use
• The amount of available RAM impacts the number of programs, instructions, and user data that can be used and manipulated at the same time
• Graphics cards are secondary processors with dedicated memory, allowing for complex mathematical operations for modern applications.
• Storage offers a space to store data even when turned off, and can be in the form of a HDD (magnetic spinning disk) or an SSD (miniaturized internal device).

Input Devices

• Mice can be traditional, upright, 3D, projection, button, rollerball, or trackpad, each offering specific advantages and functionalities
• Keyboards can be customized with smart card readers and come in various styles including washable membrane or covers, particularly useful in clinical settings
• Foot pedals are often used in radiology transcription workflows and offer shortcuts, especially useful for users with limited hand movements
• Dictation microphones, such as the Philips SpeechMike, offer features like a built-in speaker, trackball, and customizable buttons for specific functions
• Touch screen monitors can be capacitive or resistive with different advantages depending on the intended use (resistive screens work with gloves)

Output Devices

• Display Devices are the primary output of a PC and can include multiple monitors
• High-quality monitors require dedicated graphics cards for optimal performance
• Common monitor types are: CRT, LCD, or Plasma Screen
• Important concepts for understanding computer monitors: pixel, resolution, matrix, dot pitch, and refresh rate
• A pixel is an individual controllable dot triad, composed of red, green, and blue dots.
• Higher resolution means more pixels in an image, resulting in a sharper and more detailed image
• Matrix is the arrangement of pixels in rows and columns, with its size determining the number of pixels
• Smaller dot pitch offers finer resolution as the dots in a pixel are closer
• The refresh rate is also known as the vertical scanning rate.

Servers

• Servers can be either dedicated or virtual
• Dedicated servers are standalone physical units (pizza box servers)
• Virtual servers can share physical hardware, reducing resource consumption.
• Updating a dedicated server may require adjustments to power, cooling, and network infrastructure
• Virtual servers are typically judged by the number of processor seats they hold.
• In radiology informatics, debates exist about the long-term benefits of using dedicated servers vs. virtual servers
• Servers are connected to storage arrays, UPS, and backup devices for data storage and protection.

Networks

• Network infrastructure plays a crucial role in the efficiency and reliability of radiology services
• Key components of a network infrastructure include: cabling, IP addresses, routers, switches, ports, VPNs, and bandwidth.
• Network cabling can be copper or glass fiber, with glass fiber offering higher speeds in theory
• IP addresses (IPV4 and IPV6) are used to identify and route data packets within a network
• Routers connect different networks and operate at the network layer of the OSI model
• Routers allow data packet broadcast within a LAN and routing to a WAN.