Module 2-1b

Input/Output Technologies

• Input is the first step in the information processing cycle, where data is collected from external sources or within the system.
  • Acquisition involves collecting data.
  • Data Entry refers to entering acquired data into the system.
  • Validation ensures the accuracy and correctness of the data entered.
• Input Devices are hardware components facilitating the transfer of data and control signals into a computer system.
  • Direct Input Devices allow users to directly interact with the cursor in the display space, like a touch screen or light pen.
  • Indirect Pointers, like trackballs or mouse, control a cursor indirectly but assist in manipulating data or storing data from other devices.
• Output involves transmitting processed information to the user, potentially manifested as print, audio, or video.
• Output Devices are peripheral hardware connected to the computer, transmitting processed information to the user.
  • Monitor, also termed Video Display Terminal (VDT), displays the processed data visually on the screen, with varying screen sizes and resolution.
  • Projector displays images onto a flat surface, receiving the image data from the computer and processing it through the video card.
  • Printer generates hard copies of processed data from the computer, commonly used for text data, images, and more.
  • Plotters are specialized printers producing hard copies of digitally rendered designs, typically used in engineering or architectural applications.
  • Speakers connected to a computer's sound card, reproduce the sound created by the card, transforming audio data into audible signals.

Blade/Backplane Technologies

• Blade servers offer a space-saving, efficient solution for larger data centers.
• The blade server enclosure is generally more expensive than a traditional server and is rack-mountable.
• Blades within the enclosure share a single power supply, reducing energy consumption.
• To prevent overheating, efficient cooling mechanisms are essential for blade server enclosures.
• The backplane acts as a central connection point for each blade, offering access to shared components when inserted into the slots.