Module 2-1 Hardware PDF

**Module 2-1. Hardware** OBJECTIVE 1b. Identify basic facts and terms about server hardware. \- Input/Output Technologies \- Blade/Backplane Technologies **INPUT/OUTPUT TECHNOLOGIES** **INPUT** The first event in the information processing cycle is inputting the data. This involves collecting...

**Module 2-1. Hardware** OBJECTIVE 1b. Identify basic facts and terms about server hardware. \- Input/Output Technologies \- Blade/Backplane Technologies **INPUT/OUTPUT TECHNOLOGIES** **INPUT** The first event in the information processing cycle is inputting the data. This involves collecting data from external sources or from within the system itself. One can break this event into three sub-stages: - Acquisition: the act of acquiring - Data Entry: entering data - Validation: confirm or make valid After the data has been acquired from the source, it is entered into the current system and then validated the product has the correct results. To accomplish this event you will utilize input devices below. **Input Devices** These devices are hardware components helping transfer information into the computer. It is any peripheral device helping feed data and control signals to a computer system. Input devices are classified according to their pointing abilities, as follows: **Direct input devices** Pointing is executed directly in the space where the cursor is seen. (Examples: Touchscreen or Light Pens) **Indirect pointers** These are similar to direct input devices, except they control a cursor. (Examples: Trackball or Mouse). These devices assist with manipulating data on a computer or help store data from other devices into the computer. Some of the most commonly used input devices are web cams, scanners, stylus, and barcode readers. **OUTPUT** The processed information is now transmitted to the user. The result can take the form of print, audio, or video. **Output Devices** Output devices are types of peripheral hardware connected to the computer either using cables or over a wireless network. The output generated by the computer can be in the form of a display on the screen, a printed document, or a song being played. It is immaterial whether the user is on a desktop computer, laptop computer, or supercomputer; there will be at least one output device. **Monitor** Also called a video display terminal (VDT). The users can view the visual display of the processed data on the monitor screen. Computer monitors come in a variety of screen sizes and visual resolutions. All monitors have a video card processing the data into images for display. **Projector** A hardware device where images are projected onto a flat surface (ie wall or screen). The image data is sent to the video card by the computer. The card then translates it into a video image and sends it to the projector. **Printer** An external hardware device taking processed data from the computer and generating a hard copy. After monitors, printers are the most used computer peripheral and are commonly used to print text data, images, etc. **Plotters** Like printers, plotters create a hard copy rendition of a digitally rendered design. The design is sent to a plotter through the graphics card and the image is created using a pen, ink jet, or laser. In simple words, plotters basically draw an image using a series of straight lines. This device is typically used in engineering/architectural applications. **Speaker** A hardware device connected to a computer\'s sound card. It generates the sound created by the card. Audio data from the computer is sent to the audio card located in the expansion slot or audio component integrated onto the motherboard. The component translates the data into audio signals and is then sent to either the speakers or headphones. **BLADE/BACKPLANE TECHNOLOGIES** Another type of form factor that is quite common in the larger environments with the data centers is what\'s known as the blade server. Blade technology allows for saving space and increasing the efficiency of the servers. The blade enclosure is typically more expensive than a traditional server and is rack-mountable. Each blade does not have its own power supply; rather, the blade enclosure provides power for the individual blades, reducing power consumption. Since the blades are tightly packed, blade server enclosures must have additional cooling to prevent overheating and damage. The backplane provides a central connection point for each blade, or as you slide them into the slot, it makes a connection to the backplane and that provides it access to those shared components.