Technology Systems 1 PDF

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a-^ Learningaim A ^^y, Applications p^lichn ^ M-s ^. My ^ & a ^R ^ \. ^ th. rr y a ^ i^_ & Introduction ^.)p^j,;::-..^o--. ,^^ 51 :s sX& Si ses isa o(nputer hardware de^s < -^ -W —Urf^Jti^' > CONTINUED iE t ntact us easily. information secure? lii i ! F V., -' --.ys: ^a w^s K."''. "i; t "'s;  ) Learning aim A ^ / Computer networking and.itl 1^ ^ transferring data^ :-s." > ».. Introduction Computers in technology systems can communicate with one another by sending ^ messages and transmitting data over a network. An introduction to computer networks m^^WSff. rifl^ and transferring data is given in this section, as they form an important part of technology systems. However, the underpinning knowledge of how the technology of networking and Unit 1 The online world and 11 Network development provide- data transfer work is not explained here, as these are covered in other units. more guidance and explanation Networks are everywhere, and there are different types for different purposes. This section of computer networks and the explores the main types of networks and their uses, as well as the different ways in which technology that underpins them, data is transferred over networks. as well as data transfer. r t Fr Types of network There are four main types of network that you wilt come across: 1 Local area network (LAN). Connects computers and other devices such as printers together at a single location, such as a business premises or a home. 2 Wide area network (WAN). Used by organisations to connect their LANs together into a single network covering anywhere in the world. 3 Personal area network (PAN). Used to connect your devices together; for example, to synchronise your computer, including your email, with your mobile phone. 4 Mobile broadband. Uses 3G mobile phone technology to connect your laptop Key terms 0 (using a dangle), netbook or phone to the internet. 3G mobile photo technology - 3G stands for third generation Activity 2.2 and refers to technology which supports fast data-transmission For each of the four types of network, write down three examples of users that the speeds and increased network network would be suitable for. For example, a wide area network would be suitable capacity and networks through a smart phone. 3G supersedes for a supermarket chain wishing to connect alt their branches to head office. 1G and 2G mobile phone technology and precedes 4G technology. Dongle - A small hardware |r Uses of network systems device that plugs into the USB to provide functionality such as Sharing connecting to Wi-Fi. Networks are used to share resources and data, so that anyone who is logged onl network and has authorisation to access them can do so. Networked resources include printers, the internet and your document space on a network server. For example, shared data is held on the network of an organisation 11. so that staff can see and change information about clients and for other work such as working on documents. 54 BTEC First in Information and Creative Technology  Technology systems UNIT 2 1 Entertainment Networked systems provide the infrastructure to connect with people or online services anywhere in the world. You can stream films or listen to radio stations live v hundreds or thousands of miles away, or you can join in online gaming communities and play with other players from different parts of the country or the world. You can also get up-to-the-second news updates and updates from friends via social networking or microblogging sites (e.g. Facebook, Google+ and Twitter™). Online gaming is a form of entertainment that uses networked systems to connect to the other players through the internet. One popular online game is Unreal Tournament. s :s Many people enjoy LAN parties, where people bring their computers together to play games such as Need for Speed using a local area network. Communication Networks are great for communication - email, instant messaging and video conferencing are available for users to share ideas and reduce the need for travel. Benefits of networking computers Networking computers can save money by allowing people to share resources. ; Networks can enhance how people work by improving communications and giving them the ability to share documents. Employees can access networks from home and many other places, so people have less need to attend the workplace. This saves organisations time and also reduces the pollution caused by commuting to and from the workplace. Synchronising data If you have similar information on different devices, you will need to swie'hrQfrise this ?: I using Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, infrared or cable to connect the devices. The devices can be connected to form a PAN to update older information to the most recent. Syncfircriiss - In this context, it means making the same data Synchronising data can bring calendars on two different devices up to date by available using different devices. 'rlaking appointments and reminders the same on both. Other data that might need If you're using different devices, then each time you use a new I!! could be texts, email messages, music, videos, pc'dcasts or anything device the data will need to e!se held on these devices. 'sync' (i.e. update) so that you are using the most up-to-date version of the data. !ii% :'c..'Cii-?; - A download from ^ the BBC, Apple® and many s, other providers in the form of r—ra , ^___l^s video or audio. Once you have ,.....,4-^ r> »>y Coinputer nettrorking ai@ transferring data ^ CONTINUED F^S-fe^^ !^*r0 ^ Physical methods of transferring data.'i!-; S:^;:3g1;a Physical methods of transferring data between devices use cabled topology to Cabled topology - When devices connect using cable connect the devices together. Cabling must always meet the requirements for rather than wireless. specified users and purpose. Cabled methods include: Switch - A box with ports Optical fibre. Used for very fast connections between switches in a network and to (sockets) that are used to plug in the network cables. Cabled bring broadband to buildings and business premises. Optical fibre cables are great networks use switches to connect for very fast connections, but not very good for places where the cable might be the devices together. moved, such as a connection to a workstation. Unshielded twisted pair (UTP). Used widely to connect computers and printers to switches in LANs with CAT6 or CATS cabling. DTP is a great all-rounder for cabled LANs, but is poor at very high speeds. Coaxial cables (coax). Used to connect homes to optical broadband systems. Older networks used copper coaxial cabling, which was a lot slower; this has mostly been replaced by DTP. Coax is good for short distances, but poor for longer stretches. |T Wireless methods of transferring data Wireless transfer methods include Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Wi-Fi Take it further Wi-Fi is a very common technology built into every laptop for connection to LANs. 802.11 protocol - This defines Many printers have built in Wi-Fi for connection to a wireless network and so they how Wi-Fi devices can transmit are easily positioned without a network cable. Some desktop computers have built in and receive data. 802.11 has Wi-Fi. Other computers that need a wireless connection can have a Wi-Fi network card several variations: 802.11g at 54 Mbps and 802.11n at up installed or Wi-Fi devices can connect via the USB (universal serial bus) port. to 300 Mbps are the current standards. Wi-Fi needs a wireless access point (WAP), which is often part of a router and acts like a switch to connect the wireless devices together. Bluetooth Bluetooth is a short-range, fairly slow wireless technology that is built into most mobile phones. It is used to connect mobile phones to headsets and for data transfers such as MP3 music between phones and computers. Activity 2.3 Create a table with three columns. In the first column list the different physical methods of transferring data. y In the second column give the benefits of each method. y In the third column give the drawbacks. Just checking vs masawawsi^m 1 Name the four main types of network and state where they are commonly used. y 2 What does the term 'synchronise' mean? 3 Explain the difference between Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. 56 BTEC First in Information and Creative Technology  „» ning aimB a ^^\ ^ ^^ t"t..» ^ ^ & A. y as ^ Introduction This section wil look at how the features of memory and storage devices affect performance and the user experience. ^} Memory and storage The performance of memory and storage devices comes from their speed and storage capacity. Faster speed and lots of storage space make for a better user experience. Computer memory Computer memory, like cache. Random Access Memory (RAM) and Read-Only Memory (ROM), is solid state, which means that they are microchips with no moving parts. The different types of computer memory are used for different purposes. RAM is used to store programs and data that that the CPU is processing and that the viSSMFQ user has accessed. PCs, laptops and some game consoles generally use dynamic RAM. This uses a type of transistor (an electrical component contained within Solid state - A component with no moving parts such as a solid microprocessors) that needs a constant electrical power source to store data. Therefore, state drive (SSD). when a computer is switched off, any data stored within RAM is lost (deleted). Dynamic RAM - Or DRAM, is Mobile phones, digital cameras and some games consoles devices generally use static a type of memory that contains RAM (flash memory). This technology uses a type of transistor that retains its state (on programs in use. Static RAM - Or SRAM, is a or off), so it stores data, even after the power supply is disconnected. type of memory that stores data, Static RAM is more expensive and physically larger than dynamic RAM, but it uses less and which doesn't need to be continually refreshed. power and is faster, which makes it more suitable for smaller portable devices. Flash memory - A type of memory which can be deleted and reprogrammed in blocks of Calculating results Saving documents -> HDD memory. -» RAM CPU Programs and data Starting programs and opening documents Figure 2.3 The interaction between CPU, RAM and HDD ROM Read-Only Memory (ROM) is memory that keeps the contents when the power is -| switched off. PCs have ROM on the motherboard to keep setup information such as the boot sequence to control whether the computer starts with the hard drive (norn}3v I or the DVD drive (to reinstall the operating system). Storage devices Storage devices are used to keep data and documents saved from RAM, so when computer is switched off they are kept safe for another time. They are also used to keep programs for loading into RAM when they start so the CPU can run them. 60 BTEC First in Information and Creative Technology