1 Melissa Hinton CINS 3050 Ch.

3 Review Questions

1. IS hardware is classified into what major types? The two basic types of IS software are systems software and application software. 2. In one paragraph, explain how a computer works. The main component of a computer is the central processing unit (CPU) or microprocessor, often called the computer's brain, as it is responsible for performing all the operations of the computer. Its job includes the operating system. When the machine is first turned on and performing, coordinating, and managing all the calculations and instructions relayed to it while the computer is running. Any input the keyboard receives is digitized, or translated into a binary code, then processed by the CPU. The CPU uses RAM as temporary storage space for the data it's currently processing. The CPU then interacts with secondary storage such as HD, optical disk, or flash. 3. Describe the difference between systems software and application software. System software coordinates interactions between hardware, application software and users, whereas application software is for a certain task. Example of systems software would be windows 7, UNIX, or linux. Application software is MS office, Utorrent, etc. 4. How is quality in open source software ensured? There is a larger database of users that help fix the problems with the software, and the codes are freely available for modification. 5. Describe the different types of computers and their key distinguishing characteristics. a. Supercomputer-most expensive and most powerful kind of computer. Assists in solving massive scientific problems. Size of a vehicle. b. Mainframe-very large. Main, central computing systems for governmental agencies or major corporations. Size of a refrigerator c. Server-A computer on a network that makes access to files, printing, communications, and other services available to users of the network. d. Workstation-Desktop computer, more powerful than a microcomputer, used for visualization and rendering 3D models. Fits on a desktop e. Microcomputer-Used for personal computing and small business computing. Handheld to fitting on a desktop, such as a tablet. 6. For which purposes are data stored in organizations? It is easily accessible this way, it is also faster to access information if it is organized. 7. How does computer networking work? Computer networking is the sharing of information or services between computers using wireless or cable transmission media. The client would get its information from a server using network interface cards. 8. What are the major types of networks? a. Private branch exchange. Telephone system serving in a particular location such as in a business. b. Personal area network Wireless communication between devices, using technologies such as Bluetooth, under 10 meters.

2 c. Local area network, sharing of data, software applications or other resources between several users. Typically within a building. d. Campus area network. Connect multiple LANs, used by a single organization. Spanning multiple buildings, such as a university or business campus. e. Wide area network. Connect through multiple LANs, distributed ownership and management. Large physical distance, up to worldwide (internet) What is the World Wide Web, and what is its relationship to the Internet? The World Wide Web is a system of interlinked documents on the Internet, or a graphical user interface to the Internet that provides users with a simple, consistent interface to access a wide variety of information. The internet is how we access these documents. What are URLs, and why are they important to the World Wide Web? URLs locate and identify a particular webpage. The host name is WWW for world wide web. The domain is who the particular website belongs to. ex: wordpress.com/melissajean0. Wordpress owns the domain, I own the sub-domain melissajean0. The top level domain usually goes along with the group its associated with. sx belongs to the Netherlands, uk belongs to the United Kingdom, edueducational facilities, com-commercial businesses. What are the problems associated with software obsolescence? a. As a consumer, one major disadvantage is that once we buy new software its practically outdated in a few months. b. Older generation software wont work with some newer systems c. Some are forced to use newer versions because older versions are reaching the end of their life spans and will not receive updates and wont be serviceable. Describe the characteristics of the cloud computing model. a. It is an on-demand pool of resources stored on an infrastructure. What is the difference between SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS? a. SaaSuses an application provided by a remote data center and provided as a service to customers on the internet. Provider provides support, customers use application using a browser. i. Ex: Gmail, Salesforce, Skydrive b. PaaScustomer can run his/her own applications designed using tools provided by the service provider. i. Ex: Google App Engine c. Iaasbasic capabilities of processing, storage, and networking are all that is provided. Customer has control over resources and is the most flexible. i. Ex: Rackspace, Amazon EC2 Define grid computing and describe its advantages and disadvantages. a. Combining the computing power of a larger number of smaller, independent, networked computers into a cohesive system in order to solve problems only supercomputers were previously capable of solving i. Computers can be use simultaneously for problem-solving as well as other tasks. ii. Very demanding infrastructure which can slow down the entire grid. Describe what is meant by the term IP convergence. a. The use of IP for transporting voice, video, fax, and data traffic i. Ex: Instant messaging

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3 16. Describe why green computing has become so important to modern organizations. a. They work more efficiently b. Helping companies save money c. Saves space d. More resourceful e. Lower carbon footprints f. Save energy g. Creates less waste through recycling parts