Computer Systems

Topic 1:
Introduction to Computer Systems

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 Computer Systems

Topic 1 – Lecture 2:
Types of Computer System

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 Introduction to Computer Systems Topic 1 - 1.3

Computer Systems
 It is a combination of all the functional
components of a computer and its associated
hardware that work together to accomplish one
or more common goals.
 It performs input, processing, storage, output
and controlling

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Functional Components
 Hardware
 Software
 Humanware
 Firmware

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Data and Information

 Data refers to a collection of numbers,
characters, or images or sounds that are
unprocessed
 Information is the meaningful data that results
from the processing of the unprocessed data.
 Data are for computer
 People uses information

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Data Information
 Raw Facts Processed Data
 No context Data with context
 Just Number or text or Value added to data
sound or image Summarized
Analyzed
Organized

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Example
6.34
6.45
6.39
6.62
6.57
6.64
6.71
6.82
7.12
7.06

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Data processing
 The process of transforming data into
information

Input Output
Processing
Raw Data Information

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Types of Computer Systems

• Computer systems are found everywhere.
• There are many different types.
• The classifications are not definitive.
– There is considerable overlap between types.
– There are computer systems that can not be fitted
into any type.
– Old classifications are becoming obsolete.
– New types of computer are being invented.
• Use the following types as a guide, but do not get
too worried about the fine detail.

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Supercomputers
• The largest type of computer
• Leading edge in terms of processing power and
speed
• Usually one-off designs
• Historically: Cray http://www.cray.com
Now usually massively parallel clusters of off-the-
shelf processors in custom packages
• Used for highly calculation-bound problems
– Weather forecasting
– Quantum Physics
– Physical simulations

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Supercomputers – Examples

IBM Sequoia BlueGene/Q supercomputer, installed at the Department of Energy's Lawrence

Livermore National Laboratory, runs 16.32 petaflops, using 1.6 million compute cores in 96
racks.

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Supercomputers – Examples

Japan's K computer, can handle a sustained 10.51

petaflops per second.

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Supercomputers – Examples
C

The Columbia Supercomputer at NASA's Advanced Supercomputing Facility at Ames Research

Centre. It consists of a 10,240-processor SGI Altix system comprised of 20 nodes, each with 512
Intel Itanium 2 processors, and running a Linux operating system. (NASA, 2006)

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A Cray-1 preserved at theDeutsches Museum

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Mainframe Computers - 1
• Historically the term referred to large, single
processor computers.
– E.g. IBM 700/7000, System/360, System z10
• These days, mainframes are not so much defined
by computational speed as by redundant internal
engineering and resulting high reliability.
• Also feature security, extensive input-output
facilities, strict backward compatibility with older
software, and high utilisation rates to support
massive throughput

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Mainframe Computers - 2
• Often run for years without interruption
– Repairs and upgrades taking place during normal
operation
• Typical application includes:
– Large corporate data processing
– Census processing
– Enterprise Resource Planning
– Financial transaction processing

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Mainframe Computers –
Traditional Example IBM System 360
• IBM System/360-91
• Released 1967
• Single processor, hard wired
– No microcode

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Mainframe Computers –
IBM System 360

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Mainframe Computers –
Modern Example IBM System z10
• IBM System z10 BC
• First released 2008
• Quad core z10 processing engine

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Mainframe Computers –
Modern Example IBM System z10

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Mainframe Computers –
Modern Example IBM System z10 BC

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Mini Computers
• Mid-range computer systems, traditionally between
Mainframes and Micros.
• Significant overlap between high end PC,
workstation, server and mini computer
• Current systems by Sun, IBM, Hewlett-Packard
etc.
• Most commonly use Unix operating system

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Mini Computers – Historical Example

• DEC PDP-8
• First commercially successful mini
• Introduced 1965
• Last produced 1979

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Mini Computers – Historical Example

DEC PDP -8

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Micro Computers - 1
• There is much debate over which was the first
micro computer.
– Many systems based on micro-processors and
hard wired logic were built
– Mainly for and by hobby electronics enthusiasts
– MITS Altair 8800 (1975) is often cited
• The home computer market developed.
– Used a TV for a screen
– Often programmed in BASIC
E.g. Apple II, Commodore PET
• IBM PC launched in 1981, aimed at home market.

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Micro Computers - 2
• Business use rapidly increased with the
introduction of the first spreadsheet software
(VisiCalc, initially for Apple II in 1979).
– Lotus spreadsheet for the IBM PC is largely
credited with making PCs credible in the business
world.
• Now generally called PCs and using the industry
standard Intel x86 compatible architecture and
usually Microsoft Windows operating system

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Micro Computers – The Original IBM PC

• Launched 1981
• Used Intel 8088 micro-processor
– 16 bit internally but 8 bit externally to keep cost of
other components (particularly memory) down
– Basis of current x86 architecture

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The MITS Altair 8800 was a microcomputer design from 1975 based on the Intel 8080 CPU.

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Laptop Computers
• A full computer system in a single case
• Easily portable
• Can run off batteries or mains electricity
• Screen opens up to reveal keyboard
• Vary from light weight, small screen and keyboard
(often called Netbook) to large, heavy desktop PC
replacements
• Usually using Intel x86 and Windows

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Netbook Computers - 1
• A small laptop
• Easily portable
• Limited processing power, memory and disk space
• Long battery life
• Initially, came with Linux operating system,
keeping costs down
– Now often have older version of Windows (like XP)
or a cut down version of current Windows, like
Windows 7 basic

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Netbook Computers - 2
• The line between Netbooks and laptops is
particularly unclear
– You can get large Netbooks with bigger screens
etc. than some small laptops
• You can also get “subnotebooks” which sit
somewhere between laptops and netbooks
• Don’t worry to much about classifying these
portable computers, as different manufacturers will
use different classifications anyway
– Just find the size and power (and price!) that suits
your needs

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Other Types of Computer - 1

• Server
– Generally PC architecture, often with multiple
CPUs, lots of memory and big disks
– Deliver service such as file and print sharing, or
web servers
• Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)
– Very small, to fit in a pocket
– Often touch screen
– An electronic version of a diary and address book
– Generally being replaced by…

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Other Types of Computer - 2

• Smart Phone
– An example of digital convergence
– Mobile phone, MP3 player and PDA functionality in
one pocket sized device
– May include camera and other facilities as well
• Tablet PC
- Like a laptop or Netbook but with a touch screen
that you can write on
• Wearable PC

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Embedded Systems
• Computers are now built into many devices.
• Cars have computer controlled engine
management systems.
• Digital televisions and personal video recorders
are effectively computers.
• Factory machinery is computer controlled.
Etc. etc. etc.

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References - 1
• Gesswein, D. (No Date). “Online PDP-8 Home Page,
Run a PDP-8”, [Available Online]
http://www.pdp8.net/

• Living Computer Museum (No Date). “PDP-8/e”,

[Available Online] http://tinyurl.com/5t7xvg9

• IBM (No Date). “IBM Personal Computer”, [Available

Online], http://tinyurl.com/6jmtw6f

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References - 2
• IBM (No Date). “System/360 Model 91”, IBM Archives.
[Available Online] http://tinyurl.com/67lmpa6

• IBM (2008). “IBM Launches New “System z10”

Mainframe”, IBM, Mumbai, Munich, New York, Tokyo - 26
Feb 2008. [Available Online] http://tinyurl.com/3bw4lx

• NASA,(2006). “Black Hole Simulations Take Us inside the

Mind of Einstein.” [Available Online]
http://tinyurl.com/5w93fgh

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Topic 1 – Introduction to Computer Systems

Any Questions?

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