chapter 3

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3 - 2Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Computer Hardware

Chapter

3Chapter

3

3 - 3Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

1. Identify the major types and uses of microcomputer, midrange, and mainframe computer systems.

2. Outline the major technologies and uses of computer peripherals for input, output, and storage.

Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives

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Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives

3. Identify and give examples of the components and functions of a computer system.

4. Identify the computer systems and peripherals you would acquire or recommend for a business of your choice, and explain the reasons for your selections.

3 - 5Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

What is a Computer?What is a Computer?

Definition:

• All computers are systems of input, processing, output, storage, and control components.

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Case #1: Mobile and Wireless DevicesCase #1: Mobile and Wireless Devices

• When it comes to wireless technologies used to empower a mobile workforce, the ROI seems to be a minor issue.

• Cost isn’t the issue – connectivity is.

• Companies can better manage their costs by using wireless technology to its fullest.

3 - 7Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Case #1: Mobile and Wireless DevicesCase #1: Mobile and Wireless Devices

IT Department’s Challenge

• Ensure that business users have access to solid, secure connections, no matter where they’re working.

• Must think through how to deliver applications so they can be used on small LCD screens.

3 - 8Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Case #1: Mobile and Wireless DevicesCase #1: Mobile and Wireless Devices

1. What are some of the benefits that organizations could realize by connecting all of their employees with mobile devices?

2. Are the CIOs in the case saying that ROI is not important when deploying mobile computing devices? Explain your position.

3 - 9Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Case #1: Mobile and Wireless DevicesCase #1: Mobile and Wireless Devices

3. The case suggests that an increasingly popular mobile device is the Blackberry. What is it about the Blackberry that makes it so popular? Check out the Research in Motion website at www.rim.net to help with your answer.

4. Should mobile wireless technologies be bundled together in a generic fashion or should manufacturers allow for customization of mobile devices to be more industry or task specific? Explain.

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Types of Computer SystemsTypes of Computer Systems

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Microcomputer SystemsMicrocomputer Systems

• Personal Computer (PC) – microcomputer for use by an individual

• Professional Workstation – a powerful, networked PC for business professionals

• Laptop – small, portable PC

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Microcomputer SystemsMicrocomputer Systems

• Network Server – more powerful microcomputers that coordinate telecommunications and resource sharing in small local area networks and Internet and intranet websites

• Computer Terminals – depend on servers for software, storage and processing power

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Microcomputer SystemsMicrocomputer Systems

• Network Computers – low-cost, sealed microcomputers with no or minimal disk storage that are linked to the network

• Information Appliances – hand-held microcomputer devices

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PC FeaturesPC Features

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Midrange SystemsMidrange Systems

Definition:

• Primarily high-end network servers and other types of servers that can handle the large-scale processing of many business applications.

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Mainframe SystemsMainframe Systems

Definition:

• Large, fast, and powerful computer systems

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Supercomputer SystemsSupercomputer Systems

Definition:

• Extremely powerful computer systems specifically designed for scientific, engineering, and business applications requiring extremely high speeds for massive numeric computations

3 - 18Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Hardware Organized by System FunctionsHardware Organized by System Functions

• Input Devices convert data into electronic form for direct entry or through a telecommunications network into a computer system

• Processing Components primarily the Central Processing Unit (CPU)• Arithmetic-Logic Unit (ALU) - perform

arithmetic and logic functions required to execute software instructions

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Hardware Organized by System FunctionsHardware Organized by System Functions

• Output Devices convert electronic information produced by the computer system into human-intelligible form for presentation to end users

• Storage Devices store data and software instructions needed for processing

• Control Components primarily the CPU’s Control Unit which interprets software instructions and transmits directions that control the activities of the other components of the computer system

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Computer Processing SpeedsComputer Processing Speeds

• Millisecond – thousandth of a second

• Microsecond – millionth of a second

• Nanosecond – billionth of a second

• Picosecond – trillionth of a second

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Computer Clock SpeedsComputer Clock Speeds

• MIPS – million instructions per second

• Megahertz (MHz) – millions of cycles per second

• Gigahertz (GHz) – billions of cycles per second

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ThroughputThroughput

Definition:• Ability of a microprocessor to perform useful

computation or data processing assignments during a given period of time

Depends on:• Buses – size of circuitry paths that interconnect

microprocessor components• Registers – that process instructions• Cache – high-speed memory• Specialized Processors

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Case #2: Customer Self-Service KiosksCase #2: Customer Self-Service Kiosks

Goal:

• For airline travelers, the best trips are fast and hassle-free, with limited time spent at the airport.

• The goal is speeding travelers to their destinations.

3 - 24Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Case #2: Customer Self-Service KiosksCase #2: Customer Self-Service Kiosks

Self-Service Kiosks Uses:• Check in for flights• Get boarding passes for originating or

connecting flights• Select or change seats• Request to stand by for an upgrade• Check baggage• Change flights• Initiate multiparty check-ins• International check-in• Collect fees

3 - 25Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Case #2: Customer Self-Service KiosksCase #2: Customer Self-Service Kiosks

Benefits:

• Help customers shave 5 to 15 minutes off the time they have to stand in line

• Cornerstone of a broader airport strategy to offer customers more control

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Case #2: Customer Self-Service KiosksCase #2: Customer Self-Service Kiosks

Technology:

• Input • video touch screens as the primary user

interface• magnetic stripe card reader

• Processing - networked special-purpose microcomputer terminals

• Output - built-in, high-speed thermal printer

3 - 27Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Case #2: Customer Self-Service KiosksCase #2: Customer Self-Service Kiosks

1. What computer system technologies and functions are included in self-service kiosks? What other technologies should be provided? Why? Visit the Kinetics USA website for more details.

2. What is the customer value of self-service kiosks for airline check-ins? What other services should be provided? Take the demo tour of the Delta check-in kiosk at www.delta.com/travel/trav_serv/kiosk to help you answer.

3 - 28Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Case #2: Customer Self-Service KiosksCase #2: Customer Self-Service Kiosks

3. What is the business value of self-service kiosk in the airline industry? Do self-service kiosks give airlines a competitive advantage? Why or why not?

4. What are several other present or potential business applications for self-service networked kiosks? What are their business benefits and limitations? Give several examples.

3 - 29Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Computer PeripheralsComputer Peripherals

Definition:

• Generic name given to all input, output, and secondary storage devices that are part of a computer system, but are not part of the CPU.

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Peripherals AdvicePeripherals Advice

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Online vs. OfflineOnline vs. Offline

• Online – devices are separate from but can be electronically connected to and controlled by a CPU

• Offline – devices are separate from and not under the control of the CPU

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Input TechnologiesInput Technologies

• Keyboard

• Pointing Devices

• Pen-Based Computing

• Speech Recognition Systems

• Optical Scanning

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Graphical User Interface (GUI)Graphical User Interface (GUI)

Definition:

• Icons, menus, windows, buttons, bars, etc used for user selection

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Pointing DevicesPointing Devices

• Electronic Mouse – Moving mouse on pad moves cursor on screen. Pressing buttons on mouse activates activities represented by selected icons.

• Trackball – Stationary device with a roller ball on top used to move cursor on screen.

• Pointing Stick – Small button-like device which moves cursor in direction of pressure placed on stick.

3 - 35Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Pointing DevicesPointing Devices

• Touchpad – Small rectangular touch-sensitive surface which moves the cursor in the direction of finger moves on the pad.

• Touch Screen – Video display screen that emits a grid of infrared beams, sound waves, or a slight electric current that is broken when the screen is touched.

3 - 36Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Pen-based ComputingPen-based Computing

Definition:

• Pressure-sensitive layer under slate-like liquid crystal display screen and software that digitizes handwriting, hand printing, and hand drawing

3 - 37Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Speech Recognition SystemsSpeech Recognition Systems

• Discrete – user must pause between each spoken word

• Continuous – software can recognize conversationally-paced speech

3 - 38Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Optical ScanningOptical Scanning

Definition:

• Devices that read text or graphics and convert them into digital input for your computer

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Optical Character Recognition (OCR)Optical Character Recognition (OCR)

Definition:

• The machine identification of printed characters through the use of light-sensitive devices

3 - 40Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Other Input TechnologiesOther Input Technologies

• Magnetic Stripe – devices that read data stored in the magnetic stripe on the back of cards

• Smart Cards – devices that read a microprocessor chip embedded in a card

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Other Input TechnologiesOther Input Technologies

• Digital cameras – devices that allow you to capture, store, and download still photos and full motion pictures

• Magnetic Ink Recognition (MICR) – devices that can read characters printed on source documents with an iron oxide-based ink

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Output TechnologiesOutput Technologies

• Video Output

• Printed Output

• Voice Response

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Video OutputVideo Output

• Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) – similar to vacuum tubes in television

• Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) – electronic visual displays that form characters by applying an electrical charge to selected silicon crystals

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Printed OutputPrinted Output

• Inkjet Printers – spray ink onto the page

• Laser Printers – use an electrostatic process similar to a photocopying machine

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Storage Trade-OffsStorage Trade-Offs

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Binary RepresentationBinary Representation

Definition:

• Data are processed and stored in a computer system through the presence or absence of electronic or magnetic signals in the computer’s circuitry or in the media it uses

3 - 47Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Bit vs. ByteBit vs. Byte

• Bit – binary digit, which can have a value of either zero or one

• Byte – basic grouping of bits that the computer operates as a single unit, typically eight bits

3 - 48Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Storage CapacitiesStorage Capacities

• Kilobyte (KB) – one thousand bytes

• Megabytes (MB) – one million bytes

• Gigabytes (GB) – one billion bytes

• Terabytes (TB) – one trillion bytes

• Petabytes (PB) – one quadrillion bytes

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ASCII CodesASCII Codes

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Binary Number SystemBinary Number System

Definition:

• Number system used by computers to perform computations since it has only two digits

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Binary Number SystemBinary Number System

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Direct vs. Sequential AccessDirect vs. Sequential Access

• Direct (or Random) Access – Each storage position has a unique address. Each storage position can be individually accessed without having to search through other storage positions.

• Sequential Access – Data are recorded one after another in a predetermined sequence. Locating an individual item of data requires searching the recorded data until the desired item is located.

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Direct vs. Sequential AccessDirect vs. Sequential Access

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Semiconductor MemorySemiconductor Memory

Characteristics:

• Small

• Fast

• Shock Resistant

• Temperature Resistant

• Volatile – contents of memory is lost when power is interrupted

• Used for Primary Storage

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RAM vs. ROMRAM vs. ROM

• Random Access Memory (RAM) – each memory position can be both sensed and changed

• Read Only Memory (ROM) – can be read but not erased or overwritten

3 - 56Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

FirmwareFirmware

Definition:

• Frequently used programs which are permanently burned into ROM during manufacture

3 - 57Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Magnetic DisksMagnetic Disks

Characteristics:

• Fast

• Large

• Reasonably Priced

• Used for Secondary Storage

3 - 58Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Types of Magnetic DisksTypes of Magnetic Disks

• Floppy Disks – single disk inside a protective jacket

• Hard Disk Drives – several disks, access arms and read/write heads in a sealed module

• Redundant Arrays of Independent Disks (RAID) - disk arrays of interconnected microcomputer hard disk drives

3 - 59Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Formatting DisksFormatting Disks

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Hard Disk DrivesHard Disk Drives

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Magnetic TapeMagnetic Tape

Definition:

• Read/write heads of magnetic tape drives record data in the form of magnetized spots on the iron oxide coating of the plastic tape

3 - 62Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Optical DisksOptical Disks

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Optical DisksOptical Disks

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Business Applications of Optical DisksBusiness Applications of Optical Disks

• Long-term archival storage of historical files of document images

• Publishing medium for fast access to reference materials in a convenient compact form

• Computer video games, educational videos, multimedia encyclopedias and advertising presentations

3 - 65Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Case #3: Speech Recognition SoftwareCase #3: Speech Recognition Software

• Computerized speech has come a long way since the early 1980s.

• The technology has become smarter, easier to use, and more integrated with other applications.

• Such technical advances, plus product introductions that facilitate the development of the technology by mainstream developers, are enabling new uses for automated speech systems.

3 - 66Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Case #3: Speech Recognition SoftwareCase #3: Speech Recognition Software

• Despite the steady advancements to bigger vocabularies, lower error rates, and more natural interfaces, however, speech products have remained specialized tools for niche markets such as PC navigation by the disabled, medical dictation, and tightly constrained customer service interactions.

3 - 67Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Case #3: Speech Recognition SoftwareCase #3: Speech Recognition Software

• But now, previously stand-alone speech systems are linking up with enterprise systems to access other applications and spawn transactions.

3 - 68Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Case #3: Speech Recognition SoftwareCase #3: Speech Recognition Software

1. What are the business benefits and limitations of IVR at Verizon? How could their use of IVR be improved? Defend your proposals.

2. What types of business situations would benefit most from IVR technology? Which ones would benefit least? Explain.

3 - 69Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Case #3: Speech Recognition SoftwareCase #3: Speech Recognition Software

3. Given the advancements in voice recognition software over the last 20 years, what types of new applications for IVR do you see in the next 20 years? Give examples and explain.

3 - 70Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Case #4: Moving to Linux on the MainframeCase #4: Moving to Linux on the Mainframe

Linux Benefits:

• Low cost of licensing Linux

• Rely on a community of users to identify and fix bugs

Mainframe Benefits:

• Reliability

• Speed

• Management Tools

3 - 71Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Case #4: Moving to Linux on the MainframeCase #4: Moving to Linux on the Mainframe

Server Consolidation:• Leverage the mainframe’s reliability• Keep support costs low

• Best Candidates – infrastructure applications

• Worst Candidates – Windows applications and others with complex GUIs or that perform complicated data analysis

3 - 72Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Case #4: Moving to Linux on the MainframeCase #4: Moving to Linux on the Mainframe

Tasks:

• Identify applications to run on the mainframe

• Migrate applications first to stand-alone servers running Linux

• Train staff in mainframe Linux skills

3 - 73Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Case #4: Moving to Linux on the MainframeCase #4: Moving to Linux on the Mainframe

1. How can a mainframe use Linux to replace the equivalent of hundreds of Unix or Windows servers?

2. What are the business benefits and challenges of using Linux on a mainframe to replace Windows or Unix servers? Use WPS and Winnebago to illustrate your answer.

3 - 74Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Case #4: Moving to Linux on the MainframeCase #4: Moving to Linux on the Mainframe

3. What business applications are best suited to servers? To mainframes? Explain your reasoning.

3 - 75Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

SummarySummary

• Major types of computers include microcomputers, midrange computers, mainframe computers and supercomputers.

• A computer is a system of information processing components that perform input, processing, output, storage, and control functions.

3 - 76Copyright © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

End of Chapter

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