macquarie fields college of tafe version 2 – 13 march 2000 5 - hardware 5

Macquarie Fields College of TAFE

Version 2 – 13 March 20005 - HARDWARE

5

Network Servers

When printers, modems, and hard disk drives are connected into a network, additional hardware, called network servers, is required to allow these

nodes to be shared by all the microcomputers on the network.

There are four basic kinds of servers.

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Network Servers• Printer Servers

Allow all computers on the network to use the same printer

• File Servers

Allow all computers on the network to use the same hard disk drive

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Network Servers• Routing Servers

Connect two or more networks with the same architecture.

• Gateway Servers

Connect two or more different types of networks. These gateways simplify the network and reduce network expenses.

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Network Components

• Two or more computers

• Cabling

• Connectors

• Terminators

• Network Operating System (NOS)

• Network Interface Card (NIC)

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• Servers

–File

–Mail

–Print

• Mainframes

• Routers

–Frame Relays

–Gateways

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Network Components

Network Advantages

• Share Information (files)

• Share Resources (printers, programs)

• E-Mail

• Security

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Network Disadvantages

• Initial Cost of Hardware/Software

• Implementation Costs

• Network Complexity (training, crashes)

• Control (access, viruses)

• Performance

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• Training

• Back-ups

• Access/Passwords

• Maintaining

• Configuring

• Installing

Network AdministratorSystems Administrator

Network Manager

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RAM & ROM• RAM (Random Access Memory)

–Volatile Memory

• ROM (Read Only Memory)

–Non-volatile Memory

– Imprinted into chip by manufacturer

–Required by the CPU to enable it to handle data

–Can be read and used but not altered

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Disks

• Scandisk

• Defrag (Defragmentation)

• Partitioning

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Care & Maintenance

• Floppy Disks

• Fixed Disks

• VDU

• System Unit Box

• Keyboard

• Mouse

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Care & Maintenance

• Speakers

• Printers

• Cables & Leads

• Modems

• External CD-ROMs

• Scanner

• Tape Devices

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Trouble Shooting

Trouble Shooting involves correctly identifying, repairing and maintaining computer equipment

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Trouble Shooting

• Main Problem Areas

• Electronic/Electrical Failures

• Hardware/Mechanical (printer jam/broken cable)

• Software (operator error)

• Fault Logs

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Trouble Shooting

• Floppy Disks

• Fixed Disks

• VDU

• System Unit Box

• Keyboard

• Mouse

• Speakers

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Trouble Shooting

• Printers

• Cables & Leads

• Modems

• CD-ROMs

• Scanners

• Tape Devices

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Occupational Health

• Take rest periods every 1 hour

• Do regular exercises

• Position Screen away from glare

• Position chair at the right height

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Safety

• Ensure power is turned off and pulled out of the Wall Socket when working with the hardware components

• Turn computer off ASAP if unusual noises or smells are present

• Try to save your work before powering down

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Safety

• Keep backups

• Use

–Anti-static straps

–Surge Protector

–Spike Protector

• Read Manuals

• Remain calm and logical

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Client Requirements

• Client Needs

• Alternative Solutions

• Appropriate Solutions

• Document Solutions

• Purchasing Guidelines

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Documentation

• Hardware Logs

• Software Logs

• Registered Software

• Stock take of Installed Software

• Inventory of Consumables and Parts

• Accessing and recording stock from the store

• Maintain a library of manuals

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Network Cabling

Three types of wires or cables are used to connect computers in a local area network:

• Twisted-pair wires

• Coaxial cables

• Fiber-optic cables

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Network Cabling

1. Twisted-pair wires

• Like telephone wires

• Least expensive way to connect computers

• Relatively slow speed

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Network Cabling

2. Coaxial Cables

• Cables are layered• Inner wire is surrounded by an

insulating material• Braided wire shields the inner wire

from any noise or other signals• Can transmit data much faster than

twisted-pair wires

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Network Cabling

3. Fiber-optic Cables

• Made of plastic or glass fibers

• Digital data signals are used to modulate a light beam to convert it into pulses

• Fast and reliable, as well as small and light

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Terminators

A device attached to the end-points of a bus network or daisy-chain. The

purpose of the terminator is to absorb signals so that they do not reflect back

down the line. Ethernet networks require a terminator at both ends of the bus, and SCSI chains require a single

terminator at the end of the chain.

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Network Operating System (NOS)

An operating system that includes special functions for connecting

computers and devices into a local-area network (LAN). Some operating systems, such as UNIX and the Mac

OS, have networking functions built in.

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Network Interface Card (NIC)

Often abbreviated as NIC, an expansion board you insert into a computer so the computer can be

connected to a network. Most NICs are designed for a particular type of

network, protocol, and media, although some can serve multiple networks.

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Backups

• What is a backup?

• Where should backups be stored?

• Where should backups not be stored?

• How often should a backup be performed?

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Grandfather, Father, Son Backups

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Monday Grandfather

Tuesday Father

Wednesday Son

Thursday Grandfather

Friday Father

Monday Son

Tuesday Grandfather

Set 1MondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFriday GrandfatherMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFriday FatherMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFriday SonMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFriday Grandfather Grandfather

Set 3Set 2

Types of backup media

• CD-ROM

• Diskette

• Tape Drive

• Tape Reel

• Zip Drive

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Care of Floppy Disks• Do not bend

• Do not touch the magnetic disk as the oil on your fingers will leave an imprint and corrupt the disk

• Write on labels before placing on disk

• Do not leave near heat or in the car

• Do not place near a magnetic device such as the telephone

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Care of Fixed Disks• Locate in a dust free

environment

• Do not move computer when running

• Scan disk regularly

• Virus check disk regularly

• Defrag disk regularly

• Delete unwanted files regularly

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Care of VDU• Use an anti-static cleaning cloth

• Keep in a dust free environment

• Ensure a screen saver is active on your system so the monitor does not burn

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Care of System Unit Box• Keep in a dust free environment

• Do not open the unit unnecessarily

• Do not move the unit when computer is on

• Do not smoke around the computer

• Clean dust around disk and CD drives with a cotton bud

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Care of Keyboard• Keep keyboard covered when not in

use

• Do not eat around the computer as food particulars fall between the keys and corrupt contact between key and pressure pads

• Wipe keyboard over regularly to keep clean

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Care of Mouse• Use mouse on a clean mouse pad

• Keep working environment dust free

• Clean mouse regularly – inside and outside

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Viruses

• What is a virus?

• Where do viruses come from?

• Why are viruses created?

• How do viruses spread?

• How can you detect a virus?

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My Printer’s not working!

9. Check RAM

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Power point is onPower board is onPrinter switch is onPrinter is online

Plugged into power pointPlugged into power boardPlugged into back of computerPlugged into back of printer

3. Check Drivers are installed

4. Check Drivers are allocated tocorrect printer

5. Check is paper is jammed

6. Check if correct printer is installed

7. Check if ink/cartridge needs replacing

8. Check Printer is plugged in

1. Check paper

2. Check Power

Network Interface Card (NIC)

Often abbreviated as NIC, an expansion board you insert into a computer so the computer can be

connected to a network. Most NICs are designed for a particular type of

network, protocol, and media, although some can serve multiple networks.

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