Module 6 Computing Components Processors, Memory, The Cloud, and More

The Internet of Things

A computing environment where everyday objects, or things, are connected to the Internet Sensors connected to these objects may gather, share, transmit, and receive data about the objects with other devices or servers online

Cellular Seizure Investigation Stick (CSI)

A thief can plug this into a phone and then download sensitive data in seconds.

Cloud Computing Reason 1

Accessibility: Data and/or applications are available worldwide from any computer or device with an Internet Connection

ASCII

American Standard Code for Information Interchange, is the most widely used coding scheme to represent a set of characters

Access Time

Amount of time it takes the processor to read data, instructions, and information from memory. Directly affects how fast the computer processes data accessing data in memory can be more than 200,000 times faster than accessing data on a hard disk because of the mechanical motion of the hard disk.

Arithmetic Logic Unit

Another component of the processor, performs arithmetic, comparison, and other operations

Second way of how memory stores

Applications that carry out a specific task, such as word processing

Arithmetic Operations

Basic calculations, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division

L1 cache

Built directly on the processor chip. Usually has a very small capacity

L3 Cache

Cache on the motherboard that is separate from the processor chip

Transistor

Can act as an electronic switch that opens or closes the circuit for electrical charges Today's computer chips contain millions or billions of transistors.

Useful Products in Securing and Tracking Hardware

Clamps, cables, and locks Intrusion detection Tracking software Asset tags Personal safes

Comparison Operations

Comparing one data with another to determine whether the first item is greater than, equal to, or less than the other item

Control Unit

Component of the processor that directs and coordinates most of the operations in the computer Interprets each instruction issued by a program or an application and then initiates the appropriate action to carry out the instruction. Types of internal components that the control unit directs include the arithmetic logic unit, registers, and buses,

Memory

Consists of electronic components that store instructions waiting to be executed by the processor, data needed by those instructions, and the results of processing the data(information) Usually consists of one or more chips on the motherboard or some other circuit board in the computer

Main memory

Consists of memory chips that can be read from and written to by the processor and other devices

The back end of Cloud Computing

Consists of the servers and storage devices that manage and store the resources accessed by users

Integrated circuit

Contains many microscopic pathways capable of carrying electrical current. Each integrated circuit can contain millions of elements such as resistors, capacitors, and transistors

System Clock

Control the timing of all computer operations System clock generates regular electronic pulses, or ticks, that set the operating pace of components of the system unit.

Cloud Computing Reason 2

Cost Savings: The expense of software and high-end hardware, such as fast processors and high-capacity memory and storage devices, shifts away from the user

Data as a Service

DaaS (data as a service) allows users and applications to access a company's data

Selecting the Right Processor

Determine your needs Determine your current processor Research processor models

Nonvolatile memory

Does not lose its contents when power is removed from the computer permanent Examples are ROM, flash memory, and CMOS Permanent

Two common types of RAM

Dynamic RAM and Static RAM

Multi Core vs Single Core Processor

Each processor core on a multi-core processor generally runs at a slower speed than a single-core processor, but multi-core processors typically increase overall performance. Multi-core processors also are more energy efficient than separate multiple processors, requiring lower levels of power consumption and emitting less heat inside the case.

Gigabyte

Equals 1 billion bytes

Static RAM

Faster and more reliable than any variation of DRAM chips. Do not need to be re energized as often as DRAM chips More expensive than DRAM chips

Firmware

For example, ROM chips in printers contain data for fonts Manufactures of ROM chips often record data, instructions, or information on the chips when they manufacture the chips Contain permanently written data, instructions, or information, such as a computer or mobile device's start-up instructions.

The front end of Cloud Computing

Hardware and software with which a user interacts to access the cloud

SIMM (single inline memory module)

Has pins on opposite sides of the circuit board that connect together to form a single set of contacts

Memory Cache

Helps speed the processes of the computer because it stores frequently used instructions and data

The Chip (Microchip)

Inserted under skin at neck or shoulder has a unique number that is registered to the owner's name and address. It contains an antenna and transponder encased in a glass tube. The antenna receives low-frequency radio waves when a scanning device passes over the chip, and the transponder sends a signal with the chip's number back to the scanner.

Leading manufacturers of personal computers processor chips

Intel and AMD

Processor (Central Processing Unit; CPU)

Inteprets and carries out the basic instructions that operate a computer It significantly impacts overall computing power and manages most of a computer's operations

Alphanumeric Characters

Letters and numbers and special symbols to a sequence of numeric values that a computer can process

Most personal computers today have two types of memory cache:

Level 1(L1) cache and Level 2 (L2) cache Some also have Level 3 (L3)

Superscalar

Means they can execute more than one instruction per clock cycle

Machine Cycle: Storing

Means writing the result to memory

Two common types of cache are

Memory cache and Disk cache

RAM (random access memory or main memory)

Most common type of volatile memory Typically refer when discussing computer and mobile device memory The processor interprets and executes a program or application's instructions while the program or application and data are requested, they also load into this from storage Can accommodate multiple programs and applications simultaneously If the instruction or data is not found in memory, then it must search a slower speed storage medium, such as a hard drive or optical disc consists of memory chips that can be read from and written to by the processor and other devices

Digital

Most computers are this The computers recognize only two discrete states: on and off

Dynamic RAM

Must be re energized constantly or they lose its contents. Many variations of DRAM chips exist, most of which are faster than the basic DRAM

Binary System

Number system that has just two unique digits. 0 and 1, called bits The two digits, 0 and 1, easily can represent these two states (Figure 6-8). The digit 0 represents the electronic state of off (absence of an electronic charge). The digit 1 represents the electronic state of on (presence of an electronic charge).

Gigahertz

One billion ticks of the system clock per second

Nanosecond (ns)

One billionth of a second Extremely fast electricity travels about one foot in a nanosecond.

Microprocessor

Personal computer processor chip

DIMM (dual inline memory module)

Pins on opposite sides of the circuit board do not connect and, thus, form two sets of contacts

Machine Cycle: Executing

Process of carrying out the commands

Machine Cycle: Fetching

Process of obtaining a program or an application instruction or data items from memory

CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor)

Provides high speeds and consumes little power. CMOS technology uses battery power to retain information even when the power to the computer is off. Battery-backed CMOS memory chips, for example, can keep the calendar, date, and time current even when the computer is off. The flash memory chips that store a computer's start-up information often use CMOS technology.

Read only memory

Refers to memory chips storing permanent data and instructions. date on most ROM chips can't be modified It is nonvolatile, which means its contents are not lost when power is removed from the computer Many peripheral devices contain this

System Unit

Refers to the case on a desktop that contains and protects the motherboard, hard drive, memory, and other electronic components

Machine Cycle: Decoding

Refers to the process of translating the instruction into signals the computer can execute

Cooling Pad

Rests below a laptop and protects the computer from overheating and also the user's lap from excessive heat

Common DRAM

SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM) Synchronized to the system clock Much faster than DRAM DDR SDRAM (Double Data Rate SDRAM) Transfers data twice, instead of once, for each clock cycle Faster than SDRAM DDR2 Second generation of DDR Faster than DDR DDR3 Third generation of DDR Designed for computers with multi-core processors Faster than DDR2 DDR4 Fourth generation of DDR Faster than DDR3 RDRAM (Rambus DRAM) Much faster than SDRAM

Two types of memory modules are

SIMM and DIMM

Cloud Computing Reason 4

Scalability: Provides the flexibility to increase or decrease computing requirements as needed

Multi-core processor

Single chip with two or more separate processor cores These are used in all sizes of computers

L2 cache

Slightly slower than L1 cache but has a much larger capacity

Heat sink

Small ceramic or metal component with fins on its surface that absorbs and disperses heat produced by electrical components such as a processor Has fans to help distribute air dissipated by the heat sink

Registers

Small high-speed locations that temporarily hold data and instructions Part of the processor, not part of memory or a permanent storage device. Functions include storing the location from where an instruction was fetched, storing an instruction while the control unit decodes it, storing data while the ALU calculates it, and storing the results of a calculation

Chip

Small piece of semiconducting material, usually silicon, on which integrated circuits are etched.

Bit (binary digit)

Smallest unit of data the computer can process

Expansion slot

Socket on a desktop or server motherboard that can hold an adapter card.

Desktop as a Service

Some companies specify the applications, security settings, and computing resources available to employees on their desktop computers. These images, or configurations, provide a common desktop work environment available to employees across an entire organization. Because the desktop and its applications appear to be installed on the user's own computer, desktop as a service also is known as a virtual desktop.

Adapter Card

Sometimes called an expansion card or adapter board, is a circuit board that enhances the functions of a component of a desktop or server system unit and/or provides connections to peripheral devices

Cloud Computing Reason 3

Space Savings: Floor space required for servers, storages devices, and other hardware shifts away from the user

Cache

Temporary storage area

The Steps in a Machine Cycle Step 3

The ALU performs calculations on the data

Clock Cycle

The System clock generates regular electronic pulses, or ticks, that set the operating pace of components of the system unit and each tick equates to this

Coding scheme

The combinations of 0s and 1s that represent uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special symbols are defined by patterns

The Steps in a Machine Cycle Step 2

The control unit decodes the calculation's instructions and sends the instructions and data to the ALU

The Steps in a Machine Cycle Step 1

The control unit fetches the calculation's instructions and data from memory.

Third way of how memory stores

The data being processed by the applications and the resulting information

First way of how memory stores

The operating system and other programs that control or maintain the computer and its devices

Clock Speed

The pace of the system clock is measured by the number of ticks per second The faster the clock speed, the more instructions the processor can execute per second.

The Steps in a Machine Cycle Step 4

The results of the calculation are stored in memory

Stored Program Concept

This role of memory to store both data and programs

Advanced Transfer Cache

Type of L2 cache built directly on the processor chip Processors that use this perform at much faster rates than those that do not use it

Flash Memory

Type of nonvolatile memory that can be erased electronically and rewritten. Most computers use flash memory to hold their start-up instructions because it allows the computer to update its contents easily. Also store data and programs on many mobile devices and peripheral devices, such as smartphones, portable media players, printers, digital cameras, automotive devices and digital voice recorders

Address

Unique number that identifies the location of a byte in memory. To access data or instructions in memory,

Liquid cooling technology

Uses a continuous flow of fluids such as water and glycol, in a process that transfers the heated fluid away from the processor to a radiator-type grill, which cools the liquid, and then returns the cooled fluid to the processor.

Analog

Uses continuous signals that vary in strength and quality

Two types of memory

Volatile Memory and NonVolatile Memory

Byte

When 8 bits are grouped together as a unit Provides enough different combinations of 0s and 1s to represent 256 different characters These characters include numbers, uppercase and lowercase letters of the alphabet, punctuation marks, and other keyboard symbols, such as an asterisk (*), ampersand (&), and dollar sign ($).

How other devices connected to the computer communicate with the processor to carry out a task,

When a user runs an application, for example, Its instructions transfer from a storage device to memory. Data needed by these programs and applications enters memory from either an input device or a storage device The control unit interprets and executes instructions in memory. Resulting information is stored in memory, from which it can be sent to an output device or a storage device for future access, as needed

Volatile Memory

When the computer's power is turned off it loses its contents temporary memory RAM is the most common type Temporary

Intel compatible processors

Which have an internal design similar to Intel Processors, perform the same functions, and can be as powerful, but often are less expensive. These manufacturers often identify their processor chips by a model name or model number.

What do processors contain?

a control unit and an arithmetic logic unit (ALU). These two components work together to perform processing operations The control unit interprets and executes instructions in memory, and the arithmetic logic unit performs calculations on the data in memory.

Platform as a service

allows developers to create, test, and run their solutions on a cloud platform without having to purchase or configure the underlying hardware and software

Mashups

applications that incorporate data from multiple providers into a new application

Software as a Service

describes a computing environment where an Internet server hosts and deploys applications Editing documents or photos, sending email messages, and managing finances are common consumer tasks of SaaS applications.

Real Time Clock

keeps track of the date and time in a computer. The battery continues to run the real-time clock even when the computer is off.

Storage as a Service

loud storage providers offer file management services such as storing files online, system backup, and archiving earlier versions of files. Cloud storage is especially useful to tablet and smartphone users, because it enables them to access their files from all of their devices.

Motherboard (system board)

main circuit board of the computer Many of the electronic components, such as the processor and the memory, attach to the motherboard; others are built into it.

Peripheral Devices

occupy space outside the system unit and communicate with the system unit using wired or wireless technology.

Hertz

one cycle per second

Smart Cities

use the IoT, as well as advanced communications technologies, to help manage the city. For example, some cities might use connected devices to monitor and manage energy use or control traffic.

L4 cache

used with some newer processor and doesn't reside on the processor

IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service)

uses software to emulate hardware capabilities, enabling companies to scale, or adjust up or down, storage, processing power, or bandwidth as needed