Computer MCQ

RK’S KRY FOUNDATIONS
Communication SI & PC Notes

By
Korivi Ramesh, M.Sc(IS),M.Tech(CSE),OCJP,(LL.B)
Oracle Certified Technology Trainer
Computer
A computer is an electronic device, operating under the control of instructions stored
in its own memory that can accept data (input), process the data according to
specified rules, produce information (output), and store the information for future
use1.
Functionalities of a computer2
Any digital computer carries out five functions in gross terms:
Computer Components
Any kind of computers consists of HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE.
Hardware:
Computer hardware is the collection of physical elements that constitutes a computer
system. Computer hardware refers to the physical parts or components of a computer
such as the monitor, mouse, keyboard, computer data storage, hard drive disk (HDD),
system unit (graphic cards, sound cards, memory, motherboard and chips), etc. all of
which are physical objects that can be touched.3
KORIVI RAMESH, M.SC(IS), M.TECH(CSE), OCJP, (LL.B) 1

Input Devices
Input device is any peripheral (piece of computer hardware equipment to provide data
and control signals to an information processing system such as a computer or other
information appliance.
Input device Translate data from form that humans understand to one that the
computer can work with. Most common are keyboard and mouse
Example of Input Devices:-

1. Keyboard 2. Mouse (pointing device) 3. Microphone
4. Touch screen 5. Scanner 6. Webcam
7. Touchpads 8. MIDI keyboard 9.
10. Graphics Tablets 11. Cameras 12. Pen Input
13. Video Capture Hardware 14. Microphone 15. Trackballs
16. Barcode reader 17. Digital camera 18. Joystick
19. Gamepad 20. Electronic Whiteboard 21.
Note: The most common use keyboard is the QWERTY keyboard. Generally
standard Keyboard has 104 keys.


Central Processing Unit (CPU)

A CPU is brain of a computer. It is responsible for all functions and processes.
Regarding computing power, the CPU is the most important element of a computer
system.
The CPU is comprised of three main parts :

* Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU): Executes all arithmetic and logical operations.
Arithmetic calculations like as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
Logical operation like compare numbers, letters, or special characters
* Control Unit (CU): controls and co-ordinates computer components.
1. Read the code for the next instruction to be executed.
2. Increment the program counter so it points to the next instruction.
3. Read whatever data the instruction requires from cells in memory.
4. Provide the necessary data to an ALU or register.
5. If the instruction requires an ALU or specialized hardware to complete, instruct
the hardware to perform the requested operation.
* Registers :Stores the data that is to be executed next, "very fast storage area".
Primary Memory:-
1. RAM: Random Access Memory (RAM) is a memory scheme within the computer
system responsible for storing data on a temporary basis, so that it can be promptly
accessed by the processor as and when needed. It is volatile in nature, which
means that data will be erased once supply to the storage device is turned off.
RAM stores data randomly and the processor accesses these data randomly from
the RAM storage. RAM is considered "random access" because you can access
any memory cell directly if you know the row and column that intersect at that
cell.
2. ROM (Read Only Memory): ROM is a permanent form of storage. ROM stays
active regardless of whether power supply to it is turned on or off. ROM
devices do not allow data stored on them to be modified.
Secondary Memory:-
Stores data and programs permanently :its retained after the power is turned off
1. Hard drive (HD): A hard disk is part of a unit, often called a "disk drive," "hard
drive," or "hard disk drive," that store and provides relatively quick access to large
amounts of data on an electromagnetically charged surface or set of surfaces.
2. Optical Disk: an optical disc drive (ODD) is a disk drive that uses laser light as part
of the process of reading or writing data to or from optical discs. Some drives can
only read from discs, but recent drives are commonly both readers and recorders,
also called burners or writers. Compact discs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs are
common types of optical media which can be read and recorded by such drives.
Optical drive is the generic name; drives are usually described as "CD" "DVD", or
"Bluray", followed by "drive", "writer", etc. There are three main types of optical
media: CD, DVD, and Blu-ray disc. CDs can store up to 700 megabytes (MB) of
data and DVDs can store up to 8.4 GB of data. Blu-ray discs, which are the newest
type of optical media, can store up to 50 GB of data. This storage capacity is a
clear advantage over the floppy disk storage media (a magnetic media), which only
has a capacity of 1.44 MB.

3. Flash Disk
A storage module made of flash memory chips. A Flash disks have no mechanical
platters or access arms, but the term "disk" is used because the data are accessed as if
they were on a hard drive. The disk storage structure is emulated.
Output devices
An output device is any piece of computer hardware equipment used to
communicate the results of data processing carried out by an information processing
system (such as a computer) which converts the electronically generated information
into human-readable form.
Example on Output Devices:

1. Monitor 2. LCD Projection Panels
3. Printers (all types) 4. Computer Output Microfilm (COM)
5. Plotters 6. Speaker(s)
7. Projector
Note Basic types of monitors are a.Cathode Ray Tube (CRT). B. Liquid Crystal
Displays (LCD).
c.light-emitting diode (LED).
Printer types: 1-Laser Printer. 2-Ink Jet Printer. 3-Dot Matrix Printer


Software
Software is a generic term for organized collections of computer data and
instructions, often broken into two major categories: system software that provides
the basic non-task-specific functions of the computer, and application software which
is used by users to accomplish specific tasks.
Software Types
A. System software is responsible for controlling, integrating, and managing the
individual hardware components of a computer system so that other software and
the users of the system see it as a functional unit without having to be concerned
with the low-level details such as transferring data from memory to disk, or
rendering text onto a display. Generally, system software consists of an operating
system and some fundamental utilities such as disk formatters, file managers,
display managers, text editors, user authentication (login) and management tools,
and networking and device control software.
B. Application software is used to accomplish specific tasks other than just running
the computer system. Application software may consist of a single program, such
as an image viewer; a small collection of programs (often called a software
package) that work closely together to accomplish a task, such as a spreadsheet or
text processing system; a larger collection (often called a software suite) of
related but independent programs and packages that have a common user
interface or shared data format, such as Microsoft Office, which consists of
closely integrated word processor, spreadsheet, database, etc.; or a software
system, such as a database management system, which is a collection of
fundamental programs that may provide some service to a variety of other
independent applications.
Comparison Application Software and System Software
System Software Application Software
Computer software, or just
software is a
general term primarily used for Application software, also known as
digitally stored an
data such as computer application or an "app", is computer
programs and other software
kinds of information read and designed to help the user to perform
written by specific
computers. App comes under
computer tasks.
software though it has a wide
scope now.

1
Example: ) Opera (Web Browser)
1) Microsoft Windows 2 Microsoft Word (Word
) Processing)
2) Linux 3 Microsoft Excel (Spreadsheet
) software)
3) Unix 4
) MySQL (Database Software)
4) Mac OSX 5 Microsoft PowerPoint
) (Presentation Software)
5) DOS 6 Adobe Photoshop (Graphics
) Software)
Users always interact with
Interaction: Generally, users do not interact application software
with system
software as it works in the while doing different activities.
background.
Dependenc System software can run Application software cannot run
y: independently of the without the
application software. presence of the system software.

Unit of Measurements
Storage measurements: The basic unit used in computer data storage is called a bit
(binary digit). Computers use these little bits, which are composed of ones
and zeros, to do things and talk to other computers. All your files, for
instance, are kept in the computer as binary files and translated into words
and pictures by the software (which is also ones and zeros). This two
number system, is called a “binary number system” since it has only two
numbers in it. The decimal number system in contrast has ten unique
digits, zero through nine.
Computer Storage units
Bit BIT 0 or 1
Kilobyte KB 1024 bytes
Megabyte MB 1024 kilobytes
Gigabyte GB 1024 megabytes
Terabyte TB 1024 gigabytes
Size example
• 1 bit - answer to an yes/no question
• 1 byte - a number from 0 to 255.
• 90 bytes: enough to store a typical line of text from a book.
• 4 KB: about one page of text.
• 120 KB: the text of a typical pocket book.
• 3 MB - a three minute song (128k bitrate)
• 650-900 MB - an CD-ROM
• 1 GB -114 minutes of uncompressed CD-quality audio at 1.4 Mbit/s
• 8-16 GB - size of a normal flash drive
Speed measurement: The speed of Central Processing Unit (CPU) is measured by

Hertz (Hz), Which represent a CPU cycle. The speed of CPU is known as Computer
Speed.
CPU SPEED MEASURES
1 hertz or Hz 1 cycle per second
1 MHz 1 million cycles per second or 1000 Hz
1 GHz 1 billion cycles per second or 1000 MHz

Computers classification***
Computers can be generally classified by size and power as follows, though there is
Considerable overlap:
• Personal computer: A small, single-user computer based on a microprocessor. In
addition to the microprocessor, a personal computer has a keyboard for entering
data, a monitor for displaying information, and a storage device for saving data.
• workstation : A powerful, single-user computer. A workstation is like a personal
computer, but it has a more powerful microprocessor and a higher-quality
monitor.
• minicomputer : A multi-user computer capable of supporting from 10 to hundreds
of users simultaneously.
• mainframe : A powerful multi-user computer capable of supporting many hundreds
or thousands of users simultaneously.
• supercomputer : An extremely fast computer that can perform hundreds of millions
of instructions per second.
Laptop and Smartphone Computers

LAPTOP: A laptop is a battery or AC-powered personal computer that can be easily
carried and used in a variety of locations. Many laptops are designed to
have all of the functionality of a desktop computer, whichmeans they can
generally run the same software and open the same types of files.
However, some laptops, such as netbooks, sacrifice some functionality in
order to be even more portable.
Netbook: A netbook is a type of laptop that is designed to be even more portable.

Netbooks are often cheaper than laptops or desktops. They are generally
less powerful than other types of computers, but they provide enough
power for email and internet access, which is where the name "netbook"
comes from.
Mobile Device: A mobile device is basically any handheld computer. It is designed
to be extremely portable, often fitting in the palm of your hand or in your

pocket. Some mobile devices are more powerful, and they allow you to do
many of
the same things you can do with a desktop or laptop computer. These include
tablet computers, e-readers, and smartphones.
Tablet Computers: Like laptops, tablet computers are designed to be portable.

However, they provide a very different computing experience. The most
obvious difference is that tablet computers don't have keyboards or
touchpads. Instead, the entire screen is touch-sensitive, allowing you to type
on a virtual keyboard and use your finger as a mouse pointer. Tablet
computers are mostly designed for consuming media, and they are optimized
for tasks like web browsing, watching videos, reading e-books, and playing
games. For many people, a "regular" computer like a desktop or laptop is
still needed in order to use some programs. However, the convenience of a
tablet computer means that it may be ideal as a second computer.
Smartphones: A smartphone is a powerful mobile phone that is designed to run a

variety of applications in addition to phone service. They are basically small
tablet computers, and they can be used for web browsing, watching videos,
reading e-books, playing games and more.
Data, Information and Knowledge

Data: Facts and figures which relay something specific, but which are not organized
in any way and which provide no further information regarding patterns, context, etc.
So data means "unstructured facts and figures that have the least impact on the typical
manager."
Information: For data to become information, it must be contextualized, categorized,

calculated and condensed. Information thus paints a bigger picture; it is data with
relevance and purpose. It may convey a trend in the environment, or perhaps indicate
a pattern of sales for a given period of time. Essentially information is found "in
answers to questions that begin with such words as who, what, where, when, and how
many".
Knowledge: Knowledge is closely linked to doing and implies know-how and

understanding. The knowledge possessed by each individual is a product of his

experience, and encompasses the norms by which he evaluates new inputs from his
surroundings.
The content of the human mind can be classified into four categories:
1. Data: symbols
2. Information: data that are processed to be useful; provides answers to "who",
"what", "where", and "when" questions
3. Knowledge: application of data and information; answers "how" questions
4. Wisdom: evaluated understanding.
We need to understand that processing data produced Information and process
Information produces Knowledge and so on
Characteristics of Computer
Speed, accuracy, diligence, storage capability and versatility are some of the key
characteristics of a computer. A brief overview of these characteristics are
• Speed: The computer can process data very fast, at the rate of millions of
instructions per second. Some calculations that would have taken hours and
days to complete otherwise, can be completed in a few seconds using the
computer. For example, calculation and generation of salary slips of
thousands of employees of an organization, weather forecasting that requires
analysis of a large amount of data related to temperature, pressure and
humidity of various places, etc.
• Accuracy: Computer provides a high degree of accuracy. For example, the computer
can accurately give the result of division of any two numbers up to 10 decimal
places.
• Diligence: When used for a longer period of time, the computer does not get tired or
fatigued. It can perform long and complex calculations with the same speed
and accuracy from the start till the end.
• Storage Capability: Large volumes of data and information can be stored in the
computer and also retrieved whenever required. A limited amount of data can
be stored, temporarily, in the primary memory. Secondary storage devices like
floppy disk and compact disk can store a large amount of data permanently.
• Versatility: Computer is versatile in nature. It can perform different types of tasks
with the same ease. At one moment you can use the computer to prepare a
letter document and in the next moment you may play music or print a
document. Computers have several limitations too. Computer can only
perform tasks that it has been programmed to do.

Computer cannot do any work without instructions from the user. It executes
instructions as specified by the user and does not take its own decisions.
Computer Viruses*
Viruses: A virus is a small piece of software that piggybacks on real programs. For
example, a virus might attach itself to a program such as a spreadsheet
program. Each time the spreadsheet program runs, the virus runs, too, and it
has the chance to reproduce (by attaching to other programs) or wreak
havoc.
•E-mail viruses: An e-mail virus travels as an attachment to e-mail messages, and
usually replicates itself by automatically mailing itself to dozens of
people in the victim's e-mail address book. Some e-mail viruses don't
even require a double-click -- they launch when you view the infected
message in the preview pane of your e-mail software [source: Johnson].
•Trojan horses: A Trojan horse is simply a computer program. The program claims
to do one thing (it may claim to be a game) but instead does damage
when you run it (it may erase your hard disk). Trojan horses have no way
to replicate automatically.
•Worms: A worm is a small piece of software that uses computer networks and
security holes to replicate itself. A copy of the worm scans the network
for another machine that has a specific security hole. It copies itself to
the new machine using the security hole, and then starts replicating from
there, as well.
What are some tips to avoid viruses and lessen their impact?*
Install anti-virus software from a reputable vendor. Update it and
use it regularly.
In addition to scanning for viruses on a regular basis, install an "on access"
scanner (included in most anti-virus software packages) and configure it to
start each time you start up your computer. This will protect your system by
checking for viruses each time you run an executable file.
Use a virus scan before you open any new programs or files that may
contain executable code. This includes packaged software that you buy
from the store as well as any program you might download from the
Internet.
If you are a member of an online community or chat room, be very
careful about accepting files or clicking links that you find or that
people send you within the community.

Make sure you back up your data (documents, bookmark files, important
email messages, etc.) on disc so that in the event of a virus infection, you do
not lose valuable work.
Chapter 1: Computer Hardware
Every part of your computer is the result of years of research and development.
Parts that were once hand made at a cost of thousands of man-hours are now mass
produced for a fraction of a rupee. Computer parts can be divided into two groups,
hardware and software.
Hardware is any part of the computer that you can touch. The seeming miles of
wires that get tangled on your desk, the CD drive, the monitor are all hardware.
Software is a set of electronic instructions consisting of complex codes (Programs)
that make the computer perform tasks. Windows is a software, so is any other
program that runs on your computer.
While there are thousands of parts even in the smallest computers that make up its
hardware, you are not required to know them all. You only need to know about
basic computer hardware.
Basic computer hardware consists of the following parts:
1. CPU (Central Processing Unit)
The CPU is considered the brain of the computer. It performs all types of data
processing operations, stores data, intermediate results and instructions (program).
It controls the operation of all parts of computer. A CPU has 3 components as
listed below.
(A) CU (Control Unit)

The control unit (CU) is a component of a computer’s central processing unit

(CPU) that directs operations of the processor. It tells the computer’s memory,
arithmetic logic unit and input and output devices how to respond to a program’s
instructions. However, the Control Unit doesn’t process any data.
(B) ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit)
Think of the ALU as the logical part of the brain. When any mathematical
calculation or decision/logic needs to be carried out, the instruction is passed on to
the ALU. The ALU thinks in bits (i.e. binary digits – ‘0’s and ‘1’s.)
It is made up of a group of memory locations built directly into the CPU called
registers. These are used to hold the data (binary information) that are being
processed by the current instruction.
(C) Memory
Primary memory is memory that is part of the computer itself and necessary for its
functioning. It consists of mainly two types of memories:
(i) Random Access Memory (RAM)
RAM is the internal memory of the CPU for storing data, program and program
result. It is read/write memory which stores data until the machine is working. As
soon as the machine is switched off, data is erased. RAM is volatile. Volatile
means that the data stored in memory is lost when we switch off the computer or if
there is a power failure. Hence a backup Uninterruptible Power System (UPS) is
often used with computers. There are different types of RAM available. Some of
them are described below.
• Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM): A type of physical memory

used in most personal computers. The term dynamic indicates that the memory
must be constantly refreshed or it loses its contents. This type of memory is more
economical.

• Static Random Access Memory (SRAM): A type of memory that is faster

and less volatile than DRAM, but requires more power and is more expensive.
The term static is derived from the fact that it does not need to be refreshed like
DRAM.
• Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM): A type of

DRAM that has a much higher processing speed.
(ii) Read Only Memory (ROM)
The memory from which we can only read but cannot write on it. This type of
memory is non-volatile. The information is stored permanently in such memories
during manufacture. A ROM, stores such instructions that are required to start a
computer. This operation is referred to as bootstrap. The different types of ROM
are given below.
• MROM (Masked ROM): The very first ROMs were hard-wired devices that
contained a pre-programmed set of data or instructions. These kinds of ROMs
are known as masked ROMs which are inexpensive. The MROM cannot be
programmed by the user.
• PROM (Programmable Read only Memory): PROM is read-only memory

that can be modified only once by a user. The user buys a blank PROM and
enters the desired contents using a PROM program.
• EPROM (Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory): The EPROM is

a type of a PROM which can be programmed by the user multiple times.
EPROM is erased by exposing it to ultra-violet light for a duration of up to 40
minutes. Usually, an EPROM eraser achieves this function.
• EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only

Memory): The EEPROM is programmed and erased electrically. It can be erased
and reprogrammed about ten thousand times. Both erasing and programming
take about 4 to 10 milliseconds.

2. Secondary Storage (External Storage Devices)
Floppy diskettes, hard disk, tapes and optical disks come under the category of
external storage devices or ancillary storage devices. These devices are very
sensitive to environmental conditions (humidity and temperature) as well as to
external magnetic fields and need to be stored carefully. They are not compulsory
for the functioning of the computer but are useful for expanding the computer’s
memory.
(A) Floppy Disk
Floppy disks are primarily used on PCs. Information on a floppy disk is recorded
in the magnetized states of particles of iron oxides evenly placed upon concentric
circles known as tracks.
(B) Hard Disk
It is a non-removable enclosed magnetic disk included in most PCs. It contains a

stack of metal platters, each coated with iron oxide, that spin on a spindle and the
entire unit is encased in a sealed chamber.
(C) Magnetic Tape
This is plastic tape, usually made of Mylar that is coated with iron oxide, thereby
enabling the introduction (writing); retention (memory) and reading of
magnetically recorded information. The best use of tape storage is for data that you
do not use very often.
(D) Optical Disc Drive
An optical disc drive (ODD) is a disk drive that uses laser light or electromagnetic
waves for reading or writing data to or from optical discs (normally CD-ROM).
A CD-ROM is a pre-pressed optical compact disc which contains data. The name
is an acronym which stands for “Compact Disc Read-Only Memory”. Computers

can read CD-ROMs, but cannot write to CD-ROMs which are not writable or
erasable.
(E) USB
A USB flash drive, also commonly known as a USB drive, USB stick and a variety
of other names. It is a data storage device that includes flash memory with an
integrated USB interface. USB flash drives are typically removable and rewritable,
and physically much smaller than an optical disc.
(3) Peripherals
Peripheral devices are devices connected to the computer externally. If a peripheral

device is disconnected, the computer will still be able to work; only functions
performed by this peripheral device will not be available. Here are the most used
types of peripheral devices:
(A) Keyboard
The most common and very popular input device which helps in inputting data to
the computer. It consists of keys that are capable of inputting alphabets, numbers
and special characters. You can also navigate using the keyboard and perform
shortcut functions.
(B) Mouse
Mouse is the most popular pointing device and cursor-control device having a
small palm size box with a round ball at its base which senses the movement of
mouse and sends corresponding signals to CPU when the mouse buttons are
pressed.
(C) Monitors
Monitors, commonly called as Visual Display Unit (VDU), are the main output
device of a computer. It forms images from tiny dots, called pixels that are

arranged in a rectangular form. The sharpness of the image depends upon the
number of pixels.
(D) Printer
Printer is an output device, which is used to print information on paper.
• Impact Printers: The impact printers print the characters by striking them on
the ribbon which is then pressed on the paper.
• Non-Impact Printers: Non-impact printers print the characters without using

ribbon. These printers print a complete page at a time so they are also called as
Page Printers. Laser Printers, Inkjet Printers.
(E) Joy Stick
It is a device used to move cursor position on a monitor screen. It is mainly used in

Computer Aided Designing (CAD) and playing computer games.
(F) Scanner
A scanner allows you to scan printed material and convert it into a file format that
may be used within the PC.
(G) Plotter
A plotter is used to create high-quality visuals on paper. Plotters were used in

applications such as computer-aided design, though they have generally been
replaced with wide-format conventional printers. A plotter gives a hard copy of the
output. It draws pictures on a paper using a pen. It can be used to create
presentation-charts, graphics, tables and high quality technical drawings. There are
two types of plotter.
• Drum Plotter: The paper is placed over the drum that rotates back and forth.
A carriage holding one or more pens is mounted horizontally across the drum.
The carriage with the pens moves horizontally over the paper. Each pen could be

filled with different colours. This plotter has the ability to produce colour
pictures.
• Flat Bed Plotter: In flat bed plotter, the paper does not move. The carriage
holding the pens should provide all motions. Inkjet plotters can also produce
large drawings with different colours.
Chapter 2: Computer Software:

Software is a set of programs, which is designed to perform a well-defined
function. A program is a sequence of instructions written to solve a
particular problem.
There are two types of software −
• System Software
• Application Software
System Software
The system software is a collection of programs designed to operate,
control, and extend the processing capabilities of the computer itself.
System software is generally prepared by the computer manufacturers.
These software products comprise of programs written in low-level
languages, which interact with the hardware at a very basic level. System
software serves as the interface between the hardware and the end users.
Some examples of system software are Operating System, Compilers,

Interpreter, Assemblers, etc.
Here is a list of some of the most prominent features of a system software

−
• Close to the system

• Fast in speed
• Difficult to design
• Difficult to understand
• Less interactive
• Smaller in size
• Difficult to manipulate
• Generally written in low-level language
Application Software
Application software products are designed to satisfy a particular need of a
particular environment. All software applications prepared in the computer
lab can come under the category of Application software.
Application software may consist of a single program, such as Microsoft's

notepad for writing and editing a simple text. It may also consist of a
collection of programs, often called a software package, which work
together to accomplish a task, such as a spreadsheet package.
Examples of Application software are the following −
• Payroll Software
• Student Record Software
• Inventory Management Software
• Income Tax Software
• Railways Reservation Software
• Microsoft Office Suite Software
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft PowerPoint
Features of application software are as follows −

• Close to the user
• Easy to design
• More interactive
• Slow in speed
• Generally written in high-level language
• Easy to understand
• Easy to manipulate and use
• Bigger in size and requires large storage space
Chapter 3 Notes - Application Software
Reasons application software is used: business tool, assist with graphics and
multimedia, support household activities, facilitate communication.
A software pacakge is a specific software product like Microsoft Word that allows
the user to complete a set of tasks.
Role of System Software: To coordinate the computer's resources (this is done by

an operating system) and maintain a computer. (Utility programs, such as
antivirus programs help with this cause.)
Role of the User Interface: To provide an interface for the user to communicate
with the computer. Most application software provides nice graphical user
interfaces, so that this communication is easy for the common user. (example:
Windows operating system)
Starting a Software Application
In Windows, if the application has an icon somewhere on the desktop, you can
simply double click the icon. If the icon doesn't exist, you can go to the start menu
in windows and click on the Run option on the submenu, then enter the name of
the application to run. A menu contains a list of commands to run, but clicking on
one of these choices, you tell the computer to execute a particular command.

Many applications run in a window, a rectangular area on the portion of the

screen. The top of the window contains a title bar - which usually contains the
name of the application running. Many application programs use dialog boxes as
part of their user interface. These are boxes that pop up, asking the user for
information, or that allow the user to edit settings when they use that particular
application. Finally, a shortcut menu is one that doesn't contain all possible
options, but the most popular ones in an abbreviated pull-down menu.
Productivity Software
This is software that assists others in the workplace. Here are the major
categories of productivity sofware:
Word Processing, Spreadsheet, Database, Presentatation Graphics, Personal

Information Manager, Software Suite, Project Management, Accounting
Word processing: Since we've already discussed this in class, here are the list of
terms you need to be familiar with: clip art, margins, word wrap, scrolling,
find/search, find/replace, spell check, header, footer, thesaurus, macro, font, file
name, voice recognition
Spreadsheet Software: Here are the terms you should be familiar with:
worksheet, cell, column, row, formula, function, recalculation, charts(pie, bar,
line)
Database Software: Be familiar with the following: table, record, data type, sort,
query, criteria
Presentation Graphics Software: Be familiar with the following: slide show, clip
gallery, import, all the capabilities of presentation graphics software and what
situations its use would be appropriate.
Personal Information Managers: appointment calendars, address book,

syncronizing information to and from a PDA.
Software Suite: A collection of commonly used software applications that can be

bought togethers.

Project Management Software: Gives you the capability of planning, scheduling,

etc. events and meetings that go along with managing a project. This tool should
allow for better communication and coordination amongst a project manager and
his/her employees. Furthermore, it should allow the manager to accurately assess
the complete status of the project.
Accounting Software: Allows companies to keep track of their finances. Among

other responsibilities, payroll can be automated with such an application
program.
Graphics and Multimedia Software
Computer-Aided Design(CAD): These programs allow engineers to design and

create computer models. Computer models are useful in many fields of study
from architecture to biomedical engineering.
Desktop Publishing Software: High-end applications that allow users to publish

high quality materials, such as legal memos, flyers, catalogs and annual reports.
Typically, one needs a very good printer to go along with this software so that
they can actually print out the items they create with the software.
Paint/Image Editing Software: Allows the user to edit graphics images. Also, users
are allowed to "draw" their own designs. This allows users greater flexibility in
creating graphics files.
Video/Audio Editing Software: Used for the same purposes as above. You can
clean up an audio file by editing it. This software allows you to do so. (That's why
CDs often sound different than a singer in person. An audio editing program is
often used in the creation of CDs.)
Multimedia Authoring Software: Allows the user to create programs that

incorporate graphics, video, art, audio, etc. all together in an interactive
application.
Web Page Authoring Software: Allows users to create web pages without writing
html in text files.
Software for Home, Personal and Educational Use

Integrated Software: A single software package that allows you to incorporate

multiple capabilities(word processing, spreadsheet & database).
Personal Finance Software: Allows a single person or family to balance their bills.
Among other things, these programs can allow you to do online banking.
Legal Software: Allows you to draw up certain types of legal documents.
Tax Preparation Software: The name says it all...
Education/Reference/Entertaingment Software: Some applications are designed

for young people to learn some skill, others store reference materials, such as an
encyclopedia, and entertainment software covers all programs that people use
for their enjoyment.
Software for Communications
Types: Web browsers, Chat Rooms, Newsgroups, Instant Messenging, Group

ware, Videoconferencing
Web applications: programs you run directly from a web site. Some sites also
store your personal information at their site.
Web Based Training(WBT): A collection of web pages that allow the user to learn
about a topic at their own pace. These Web pages will contain information, as
well as assessment tools - quizzes, etc. that the user can simply take on-line. WBT
is used with other tools for distance learning(DL). This is the idea of taking a class
at a remote location by putting all necessary class resources on the web.
MS Word
Word Processing is perhaps the most common and comparatively

easier application to work on any computer. A word processor lets you to
change words or phrases, to move whole sections of text from one place to
another, store blocks of text, align margins all in few seconds. Use of word

processors has changed the look of official correspondence, reports, and

proposals etc. to a great extent. MS Word is an advanced word processing
product by Microsoft company. The powerful features of Word will allow
you to create even graphic based multicolumn publications such as Fliers,
News letters and Internet web pages.
This section provides an overview of MS - Word and deals with the

following features:
Start Word
Switch on your computer. Click Start button then point to Programs

and then click on MSWord. You will get a screen as shown below:

PARTS OF WORD WINDOW
Please see the picture below for a visual image of parts of an active
window has:
Title bar This tells you which application package is currently running and
which document is currently open.
Menu bar This is the traditional windows style drop-down menu. When you
point to any menu title and click once with the mouse, the menu will open
displaying all the commands available under this menu. Clicking on the
desired command would tell Word to execute that command. Some
commands have ellipses (…) in front of them. These commands have further
sub commands. Commands appearing in dim mode cannot be executed
unless the prerequisite functions required by that command have been
performed, e.g. you cannot use the Copy or Cut command from the Edit
menu unless you have selected a piece of text first. Many commands also
have a keyboard shortcuts specified against their names.
Standard toolbar Toolbars contain buttons, drop-down menus and other

controls that help you to quickly alter the appearance and arrangement of
documents by executing a variety of word commands. Toolbars are very
helpful and convenient in quickly executing


commands without having to go through menus. The standard toolbar

contains icons for basic functions like opening files, saving files, printing
files, cut, copy, paste etc.
Formatting toolbar This contains icons for changing the look of your text
(called “formatting” in computer jargon); for example, there are icons for
changing fonts, styles, font sizes, text alignment etc.
Ruler The Ruler lets you make changes to margins and indents, and helps
you create document as per dimensions required.
Scroll tools These helps you travel within your document. You can go
anywhere, up and down, right and left in your document mainly by two
ways: Using the horizontal and vertical scroll bars with the help of the
mouse; Or using the keyboard to press PgUp, PgDn, Home, End and arrow
keys.
Status bar Also called the Status Area, this is the normally the last line on
your screen. This gives the following information about your work—
3. Current Page
4. Section Number
5. Current/Total pages in the document
6. Current Cursor Position (where the cursor is presently located)
7. Current Line Number
8. Current Column Number
9. Record Macro-whether macro recording is On or not
10.Track Revision-whether revisions have been made or not
11.Extend Selection
12.Over type mode-whether you are in Insert mode or overwrite
mode
Cursor Also called the Insertion Pointer, this denotes the place where text,
graphics or any other item would be placed when you type, overwrite or
insert them. This looks like a tall, skinny toothpick and keeps blinking so
that you can locate it easily.
Mouse pointer When your mouse pointer looks like an I-beam you should be
able to move it freely on the screen. This is used for either placing the cursor
at the desired place (take the mouse pointer there and click) or choosing any
command either from the menu or from toolbars. The mouse pointer changes
shape when in the process of doing certain tasks and the cursor disappears.
MS WORD Page 3 of 40

TOOLBARS AND THEIR ICONS
Word Standard Toolbar




File management
Creating a New Document
Click on File Menu

Select and click New option
Otherwise click button on the standard toolbar
Opening an Existing Document:
Click File Menu

Select and click Open option
Otherwise click button on the Standard toolbar.
Double click on the file from the open window
Saving a Document
Click File Menu
Select and click Save button.
Otherwise click button o on the Standard toolbar.
Moving through the document
Open any word document. You can move the cursor to any
location on the screen by using the arrow keys on the keyboard.
Right arrow key is used to move one position to the right of the
cursor
Left arrow key is used to move one position to the left of the
cursor.
Up arrow key is used to move one position to the top of the
cursor.
Down arrow key is used to move one position to the down of the
cursor.
Page Up key is used to move down the screen at a time Page
down key is used to move up the screen at a time
Hold down Ctrl key and press Home to move to beginning of the
document.

Hold down Ctrl key and press End to move to end of the
document.

You can move to any position on the screen by moving the cursor
with the mouse.
You can use scroll bars to scroll the text upward and down ward.
Closing a Document
Click File menu

Select and click Close button.
Otherwise click butt on menu bar
Editing Word document

Cut , Copy and Paste options
These options will allow you to Cut or Copy a piece of text

from one location and to paste at a new location.
To do these functions,
Place the cursor at the begining of the text to be selected. Drag the
mouse pointer over the text. The text will now appear in reverse
vedeo as shown below:
Jawahar Knowledge Center
Click Edit menu and then click on Cut option (or) click icon
on the Standard Toolbar. Move the cursor to the place where you
want the text to be pasted.
Click Edit menu and then click Paste option (or) click
icon on the Standard Toolbar.
For copying the text from one location to other location the same
procedure is to be followed. The difference between Cut and Copy
is that while using the Cut option the text will be removed from its
original location and pasted at a new location, where as when using
Copy option a copy of the selected text is pasted at new location
without disturbing the original text.


Searching text
Open any document.

Click Edit menu and then click Find option. You will get a screen
as shown below.
In Find What text box type the word you want to find and then
click Find Next button.
Continue clicking Find Next button until you get the screen shown
below.
Click OK button and then click X to close Find and Replace dialog
box.
Replacing text
Open any word document.

Click Edit menu and then click Replace option. You will get the
dialog box as shown below and type the word with which you want
to replace.


Click ReplaceAll button once. You get the below dialog box.
Click OK button and then click X to close Find and Replace dialog
box.
Moving the cursor to a specific page
If your word document contains more than one page, you can
directly go to specified page by clicking Edit menu and then
clicking Go To option. You will get the dialog box as shown
below.


In the Enter page number text box, type the required page number
as shown below.
Click Go To button. Cursor will immediately jump to page 4.

Click Close button to close Find and Replace dialog box.
Formatting documents
Bold, Underline and Italicize the selected text

Open a word document.
Block the text by first clicking at the start of the text and holding
the left mouse button and drag to the desired position and then
release the left mouse button. The selected area will
be highlighted.
Move the mouse pointer to the button on the Standard Toolbar
and click once.
Move the mouse pointer outside your text and click to release the
highlighting. Your text will now appear in BOLD FACE.
Like this you can underline or italicize the desired text by using the
following buttons


Left aligning, centering , right aligning and justifying text
Left Centre Right Justify

Open a word document.
Block the text by first clicking at the start of the text and holding
the left mouse button and drag to the desired position and then
release the left mouse button. The selected area will be highlighted.
Move the mouse pointer to Align Left button on the toolbar and
click once. Your selected text will be left aligned.
Move the mouse pointer to Align right button on the toolbar and
click once. Your selected text will be right aligned.
Move the mouse pointer to Center button on the toolbar and click
once. Your selected text will be centered.
Move the mouse pointer to Justify button on the toolbar and click
once. Your selected text will be justified.
Creating Bulleted and Numbered list
If a list of items are to be numbered automatically it can be done

using Numbered List option
Ex: Microsoft Office consists of

MS-Word MS-Excel
MS-PowerPoint MS-
Access MS-Outlook
The above text is to be selected with mouse.

Click on the Numbered List button on the toolbar
Move out of the text and click to release the highlighting.

Your text will now look like this
1. MS-Word
2. MS-Excel
3. MS-PowerPoint
4. MS-Access
5. MS-Outlook
Now re-select the text

Click the Bulleted List button on the toolbar.

The numbers should be replaced with bullets as shown below
· MS-Word
· MS-Excel
· MS-PowerPoint
· MS-Access
· MS-Outlook
Indenting Paragraphs
Select a paragraph with the mouse.

Click on the Right (increase) Indent b button on the
toolbar.
Leave the highlighting on and click once more on the Right

Indent button.
Click once on the Left Indent button. Your text should now be
indented by one Tab stop. Each time you click, the paragraph is
moved one tab stop.
Changing case of text
You can change the selected text into either UPPERCASE,

lowercase, Title case or tOGGLE cASE
Highlight the text. Select the Format menu option

Choose Change Case option. You will get the dialog box shown
below.
From the list of options select UPPERCASE to convert lower case

into uppercase


Indenting text with tabs
Type your name and address as you would at the head of a letter,
but aligned with the left margin e.g.
K.Manohar
H.No 10-334/3,
V.P. Nagar,
Malakpet,
Hyderabad.
Move the cursor to the start of each line and press the Tab key. Just
as with the right indent button, your text will move right. How
much it moves will depend on the tab settings, which you can
change in the Format, Tabs menu as shown below.
Font Controlling
To get different character styles we can change Font type

Click on Format menu
Select Font option. You will get the following screen.


You can set Font type, Font Style and Font size and Color of the
selected text.
Click OK button.
Note: The above options are also available on the Formatting Toolbar
Font style Font Type Font size Color
Creating column wise documents
Open any word document file.

Click Format menu and click Columns option. You will get a screen
as shown below:


In the Presets tab, select Two option to get below screen.
Click OK button.
Your document will be converted to two-column document.


Spelling and Grammar Checking of word document

Click Tools menu and then click Spelling and Grammar option. You
will get the below dialog box.
Note all words that appear red color in First box are spelling mistakes.
If you want to accept the suggested word, in the second box click on
Change. If not, click Ignore button. You can also add a word to the
dictionary by clicking on the Add button.
Continue this process until you get the dialog box, shown below:
Click OK button.
Save your work when the spell-check is complete, so that the
corrections are saved.


Printing document
Set Page Setup options
Click File menu

Select and click Page Setup option. You will get the following screen.
Here you can set margins (top, bottom, right and left), paper size,
paper source and layout.
Click OK button.
Creating Header and footer
You can create header and footer that include text or graphics. For
example, page numbers, the date, a company logo, the document’s
title or file name, the author’s name, and so on. You can use the same
header and footer throughout a document or change the header and
footer for part of the


document. For example, use a unique header or footer on the first

page, or leave the header or footer off the first page. You can also use
different headers and footers on odd and even pages or for part of a
document.
The Header and Footer tool bar is
To Create header or footer
Creating different footers or headers for even and odd pages


Preview document

Click File menu and then click Print Preview option. You will get
a screen similar to this.


You won’t be able to read your text, as preview is just for checking
the layout. If you move the mouse pointer into the page a tiny
magnifying glass icon appears. If you click on this, it magnifies the
selected page.
Press PgDn to move through your document if it is more than one

page long.
If you need to make changes before printing, click the Close button
to return to your document
Print document.
Click File menu

Click Print option.
You will get a screen shown as below.
In the above figure you can set default Printer name or you can select
other printers from the drop down menu. You can set which pages to
print, how many copies to print, the page range like ”1-3,5-7”,
whether to print all pages and so on.


Before printing, make sure your printer is switched on, is loaded with
the appropriate paper [A4], and is on-line.
If you are satisfied with the layout of your document, click on the
Print icon on the toolbar to obtain a printout. You should see a
message on screen showing that your file is being prepared for
printing.
Click OK button.
Inserting pictures into the document
Inserting Clip arts

Click Insert menu, click picture and then click Clip Art. You will get
screen as shown below
Select the picture and then click Insert button. The selected picture
will be inserted at the cursor position.
Inserting WordArt
Click Insert menu, click picture and then click WordArt. You will get
a screen as shown below:


Select a WordArt Style format and then click OK button to get the
below screen.
Here enter your own text ( for example type Welcome)and then click
OK button.


Dragging Margins on the Ruler
Change to Page Layout view

Choose View Ruler, if the ruler is not visible
Point to transition area (where the grey area turns white) on the
ruler. The mouse pointer changes to double headed
arrow.
Drag the margin to the desired position using the mouse. Watch the
change in the Ruler's dimension as you drag.
Page Breaks
Page Breaks are the places in your document where one page ends and
a new page begins. Many things affect where page breaks will occur.
Factors include the size of your paper, Margin setting, Paragraph
Formats and section breaks. Page breaks appear as dotted lines in
Normal view.
Forcing Page Breaks
Move cursor to the place of the break.
Choose Insert Break

The Page Break dialogue box appears as below.
Click OK & the page break appears in the required position.
To insert page breaks press Ctrl+Enter. Page Break will be inserted

at the place of the cursor.


Drop Cap Feature
Select the Paragraph then Click Format menu and then Click on
Drop Cap then you will get a screen as shown below:
Now Select the required position for Drop Cap and click OK
Creating Tables
Tables are preferred when compared to using spacebar or tab for

alignment to give a table format, but Word has another excellent feature
for alignment called "Tables". This feature is used to create financial
reports, catalogues, accounts etc.
Tables consist of rows and columns. The text can be typed in the
cells. The size, shape and appearance of a cell are controllable features.
You can also convert a text to a table and a table back to text. It also
supports importing and exporting data onto a spreadsheet.
To create a table using Insert Tables Button
Move the cursor to the place where you want to insert the table
Choose tables button from the Standard Toolbar
Drag the mouse to highlight the desired number of rows and
columns in the tables menu


Release the button. An empty table is inserted.
To create a table using table menu
Choose Insert table from Table Menu . You will find a dialog
box as shown below:
Now type the Number of Columns and rows as you require and
set column width Auto. So that the Column with will be equal
to the width of the text. Now click OK.
An empty table is inserted in the document. Now inserting rows,

columns, Deleting rows and widening the columns is very easy.
Insert Rows:
Place the cursor in the table, where rows are to be inserted

Choose Table and click Insert Rows option to insert rows in the
table
Delete Rows:
Select the Row which is to be deleted

Click Table and click Delete cells option.

In the same way you can do with columns also

Using Formulae in the table
Tables can be used to prepare financial statements. Different functions

can be used to calculate Column totals, Row totals, Average , Count,
Minimum and maximum of given values etc.
To use a formula in the table
Keep the mouse cursor at the place where the value has to come
Click Table menu and then click Formula option.
You can see the following dialog box.


Then click OK button
If you don’t want the above function, then choose another from Paste
function drop down list.
Sort the Table
We can arrange the data in the table in some order i.e. By name, By ID
no, By basic etc.
To sort the table
Select the table by using menu Table -> Select table Sort
the table by using menu Table -> Sort options
You will find the following dialog box:
Now select the sort by field and click OK
Numbering Pages

Click Insert menu and then click Page Numbers option. You
will get the screen as shown below:


By default the page number is placed at bottom right corner within

the page. You can change the position of the page numbers by
selecting other options like "top of the page, center" from the Drop
down List boxes.
Choose the Format button to review the other page numbering
options or choose OK button to set the changes made in the Page
Numbering dialog box.
Auto correct
AutoCorrect stores a list of common typographical errors and their

spellings. When you make an error, Word detects it and inserts the
correctly spelled version of the word. You can add words to the
AutoCorrect list, based on the mistakes you make. Look at the
AutoCorrect dialog box.


Note that tm within parenthesis is automatically replaced by ™ with

trademark symbol. To Add an AutoCorrect
Click Tools then click AutoCorrect, type the word in the place
provided for Replace and With Options then click Add and then click
OK. You can Delete an AutoCorrect option if you don't want it.
AutoFormat
Use AutoFormat to reformat an entire document using a selected

document template as a basis for the changes. Templates are supplied
with Word, or you can create your own templates based on a document in
which styles are applied to text, headings, lists and other text and graphic
elements within the document. You can use Format/Style Gallery to view
and apply available style templates to your document. Autoformat applies
a style to every paragraph and heading. It typically replaces indentations
created with spaces or tabs with paragraph indents, asterisks and dashes
with bullets, and so on.
Auto Text
The AutoText feature lets you store commonly used passages, such as
addresses, contract clauses, etc., and insert them whenever needed with a
click of your mouse to create an AutoText entry.
Select a graphic or text block such as your name and address in your
document.
Pick the Insert / AutoText menu selection: The Auto Text dialog box
is displayed as shown below


Type a Short name in the Name box and click Add. To
use Stored Auto Text
Type the short name of your Auto text and Highlight it.
Click Insert/ AutoText from menu and then click Insert . The text is
inserted in place of the selected AutoText name.
To remove an AutoText item:
Pick Insert/AutoText to get the AutoText dialog box.

Pick an AutoText name and click Delete and Close


Password Protecting the document

Click Tools menu and then click Options Click Security tab. You
will get screen as shown below.
In the Password to open text box, type your password (Ex: type
mahesh). Your password will appear as group of ***. Click OK
button. You will get the following screen.
Reenter the same password and then click OK button.


Close the document by clicking File and then clicking Close

option.
Open the same document by clicking File and then clicking Open
option.
You will get a screen as shown below.
If you type the same password as earlier (mahesh) then only you
can open the file.
Enter the password and then click OK button.
If you want to delete the password click Tools menu and then click
Options.
Delete the password in the Password to open text box. Click
OK button. Your document will be unprotected.
Thesaurus
The tools /Thesaurus menu selection gives you possible meanings and
synonyms for selected words in your documents. This helps you be
more precise in your writing. To use the Thesaurus, position the
cursor in front of a word or highlight it. And Right Click and Then
you will find a dropdown menu and select synonyms option select
Thesaurus menu as shown below .


Lists of possible meanings and synonyms are displayed. Pick a

desired word so that it is in the Replace with Synonym box and click
the Replace button to use it. Use the Look Up button to find alternate
meanings of a selected word in the Meanings box. Click Cancel to
exit the Thesaurus dialog box without accepting any of the suggested
changes.
Creating a Mail Merge document
Following are steps involved in creating a Mail Merge document.
Create a new data source and enter information

Create the main document
Insert fields into the main document.
Merge data source and main document.
Creating a new data source
This file is created basically to store the information like addresses

which is to be used to merge with the main document.
Open a New word document

Create a Table with following information :
First Name Last Name Add1 Add2 Add3

Bhaskar Rambha Banjara Hills Road No.3 Hyderabad
Ashok Reddy Kukatpally Main Road Hyderabad
Ravi Kumar Gandhi RTC X Roads Hyderabad
Nagar
Save the file as address.doc and close.
Creating the Main Document
From the Tools menu Letters and Mailing Mail Merge.
In the Main Document area of Mail Merge Helper window click

the Create button. Clicking on the down arrow opens the pull down
menu.


Select Letters. and under Step 1 of 6, Click on Next : Starting

document as shown in the above window (step 1).
You will get 3 options to select from the following window
· Use the Current Document

· Start from a template.
· Start from Existing Document


Select the first option : Use the current document
Type the letter leaving sufficient space to place addresses later

Now click on Write Your letter link (step 3)

Then you will get following window.
Now Select an Existing Data Source i.e. the file

address.doc and Click on Open Button.
Then you will get following window.

Click Ok.
Then you will see the following screen
· To add recipient information to your letter Click on More items and

insert the fields wherever required.
After inserting fields your document may look like this :

Now see Step 4 of 6 and click on Next : Preview your letters
You can preview all the letters by clicking on Recipient

1..2.. so on
After Preview come to Step 5 of 6 and click on Next

: Complete merge

After completing the merge you may print letters or edit

them using the following options :
There are several options while printing letters. You may print all letters
or selectively. It is advisable to check the formatting and other details of
merged documents before sending them to printer.
***

RK’s KRY Foundations

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Introduction to
Computer Networking
Korivi Ramesh, M.Sc(IS), M.Tech(CSE), OCJP, LL.B

Computer Networks Introduction
The purpose of the networking guidelines are as follows:
to assist students in understanding the benefits of networking

to help students place in context their current stage of networking
development in their school.
to assist students in planning the next stage of network development
in their school.
to provide standard networking ‘models’ and best practice to students
that will assist students in their network planning.
This document includes information under the following main headings:

Introduction to Networking
Advantages of Networking
Types of Networks
Models of networking appropriate to students
NCTE recommendation to students
Some relevant terms.
1.1. Basic of Networking

A computer network consists of a collection of computers, printers and other
equipment that is connected together so that they can communicate with each
other. Fig 1 gives an example of a network in a school comprising of a local
area network or LAN connecting computers with each other, the internet, and
various servers.

Access to: File and Print Server

Internet content & CD or Multimedia
learning resources, Servers
Scoilnet etc Users
Email communication
computers
Cache, Proxy,
Filtering, Firewall
Server
School ‘Local Area

Modem or Router
Network’ (LAN)
Other users,
computers
Fig 1: Representation of Network in a school.
Broadly speaking, there are two types of network configuration, peer-to-peer

networks and client/server networks.
Peer-to-peer networks are more commonly implemented where less then

ten computers are involved and where strict security is not necessary. All
computers have the same status, hence the term 'peer', and they communicate
with each other on an equal footing. Files, such as word processing or
spreadsheet documents, can be shared across the network and all the
computers on the network can share devices, such as printers or scanners,
which are connected to any one computer.
Peer to Peer
Network
Fig 2: Peer to Peer Networking
Client/server networks are more suitable for larger networks. A central

computer, or 'server', acts as the storage location for files and applications
shared on the network. Usually the server is a higher than average

performance computer. The server also controls the network access of the
other computers which are referred to as the 'client' computers. Typically,
teachers and students in a school will use the client computers for their work
and only the network administrator (usually a designated staff member) will
have access rights to the server.
File Server
Other
equipment
Fig 3: Client - Server Networking
Table 1 provides a summary comparison between Peer-to-Peer and

Client/Server Networks.
Peer-to-Peer Networks vs Client/Server Networks

Peer-to-Peer Networks Client/Server Networks
Easy to set up More difficult to set up
Less expensive to install More expensive to install
A variety of operating systems can
be supported on the client computers,
Can be implemented on a wide
but the server needs to run an
range of operating systems operating system that supports
networking
More time consuming to Less time consuming to maintain
maintain the software being used the software being used (as most of

(as computers must be managed the maintenance is managed from the

individually) server)
High levels of security are
Very low levels of security
supported, all of which are controlled
supported or none at all. These
from the server. Such measures
can be very cumbersome to set
prevent the deletion of essential
up, depending on the operating
system files or the changing of
system being used
settings
No limit to the number of
Ideal for networks with less
computers that can be supported by
than 10 computers
the network
Requires a server running a server
Does not require a server
operating system
Demands that the network
Demands a moderate level of administrator has a high level of IT
skill to administer the network skills with a good working knowledge
of a server operating system
Table 1: Peer-to-Peer Networks vs Client/Server Networks
Components of a Network
A computer network comprises the following components:
A minimum of at least 2 computers
Cables that connect the computers to each other, although wireless
communication is becoming more common (see Advice Sheet 20 for
more information)
A network interface device on each computer (this is called a network
interface card or NIC)
A ‘Switch’ used to switch the data from one point to another. Hubs are
outdated and are little used for new installations.
Network operating system software
Structured Cabling
The two most popular types of structured network cabling are twisted-pair
(also known as 10BaseT) and thin coax (also known as 10Base2). 10BaseT
cabling looks like ordinary telephone wire, except that it has 8 wires inside
instead of 4. Thin coax looks like the copper coaxial cabling that's often used
to connect a Video Recorder to a TV.

10BaseT Cabling
When 10BaseT cabling is used, a strand of cabling is inserted between each
computer and a hub. If you have 5 computers, you'll need 5 cables. Each
cable cannot exceed 325 feet in length. Because the cables from all of the
PCs converge at a common point, a 10BaseT network forms a star
configuration.
Fig 4a shows a Cat5e cable, with a standard connector, known as an RJ-45
connector.
Fig 4b shows a standard Cat5e Wall Outlet socket which the cables are
connected to.
Fig 4c shows a standard Cat5e Patch Panel Wall Outlet socket which is used
to terminate the cables from various points in the school bank to a central
point.
Fig 4d shows a wall mounted cabinet used to house and protect patch panel
cables and connectors.
Fig 4a: Cat5e Cable and a close up of RJ-45 connector
Fig 4b: Cat5e Wall Outlets
Fig 4c: Cat5e Patch Panel

Fig4d: Wall Mounted Cabinet
10BaseT cabling is available in different grades or categories. Some grades,

or "cats", are required for Fast Ethernet networks, while others are perfectly
acceptable for standard 10Mbps networks--and less expensive, too. All new
networks use a minimum of standard unshielded twisted-pair (UTP)
Category 5e 10BaseT cabling because it offers a performance advantage
over lower grades.
Network Interface Card (NIC)

A NIC (pronounced 'nick') is also known as a network card. It connects the
computer to the cabling, which in turn links all of the computers on the
network together. Each computer on a network must have a network card.
Most modern network cards are 10/100 NICs and can operate at either
10Mbps or 100Mbps.
Only NICs supporting a minimum of 100Mbps should be used in new
installations students.
Computers with a wireless connection to a network also use a network card
(see Advice Sheet 20 for more information on wireless networking).
Fig 5: Network Interface Cards (NICs)
Hub and Switch

A hub is a device used to connect a PC to the network. The function of a hub
is to direct information around the network, facilitating communication
between all connected devices. However in new installations switches

should be used instead of hubs as they are more effective and provide better
performance. A switch, which is often termed a 'smart hub'.
Switches and hubs are technologies or ‘boxes’ to which computers, printers,
and other networking devices are connected. Switches are the more recent
technology and the accepted way of building today's networks. With
switching, each connection gets "dedicated bandwidth" and can operate at
full speed. In contrast, a hub shares bandwidth across multiple connections
such that activity from one PC or server can slow down the effective speed of
other connections on the hub.
Now more affordable than ever, Dual-speed 10/100 autosensing switches are
recommended for all school networks. Students may want to consider
upgrading any hub based networks with switches to improve network
performance – ie speed of data on the network.
Fig 6a: An 8 port Hub
Fig 6b: 2 Examples of 24 port Switches
Wireless Networks
The term 'wireless network' refers to two or more computers communicating
using standard network rules or protocols, but without the use of cabling to
connect the computers together. Instead, the computers use wireless radio
signals to send information from one to the other. A wireless local area

network (WLAN) consists of two key components: an access point (also

called a base station) and a wireless card. Information can be transmitted
between these two components as long as they are fairly close together (up to
100 metres indoors or 350 metres outdoors).
Fig 7a: Wireless Access point or Wireless Basestation
Suppliers would need to visit the students and conduct a site survey. This will
determine the number of base stations you need and the best place(s) to
locate them. A site survey will also enable each supplier to provide you with
a detailed quote. It is important to contact a number of different suppliers as
prices, equipment and opinions may vary. When the term 'wireless network'
is used today, it usually refers to a wireless local area network or WLAN. A
WLAN can be installed as the sole network in a school or building. However,
it can also be used to extend an existing wired network to areas where wiring
would be too difficult or too expensive to implement, or to areas located
away from the main network or main building. Wireless networks can be
configured to provide the same network functionality as wired networks,
ranging from simple peer -to-peer configurations to large-scale networks
accommodating hundreds of users.
Fig 7b: Desktop PC Wireless LAN card Fig 7c: Laptop PC

Wireless LAN card
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a Wireless LAN?

Wireless LANs have advantages and disadvantages when compared with
wired LANs. A wireless LAN will make it simple to add or move

workstations, and to install access points to provide connectivity in areas

where it is difficult to lay cable. Temporary or semi- permanent buildings
that are in range of an access point can be wirelessly connected to a LAN to
give these buildings connectivity. Where computer labs are used in students,
the computers (laptops) could be put on a mobile cart and wheeled from
classroom to classroom, providing they are in range of access points. Wired
network points would be needed for each of the access points.
A WLAN has some specific advantages:

It is easier to add or move workstations
It is easier to provide connectivity in areas where it is difficult to lay
cable
Installation can be fast and easy and can eliminate the need to pull
cable through walls and ceilings
Access to the network can be from anywhere in the school within
range of an access point
Portable or semi-permanent buildings can be connected using a
wireless LAN
Where laptops are used, the ‘computer suite’ can be moved from
classroom to classroom on mobile carts
While the initial investment required for wireless LAN hardware can
be similar to the cost of wired LAN hardware, installation expenses
can be significantly lower
Where a school is located on more than one site (such as on two sides
of a road), it is possible with directional antennae, to avoid digging
trenches under roads to connect the sites
In historic buildings where traditional cabling would compromise the
façade, a wireless LAN can avoid drilling holes in walls
Long-term cost benefits can be found in dynamic environments
requiring frequent moves and changes
They allows the possibility of individual pupil allocation of wireless
devices that move around the school with the pupil.
WLANs also have some disadvantages:
As the number of computers using the network increases, the data

transfer rate to each computer will decrease accordingly
As standards change, it may be necessary to replace wireless cards
and/or access points
10

Lower wireless bandwidth means some applications such as video

streaming will be more effective on a wired LAN
Security is more difficult to guarantee, and requires configuration
Devices will only operate at a limited distance from an access point,
with the distance determined by the standard used and buildings and
other obstacles between the access point and the user
A wired LAN is most likely to be required to provide a backbone to
the wireless LAN; a wireless LAN should be a supplement to a wired
LAN and not a complete solution
Long-term cost benefits are harder to achieve in static environments
that require few moves and changes
It is easier to make a wired network ‘future proof’ for high data
transfer.
Wireless Network Components

There are certain parallels between the equipment used to build a WLAN and
that used in a traditional wired LAN. Both networks require network
interface cards or network adapter cards. A wireless LAN PC card, which
contains an in-built antenna, is used to connect notebook computers to a
wireless network. Usually, this is inserted into the relevant slot in the side of
the notebook, but some may be internal to the notebook. Desktop computers
can also connect to a wireless network if a wireless network card is inserted
into one of its internal PCI slots.
In a wireless network, an 'access point' has a similar function to the hub in
wired networks. It broadcasts and receives signals to and from the
surrounding computers via their adapter card. It is also the point where a
wireless network can be connected into an existing wired network.
The most obvious difference between wireless and wired networks, however,
is that the latter uses some form of cable to connect computers together. A
wireless network does not need cable to form a physical connection between
computers.
Wireless Network Configurations

Wireless networks can be configured in an ad hoc/peer-to-peer arrangement
or as a local area network.
Ad Hoc/Peer-to-Peer Configuration
This is the most basic wireless network configuration. It relies on the
11

wireless network adapters installed in the computers that are communicating

with each other. A computer within range of the transmitting computer can
connect to it. However, if a number of computers are networked in this way,
they must remain within range of each other. Even though this configuration
has no real administration overhead, it should only be a consideration for
very small installations.
Benefits and Educational Uses

The installation of cables is time consuming and expensive. The advantages
of not doing so are apparent:
the amount of work required and the time taken to complete it are
significantly reduced
the network is accessible in places where wiring would have been difficult or
impossible with no cables linking computers together, cable-related faults
and network downtime are minimized.
Where a wireless network is in place, teachers or students can have
continuous access to the network, even as they move with their equipment
from class to class.
The space over which a wireless network operates is not planar but spherical.
Therefore, in a multi-level site, network access is available in rooms above or
below the access point, without the need for additional infrastructure.
In a location within a school where network access is required occasionally,

desktop computers fitted with wireless network cards can be placed on
trolleys and moved from location to location. They can also be located in
areas where group work is taking place. As they are connected to the
network, documents and files can be shared, and access to the Internet is
available, enhancing group project work.
As the range of the wireless network extends outside the building, students
and teachers can use wireless devices to gather and record data outside, e.g.,
as part of a science experiment or individual performance data as part of a PE
class.
Technical and Purchasing Considerations

Network interface cards for wireless networks are more expensive than their
wired counterparts. The cost of the access points has also to be considered.
Wireless networks work at up top 54Mbps, whereas wired networks normally
work at 100Mbps (Fast Ethernet). This data transmission rate is dependant on
the number of users, the distance from the access point and the fabric of the
building (metal structures in walls may have an impact). A
12

wireless network will be noticeably slow when a group of users are

transferring large files. This should be considered if multimedia applications
are to be delivered over the network to a significant number of users.
As the range of the network may extend beyond the walls of the building, it
can be accessed from outside. Consideration should be given to what security
features the equipment provides to ensure that only valid users have access to
the network and that data is protected.
1.2. Advantages of Networking students
Speed.
Networks provide a very rapid method for sharing and transferring files.
Without a network, files are shared by copying them to floppy disks, then
carrying or sending the disks from one computer to another. This method of
transferring files in this manner is very time-consuming.
Cost.
The network version of most software programs are available at considerable
savings when compared to buying individually licensed copies. Besides
monetary savings, sharing a program on a network allows for easier upgrading
of the program. The changes have to be done only once, on the file server,
instead of on all the individual workstations.
Centralized Software Management.

One of the greatest benefits of installing a network at a school is the fact that all
of the software can be loaded on one computer (the file server). This eliminates
that need to spend time and energy installing updates and tracking files on
independent computers throughout the building.
Resource Sharing.
Sharing resources is another area in which a network exceeds stand-alone
computers. Most students cannot afford enough laser printers, fax machines,
modems, scanners, and CD-ROM players for each computer. However, if these
or similar peripherals are added to a network, they can be shared by many users.
Flexible Access.
School networks allow students to access their files from computers throughout
the school. Students can begin an assignment in their classroom, save part of it
13

on a public access area of the network, then go to the media center after school
to finish their work. Students can also work cooperatively through the network.
Security.
Files and programs on a network can be designated as "copy inhibit," so that you
do not have to worry about illegal copying of programs. Also, passwords can be
established for specific directories to restrict access to authorized users.
Main challenges of installing a School Network

Costs
Although a network will generally save money over time, the initial costs can be
substantial, and the installation may require the services of a technician.
Requires Administrative Time.
Proper maintenance of a network requires considerable time and expertise.
Many students have installed a network, only to find that they did not budget for
the necessary administrative support.
File Server May Fail.

Although a file server is no more susceptible to failure than any other computer,
when the files server "goes down," the entire network may come to a halt. When
this happens, the entire school may lose access to necessary programs and files.
14

1.3. Networking Models: Towards a Networked School

This model shows a diagram of a networked school indicating the various
types of networking models used. These include computer rooms, networked
classrooms, networked specialist rooms for specific subjects. Mobile
solutions are shown in the Resource room, the General Purpose room and
Building # 2. Note: To improve readability only network points are shown,
rather than cabling itself. Refer to Fig 8.
Main Building
15

School Principals
Admin Office
Technology Office
Room
Post Staff Room
Primary
Resource
Science Room Standard
Labs
Post Classroom
Primary
Standar
d
General Purpose Room Classro
Standard
oms
Classroom
Standard
Standard
Classroom
Classroom
ICT
Server &
Store
Equipment
Room
Room
Standard
Classroom Standard
Classroom
Standard Specialist
Classroom Room
Post
Primary
Computer room
Standard
with 15-30 computers Specialist
Classroom
Room
Wireless link to Post
Building 2 Primary
Building 2
Temporary Pre-Fab Building 3
- Wireless Network
Fig 8: Representation of a Typical Network Model
16

Junior Infants Senior Infants 1st Class 2nd Class Resource room Principal/Office
# of computers # of computers # of computers # of computers # of computers Staffroom
# of computers
3rd Class
# of computers
File & Print Server
Access to:
Internet content &
learning resources, 4th Class
Scoilnet etc
# of computers
Email communication
Cache, Proxy,
Filtering, Firewall
Server
5th Class
School ‘Local Area # of computers Network’ (LAN)
Modem or Router
6th Class
# of computers
Fig 9: Typical Network Model for a Special school. Figure 9

shows a model for a Primary or Special school. This includes connectivity
to all classrooms back to a central network. The network connects to a File
and Print Server. Internet access is handled via a modem or router, while
internet Filtering , Proxy and Web Caching are all handled via a dedicated
server.
File & Print Server
Printer
Multimedia or
CD Server Scanner
Access to:
Internet content &
learning resources,
Scoilnet etc
Email communication
Cache/Proxy,
Filtering/Firewall Main Servers &
Server
Internet Access
Modem or Router
Network
Fig 10: Server Functionality Model
17

Server Functionality
The network connects to a File and Print Server, Fig 10. The File server
stores common files, The Print Server manages the different requests for
printing. A Multimedia or CD server is used to store and distribute
Multimedia - Sound, Video, Text , applications etc . Internet access is
handled via a modem or router, while internet Filtering , Proxy and Web
Caching are all handled via a dedicated server.
Example network configurations:
Models for Networking

First let’s review some simple models where no networking exits and
computers are used in standalone or ad-hoc mode. The following represent
some simple models representing classrooms.
Model 1a: One computer in a classroom with its own private printer. It is
recommended that students with computers in this situation would network
the classrooms in question as shown. Networking will more effectively make
use of commonly shared resources such as file servers and school printers,
internet , email etc. When a mobile PC or PC with projector is require in a
room the network points are already present.
In this scenario, there could be a single LAN-connected point for the teacher
and an additional LAN connection to allow for a portable switch. Refer to
diagram 11a
Model 1a
Fig 11a: From single PC to networked LAN Points
18

Model 1b: This scenario is similar to Model 1a, but where other equipment
such as printers, scanners are used in ad-hoc and inefficient configuration. It
is recommended that students with computers in this situation would network
the classrooms in question . Networking will more effectively make use of
commonly shared resources such as scanners, printers, internet , email etc. In
this scenario there may be a single LAN-connected point for the teacher and
a limited number of LAN connection points throughout the room to allow
students access to the school LAN. The connection points may be situated as
required around the room depending upon class learning requirements and
the availability of existing power outlets. Refer to diagram 11b
Model 1b:
Fig 12b: Networking other commonly used equipment

Networked Computer Room
Model 1c: A non networked computer room or resource area with an ad-
hoc and inefficient use of printers, scanners etc. Networking computer rooms
is essential so that all PCs can access printers, the internet, email etc. This
scenario represents a school computing room which can be timetabled for
classes, and with each computer networked to the LAN. There may be a
single LAN-connected presentation point for the teacher and LAN-
connected computers throughout the classroom. Traditionally, ICT in Irish
secondary students has been concentrated in dedicated computer rooms.
Primary students have more varied deployment. From an administrative
point of view, this setup is attractive. An entire class can be timetabled,
avoiding problems of extra teachers for split classes. Refer to diagram 12c
Model 1c:
19

Fig 12c: Networked computer lab.
Media Bays (Ref Fig 13a)

Media bays, or data suites are clusters of perhaps four desktop computers, a
scanner and a printer.
Though self-sufficient in terms of peripherals, they would be connected to
the main school network and have Internet access. This is one reason why
they would be best sited in public areas around the school.
These suites would be used by students in small groups or individually and
could accommodate task-oriented activities and self-directed learning.
Advantages are easy access to staff and students alike, Utilise areas of
school without losing classrooms
Public supervision
Disadvantages are Open access means security issues must be addressed .
Fig 13a: Movable or mobile Media Bays
Laptop and data-projector (Ref Fig 13b)
20

A combination of laptop and data-projector is a highly effective teaching

model where a teacher wants to provide the whole class with visual or
multimedia content . It can be used in conjunction with an existing LAN
point in the room for best effect.
Fig 13b: Movable or mobile Laptop PC with Digital Projector
Wireless LAN (Ref Fig 13c)

This scenario has the capability to connect multiple computers to the school
LAN without providing direct LAN connections. No LAN cabling is
required for the classroom; instead all computers are radio linked to the
LAN. Wireless LAN technology is relatively new and generally more
expensive and more limited than cabled LANs. There is the potential,
however, to save on extensive cabling work with this option.
Wireless connections allow a region to be connected to a network by

radiowaves, which link a wireless card in the computer to a wireless access
point. One should remember that the access point itself must be connected
by cable to the main network.
Advantages
Flexibility of machines - usually laptops - linked even if students

break into small workgroups in different parts of room.
Wireless networking means that large common areas such as canteens
or libraries can be easily connected to the network.
Less unplugging of cables into sockets reduces wear and tear
Disadvantages
Wireless networking may prove much more expensive if wiring large

numbers of machines close together.
21

Wireless hubs data rates (typically 11Mbps) are considerably less at

present than their cable equivalent. Thus is unsuitable for high data
volumes such as multimedia access by large numbers of machines.
Manufacturers stated ranges of 100 - 300 metres is wildly optimistic.
Ranges of less than 18 metres are not uncommon, Data rates drop off
as distance increases.
While it is unlikely that wireless will replace data cables in the near
future they do provide a flexibility that can be harnessed creatively.
Fig 13c: Wireless LAN (WLAN)
22

2.1. Some Relevant Terms

MDF Main Distribution Frame
IDF Intermediate Distribution Frame
Broadband Refers to a higher speed always on internet connection
Narrowband Refers to speeds of up to 128kbps
Dial up Refers to having to dial up the internet every time one
goes online.
Always On Refers to the nature of broadband, being ‘always on’ means a
dial up is not required.
Download speed The speed at which data is delivered to a school modem
from the internet
Upload speed The speed at which data is sent to the internet from a
school modem.
ISP Internet Service Provider
ISDN Integrated Services Digital Network (64kbps single
channel or 128kbps dual channel)
PSTN Public Switched Telephone Network (refers to an
ordinary telephone line)
ADSL Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Loop
Mbps Megabits per second (1,000,000 bits per second)
Kbps Kilobits per second (1,000 bits per second)
Ethernet Ethernet is a standard for transferring data over networks.
USB Universal Serial Bus
Modem A simple device used to access the internet
Router A more technically advanced device used to access the
internet

Chapter 1: Computer Hardware
Every part of your computer is the result of years of research and development. Parts
that were once hand made at a cost of thousands of man-hours are now mass
produced for a fraction of a rupee. Computer parts can be divided into two groups,
hardware and software.
Hardware is any part of the computer that you can touch. The seeming miles of wires
that get tangled on your desk, the CD drive, the monitor are all hardware. Software is
a set of electronic instructions consisting of complex codes (Programs) that make the
computer perform tasks. Windows is a software, so is any other program that runs on
your computer.
While there are thousands of parts even in the smallest computers that make up its
hardware, you are not required to know them all. You only need to know about basic
computer hardware.
Basic computer hardware consists of the following parts:
1. CPU (Central Processing Unit)
The CPU is considered the brain of the computer. It performs all types of data
processing operations, stores data, intermediate results and instructions (program). It
controls the operation of all parts of computer. A CPU has 3 components as listed
below.
(A) CU (Control Unit)
The control unit (CU) is a component of a computer’s central processing unit (CPU)
that directs operations of the processor. It tells the computer’s memory, arithmetic
logic unit and input and output devices how to respond to a program’s instructions.
However, the Control Unit doesn’t process any data.
(B) ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit)

Think of the ALU as the logical part of the brain. When any mathematical calculation
or decision/logic needs to be carried out, the instruction is passed on to the ALU. The
ALU thinks in bits (i.e. binary digits – ‘0’s and ‘1’s.)
It is made up of a group of memory locations built directly into the CPU called
registers. These are used to hold the data (binary information) that are being
processed by the current instruction.
(C) Memory
Primary memory is memory that is part of the computer itself and necessary for its
functioning. It consists of mainly two types of memories:
(i) Random Access Memory (RAM)
RAM is the internal memory of the CPU for storing data, program and program
result. It is read/write memory which stores data until the machine is working. As
soon as the machine is switched off, data is erased. RAM is volatile. Volatile means
that the data stored in memory is lost when we switch off the computer or if there is a
power failure. Hence a backup Uninterruptible Power System (UPS) is often used
with computers. There are different types of RAM available. Some of them are
described below.
• Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM): A type of physical memory used

in most personal computers. The term dynamic indicates that the memory must be
constantly refreshed or it loses its contents. This type of memory is more
economical.
• Static Random Access Memory (SRAM): A type of memory that is faster and
less volatile than DRAM, but requires more power and is more expensive. The
term static is derived from the fact that it does not need to be refreshed like DRAM.
• Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM): A type of DRAM

that has a much higher processing speed.
(ii) Read Only Memory (ROM)
The memory from which we can only read but cannot write on it. This type of
memory is non-volatile. The information is stored permanently in such memories
during manufacture. A ROM, stores such instructions that are required to start a
computer. This operation is referred to as bootstrap. The different types of ROM are
given below.
• MROM (Masked ROM): The very first ROMs were hard-wired devices that
contained a pre-programmed set of data or instructions. These kinds of ROMs are
known as masked ROMs which are inexpensive. The MROM cannot be
programmed by the user.
• PROM (Programmable Read only Memory): PROM is read-only memory that

can be modified only once by a user. The user buys a blank PROM and enters the
desired contents using a PROM program.
• EPROM (Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory): The EPROM is a

type of a PROM which can be programmed by the user multiple times. EPROM is
erased by exposing it to ultra-violet light for a duration of up to 40 minutes.
Usually, an EPROM eraser achieves this function.
• EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory): The

EEPROM is programmed and erased electrically. It can be erased and
reprogrammed about ten thousand times. Both erasing and programming take about
4 to 10 milliseconds.
2. Secondary Storage (External Storage Devices)
Floppy diskettes, hard disk, tapes and optical disks come under the category of
external storage devices or ancillary storage devices. These devices are very sensitive
to environmental conditions (humidity and temperature) as well as to external
magnetic fields and need to be stored carefully. They are not compulsory for the
functioning of the computer but are useful for expanding the computer’s memory.
(A) Floppy Disk
Floppy disks are primarily used on PCs. Information on a floppy disk is recorded in
the magnetized states of particles of iron oxides evenly placed upon concentric circles
known as tracks.
(B) Hard Disk

It is a non-removable enclosed magnetic disk included in most PCs. It contains a

stack of metal platters, each coated with iron oxide, that spin on a spindle and the
entire unit is encased in a sealed chamber.
(C) Magnetic Tape
This is plastic tape, usually made of Mylar that is coated with iron oxide, thereby
enabling the introduction (writing); retention (memory) and reading of magnetically
recorded information. The best use of tape storage is for data that you do not use very
often.
(D) Optical Disc Drive
An optical disc drive (ODD) is a disk drive that uses laser light or electromagnetic
waves for reading or writing data to or from optical discs (normally CD-ROM).
A CD-ROM is a pre-pressed optical compact disc which contains data. The name is
an acronym which stands for “Compact Disc Read-Only Memory”. Computers can
read CD-ROMs, but cannot write to CD-ROMs which are not writable or erasable.
(E) USB
A USB flash drive, also commonly known as a USB drive, USB stick and a variety of
other names. It is a data storage device that includes flash memory with an
integrated USB interface. USB flash drives are typically removable and rewritable,
and physically much smaller than an optical disc.
(3) Peripherals
Peripheral devices are devices connected to the computer externally. If a peripheral

device is disconnected, the computer will still be able to work; only functions
performed by this peripheral device will not be available. Here are the most used
types of peripheral devices:
(A) Keyboard
The most common and very popular input device which helps in inputting data to the
computer. It consists of keys that are capable of inputting alphabets, numbers and
special characters. You can also navigate using the keyboard and perform shortcut
functions.
(B) Mouse
Mouse is the most popular pointing device and cursor-control device having a small
palm size box with a round ball at its base which senses the movement of mouse and
sends corresponding signals to CPU when the mouse buttons are pressed.
(C) Monitors
Monitors, commonly called as Visual Display Unit (VDU), are the main output
device of a computer. It forms images from tiny dots, called pixels that are arranged
in a rectangular form. The sharpness of the image depends upon the number of pixels.
(D) Printer
Printer is an output device, which is used to print information on paper.
• Impact Printers: The impact printers print the characters by striking them on
the ribbon which is then pressed on the paper.
• Non-Impact Printers: Non-impact printers print the characters without using

ribbon. These printers print a complete page at a time so they are also called as
Page Printers. Laser Printers, Inkjet Printers.
(E) Joy Stick
It is a device used to move cursor position on a monitor screen. It is mainly used in

Computer Aided Designing (CAD) and playing computer games.
(F) Scanner
A scanner allows you to scan printed material and convert it into a file format that
may be used within the PC.
(G) Plotter
A plotter is used to create high-quality visuals on paper. Plotters were used in

applications such as computer-aided design, though they have generally been
replaced with wide-format conventional printers. A plotter gives a hard copy of the
output. It draws pictures on a paper using a pen. It can be used to create presentation-
charts, graphics, tables and high quality technical drawings. There are two types of
plotter.

• Drum Plotter: The paper is placed over the drum that rotates back and forth. A
carriage holding one or more pens is mounted horizontally across the drum. The
carriage with the pens moves horizontally over the paper. Each pen could be filled
with different colours. This plotter has the ability to produce colour pictures.
• Flat Bed Plotter: In flat bed plotter, the paper does not move. The carriage
holding the pens should provide all motions. Inkjet plotters can also produce large
drawings with different colours.

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Communication SI & PC Notes

KORIVI RAMESH, M.SC(IS), M.TECH(CSE), OCJP, (LL.B) 1

Example of Input Devices:-

KORIVI RAMESH, M.SC(IS), M.TECH(CSE), OCJP, (LL.B) 2

KORIVI RAMESH, M.SC(IS), M.TECH(CSE), OCJP, (LL.B) 3

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The CPU is comprised of three main parts :

KORIVI RAMESH, M.SC(IS), M.TECH(CSE), OCJP, (LL.B) 5

Example on Output Devices:

KORIVI RAMESH, M.SC(IS), M.TECH(CSE), OCJP, (LL.B) 6

KORIVI RAMESH, M.SC(IS), M.TECH(CSE), OCJP, (LL.B) 7

KORIVI RAMESH, M.SC(IS), M.TECH(CSE), OCJP, (LL.B) 8

KORIVI RAMESH, M.SC(IS), M.TECH(CSE), OCJP, (LL.B) 9

Speed measurement: The speed of Central Processing Unit (CPU) is measured by

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Laptop and Smartphone Computers

Netbook: A netbook is a type of laptop that is designed to be even more portable.

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Tablet Computers: Like laptops, tablet computers are designed to be portable.

Smartphones: A smartphone is a powerful mobile phone that is designed to run a

Data, Information and Knowledge

Information: For data to become information, it must be contextualized, categorized,

Knowledge: Knowledge is closely linked to doing and implies know-how and

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Chapter 1: Computer Hardware

Basic computer hardware consists of the following parts:

1. CPU (Central Processing Unit)

(A) CU (Control Unit)

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The control unit (CU) is a component of a computer’s central processing unit

(B) ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit)

(i) Random Access Memory (RAM)

• Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM): A type of physical memory

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• Static Random Access Memory (SRAM): A type of memory that is faster

• Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM): A type of

• PROM (Programmable Read only Memory): PROM is read-only memory

• EPROM (Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory): The EPROM is

• EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only

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2. Secondary Storage (External Storage Devices)

(A) Floppy Disk

(B) Hard Disk

It is a non-removable enclosed magnetic disk included in most PCs. It contains a

(C) Magnetic Tape

(D) Optical Disc Drive

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Peripheral devices are devices connected to the computer externally. If a peripheral

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Printer is an output device, which is used to print information on paper.

• Non-Impact Printers: Non-impact printers print the characters without using

(E) Joy Stick

It is a device used to move cursor position on a monitor screen. It is mainly used in

A plotter is used to create high-quality visuals on paper. Plotters were used in

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Chapter 2: Computer Software:

There are two types of software −

Some examples of system software are Operating System, Compilers,

Here is a list of some of the most prominent features of a system software

• Close to the system