Introduction Of Computer And Its External Components

Introduction to Computers
In Chapter 1,”Introduction to Computers”, the textbook (Shelly & Vermaat, 2012) gives a basic overview of a computer and its external components, as well as a few of the internal components. According to the textbook, computers process data, or input, into information, or output. Computers hold and execute software, or a set of pre-written instructions that are “organized for a common purpose”. Computer components are known as “hardware”. Input devices that allow for the entry of data into a computer include the “keyboard, mouse, microphone, scanner, and Web cam”. Inversely, output devices display or otherwise convey information to users. These input devices include printers, monitors, and speakers.
Examples of internal system components include the central processing unit (CPU), the central chip that executes commands given to it. This central processing unit is often referred to as the “brain” of the computer because of its function. Random access memory (RAM), often simply referred to as memory, is a short-term storage device that holds instructions that are awaiting execution by the central processing unit. The amount of RAM installed in computer systems has increased over the years; common sizes today are 4, 8, and 16 gigabytes. Computer systems also have long-term storage, such as hard disk drives (HDDs), solid-state drives (SSDs), and external storage devices like USB flash drives, Secure Digital (SD) cards, and optical drives for media like DVDs and CDs.
These components and their functions should be basic knowledge to anyone working in the IT field; they are especially important if you work directly with the hardware (for instance, computer repair technicians and help desk workers).
The Internet...

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...al. According to the textbook, “[today,] Ethernet is the most popular network standard for LANs [local area networks] because it is relatively inexpensive and easy to install and maintain.” The most common Ethernet connection speeds are “Fast Ethernet”, capable of 100 Mbps, “Gigabit Ethernet” which is capable of 1 Gbps, and even “100-Gigabit Ethernet”.
Internet connectivity will continue to get faster and faster, and copper-based connections like digital subscriber line (DSL) and coaxial cable will no longer be able to keep up with the demands of the future Internet; the future is in fiber-optics. Fiber-optic cables use many super-thin, flexible strands of glass to transmit data. Fiber-optic is ideal because of its extremely large bandwidth capability, resistance to electromagnetic interference (EMI), and smaller size (thinner and lighter weight than copper cables).