+

Business Hardware

Class of Engr. Bea Lacsamana

Ref. Chap 4 of Effy Oz

+Learning Objectives

List major hardware components of computers and explain their functions

Classify computers into major categories and identify their strengths and weaknesses

Identify and evaluate key criteria for deciding what computers or related devices to purchase

+Hardware Components

Physical components of the computer

Input Devices – receive signals from outside the computer and transfer them into the computer

e.g. Computer keyboard, mouse, tablets,

digital pens, numeric keypads, touchscreens

+Input Device

+Hardware Components

CPU - central processing unit -accepts instructions and data, decodes and executes

instructions and stores results in memory for later display

+INTEL PROCESSORS

+Hardware Components

Internal Memory - main memory or primary memory Located near the CPU and stores data and instructions just

before and after the CPU processes them. RAM (Random Access Memory) ROM (Read Only Memory)

+Internal Memory

+DDR3-double-data-rate three synchronous dynamic random access memory

+Internal StorageSATA -Serial ATA (SATA or Serial Advanced Technology Attachment)

+Hardware Components

External Memory- External storage.

e.g. Optical Discs, DVDs and Flash Memory

+External Memory

+External Memory

+DAS, NAS and SAN

DAS – Direct Access Storage A disk or array of disks directly connected to a server

NAS – Network Attached Storage

- comprises both the the storage media, such as hard disks and management software which is fully dedicated to serving (accessing) files over the network.

+DAS, NAS and SAN

SAN (Storage Area Network)

- a network fully devoted to storage and and transfer of data between servers and storage devices. The storage devices are part of this dedicated network separate from the organization’s network.

RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks)

-data is replicated on different disks to enhance processing speed and fault tolerance.

+Business Considerations in Evaluating Storage Media

Purpose of Data Storage

For current operations or backup?

Storage Volume

-Price per megabit or megabyte

Speed

- Measured in rpm (5400,7200,10000 & 15000)

Unit Space and Portability

- physical size of the storage medium

Cost

- obtain the largest size of storage for the smallest amount of money

Reliability and Life Expectancy

Trade-Offs

+Output Devices

Most commonly computer monitors and printers

+Output Devices

+Output Devices

+Parts of a computer

+Hardware Components

+CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS: A. Supercomputers

+Supercomputers

+The IBM Blue Gene

+Solution Comparison Chart

+Sample Application of the Blue Gene

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory – California

130,000 processors

Area half of a tennis court

360 trillion calculations/second

+Supercomputers

+Mainframes or “Big Iron”

Less powerful and less expensive than the supercomputers (at least $1M). They cost several thousand to several hundred thousand dollars.

Banks, Insurance Companies, Large retail chains, universities

40 to 50 % of the world’s data resides on mainframes

Examples : IBM, Fujitsu, Unisys

+Mainframe : The IBM System z10 is a line of IBM mainframes. The z10 Enterprise Class (EC) was announced on February 26, 2008. On October 21, 2008, IBM announced the z10 Business Class (BC), a scaled down version of the z10 EC. The System z10 represents the first model family powered by the z10 quad core processing engine and the first to implement z/Architecture 2 (ARCHLVL 3).

+Midrange Computers

Smaller than mainframes and are less powerful

Usually use a shared resource, serving hundreds of users that connect them from personal computers

Ex. IBM AS/400, HP 9000, HP Alpha families

+Midrange Computers

+Blade Servers

+Blade Servers Compared

+Microcomputers

Collective names for all personal computers, notebook computers and handheld computers.

+What is technology convergence?

Building technologies into a single piece of hardware

+Points for Reflection

Given the characteristics of the hardware elements as discussed what are the possible considerations in purchasing hardware:

a. The equipment’s power

b. Expansion slots

c. The number and types of external ports

d. The monitor type and resolution

e. Ergonomics

+Considerations in Purchasing Hardware

Compatibility

Hardware Footprint

Reliability of the vendor, the warranty policy and the support given after the warranty expires

Power consumption and Noise

Cost

+Scalability and Updating Hardware

Resource can be expanded or upgraded to provide increased power as demands increase.

Sometimes, Hardware should be discarded and new hardware should be installed to avoid performance gaps between software and hardware.

+Sample of a Hardware Evaluation Form

Factor What to look For Score

Power Speed/Ram

Expandability Greater No. of Board Slots

Ports Great no. of ports for accessories

Ergonomics Greater comfort & safety

Compatibility

with hardware with software

Footprint Smaller area

Support Availability of tel. & online support for troubleshooting

Warranty Longer warranty period

Cost Lower Cost