Information Technology in FOCUS for CSEC

SECTION 1 OF SYLLABUS: CHAPTER 6: Storage Device Interface

Activity # 6

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Chapter 6: Secondary Device Interface

Examination based short answer questions

INSTRUCTION: Answer all questions in your own words as accurately as possible.

1. What is a Hardware Interface? (2 marks)

Possible Solution:

A hardware interface is a physical platform where you can touch and interact with it. A
hardware interface is used to connect two or more electronic devices together. For example,
a scanner typically connects to a computer via a USB interface.

2. List THREE types of Hardware Interface. (3 marks)

Possible Solution:
Hardware interface – the;
1. wires,
2. plugs
3. and sockets that hardware devices use to communicate with each other.

3. Explain the THREE types of Hardware Interface. (6 marks)

Possible Solution:
1. CABLE – a cable is one or more wires covered in a plastic covering that connects a
computer to a power source or other device.

2. PORTS – a port serves as an interface between the computer and other computers
or peripheral devices.

3. SOCKETS - socket is a connection that allows a computer processors to be connected

to a motherboard. For example, the Socket 370 is an example of such a socket.

4. As a computer technician, you are required to know where on a computer or a device to

locate each interface. State where you find the THREE hardware interfaces on hardware
or a computer system. (3 marks)

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Information Technology in FOCUS for CSEC
SECTION 1 OF SYLLABUS: CHAPTER 6: Storage Device Interface

Possible Solution:

1. Firewire
2. USB
3. HDMI

5. Identify the following devices: use a colon (3 marks)

(ii)
(i) Networking Card
SATA

(iii)
Video Graphic Array (VGA) Cables

6. State what the following acronyms stands for: (4 marks)

Possible Solution:
(i) ATA - Advanced Technology Attachment
(ii) IDE - Integrated Device Electronics
(iii) SATA - Serial Advanced Technology Attachment
(iv) SCSI - Small Computer System Interface

7. As a computer technician, what type of interface you would recommend to a customer

when purchasing a hard drive for a new motherboard. Explain your choice? (3 marks)

Possible Solution:
I would recommend a SATA Cable for the hard drive, providing that the motherboard support
such. In the event that the motherboard does not support a SATA hard drive connection then a
VGA must be recommended.

8. As a computer technician, what is the purpose of a SCSI cable, explain? (3 marks)

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SECTION 1 OF SYLLABUS: CHAPTER 6: Storage Device Interface

Possible Solution:
A Small Computer Systems Interface (SCSI) is a standard interface for connecting peripheral
devices to a PC.

9. Why did engineers develop the IDE cable, explain. (2 marks)

Possible Solution:
Engineers designed IDE as a standard electronic interface used between a computer
motherboard's data paths or bus and the computer's disk storage devices.

10. Complete the following statements: (9 marks)

Possible Solution:
(i) A USB_is used to connect two or more electronic devices.

(ii) ____ Small Computer Systems Interface ___is a standard physical interface for
connecting storage devices within a computer.

(iii) ATA allows _hard disks and __CD –ROMs to be internally connected to the
motherboard and perform basic input/output functions.

(iv) ATA is also known as _ Integrated Device Electronics (IDE) __and is referred to as
ATA with Packet Interface (ATAPI).

(v) The _ Advanced Technology Attachment (ATA)_interface standard was designed

to connect supported, integrated and portable storage devices without the need
for an external controller.

(vi) A __ serial advanced technology attachment (serial ATA, SATA or S-ATA)_is a

computer bus interface used to connect host bus adapters with mass storage
devices like optical drives and hard drives.

(vii) _ Hot swapping _is the ability to replace computer system components
without having to shut down the system.

(viii) A Small Computer Systems Interface is a standard interface for

connecting peripheral devices to a PC.

11. Carefully explain the term HDMI in your own words? (1 mark)

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SECTION 1 OF SYLLABUS: CHAPTER 6: Storage Device Interface

Possible Solution:
High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) is a standard digital interface for audio/video
(A/V) connectivity. Pioneered early in the 21st century, the first HDMI equipment went into
production in 2003.
12. State TWO differences between HDMI and SCSI (2 marks)
Possible Solution:
 High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) is a standard digital interface for
audio/video (A/V) connectivity. While SCSI is a standard physical interface for
connecting storage devices within a computer such as HDDs.

 HDMI is an external cable device and the SCSI is used to connect older devices.

13. You want to watch a movie using you laptop. The laptop contains the following ports;
SCSI, HDMI, and SATA. This movie is located on a camcorder. Which of the ports would
be appropriate to be used to transfer the movie to the laptop? State why. (3 marks)
Possible Solution:
HDMI is used to transfer video and audio signals to an appropriate device such as a
multimedia device.
Or
SATA is used to connect HDD to motherboards. This cable can be used to transfer data from
one device to the next. The video can be transferred to another HDD.

14. List TWO differences between SATA and SCSI in your own words. (2 marks)

Possible Solution:
 The SATA cable is used to connect storage devices
 The SCSI cable is used to connect older devices such as printers, disk drives, scanners
and other peripherals to computers.

TOTAL 46 MARKS