Ch04-Hardware and Software
Ch04-Hardware and Software
Ch04-Hardware and Software
Thin client A centrally managed computer with no internal/external attached drives for data
storage.
Desktop computers nonportable computer that fits on a desktop and can provide sufficient computing
power, memory, and storage for most business computing tasks.
Nettop computers A very small desktop computer used for Internet access, email, Web-based applications,
document processing, and audio/video playback.
Workstations a more powerful PC used for mathematical computing, computer assisted design, and
other high-end processing but still small enough to fit on a desktop.
Multiple-User Computers
Server • A computer employed by many users to perform a specific task, e.g., running network or
Internet applications.
• Offer great scalability, the ability to increase the processing capability of a computer system
so that it can handle more users, more data, or more transactions in a given period.
Mainframe • A large, powerful computer often shared by hundreds of concurrent users connected to the
machine over a network.
• A key feature is backward compatibility or the ability of current mainframes to run software
created decades ago.
Supercomputers A special-purpose machines designed for applications that require extensive and rapid
computational capabilities. E.g., climate modelling, nuclear research, product development.
Principle 03
Hardware and Software
Principles Learning Objectives
The computer • Identify three primary features
hardware industry that distinguish tier 1, 2, 3, and 4
data centers.
and users are
implementing green • State the three primary goals of
computing designs the “green computing” program.
and products.
Server Farm
• Server farm is a facility that houses a large number of servers in the
same room, where access to the machines can be controlled and
authorized support personnel can more easily manage and maintain
the servers.
• Low power usage is a critical factor for organizations that run server
farms made up of hundreds or even thousands of servers.
• Server farm operators are also looking for low-cost, clean, renewable
energy sources. For example, Google purchases renewable energy
from wind and solar farms.
Data Center (1/2)
• A data center is a climate-and-access-controlled building or a set of
buildings that houses the computer hardware that delivers an
organization’s data and information services.
• Traditional data centers consist of warehouse-size buildings filled with row
upon row of server racks and powerful air-conditioning systems.
• About half the energy usage goes to operate its computers and the other
half goes to cooling the computers, removing dust and humidity from the
air, and lighting the facility.
• To lower operating costs, many organizations are locating their data centers
in areas with milder climates and lower energy rates and land costs.
Data Center (/2)
• Classification of data centers by tiers
Application software
to meet the needs of
individuals.
Software Suites and Integrated Software Packages
• A collection of programs packaged together and sold in a bundle.
• The software programs within a suite have been designed to work
similarly—easy to learn and use.
• Buying software in a bundled suite is cost effective.
• Most popular general-purpose software suites:
Mobile Application Software
• The number of applications (apps) for smartphones and other mobile
devices has exploded in recent years.
• Hundreds of thousands of mobile apps have been developed by third
parties.
• As of April 2018, Apple’s App Store had over 2.1 million apps available for iOS
device users.
• Android users could choose from over 2.8 million mobile apps on Google’s Play
Store.
• The Windows store had 700,000 apps.
• Amazon had 400,000 apps available.
Workgroup Application Software
• Software designed to support teamwork, whether team members
are in the same location or dispersed around the world.
• For example: group-scheduling software, electronic mail, instant
messaging, project management, etc.
• Personal application software can extend into the workgroup
application arena.
• For example, Apple, Google, and Microsoft all provide workgroup options of
its online applications.
Enterprise Application Software
• Software used to meet organization-wide business needs and
typically shares data with other enterprise applications used within
the organization.
• Support processes in logistics, manufacturing, human resources,
marketing and sales, order processing, accounting, inventory control,
customer relationship management, and other essential business
functions.
• These processes require cross-functional collaboration with
employees from multiple organizational units, and even people
outside the organization such as customers, suppliers, and
government agencies.
Programming Languages
• Sets of keywords, commands, symbols, and rules for constructing statements
by which humans can communicate instructions to a computer.
• Popular programming languages and what they are used to build:
Software Licenses
• When people purchase software, they do not own the software, but
rather they are licensed to use the software on a computer.
• Three primary types of end user licenses:
1. A single-user license
Only installed and used on one CPU that is not accessed by other users over a
network.
2. Individual/multiuser licenses
Allow the licensee to install the software on a certain number of computers.
3. Network/multiuser licenses
A single copy of the software residing on a file server can be accessed by a limited
number of client access licenses (CALs) purchased for that server.
Open-Source Software
• Software that is distributed, typically for free, with the source code also
available so that it can be studied, changed, and improved by its users.
• Advantages:
• Users can fix any problems they discover
• The chances of a bug being discovered and fixed are much greater than with
traditional software packages
• Software support can be obtained through open-source community lives on the
Internet
• Disadvantages:
• May contain many hidden costs, particularly in terms for user support and
debugging.
The End