ITI01 – INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

INFRUSTRUCTURE
 Lesson 3
• CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT (CPU)
 Central Processing Unit (CPU)
• is considered as the brain of the computer.
• performs all types of data processing operations.
• It stores data, intermediate result and instructions (program).
• It controls the operations of all parts of computer.
 Components of the CPU
• Control Unit
• ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit)
• Memory or Storage Unit
 CPU

Memory
Unit

Input Control Output

Unit Unit Unit

Arithmetic
& Logic
Unit
 Control Unit
• This unit controls the operations of all parts of computer. It does not carry
out any actual data processing operations.
 Functions of CU

• It is responsible for controlling the transfer of data and

instructions among other units of a computer.
• It manages and coordinates all the units of the computer.
• It obtains the instructions from the memory, interprets them
and directs the operation of the computer.
• It communicates with Input/Output devices for transfer of
data or results from storage.
• It does not process or store data.
 ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit)
Two Subsections:
• Arithmetic Section
• Logic Section
 Arithmetic Section
• Function of Arithmetic section is to perform arithmetic operations like
addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. All complex operations are
done by making repetitive use of above operations.
 Logic Section
• Function of logic section is to perform logic operations such as comparing,
selecting, matching and merging of data.
 Memory Or Storage Unit
• This unit can store instructions, data and intermediate results. This unit
supplies information to the other units of the computer when needed. It is
also known as internal storage unit or main memory or primary storage or
Random access memory(RAM).
 Functions of Memory Unit
• It stores all the data to be processed and the instructions required for
processing.
• It stores intermediate results of processing.
• It stores final results of processing before these results are released to an
output device.
• All inputs and outputs are transmitted through main memory.
 Types of Computer Memory
• Primary Memory
• Secondary Memory
Types of Computer Memory

Primary Memory Secondary Memory

 Primary Memory
• also called main memory
• is used for immediate access of data by the processor. While primary
memory storage demonstrates faster processing ability, it is costly and hence
is not largely used for data storage.
 Two types ofTypes
Primary Memory
of Computer Memory

• RAM
• ROM Primary Memory Secondary Memory

RAM

ROM
 Random Access Memory (RAM)
• RAM retains its contents as long as the power supply is on.
• A RAM chip is used as primary memory in most computers today.
• 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.
 Cont.
• 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.
 Cont.
• The information stored in the RAM is typically loaded from the computer's
hard disk, and includes data related to the operating system and certain
applications. When the system is switched off, the RAM loses all stored
information. The data remains stored on secondary storage though, and can
be retained when the system is running again.
RAM
 Forms of RAM
• Static RAM (SRAM)
• Dynamic RAM (DRAM)
 Static RAM (SRAM)
• The most expensive of the lot, SRAM uses bistable latching circuitry to store
one bit each, and hence is faster than its counterpart. Its high price prevents
it from being widely used in everyday computing machines, but many
modern machines use SRAM as the processor's cache register.
 Dynamic RAM
• Widely used in modern computers as primary memory, DRAM is slower
than SRAM, but is inexpensive due to its one transistor-one capacitor paired
assembly of memory storage.
 Read Only Memory (ROM)
• Unlike RAM, ROM is a permanent form of storage.
• ROM stays active regardless of whether power supply to it is turned on or
off.
• ROM was used (in rare cases is still used) as the primary device for most
computers back in the '80s.
 Cont.
• This was because ROM devices do not allow data stored on them to be
modified. As the name itself suggests, data can only be accessed and read by
the user, not overwritten, upgraded, or modified.
• The ROM memory used in modern computers is pre-programmed by the
circuit manufacturer and cannot be altered by the user.
Read Only Memory (ROM)
 Secondary Memory
• is available on mass storage devices for permanent data storage.
• Data stored on a secondary device is retained even when it is not supplied
any power. This data can be transported in most cases, and looks and
appears the same on any machine, irrespective of where the data was first
copied onto the secondary storage device.
 Cont.
• Unlike primary memory, secondary memory is not directly accessible by the
computer. When a computer needs to run or execute an application stored in
secondary memory, it first brings it to primary memory storage for a while,
to control and carry out its execution. Once execution of the application is
done, the processor releases the application and restores its control and
memory data with the secondary memory device.
 Example of Secondary Memory
• Punching Devices
• Magnetic Tape
• Floppy Disk
• Optical Discs (CD/DVD)
• Hard Disk Drives
• Flash Drives
 Types of Computer Memory

Primary Memory Secondary Memory

RAM Punching Devices

ROM Magnetic Tape

Floppy Disk
Optical Discs
(CD/DVD)
Hard Disk Drives

Flash Drives
 Floppy Disk
• The floppy disk memory technique uses a thin plastic-coated film covered
with magnetic material. It is covered with a protective plastic cover.
• Floppy disks began as giant 8-inch diskettes, and eventually evolved into 5¼-
inch diskettes, and later 3½-inch diskettes.
• As of today, no modern machines are integrated with a floppy disk drive,
though their popularity amongst low cost data management companies
Floppy Disk
 Optical Drives (CD/DVD)
• Philips and Sony collaborated in the '70s on a project to create a new digital
audio disc. This collaboration brought together the optical disc drive
technologies both the companies were earlier separately working on.
Launched in 1982-83, the Compact Disc (CD) eventually went on from
being an audio disc to a data storage device.
Optical Drives (CD/DVD)
 Hard Disk Drives(HDD)
• The dominant technique for storing data in current times, a hard disk
consists of rapidly rotating discs with a magnetic head to read and write data.
• HDDs were introduced by IBM around the late 1950s for real-time
transaction processing machines.
 Cont.
• Eventually, hard disk drives began to shrink in size and increase in storage
capacity. Hard disk drives were sold to PC and Mac users in the '80s as an
external device with a SCSI port on the back of the machines.
 Cont.
• A series of innovation on part of industry leaders through the '80s and early
'90s led to the hard disk being integrated inside the CPU. A typical desktop
hard disk is 3.5 inches in size, while for laptops it is 2.5 inches.
Hard Disk Drives(HDD)
 Flash Drives
• A flash drive is a data storage device that uses flash memory for storage
purposes. Typical in design, flash drives are light-weight and small in design;
and are hence easily portable.
• Flash drives operate from the power supplied by a computer's USB port (the
port in which they are plugged in).
Flash Drives
 Communication Hardware
• Is a piece of equipment or hardware designed to move data or information
from one place to another.
 Types of Computer Communication
 Wired connection
 Wireless connection
Example of Communication Hardware
 Network Interface Card(NIC)
• Computers on a network need to be able to communicate with the server
and with other computers. In order to do this, a NIC is required or a built-in
network chip is included on the motherboard, such as in the laptop opposite.
Network Interface Card(NIC)
 Wi-Fi Card
• When your using your computer on a wireless network, you need to be able
to send data to and receive data from the server and other computers on the
network. This may be done by a built-in Wi-Fi in your laptop or mobile
device connected to a local network.
Wi-Fi Card
 Cont.
• If your laptop needs to connect via a mobile wi-fi network whilst on the
move, then you can also purchase a Wi-Fi ‘dongle’ that looks like a memory
stick and is inserted into a USB port. It works in just the same way but is
designed to work with a specific mobile internet network provider.
Wi-Fi ‘dongle’
 Router
• This is a very important network communication device. It is responsible for
sending network traffic to its correct destination. It works by reading the
destination network address within each data packet and sends it along its
way. There can be many routers on a large network.
Router
 Modem
• Is a device used to convert digital data to analogue data in order to transmit it
over the telephone network (MODulation).
• It will also convert the analogue data back into digital data when the
computer is receiving data from the telephone network (DEModulation).
• So together the device MODulates and DEModulates, hence MODEM
Modem
 Port
• A computer port is a physical docking point using which an external device
can be connected to the computer.
• A computer port can also be programmatic docking point through which
information flows from a program to computer or over the internet.
Ports
 Port characteristics:
• External devices are connected to a computer using cables and ports.
• Ports are slots on the motherboard into which a cable of external device is
plugged in.
• Examples of external devices attached via ports are mouse, keyboard,
monitor, microphone , speakers, etc.
few important types of ports:
 Serial Port
• Used for external modems and older computer mouse.
• Two versions: 9 pin, 25 pin model.
• Data travels at 115 kilobits per second.
Serial Port
 Parallel Port
• Used for scanners and printers
• Also called printer port.
• 25 pin model.
• Also known as IEEE 1284-compliant Centronics port.
Parallel Port
 PS/2 Port
• Used for old computer keyboard and mouse
• Also called mouse port.
• Most of the old computers provide two PS/2 ports, each for mouse and
keyboard.
• Also known as IEEE 1284-compliant Centronics port.
PS/2 Port
 Universal Serial Bus (or USB) Port
• Can connect all kinds of external USB devices such as external hard disk,
printer, scanner, mouse, keyboard, etc.
• Introduced in 1997.
• Most of the computers provide two USB ports as minimum.
• Data travels at 12 megabits per second.
• USB compliant devices can get power from a USB port.
Universal Serial Bus (or USB) Port
 VGA Port
• Connects monitor to a computer's video card.
• Has 15 holes.
• Similar to serial port connector but serial port connector has pins, it has
holes.
VGA Port
 Power Connector
• Three-pronged plug
• Connects to the computer's power cable that plugs into a power bar or wall
socket.
Power Connector
 Firewire
• FireWire is a method of transferring information between digital devices,
especially audio and video equipment.
 Firewire Port
• Transfer large amounts of data at very fast speed.
• Connects camcorders and video equipments to the computer
• Data travels at 400 to 800 megabits per second.
• Invented by Apple
• Three variants: 4-Pin FireWire 400 connector, 6-Pin FireWire 400 connector
and 9-Pin FireWire 800 connector
Firewire Port
 Ethernet Port
• Connects to a network and high speed Internet.
• Connects network cable to a computer.
• This port resides on an Ethernet Card.
• Data travels at 10 megabits to 1000 megabits per second depending upon the
network bandwidth.
Ethernet Port
 Digital Video Interface, DVI port
• Connects a Flat panel LCD monitor to the computer's high-end video
graphic cards.
• Very popular among video card manufacturers.
Digital Video Interface, DVI port