Introduction to Computer

(ICT)
Imtiaz Hussain
PhD Computer Science (Scholar)
Lecturer
KUST, UMT Sialkot
Super Computer
Super Computer

• Powerful computer and currently highest operational rate for computers.

• Used for specialized applications that require large amount of mathematical
calculations.
• Supercomputer are also called high performance computers because of their
capability to execute the problem is in the billions of floating operations.
• Used to solve complex computational problems, can process hundreds of
billions of calculations per second.
History of Super Computer

Cray-1 Cray-2 Cray-3

History of Super Computer

• Supercomputers were introduced in the 1960s and were designed by Seymour

Cray at Control Data Corporation (CDC).
• It led the market into the 1970s until Cray left to form his own company, Cray
Research.
• He then took the supercomputer market with his new designs, holding the top
spot in supercomputing for five years (1985– 1990).
• Today, supercomputers are typically designs and produced by traditional
companies such as Cray, IBM.
History of Super Computer

• As of November 2017, all of the world’s fastest 500 supercomputers run

Linux operating system.
• Since October 2010, the Tianhe-1A supercomputer has been the fastest in the
world and it is located in China.
• Fugaku, in Kobe, Japan, is the world's fastest supercomputer as of November
2020, according to Top500.org
Tianhe-1A

Fugaku
Super Computer in Pakistan

• NUST Announced Pakistan’s Fastest Super Computer, It is located at NUST

Islamabad.
• The supercomputer installed in NUST is the fastest GPU (Graphics
Processing Unit) based parallel computing system operating
• 66 NODE supercomputer with 30,992 processor cores
• 2 Head Node (16 Processor Cores)
• 32 Dual Quad Core Computer Nodes (256 Processor Cores)
• 21.6TB storage
Uses of Super Computer

• Predicting climate change

• Testing nuclear weapons
• Forecasting hurricanes
• Recreating the Big Bang
• Astronomical Observation
• Scientific Calculations
• Mainframe Computer
• Surprising facts about Mainframe Computer
• Characteristics of Mainframe Computer
• Usage of Mainframe computer
• Difference b/w Super & Mainframe Computer
Mainframe Computer

• Capable of supporting hundreds, or even thousands of applications and I/O

devices to serve thousand of users simultaneously.
• But supercomputers can execute a single program faster than a mainframe.
• 60% of all data available on internet is stored on mainframe computers.
• Known for its reliability, security and high processing speed.
• Managed by highly skilled technical support staff.
 Surprising Facts about Mainframe
Computer
• Mainframes are used by 71 percent of Fortune 500 companies
Important Note: The Fortune 500 is an annual list compiled and published
by Fortune magazine that ranks 500 of the largest United States corporations by
total revenue.
• Mainframes handle 90 percent of all credit card transactions.
• Mainframes handle 68 percent of the world’s production IT workloads
 Surprising Facts about Mainframe
Computer
• IBM’s z15 system can support up to 40 terabytes of memory.
• Mainframes handle 30 billion business transactions each day.
• As of 2019, 96 of the world’s largest 100 banks, 9 out of 10 of the world’s
largest insurance companies continue to use mainframes.
• Revenue from z System sales increased 62 percent year-over-year with the
2019 release of the z15 system.
 Characteristics of Mainframe Computer

• Fully secure, resistance to e-mail borne viruses and Trojan horses

• Each program has its own unique address space.
• It can share data and resources with multiple users simultaneously, but still be
protected.
• Mass storage of data with reliability.
• Its processing power ranging from 80 to 550 MIPS.
Why Mainframe Computers?

• Perform thousands of transections per second

• Support thousands of applications and users simultaneously.
• Handle terabytes of information on database.
• Large bandwidth of communications.
• Centralized control and workload management.
Mainframe Computer Applications

• Many of today’s busiest Web sites store their databases on a mainframe.

• Banking and finance.
• Health care
• Big insurance companies
• World multi national companies
• Government other public and private enterprises
Difference B/W Mainframe and Super Computer

Super Computer Mainframe Computer

• Perform dedicated task • Handle large variety of tasks

• Supercomputers fastly perform • It act as a server, stores large
large and complex mathematical database and serve a large number
computations. of users simultaneously.
• Supercomputers are the largest • Mainframe computers are large but
computers in the world in term of smaller and less expensive than
size and price. supercomputer.
 Microcomputers (Personal Computers)

• Description: Commonly known as PCs, these are the most widely used computers for
individual or small business purposes.
• Purpose: Used for personal tasks like document creation, browsing, gaming, and small-scale
business operations.
• Example: Laptops, Desktops, Tablets.
• Key Features:
• Affordable and compact.
• Variety of forms like desktops, laptops, and tablets.
• Suitable for general use.
 Laptop Computers

• Description: Portable personal computers with all components integrated into a

single compact unit.
• Purpose: Designed for mobility and used for work, education, and general purposes
on the go.
• Key Features:
• Built-in battery for portability.
• Lightweight and compact.
• Often includes features like Wi-Fi, webcams, and built-in speakers.
 Netbooks

• Description: Smaller, lightweight, and less powerful than laptops, designed

primarily for browsing the internet and basic tasks.
• Purpose: Used for web browsing, email, and light productivity tasks.
• Key Features:
• Compact and ultra-portable.
• Lower processing power and limited storage.
• Inexpensive compared to standard laptops.
 Tablets

• Description: Handheld devices with touchscreen interfaces, combining the

features of a smartphone and a laptop.
• Purpose: Ideal for media consumption, reading, and light productivity.
• Key Features:
• Touchscreen input, often with a stylus option.
• Lightweight and portable.
• Can run mobile apps and some desktop-like applications.
 Smartphones

• Description: Highly portable handheld devices with computing capabilities,

combining features of a phone, computer, and camera.
• Purpose: Used for communication, internet browsing, apps, and media consumption.
• Key Features:
• Multi-touch screen and mobile operating system.
• Compact and always connected.
• Wide variety of apps for different purposes.
 Wearable Computers

• Description: Small computing devices worn on the body, such as

smartwatches or fitness trackers.
• Purpose: Used for health monitoring, notifications, and connectivity.
• Key Features:
• Extremely portable.
• Often integrate with smartphones.
• Real-time tracking and analytics.
 All-in-One Computers

• Description: Computers that integrate the monitor and CPU into a single unit.
• Purpose: Save space while offering desktop-like performance.
• Key Features:
• Sleek and compact design.
• Less cable clutter compared to traditional desktops.
• Difficult to upgrade compared to standard desktops.
 Workstations

• Description: High-performance computers designed for technical or scientific applications.

• Purpose: Used by engineers, designers, and professionals for tasks like 3D rendering,
simulations, and software development.
• Example: Dell Precision, HP Z Workstations.
• Key Features:
• High-end graphics and processing power.
• Optimized for specific technical tasks.
• More powerful than standard PCs but less than servers.
 Servers

• Description: Computers designed to provide services to other computers over a

network.
• Purpose: Used to manage networks, store data, host websites, and run applications.
• Example: Web servers, File servers.
• Key Features:
• Multi-user environment support.
• High availability and reliability.
• Often rack-mounted in data centers.
 Thin Clients

• Description: Lightweight computers that rely on a server for most processing and
storage.
• Purpose: Used in networked environments for tasks like accessing virtual desktops.
• Key Features:
• Limited hardware capabilities.
• Relies on network connectivity.
• Cost-effective for large organizations.
 Embedded Computers

• Description: Computers embedded within other devices to control specific functions.

• Purpose: Found in appliances, vehicles, medical equipment, and industrial machines.
• Example: Microcontrollers in washing machines, infotainment systems in cars.
• Key Features:
• Application-specific.
• Low power consumption.
• Operate in real-time environments.