WEB DEVELOPMENT AND DATABASE

ADMINISTRATION

Level-II

Unit of Administer Network Hardware

Competence:- and Peripheral
Administering Network Hardware
Module Title:-
and Peripheral
LG Code:- EIS WDDBA2 M02 LO2
TTLM Code:- EIS WDDBA2 M02 0322

LO2: Obtain required peripheral

 Obtain required peripheral

Obtaining peripherals under instruction

 The first step in obtaining a peripheral device is to locate suppliers of that device.
Then, there are factors you need to consider about the supplier and the devices
on offer, such as support provided and purchase price. This will help you to
compare and choose the most appropriate supplier and the exact model of the
device according to client requirements. Finally, you are ready to place an order
for your organisation or client to purchase the device.
 Locating a supplier:- There are many ways to find a supplier of peripheral
equipment. Some ways include:
 Searching the Internet
o The Internet provides different methods for searching for suppliers.
o Using search engines such as Google or Yahoo can help you find a hardware
supplier anywhere in the world.
 Suppliers will often have their own websites that can provide you with
catalogues of available equipment.
 Other ways to investigate suppliers are to follow links from a website such as a
manufacturer’s website, or to browse website directories that may be linked to
search engine home pages.
 PC magazines
o Computing magazines often contain a large section devoted to advertising
current hardware suppliers.
 Newspapers
o Major newspapers have computer/IT sections or classified advertisements
which can be a source for finding suppliers.
 Brochures/advertising material
o Many larger hardware suppliers use television, radio or leaflet deliveries to
inform potential customers of their latest hardware.
 Telephone directory: - A telephone directory is useful if you need to find a
hardware supplier located within your local area.
 Contacting the manufacturer directly
o Manufacturers generally have their own websites.
o These may list major suppliers in your area. Emailing or telephoning the
manufacturer may also be a way to find out names of local suppliers.
 Choosing a supplier
o With so many choices of suppliers available, how do you find the right one?
There are a few factors to consider:
 How long has the supplier been operating? It is a good idea to find a
supplier who will still be around for the lifetime of the hardware.
 Does the supplier offer suitable support and training? If the client will be
requiring a lot of additional assistance, training could be a major contributing
factor for choosing a particular supplier.
 Does the supplier offer competitive pricing? Considering the support and
stability, it is also important to weigh up these factors in relation to price. For a
client with a strict budget, price may be a big issue when determining where to
purchase hardware.
 Is the supplier a preferred supplier for your organisation? Some
organisations have arrangements that equipment must be purchased from
suppliers who are considered to be the preferred provider for the organisation.
Organisations create these agreements because customer loyalty offers
substantial discounts, extended warranties and additional support.
 Selecting a peripheral
Once you have selected suitable suppliers you need to contact each supplier.
Information you should find out from the supplier includes:
 model and manufacturer names of peripherals that will satisfy the majority of your
clients requirements (including system specifications, physical dimensions,
support)
 price of each model
 Availability of each model.
You may find it helpful to keep a record of any details that you collect so you refer to
this information quickly and easily.
 Placing an order
Depending on the type of organisation you work for, placing an order for a hardware
peripheral device could be done in a variety of ways. In a small organisation you may
be responsible for ordering the device yourself. However, in a larger organisation there
may be employees who are responsible for purchasing new equipment. You may need
to fill out an order form that can be given to the purchasing department.
o Before an order is submitted, it could also be necessary to obtain final
approval from senior staff. Often an order form might require signatures from
the manager or supervisor before it can be processed.
o A purchasing department might require written quotes from three suppliers,
a recommendation and justification for the chosen supplier.

Make sure that you find out from your supervisor or manager what procedures
you need to follow when placing an order within your organisation.
 Information
Sheet – 2 Entering peripherals into equipment inventory

Entering peripherals into equipment inventory

Hardware inventories
 The purpose of a hardware inventory (or registry) is to keep detailed information
about all the hardware equipment within an organisation.
 Every piece of hardware, including each computer and peripheral device, should be
recorded on the inventory. As well as providing an excellent quick reference guide to
the organisation’s hardware, an inventory can be very useful for insurance, warranty
and service purposes.
 In order for an inventory to be a valuable source of information, it is vital that the
information be maintained regularly. New devices need to be entered into the
inventory as soon as they have been obtained.
 There are a number of tools available to create hardware inventories. Databases and
spreadsheets are often used to store the information.
 There are also software programs that you can purchase, designed
specifically for recording hardware and software details.

Details that should be included within a hardware inventory

include:

 description of hardware  serial number

device
 manufacturer  warranty or maintenance
conditions
 supplier  components
 model number  location
 number and identity of  purchase price
authorised users
 date of purchase
Documenting peripherals used with each computer
 If the peripheral is an essential part of the computer system (for example
mouse, keyboard or monitor) it is logical to record information about the
device within the documentation for the computer to which it is connected.
Individual computer inventories will often contain detailed information about
the computer’s related hardware and software.
 It may also be more practical to record information about the peripheral
inside the computer’s record, if the device is also permanently connected to a
computer (for example a printer or scanner).
Hardware inventory (Example 1)
Details for Administration Computer

Manufacturer: Dell
Model: OptiPlex Monitor: Dell
GX280MT UltraSharp™
Minitower— 1905FP flat
Power panel,
Operating Windows XP Printer: HP LaserJet
System: IID
Serial 12345 Keyboard: Dell USB
number: keyboard
RAM: 128 Mb Pointing Dell USB 2-
device: button optical
mouse with
scroll
Hard disk 160 Gb
Individually documenting each peripheral device
 If the device is shared between several computers, it makes more sense to
keep information about the peripheral as an individual entry in an inventory.
 Devices such as digital cameras, data projectors and USB drives would more
likely to be used by many computers, thus it would make more sense to record
their details separate to the computer details.

Hardware inventory (Example 2)

 Workstations: - is a special computer designed for technical or scientific
applications, workstations offered higher performance than mainstream
personal computers, especially with respect to CPU and graphics, memory
capacity, and multitasking capability.
 Server
 A server is a computer, a device or a program that is dedicated to managing
network resources.
 There are a number of categories of servers,
 including
o print servers,
o file servers,
o network servers and database servers. In theory, whenever computers share
resources with client machines they are considered servers.
 Modems or other connectivity devices
  Broadband Modems Cellular modems are a type of digital modem that
establishes internet connectivity between a mobile device and a cell phone
network. The word modem is a mash up of the term
modulation/demodulation, which is the technical term for the conversion
between digital and analog signals.
 Printers, hard drives, monitors
 A peripheral is a “device that is used to put information into or get information
out of the computer.” Output, which provides output to the user from the
computer (monitors, printers, etc.) Storage, which stores data processed by
the computer (hard drives, flash drives, etc.)

 Switches
 A network switch is networking hardware that connects devices on a computer
network by using packet switching to receive, and forward data to the
destination device.
 A network switch is a multiport network bridge that uses media access control
 Hubs
 A hub, also called a network hub, is a common connection point for devices in
a network.
 Hubs are devices commonly used to connect segments of a LAN.
 The hub contains multiple ports. When a packet arrives at one port, it is copied
to the other ports so that all segments of the LAN can see all packets.
 Bridge
 A network bridge is a computer networking device that creates a single
aggregate network from multiple communication networks or network segments.
 This function is called network bridging. Bridging is distinct from routing.
 Router
 A router is a device that forwards data packets along networks.
 A router is connected to at least two networks, commonly two LANs or WANs
or a LAN and its ISP's network.
 Routers are located at gateways, the places where two or more networks
connect.
 Firewall
 A firewall is a system designed to prevent unauthorized access to or from a
private network. You can implement a firewall in either hardware or software
form, or a combination of both.
 Firewalls prevent unauthorized internet users from accessing private networks
connected to the internet, especially intranets.
 Validating delivered component and
Information Sheet – 3
physical content

Validating delivered component and physical content

Checking contents
When unpacking any peripheral device, an organised and methodical approach
needs to be taken. Randomly ripping open boxes and packaging without carefully
identifying each component can potentially cause many problems later on.
Prepare a suitable work area before you begin unpacking. This should include a
large sturdy flat area with no carpet so that small components will not be lost.
Before commencing to open any packaging, find the manual for the device. Check
instructions for any precautions or specific unpacking procedures. Most manuals
will also contain a section that tells you a list of included components. It is useful to
create a checklist based on the component list. You will then be able to use the
checklist to mark off the components when they have been identified.
Below is a sample checklist for a typical inkjet printer.
 printer
 cartridge
 power cable
 USB cable
 sample paper
 feeding device
 CD driver
Be attentive when unpacking a peripheral device — handles the packaging and
contents with care, as you do not want to damage your new device. Remove any
packing material surrounding and also within the device. Some printers, for
example, have soft foam and plastic pieces inside the device to ensure that parts
are locked into the correct position. Make sure that you remove these pieces and
foam before installation.
 Information Sheet –
Storing peripherals
4

Storing peripherals
 Peripheral devices need to be located in a suitable environment — otherwise
there may be potential problems.
 It is a good idea to refer to the manufacturer’s manual to determine what
guidelines should be followed.
 When storing peripherals it is important to:
 make sure equipment is kept in ideal working conditions
 adhere to current Occupational Health and Safety guidelines
 ensure the electrical safety of the device
 Consider security of the device.
Keeping equipment in ideal working conditions
Each manufacturer will have their own recommendations on how to store their
peripheral equipment.
o In order to guarantee that a peripheral will function correctly throughout its life it
is important to follow guidelines that have been recommended by the
manufacturer. Some common recommendations may include:

 Keep equipment in the correct position: - after unpacking, most devices will
usually have a proper resting position. If a device is not kept in its natural
position, there could be problems when trying to operate the device later on.
For example, when a printer is stored in a vertical position, components such
as the ink cartridges could leak or be dislodged.

 Keep equipment away from weather, dust and other harmful material: -
When finding a storage location, consider what kind of elements the device
may be subjected to. If, for example, you store a USB drive in a cabinet next to
chalk, dust from the chalk could potentially damage the storage device’s USB
connection.
 Do not expose equipment to extreme temperatures and high humidity: -
Sudden changes in temperature can cause condensation in many peripheral
devices. For instance, if a video camera is taken from a cold place to a warm
place, condensation may form on the lens and internal parts.
 Avoid storing the device in direct sunlight: - Exposure to direct sunlight could
damage many of the external components of a device as well as subject the
device to high temperatures.
 Do not expose equipment to water or moisture: - If water gets inside many
peripheral devices there is a risk of electric shock.
Adhering to OH&S guidelines
When positioning peripherals in their permanent locations it is important to take into
account many OH&S considerations as follows.
Positioning of the monitor
• It is essential to position a monitor correctly to ensure it will suit the needs of the
user. Tips include:
 Try to make sure that monitor is in a position away from the glare of sunlight.
 Check that the brightness and contrast controls of the screen have been
adjusted to suit lighting conditions in the room.
 The top of the screen should be the same level as the user’s eye level.
Positioning of the keyboard
A keyboard also needs to be positioned carefully to be of adequate comfort and
safety for the user.
Some tips include:
 Position the keyboard directly in front of the monitor and at the same height as
the mouse.
 The keyboard should allow the user’s forearms to be parallel to the floor.
 Allow space for the computer user to rest their wrists.
Positioning of other equipment
Some general Occupational Health and safety guidelines to consider when
positioning other peripheral equipment are:
 Make sure that you can reach the peripheral device and its components
without having to strain your back.
 Place equipment such as scanners and printers at a suitable height so a user
is easily able to reach paper trays, open scanner lids, etc.
 Make sure that equipment such as speakers is easily accessible if settings
such as volume control need to be changed.
Ensuring electrical safety
Some tips to ensure electrical safety are:
 Do not be tempted to add too many extension cables or double socket
adapters to your existing electrical sockets.
 Never use damaged plugs or leads.
 If possible, ask an electrician to check the safety of your system.
 Position electrical leads where they will not cause tripping hazards to people.
Physical security of devices

In many situations it is important to consider the physical security of the peripheral

devices. Some devices, such as digital cameras, data projectors and USB drives,
may not be permanently connected to a computer so it will be necessary to find a
secure location to store the device. Make sure that these kinds of devices are
secured in a lockable storage cupboard, cabinet or safe when not required. Some
organizations install security devices onto desks to guarantee that computers are
secure and will not be able to be taken from their position unless unlocked.