Exploring Computer Hardware

Exploring Computer Hardware

by Kevin Wilson
Released August 2024
Publisher(s): Packt Publishing
ISBN: 9781836649755

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Book description

Unlock the essentials of computer hardware with this comprehensive course. From microcomputers to cloud computing, gain the knowledge to understand and work with the core components that power modern technology.

Key Features

  • From basic computer hardware to advanced concepts like cloud computing and encryption.
  • Real-world examples that illustrate the application of theoretical knowledge.
  • A logical progression from fundamental to complex topics.

Book Description

This course takes you on a journey through the intricate world of computer hardware, beginning with a solid foundation in the fundamentals of computing. Starting with an overview of computers and microcomputers, you’ll explore the core components that make up these machines, including embedded systems, software, and peripherals. Each chapter is designed to build your understanding of how these elements work together to create the technology we rely on daily.

As you progress, the course delves into more complex topics like computer networks, the Internet, and cloud computing. You’ll gain insights into how hardware interacts with software and the critical role of security in maintaining the integrity of systems. Additionally, the course covers binary numbers, Boolean logic, and other essential concepts that underpin modern computing, offering a comprehensive understanding of both theoretical and practical aspects.

By the end of this course, you’ll have a thorough knowledge of not just the hardware components but also the data processes like encryption, compression, and storage that ensure efficient and secure computing. Whether you're a beginner or someone with some background in technology, this course provides the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate and understand the complex world of computer hardware.

What you will learn

  • Identify the fundamental components of computer hardware.
  • Analyze the interaction between hardware & software in computers.
  • Apply data encryption & compression for efficient data processing.
  • Explain the function of computer peripherals & hardware components.
  • Evaluate the impact of cloud computing on hardware infrastructure.
  • Utilize binary numbers & Boolean logic for basic operations.

Who this book is for

This book is designed for tech enthusiasts who are curious about the inner workings of computers and want to deepen their understanding of hardware. It is ideal for IT professionals looking to enhance their technical knowledge and stay updated with the latest advancements in computing technology. Students pursuing degrees in computer science, engineering, or related fields will find this course beneficial. While a basic understanding of computers is helpful, the course is structured to be accessible to those without prior technical experience, making it suitable for beginners as well.

Table of contents

  1. The Computer
    1. Basic Peripherals
    2. The Micro Computer
      1. Desktop
      2. Desktop: All-in-one
      3. Laptop
      4. Netbook
      5. Chromebook
      6. Tablet Computers
      7. Hybrids
      8. Macs and PCs
    3. Mainframe Computer
    4. Super Computer
    5. Embedded Systems
    6. Decoding the Jargon
      1. Computer Specs
      2. Printer Specs
    7. Computer Software
      1. Device Drivers
      2. Operating Systems
      3. Apps and Applications
      4. Utilities
  2. Hardware Components
    1. Types of Hardware
      1. Internal Hardware
      2. External Peripherals
    2. Primary Storage Devices
      1. Random Access Memory (RAM)
        1. DRAM
        2. SDRAM
        3. DDR SDRAM
        4. Reading and Writing Data
      2. SRAM
      3. Cache Memory
      4. Read Only Memory (ROM)
    3. Secondary Storage
      1. Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
      2. Solid State Drive (SSD)
      3. RAID
      4. CD/DVD/Blu-ray Drive
      5. Writeable Optical Disks
      6. Memory Cards
      7. USB Flash Drives
      8. External Hard Disk
      9. NAS Drives
    4. CPU / Processor
      1. Types of CPU
      2. Inside the CPU
    5. Other Internal Components
      1. Sound Card
      2. Video Card
      3. Network Cards
      4. Capture Cards
    6. Expansion Slots
    7. The Motherboard
      1. Form Factor
      2. Trusted Platform Module
      3. The Chipset
      4. North Bridge, South Bridge & PCH
      5. CPU Socket
      6. The BIOS
      7. UEFI
    8. System on a Chip
    9. Power Supplies
    10. Cooling Systems
  3. Computer Peripherals
    1. Printers
      1. Inkjet Printer
      2. Laser Printer
    2. Other Peripherals
      1. Keyboards
      2. Mouse
      3. Touchscreens
      4. Monitors
      5. Speakers
      6. Scanners
      7. Webcams
    3. Data Ports
      1. USB
      2. USB C
      3. Ethernet
      4. FireWire
      5. ThunderBolt
      6. eSATA
    4. Video Ports
      1. DVI
      2. HDMI
      3. VGA
      4. Component Video
      5. Composite Video
    5. Audio Ports
      1. 1/8” (3.5mm) Phono
      2. 1/4” (6.35mm) Phono
      3. RCA Audio
      4. SPDIF
  4. Computer Networks
    1. Local Area Networks (LANs)
    2. Virtual LAN (VLAN)
    3. Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs)
    4. Wide Area Networks (WANs)
    5. Peer-to-peer Network
    6. Client-server Network
    7. Network Topologies
      1. Star
      2. Bus
      3. Ring
    8. Ethernet
    9. Cellular Networks
    10. WiFi
      1. Dual Band or Single Band?
      2. WiFi Extenders
      3. Wireless Standards
      4. Wireless Security
      5. WiFi Channels
      6. Wireless Topologies
        1. Infrastructure
        2. Point to Point
    11. Network Layers
  5. The Internet
    1. Internet Connections
      1. Modems
      2. DSL
      3. Fibre Optic
      4. Cable
      5. Satellite
      6. 3G/4G/5G
    2. Web Servers and DNS
    3. DHCP Servers
    4. IP Addresses
    5. TCP/IP
      1. TCP/IP Model
      2. Ports and Sockets
    6. Packet Switching
    7. Packets
    8. What is a URL?
    9. HTML
    10. Where are the HTML Files Stored?
    11. Cloud Computing
      1. Introduction
      2. Types of Service
        1. Software-as-a-service or (SaaS)
        2. Platform-as-a-service or (PaaS)
        3. Infrastructure-as-a-service or (IaaS)
    12. Virtual Private Networks
    13. Internet Security
  6. Computer Fundamentals
    1. Representing Data
      1. ASCII code
      2. Unicode
    2. Binary Numbers
      1. Convert Binary to Decimal
      2. Convert Decimal to Binary
      3. Binary Addition
      4. Binary Multiplication
      5. Binary Shift
      6. Signed and Unsigned Binary
      7. One’s Complement
      8. Two’s Complement
      9. Binary Fractions
        1. Fixed Point
        2. Floating Point
      10. Convert Binary Fraction to Decimal
    3. Hexadecimal Numbers
      1. Convert Decimal to Hexadecimal
      2. Convert Hexadecimal to Decimal
    4. Boolean Logic
      1. AND Gate
      2. OR Gate
      3. XOR Gate
      4. NOT Gate
      5. NAND Gate
      6. NOR Gate
      7. Putting it Together
    5. Harvard Architecture
    6. Von Neumann Architecture
    7. Fetch Execute Cycle
    8. Instruction Sets
      1. RISC
      2. CISC
    9. Data Compression
      1. Lossy & Lossless
      2. Huffman Coding
      3. Run Length Encoding
    10. Data Encryption
    11. Sorting Algorithms
      1. Bubble Sort
      2. Merge Sort
    12. Data Storage Units
    13. Data Transfer Rates
  7. Video Resources
    1. Using the Videos
    2. File Resources

Product information

  • Title: Exploring Computer Hardware
  • Author(s): Kevin Wilson
  • Release date: August 2024
  • Publisher(s): Packt Publishing
  • ISBN: 9781836649755