Exercise 2: Computer Hardware

Answer the following questions read the power point of chapter 2 for your reference.

1. Identify the essential hardware components of a computer

Computer hardware is the physical components that a computer system requires to function. It
encompasses everything with a circuit board that operates within a PC or laptop. Computer
hardware includes the physical parts of a computer, such as the case, central processing unit (CPU),
random access memory (RAM), monitor, mouse, keyboard, computer data storage, graphics card,
sound card, speakers and motherboard.

2. Describe the four basics operations of CPU.

The Four Primary Functions of the CPU

1. Fetch: Each instruction is stored in memory and has its own address. The processor takes this
address number from the program counter, which is responsible for tracking which
instructions the CPU should execute next.
2. Decode: All programs to be executed are translated into Assembly instructions. Assembly
code must be decoded into binary instructions, which are understandable to your CPU. This
step is called decoding.
3. Execute: While executing instructions, the CPU can do one of three things: Do calculations
with its ALU, move data from one memory location to another, or jump to a different
address.
4. Store: The CPU must give feedback after executing an instruction, and the output data is
written to the memory.

3. Describe common computer input, output and storage devices.

Input Devices

The devices which are used to give data and instructions to the computer are called Input Devices.
Various types of input devices can be used with the computer depending upon the type of data you
want to enter in the computer, e.g., keyboard, mouse, joystick, light pen, etc.

Output Devices

The devices which are used to display the results or information are called Output Devices. You can
view the output on the monitor or you can print it on a paper using a printer. Monitor and the printer
are the commonly used output devices.

Storage Devices

A hardware device which can be used to store digital data and applications which may be in the form
of images, video, audio, etc. Hard Disk, CD, DVD, Pen/Flash drive, SSD, etc, are examples of storage
devices.

4. List the names for 6 types of computers and describe how they are different.

Super Computer
This category of computer is the fastest and Personal Computer (PC)
also very expensive. A typical supercomputer
It is a low capacity computer developed for
can solve up to ten trillion individual
single users.
calculations per second.
Laptop computer (notebook)
Mainframe Computer
It is a handy computer that can be easily
It is high capacity and costly computer. It is
carried anywhere.
largely used by big organizations where many
people can use it simultaneously. Tablet and Smartphone
Workstation Computer Modern technology has advanced further. It
has helped develop computers that are
The computer of this category is a high-end
pocket-friendly. Tablets and smartphones are
and expensive one. It is exclusively made for
the best examples of such computer.
complex work purpose.

5. Describe computer network hardware devices and their functions.

Network Cables

Network cables are the transmission media to transfer data from one device to another.

Routers

A router is a connecting device that transfers data packets between different computer networks.
Typically, they are used to connect a PC or an organization’s LAN to a broadband internet connection.

Repeaters, Hubs, and Switches

A repeater receives a signal and regenerates it before re-transmitting so that it can travel longer
distances.

A hub is a multiport repeater having several input/output ports, so that input at any port is available
at every other port.

A switch receives data from a port, uses packet switching to resolve the destination device and then
forwards the data to the particular destination, rather than broadcasting it as a hub.

Bridges

A bridge connects two separate Ethernet network segments. It forwards packets from the source
network to the destined network.

Gateways

A gateway connects entirely different networks that work upon different protocols. It is the entry and
the exit point of a network and controls access to other networks.

6. List key peripherals attached to the most computers

Examples of Peripheral Devices

 Mouse  Webcam

 Keyboard  Microphone
  Monitor  Printer

 Speakers  USB Flash Drive

 Projector  External Hard Drive

7. Define the following

a. CPU

The Central Processing Unit (CPU) has the following characteristics: The CPU is regarded as the
computer's brain. The CPU is responsible for all data processing operations. It saves information such
as data, intermediate results, and instructions (program). It directs the operation of all computer
components.

b. motherboard

A motherboard is the main printed circuit board (PCB) in a computer. The motherboard is a
computer's central communications backbone connectivity point, through which all components and
external peripherals connect.

c. memory

Memory refers to the location of short-term data, while storage refers to the location of data stored
on a long-term basis. Memory is most often referred to as the primary storage on a computer, such
as RAM.

d. peripherals

A peripheral or peripheral device is an auxiliary device used to put information into and get
information out of a computer.

e. hardware

Hardware refers to the external and internal devices and equipment that enable you to perform
major functions such as input, output, storage, communication, processing, and more.