Principles of Information Systems,

Thirteenth Edition

Chapter 3
Hardware
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 Objectives
After completing this chapter, you will be able to:
1. Identify and briefly describe the functions of the primary
components of a computer
2. Give an example of recent innovations in computer processor
chips, memory devices, and input/output devices
3. Identify the characteristics of various classes of single-user and
multiuser computer system, and discuss the usage of each
class of system
4. Identify some of the challenges and trade-offs that must be
considered in implementing a data center
5. Define the term “green computing” and identify the primary
goals of this program

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or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.
 Anatomy of a Computer

• Hardware components include devices that perform:

• Input
• Processing
• Data storage
• Output

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 Anatomy of a Computer

• Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the part of the computer that sequences and
executes instructions. The CPU consists of:
• Arithmetic/logic unit (ALU)
- Performs addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and logical comparisons
• The control unit
- Decodes instructions, and coordinates the operations of other CPU components
• The register areas
- Small, high-speed storage areas within the CPU

• Memory
• Provides the processor with a working storage area to hold program instructions and
data
• Input/output devices
• Provide data and instructions to the computer and receives results from it
• Including permanent storage

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 Processor

• Completing an instruction involves four steps

The four steps

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 Processor

• Decoding involves breaking down the instruction into two parts: opcode
(operation code) and address code
• Opcodes are a basic set of commands that the processor can execute, such as
• ADD—Add two numbers together
• COMPARE—Compare numbers
• IN—Input information from a device (e.g., keyboard)
• JUMP—Jump to designated memory address

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How decoding works? An example

Source: The Crash Course Computer Science

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or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.
How decoding works? An example

Source: The Crash Course Computer Science

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or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.
How decoding works? An example

Source: The Crash Course Computer Science

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or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.
How decoding works? An example

Source: The Crash Course Computer Science

© 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service 10
or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.
How decoding works? An example

Source: The Crash Course Computer Science

© 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service 11
or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.
How decoding works? An example

Source: The Crash Course Computer Science

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or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.
 Processor

• Clock speed
• Often measured in gigahertz (GHz): billions of cycles per second
• Many of today’s computers operate in the 1 to 4 GHz range

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 Processor Architectures

• x86
• Mostly used in desktop computers
• Main manufacturers: Intel and AMD
• ARM
• Mostly used in mobile devices due to energy efficiency
• ARM is a designer of computer processors; it licenses its designs to chip
manufacturers to build
• Examples: Qualcomm Snapdragon and Apple M1 are based on ARM
• Other architectures exist

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 Processor Families

• A set of processors from the same manufacturer that have similar features and
capabilities
• Examples:
• Intel families: Atom, Celeron, Pentium, Core, Xeon

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 Utilizing Multiple Processing Units

• Coprocessor
• Executes specific types of instructions while the CPU works on another processing
activity
• Examples:
- Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)
- Apple Neural Engine (ANE) executes deep neural networks on Apple devices while the other
processor executes all other tasks

• Multicore processor
• It has two or more independent processing units, called cores
• These cores can run multiple instructions at the same time, thereby increasing the
amount of processing that can be completed in a given amount of time

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 Parallel computing

• The simultaneous execution of the same task on multiple processors

• Massively parallel processing systems
• Systems with thousands of such processors

Control Processor

Processor 1 Processor 2 Processor 3 Processor 4

Memory Memory Memory Memory

Results combined
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 Grid Computing

• The use of a collection of computers, often owned by multiple individuals or

organizations, that work in a coordinated manner to solve a common problem
• Examples⁺:
• The Large Hadron Collider (LHC): 170 computing centers from 42 countries
• Volunteer computing: IBM World Community Grid app [video]

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 Main Memory

• Provides the CPU with a working storage area for programs and data
• Rapidly provides data and instructions to the CPU
• Also known as Random Access Memory (RAM)
• RAM is temporary and volatile
• Storage capacity
• Byte (B): eight bits that together represent a single character of data

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 Cache Memory

• Processor can access this type of high-speed memory faster than main memory
• Located on or near the CPU chip

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Types of Memory

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 Read-Only Memory (ROM)

• It’s nonvolatile, which means it provides permanent storage for data and
instructions
• ROM chips store the essential programming required to start up a computer
• ROM chips were also used in gaming system cartridges (e.g., Gameboy)

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 Secondary Data Storage Devices

• Secondary storage
• Devices that store large amounts of data, instructions, and information more
permanently than allowed with memory
• Advantages over memory
• Nonvolatility (per)
• Greater capacity
• Cheaper
• Secondary storage is not directly accessible by the CPU
• Computers usually use input/output channels to access secondary storage and then
transfer the desired data to intermediate areas in primary storage
• Most common forms
• Magnetic, such as hard disk drives
• Optical, such as CD, DVD and Blu-ray discs
• Solid state, such as solid state drives (SSD) and USB memory sticks

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 Magnetic Secondary Storage Devices

• Magnetic tape
• A type of sequential secondary storage medium
• Primarily for storing backups

• Virtual tape Photo: Victor Prado

• Many legacy applications still require tape-based storage, and may not be able to work
with disk-based storage systems directly
• Virtual tape provides the simplest replacement for tapes with a solution that is either
entirely or partially based on HDDs

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 Magnetic Secondary Storage Devices

• Hard disk drive (HDD)

• A storage device that consists of rapidly rotating disks coated with
magnetic material

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Hard Disk Drive (HDD)⁺

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Hard Disk Drive (HDD)⁺

How hard disk drives work:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6uPALWAyxc&list=PLPPl8bpvaJ
FQdgeeUR-NYwgx76GPhwBjE&index=37

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 Magnetic Secondary Storage Devices

• Redundant array of independent/inexpensive disks (RAID): a technology that

allows multiple hard disks to be combined into a single logical unit
• The main goal of RAID is to increase reliability and data availability
• Except for RAID 0 where the goal is to improve performance
• RAID 0
• Data is spread across multiple disks
• Advantage: Speed
• Disadvantage: No fault tolerance

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 Magnetic Secondary Storage Devices

• RAID 1: disk mirroring

• Data is mirrored across two disks, so that if one disk fails, the
data can still be accessed from the other disk
• Advantage: Fault tolerance
• Disadvantage: Using RAID 1 requires double the disk space
• Other RAID types: RAID 5, and RAID 10, etc

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 Optical Secondary Storage Devices

• A form of data storage that uses lasers to read and write data
• Common types of optical storage devices
• Compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM)
• Digital video disc (DVD)
• Blu-ray high-definition video disk

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 Solid State Secondary Storage Devices

• Solid state storage device (SSD)

• Stores data in memory chips rather than magnetic or optical media
• Advantages
• Require less power and provide faster access than magnetic data storage devices
• Have no moving parts, so they are less fragile than hard disk drives
• A USB flash drive is a common SSD

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 Enterprise Storage Options

1. Attached storage
• A storage device that is directly connected to a single computer or server
• It’s typically used for local storage of files and applications
2. Network-attached storage (NAS)
• A storage device (or a storage server) that is directly connected to a network
• Each NAS consists of one or several hard disk drives and has its own network address
• It can be a good option for small businesses and home users

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 Enterprise Storage Options

3. Storage Area Networks (SAN)

• A high-performance network that is dedicated to storage
• SANs are typically used by large businesses and enterprises that need high availability
and scalability
4. Storage as a Service (Cloud Storage)
• Storage that is hosted remotely and accessed over the internet
- The data storage service provider rents space to individuals and organizations
• Cloud storage is a convenient and scalable option for businesses of all sizes
• Cloud-based storage services
- For consumers: Apple iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive, and Microsoft OneDrive
- For enterprises: Amazon’s Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3) allows subscribers to upload,
store, and download data

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 Input and Output Devices

• Input and output devices:

• Allow the user to provide data and instructions to the computer and to receive results
from it
• Are part of a computer’s user interface
• Organizations should keep their business goals in mind when selecting input
and output devices
• Specialized functions may be required

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 Input Devices

• Common Personal Computer Input Devices

• Keyboard and mouse
• Motion-Sensing Input Devices
• Scanning Devices
• Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) Devices

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 Input Devices

• Card Readers:
• Magnetic Stripe Cards
• Chip Cards
• Contactless Payment Cards
• Bar-Code Scanners
• Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Devices
• Pen Input Devices
• Touch Screens
• Biometric Devices
• Iris Scanner
• Fingerprint Scanner
• Heart-Rate Monitor

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 Output Devices

• Display Screens
• Used to show output from the computer
• Two main types of flat displays:
• LCD and LED LCD
- Uses a backlight source
• OLED
- No backlight
- Each pixel emits light independently
- OLED enables improved contrast and lower power consumption than LCD and LED LCD
• Black in OLED is actually black

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 Output Devices

• E-Ink displays in e-book readers

• E-book readers are equipped with E-Ink (Electronic Ink) displays, which are famous for
their excellent readability and minimal power consumption
• An electronic book (e-book) is designed to mimic the appearance of printed text on
paper while offering benefits like portability and adjustable text size

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 Output Devices

• Printers and Plotters

• Two main types of printers
- Laser
- Inkjet
• Plotters
- They’re used for general design work such as posters and drawings of buildings

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 Output Devices

• 3D Printers
• Unlike traditional printers that use document files (e.g., docx and pdf), the 3D printer
works with three-dimensional models to create objects
• Key advantages:
- Prototyping
- Customization: https://youtu.be/GGbEFn2w8Pg?t=24

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 Multimedia Technologies

• Haptic Technology
• Virtual Reality
• Augmented Reality

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 Haptic Technology

• Haptic technology, also known as haptics, involves the simulation of touch

sensations to enhance user interactions with digital devices
• By replicating tactile sensations, haptic technology adds a new dimension to
user interfaces, making them more intuitive and engaging
• Demo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPnHzQ7qJ2Y
• Applications:
• In smartphones
• Haptic feedback in VR gloves
• In gaming controllers: PS5 DualSense
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODe4GtbeK44

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 Virtual Reality (VR)

• A technology that creates a computer-generated environment, simulating a 3D

world and blocking out the physical surroundings
• Users typically wear VR headsets and other devices (such as gloves and vests)
to experience and interact with this digital environment
Applications:
• Gaming
• Education
• Military training

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 Augmented Reality (AR)

• AR overlays digital content onto the real world, enhancing the user's
environment by providing contextually relevant information

• Examples⁺:
• Snapchat filters
• IKEA Place
• Pokémon GO
• New employee training [video]

IKEA Place

Pokémon GO

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 Computer System Types

• Single-user computers
• Portable computers
- Wearable computers such as health tracking wrist bands and smart watches
- Smartphones
- Laptops
- Tablets
• Nonportable (stationary) computers
- Desktop computers

• Multiple-user computers
• Servers
• Mainframes
• Supercomputers

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 Computer System Types

• General-purpose computers
• Desktops, laptops, and servers
• Special-purpose computers
• Computers used in POS systems
• Computers in medical imaging devices
• Computers in aircrafts and automobiles
• Automotive diagnostic computers
• ATMs (Automated Teller Machines)

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 Thin Clients

• Computing devices (either stationary or portable) that rely on a central server

for most of their processing and storage needs
• Key characteristics
• Minimal local processing and storage
• Network Dependence
• Centralized management
• Examples⁺:
• A hospital might use thin clients in patient rooms to access electronic health records
stored on a central server https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbC0iwjrsC8
• Kiosks: https://aflak.com.sa/en/saudi/retail/kiosks

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 Servers

• Computers employed by many users to perform a specific task/service

• Web server
• Designed to deliver web content
• DNS server (Domain Name System)
• Resolves domain names (e.g., www.google.com) into IP addresses (e.g.,
142.250.189.174) so that computers can locate each other on the internet
• Mail server
• Responsible for sending, receiving, and storing email messages
• File server
• Responsible for storing, managing, and sharing files and data with networked clients

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 Servers

• Tower server: A standalone server unit that resembles traditional desktop

computer towers
• Rack server: A standard servers designed to be mounted in a standard server
rack

Source: https://community.fs.com/blog/server-types-rack-server-vs-blade-server-vs-tower-server.html

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 Mainframes

• Mainframe computer: a large, powerful computer (server) designed to process

a large number of transactions at the same time while ensuring a high level of
reliability
• Key advantages:
• Reliability: mainframes are engineered for minimal downtime
• Mainframes can handle a large number of transactions at a single time
- Example: credit card transactions

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 Mainframes⁺

• IBM is a leading mainframe manufacturer

• IBM z13 mainframe is capable of processing 2.5 billion
transactions per day
• Pricing for the IBM z15 depends on configuration and
can cost as high as $4 million
• Z stands for zero downtime
• Applications:
• Processing payroll for millions of employees at over
610,000 companies
• UPS, which tracks the route of 18 million packages each
day in 200 countries

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 Supercomputers

• One of the most powerful computer systems with the fastest processing speed
• Supercomputers, like those used by weather forecasters and in AI research,
perform complex calculations quickly, aiding weather prediction and advancing
AI technologies
• Most new supercomputers employ GPU chips in addition to CPU chips
• Examples⁺:
• Aramco’s Dammam-7: To image geophysical resources and to enhance assessments of
oil and gas reserves
• NVIDIA DGX: for deep learning (AI) applications

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Supercomputers⁺

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 Supercomputers⁺

As of April 2023, Frontier is the world's fastest supercomputer, becoming the

world’s first exascale supercomputer.
Cost ~ US$600 million (Source: top500.org)

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Supercomputers⁺

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 Scalability

• Scalability: the ability to increase the processing capability

• Scalability enables the system to handle more users, more data, or more
transactions

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 Virtual Server

• Virtualization: a method of logically dividing the resources of a single physical

server to create multiple logical servers
• Each logical (virtual) server acts as its own dedicated machine

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 Data Center

• Data center: a climate-and-access-controlled building or a set of buildings that

houses the computer hardware that delivers an organization’s data and
information services
• Tour: https://youtu.be/XZmGGAbHqa0?t=123
• Construction considerations for efficient operation
• Reduced energy especially for cooling
• Location: areas with milder climates and lower energy rates and land costs

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 Green Computing

• Green computing is concerned with the efficient and environmentally

responsible design, manufacture, operation, and disposal of IS-related products
• Goals
• Reduce the use of hazardous material
• Reduce power-related costs
• Enable safe disposal or recycling of equipment
• Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT)
• Has three tiers: Gold, Silver, and Bronze

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 Summary

• Computer hardware must be carefully selected to meet the evolving needs of

the organization and its supporting information systems

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