Year 7 Spring term Knowledge Organiser for Computing - Hardware

What is a Computer?

A computer system is a combination of both hardware and software working together to take a set of inputs, process them and create outputs. They must
have programs to run, these are basically the instructions that tell the computer system what to do and how to do it.
So computers are not intelligent, they simply do what the program tells them to do.
So, think carefully, a computer is ANY device that does the above …
A console takes the input from a games controller (user presses ..., processes the information (e.g. swap a weapon on COD) and outputs the data (
A smartphone takes the input from the touch screen (user enters pin code to access phone) the input is processed (does the number match what is stored?)
and outputs the instruction (phone is unlocked).

General Purpose Computer: is a computer system that is used for many different purposes such as entertainment, internet access, work e.g. a
personal computer, a smartphone and a console
Embedded system: is a dedicated system that is part of a larger mechanical/electrical system e.g. a washing machine, a microwave, a modern car

Computer Hardware
Hardware is the physical (things you can touch) parts of a computer system e.g. hard drive, mother board, graphics card, sound card, c ase, CPU
(central processing unit), keyboard, mouse, monitor ….. The list is endless.
These physical parts are either internal components (inside the case) e.g. CPU, RAM, motherboard, sound card, graphics card, power supply etc.
The devices that you add on to your computer in order for it to function are called peripherals and these can be classed as either input or output devices
Input devices: are pieces of computer hardware (peripherals) that are used to provide data/instructions to a computer system e.g. mouse,
keyboard, game controller, graphics tablet, microphone, webcam, scanner, sensor, interactive whiteboard
Output devices: are pieces of computer hardware (peripherals) that are used to communicate the results of data or instructions that have been
processed e.g. monitor, printer, speaker, earphones, projector, robot
Some devices can be classed as both e.g. a headset has both a microphone and earphones. A touch screen takes input (from your finger) and outputs the
result on the same screen.

Storage

Secondary storage is non-volatile which means it retains (keeps) its Solid state – no moving parts, stores data using circuit chips. Devices: Solid
data when the power is switched off. Without it we wouldn't be able to save State Drive, USB, SD Cards
anything! There are 6 characteristics you need to consider when buying storage? [6]
There are 3 main types of technology for storage, these are Magnetic, Optical Capacity - how much data can it store?
and Solid State Speed - how fast can it access the data?
Magnetic - Magnetic hard drives use silver coloured disks which are covered Portability - how easy is it to transport? Weight Size?
on both sides with a magnetic film divided into billions of tiny areas. Devices: Durability - how well does it last e.g. if it is dropped
Hard drive, Tape Drive, Cassette Reliability - how consistently does it perform? Over and over?
Optical - The surface of a disc is covered in microscopic dots called pits and Cost - how much does it cost per KB, MB or GB?
lands. Devices: CD, Blu-Ray, DVD.
 Year 7 Spring term Knowledge Organiser for Computing - Networks

IPO and Memory Difference between a standalone, a network, the WWW and the internet

Random Access Memory [RAM]: its purpose is to process the Standalone Machines: a machine which is not connected to any other
instructions and programs that are CURRENTLY in use by the computer device or the internet.
system. This is VOLATILE (temporary memory where data is lost when A computer Network: is a connection of two or more computers that
enables the computers to share resources and communicate with each other
the computer is turned off/has no power) The Internet: The internet is a system of interconnected networks. To use
Read Only Memory [ROM] - its purpose is to store the BIOS (Basic Input it you need specific hardware (which you will learn about in year 8)
Output System), which contains the instructions used to boot up (start) World Wide Web: Is a service that operates though the internet. They are
NOT the same thing! It consists of websites, which are a collection of
the PC. This is NON VOLATILE (permanent memory where data remains HTML files called web pages. These can be accessed via the Internet using a
when computer is turned off). web browser.
Software: The software needed is called a Web Browser e.g. Google
Central Processing Unit [CPU] - its purpose is to process data. The
Chrome, Internet Explorer and Safari.
CPU is where processes such as calculating, sorting and searching take ISP (Internet Service Providers): a company that provides access to the
place. Whatever is done on our computers, such as checking emails, internet. Examples of ISP providers are BT, Virgin and Sky. These companies
playing games and doing homework, the CPU has processed the data we will provide you with the hardware (router) to enable you to connect.
use. Internet Features: Email, E-Commerce (shopping), E-Learning, Social
Networking, Gaming, News and Entertainment, File Transfer (Streaming,
downloading, sending, receiving)
What cycle does the CPU perform?
Fetch the instructions one at a time
Decode the instructions are decoded into parts
Execute executes the instruction
 Year 7 Spring term Knowledge Organiser for Computing - Networks

Cloud Computing and LANs/WANs Network Hardware and Connections

Cloud computing: is the storing of data (rather than storing them on NIC (Network Interface Card): This is an internal piece of hardware that
a device such as a hard drive) e.g. Google Drive, One Drive and Drop Box allows a device to connect to a network. They used to be on separate cards
and the use of services online e.g. Google Docs, Office 365. It is becoming but now they are built into the motherboard. These can be used for wired
more popular as web browsers become more powerful and network coverage and wireless connections
of mobiles and Wi-Fi is more widely available. Switch: This device connects devices and the server on a LAN using
Advantages: Back ups (completed automatically) Compatibility (files are Ethernet cables. A switch directs information between the server and the
designed to be compatible across different machines (laptops, smartphones clients using a MAC address
and desktop computers) and web browsers (e.g. Google Chrome, Safari). Router: These are responsible for transmitting data between networks
Cost (cheap in relation to buying software or hardware such as hard drives), (always connected to two network e.g. home and the internet). Allows for
Independence (users can work on files on different machines) and reliable wired and wireless connection as well as for several devices to be
software (updates performed automatically) connected at once (either via the ports or wirelessly). Think of you
Disadvantages: Connection (have to have this to be able to access connecting to your router with your phone or console at home
files), storage, (limited unless you pay) Copyright (the user sometimes loses Ethernet Cable: This is the most common cable that is used to
legal rights to their original material if they store it online) Security (data connect a device to a LAN. The most common Ethernet cables are CAT 5e
stored online is vulnerable to attacks) and Software (often does not have as and CAT 6.
many features as a full package). Fibre Optic Cable: This cable transmits data as light. They are the
Cloud computing raises issues about data ownership. Cloud services most expensive kind of cable but they give the best performance
are useful, but using them means we are sharing our data with service Wireless Networks (NOT WiFi) This kind of connection uses radio
providers. Organisations such as government departments and banks are waves to transmit data on a network (just like mobiles and TVs)
likely to create their own cloud servers because they have extra restrictions To set one up you have to have a WAP (Wireless Access Point)
with regards to the data they hold. Have a look around school on the ceilings for these. They enable the
LANs and WANs Chromebooks and staff laptops to connect to the school network
LAN (Local Area Network): Computers on one site are connected e.g. a What is a hotspot?: Don’t confuse this with a WAP. A hotspot is just a
school, an office location where you can connect to a WAP
IMPORTANT! Organisations normally own the infrastructure (this means the What can effect signal quality?:
hardware and telecommunication lines) Interference – from other devices
WAN (Wide Area Network): Computers in multiple locations are Range - how far away from WAP or router you are
connected Physical Obstructions – like thick walls.
IMPORTANT! Organisations normally hire the infrastructure
Advantages: able to share hardware, software and data as well as being
able to access from your work from any computer on the network.
Disadvantages: The cost of the equipment and the expertise to maintain
and set it up ae high. If there is a fault wit a server or central device all or
some of the network would stop working.