Lesson Networking Hardware

1 Requirements
 What Is It

Computer Specifications

When you are choosing a new device such as desktop, laptop or even
smartphone, it’s important to understand the specs and features you’ll see listed by
each model. That way, you can be sure to choose the right device suited for your
personality or your needs.

The first important thing you consider when buying desktop or laptop are the
following: the processor to go for, how much RAM you’ll need and finally whether or
not you require a graphics card.

This part of the module will explain some of the key components to look for
when picking up your new laptop or desktop.
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What is specification?

The specification or ‘spec’ is a list of the key components that make up the
computer. It is provided by retailers to help buyers decide which PC, and which
combination of features, they need. When buying a PC you start by deciding what
you want your PC to do. This tells the specification you actually need.

When reviewing a computer specification, the most important component to

take are the processor, the size of RAM and the size of the hard drive as these are
central to the overall capability of the system. If it is planned to use specialized
programs for students with special needs, it is advisable to purchase a suitable
specification computer to meet the system requirements for these programs.

Understanding a Specification

Sample specification for a certain desktop computer:

Figure 1: Specification Sample

Source: Desktop Screenshot

Processors

Two companies - Intel Inc. and AMD Inc. – are the manufacturers of most of
today’s PC processors and both offer a range that balances price and performance.
Processors are generally defined by their speed, in megahertz (MHz) or in gigahertz
(GHz), and this relates to the number of operations they can perform per second.
The higher the value, the faster the PC will perform and the more expensive it is.
More recent and more powerful processors use a 64 Bit architecture, rather than the
previous 32 Bit models.

2
Memory (RAM)

The main working memory in a computer is called random access memory or

RAM. The processor uses this memory to run programs. RAM is measured in
megabytes (MB). Most modern computers use DDR 2 RAM.

A minimum of 2024 MB (2GB) of RAM is recommended for general purpose

PCs. 2048 MB (2GB) of RAM is also sufficient for PCs running multimedia
applications, i.e., those on which digital music, digital video or high-end graphics are
being created/edited.

Storage - The Hard Drive

The hard drive is the computer’s primary storage area. It stores the
applications and programs that run on the PC, as well as any work created by users.
From a school’s perspective, the capacity of the hard drive, measured in gigabytes
(GB), is a key criterion and should be given due consideration when reviewing PC
specifications.

A hard drive capacity of at least 80GB is recommended for general purpose

PCs. A hard drive capacity of 200GB or more is recommended if working with
multimedia applications where large graphics and digital audio/video files are being
created and stored.

Other Specifications

Monitors

The older Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) have been largely replaced by Liquid
Crystal Display (LCD) and Light Emitting Diode (LED) flat-screens. A 15” LCD/LED
has the same viewing area as the older 17” CRT.

3
Average entry-level PCs usually come with a 17” flat-screen and this is
adequate for most general purpose applications.

Larger 19” flat-screens are available and may be appropriate if video editing
and advanced graphics work is being carried out.

Teachers of students with special needs may want to consider using larger
monitors with their students.

Optical Drives

CD R/W drives are standard on PCs and allow the information on a compact
disc (either data or audio) to be read and written to by the PC. It is defined by its
speed (i.e., 48x or 48 speed).

DVD drives can read both CDs and DVDs. Standards on entry level
computers are 48x DVD-ROM/CD_RW drives and allows you to copy blank CDs.
High performance computer uses 52x DVD-RWs. Educational software is being
developed in both DVD and CD formats, but a DVD can hold over 25 times more
data than a CD.

Graphics and Sound Cards

These cards are installed inside a PC and are responsible for determining the
quality of the audio and visuals (graphics and video) output by the computer. They
hold their own memory (in MB), which is why they add to a computer’s capability.

An integrated graphics card with 256MB of memory is recommended for

general purpose PCs. Computers running high-end applications generally require a
separate 256MB graphics card.

A sound card generally comes as standard in most PCs purchased today. If

students intend to work extensively with digital music, the school should consider
getting a high-end sound card as this will create greater depth, complexity and
realism of sound.
Speakers and Headphones

Most computers come with either built-in or external speakers. Schools may
also consider buying headphones to control sound levels within a classroom or
computer room. Cheap ‘headphone splitters’ can also be purchased — these enable
two sets of headphones to be used per computer.

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Network Interface Card (NIC)

It is recommended that all PCs be purchased with a suitable network interface

card (NIC). A network card allows a computer to be connected to a network. A
10/100/1000 Mbps (Megabits per second) card is the standard network card today.
Few school networks currently operate at speeds higher than 100Mbps.

Operating Systems (OS)

PCs are generally purchased with an operating system pre-installed. It is

worth checking that your existing software will still work with the operating system of
any new systems being purchased. It may be possible to choose a particular
operating system and, if so, this may help standardize new machines with existing
school PCs.

Linux is an open-source free operating system which is not widely used by

schools at present, though it may be suitable for schools who are aware of its
capabilities. The most widely used open- source data base is Ubuntu. It is a Linux
based operating system and is distributed free along with the source code. Its
desktop looks somewhat similar to that of Windows, with window controls and icons.
There is reasonable large software support available on Ubuntu; the common
applications include Mozilla Firefox web browser, LibreOffice office application suite,
GIMP image editor.

Open Solaris is a computer operating system developed by Sun

Microsystems. It runs well on desktops, laptops, servers and data centers. Open
Solaris is GUI based like Ubuntu and has rich graphical desktop and windows for
easy navigation. It is now available in version 11 and can be downloaded without any
cost from the Oracle website.

Purchasing Considerations

Consider the following points when purchasing PCs:

• What is the intended use of the PC and will the chosen specification fulfill these
aims?
 • Is the PC compatible with existing computer equipment and software?
• Is the technical support service satisfactory?
• a minimum 1 year warranty including replacement if needed and full parts and
labor is recommended
• Will added peripherals be required such as headphones, and optical mice.
• Easy access of multiple USB ports
• Operating System licensing options

Assessment

What’s New
Directions: Below are the specifications to consider when buying a mobile phone.
Complete the data below. Write your answers on another sheet of
paper.
Directions: Select the best answer from the given choices below. Write only
the letter of your answers in your notebook.

1. A list of the key components that make up the computer.

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a. specification or ‘spec’ b. performance
c. maintenance d. manual

2. Generally defined by their speed, in megahertz (MHz) or in gigahertz (GHz), and

this relates to the number of operations they can perform per second.
a. monitor b. hard disk drive
c. processor d. RAM

3. Computer’s primary storage area. It stores the applications and programs that run
on the PC, as well as any work created by users.
a. hard drive b. monitors
c. optical drives d. graphics and sound cards

4. A hard drive capacity of at least ________ is recommended for general purpose

PCs.
a. 60 GB b. 70 GB
c. 80 GB d. 90 GB

5. Standards on PCs allow the information on a compact disc (either data or audio)
to be read and written to by the PC.
a. DVD drives b. CD R/W drives
c. 48x DVD-ROM/CD_RW drives d. 52x DVD-RWs

6. Drives that can read both CDs and DVDs.

a. DVD drives b. CD R/W drives
c. 48x DVD-ROM/CD_RW drives d. 52x DVD-RWs

7. These cards are installed inside a PC and are responsible for determining the
quality of the audio and visuals (graphics and video) output by the computer.
a. LAN cards b. RAM
c. TV tuner d. sound cards

8. An integrated graphic card with ________ of memory is recommended for general

purpose PCs.
 a. 512 MB b. 128 MB
c. 256 MB d. 64 MB

9. This allows a computer to be connected to a network.

a. speakers and headphones b. network interface card (NIC)
c. operating systems (OS) d. graphics and sound cards

10. An open-source free operating system which is not widely used by schools at
present, though it may be suitable for schools who are aware of its capabilities.
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a. Open Solaris b. Windows
c. Mac d. Linux