Identify The Uses Of Tape

Tape, one of the first storage media used with mainframe computers, is a magnetically-coated ribbon of plastic capable of storing large amounts of data and information at low cost. Because it requires sequential access, or consecutive reading and writing of data, tape is used for long-term storage and backup. (Floppy disks, hard disks, and compact discs all use direct access, which means you can locate a data item immediately, without having to move through all the items stored in front of it.)

Magnetic tape was developed in the mid-1950s to replace the earlier method of storing data on punched cards. To better understand the difference between sequential access and direct access (or random access), compare an audio cassette tape to a CD-ROM. An audio cassette tape is sequential; to listen to the fourth song it is necessary to listen to (or fast-forward through) the first three songs. A CD is direct; it is possible to go straight to the fourth song.

Understand How An Enterprise Storage System Works

An enterprise storage system is a strategy that focuses on the availability, protection, organization, and backup of storage in a company. To implement an enterprise storage system, a company uses a combination of techniques. A server stores items needed by users on a network. A RAID system ensures that data is not lost. A tape library is a high-capacity tape system that works with multiple tape cartridges for storing backups of data, information, and instructions. A CD-ROM jukebox holds hundreds of CD-ROMs that can contain application programs and data. An Internet backup can store data, information, and instructions on the Web. A network attached storage (NAC) is an easy way to add hard disk space to a network. A storage area network (SAN) is a high-speed network that connects storage devices.

Explain How To Use PC Cards And Other Miniature Storage Media

A PC Card is a thin, credit card-sized device that fits into a PC Card slot on a notebook or personal computer. PC Cards are used to add storage, memory, communications, and sound capabilities. A smart card stores data on a thin microprocessor embedded in a card similar in size to an ATM card. Two types of smart cards exist: intelligent and memory. An intelligent smart card contains a processor and has input, process, output, and storage capabilities. A memory card has only storage capabilities.

Identify Uses Of Microfilm And Microfiche

Microfilm and microfiche store microscopic images of documents on roll or sheet film. Microfilm uses a 100- to 215-foot roll of film. Microfiche uses a small sheet of film, usually about four inches by six inches. Libraries and large organizations use microfilm and microfiche to archive relatively inactive documents and files.

Text 3 operating systems and utilitu programs

Describe The Two Types Of Software

System software is an essential part of a computer system. Two types of software are application software and system software. Application software consists of programs that perform specific tasks for users, such as a word processing program, e-mail program, or Web browser. System software consists of the programs that control the operations of a computer and its devices. The two types of system software are operating systems and utility programs. An operating system (OS) is a set of programs containing instructions that coordinate all the activities among computer hardware devices. A utility program performs a specific task, usually related to managing a computer, its devices, or its programs.

Understand The Startup Process For A Personal Computer

Booting is the process of starting or restarting a computer. When you turn on a computer after it has been powered off, you are performing a cold boot. When you restart a computer that already has been powered on, you are performing a warm boot.

When you turn on the computer, the power supply sends an electrical signal to devices located in the system unit. The processor chip resets itself and looks for the ROM chip that contains the BIOS (basic input/output system), which is firmware that holds the startup instructions. The BIOS executes the power-on self test (POST) to make sure hardware is connected properly and operating correctly. The POST results are compared with data in a CMOS chip on the motherboard. If the POST completes successfully, the BIOS searches for specific operating system files called system files. Once located, the boot drive (the drive from which your personal computer starts), loads the system files from storage (the hard disk – usually drive C) into memory (RAM) and executes them. Next, the kernel of the operating system loads into memory and takes control of the computer. The operating system loads configuration information. In Windows XP, the registry consists of several file that contain the system configuration information. When complete, the Windows XP desktop and icons display, and programs in the StartUp folder are executed.

Describe The Term User Interface

A user interface controls how you enter data and instructions and how information displays on the screen. Two types of user interfaces are command-line and graphical. With a command-line interface, you type keywords or press special keys to enter data or instructions. A graphical user interface (GUI) allows you to use menus and visual images such as icons, buttons, and other graphical objects to issue commands. A menu is a set of commands from which you can choose. An icon is a small image that represents a program, an instruction, a file, or some other object.

A graphical user interface is designed to be easier to use (more user-friendly) than a command-line interface. As an example of this user-friendly nature, consider how a relatively simple task, such as deleting a file, is performed with a command-line interface and with a GUI. With a command-line interface, you might type del followed by the file name in quotation marks. Therefore, you must remember the command, type it correctly, and use the proper syntax. On the other hand, with a GUI you need only select (click) the file name in the file manager window and then click the Delete command on a menu or the Delete button on a toolbar. Although most people find a GUI the easiest interface to use, some long-time computer virtuosos still feel a command-line user interface is more efficient.

Explain Features Common To Most Operating Systems

Most operating systems perform similar functions that include managing programs, managing memory, scheduling jobs, configuring devices, accessing the Web, monitoring performance, providing housekeeping services, and administering security. Managing programs directly affects your productivity. A single user/single tasking operating system allows only one user to run one program at a time. Amultitasking operating system allows a single user to work on two or more applications that reside in memory at the same time. A multi-user operating system enables two or more users to run a program simultaneously.

A multiprocessing operating system can support two or more CPUs running programs at the same time. Managing memory involves assigning items to an area of memory while they are being processed. The purpose of memory management is to optimize use of random access memory (RAM). With virtual memory (VM), the operating system optimizes memory by allocating a portion of a storage medium, usually the hard disk, to function as additional RAM. Scheduling jobs (operations the processor manages) involves determining the order in which jobs are processed.

Spooling increases efficiency by placing print jobs in a buffer (an area of memory or storage where data resides while waiting to be transferred) until the printer is ready, freeing the processor for other tasks. Configuring devices establishes communication with each device in the computer. A device driver is a small program that tells the operating system how to communicate with a device. Accessing the Web may entail including a Web browser and e-mail program in the operating system. Monitoring performance helps to identify and solve system problems.

A performance monitor is a program that assesses and reports information about various system resources and devices. Providing housekeeping services entails performing storage and file management functions. A file manager performs such functions as formatting and copying disks; listing the files on a storage medium; checking the amount of used and unused space on a storage medium; organizing, copying, deleting, moving, and sorting files; and creating shortcuts (icons on the desktop that run a program when clicked).

Administering security involves establishing user accounts on a network. Each account typically requires a user name and a password to log on, or access, the network.

Know The Difference Between Stand-Alone Operating Systems And Network Operating Systems

A stand-alone operating system is a complete operating system that works on a desktop or notebook computer. A network operating system (also called network OS or NOS) is an operating system that supports a network. A network is a collection of computers and devices connected together via communications media and devices such as cables, telephone lines, and modems. In some networks, the serveris the computer that controls access to the hardware and software on a network and provides a centralized storage area. The other computers on the network, called clients, rely on the server(s) for resources.