- •Ssd2: Introduction to Computer Systems contents
- •Prerequisites
- •Course Textbook
- •Hardware/Software Requirements
- •The purpose of ssd2 is for students to
- •Students successfully completing ssd2 will be able to
- •1.1 Overview of Computer Systems
- •1.1.1 Components of a Computer System
- •Hardware System
- •Software System—Operating System Software and Application Software
- •Network System
- •1.2 Evolution of Computer Systems
- •1.2.1 Brief History
- •1200S—Manual Calculating Devices
- •1600S—Mechanical Calculators
- •1800S—Punched Cards
- •1940S—Vacuum Tubes
- •1950S—Transistors
- •1960S—Integrated Circuits
- •1970S to Present—Microprocessor
- •Pace of Advancement
- •1.2.2 Applications of Computer Systems
- •In Education Multimedia-Facilitated Learning
- •Simulation-Based Education
- •Intelligent Machine-Based Training
- •Interactive Learning
- •In Business Supply Chain Management
- •Project Management
- •Customer Relationship Management
- •Sales and Marketing Using Electronic Commerce
- •Manufacturing Research
- •In Entertainment Movies
- •Video Games
- •1.3 Data Representation in a Computer System
- •1.3.1 Bits and Bytes
- •Data Representation Using Binary Digits
- •Increasing Need for Bytes
- •1.3.2 Number Systems
- •Decimal
- •Hexadecimal
- •Learning Exercise
- •2.1 Processor and Memory
- •2.1.1 Processor Basics
- •Processor
- •Instruction Execution with the cpu
- •Performance: Factors and Measures
- •Types of Processors
- •2.1.2 Types of Memory
- •Cmos Memory
- •Summary
- •2.1.3 Lab: Benchmarking (Optional)
- •2.2 Peripherals
- •2.2.1 Connecting Peripherals
- •Expansion Slots and Cards
- •Usb and FireWire
- •Comparing Different Ports
- •2.2.2 Buses
- •2.2.3 Input/Output Devices
- •Input Devices
- •Cameras
- •Digital Camcorders
- •Scanners
- •Output Devices: Monitors and Projectors
- •Crt Monitors
- •Lcd Monitors
- •Projectors
- •Output Devices: Printers
- •Ink Printers
- •Dye-Sublimation Printers
- •Laser Printers
- •Comparing Printers
- •2.3 Storage Devices
- •2.3.1 Disk Controller Interfaces
- •Ide Interface
- •Eide Master/Slave
- •2.3.2 Mass Storage
- •How Mass Storage Devices Differ from ram
- •Disk Drive Reliability
- •Optical Media: cDs versus dvDs
- •Magnetic Media
- •Optical versus Magnetic
- •Solid State
- •Comparing Storages
- •2.4 Putting Together the Hardware Components
- •2.4.1 How Components Work Together
- •2.4.2 Lab: Researching a Computer System
- •2.4.3 Lab: Online Configuration
- •2.5 Improving Computer Performance
- •2.5.1 Moore's Law
- •2.5.2 Bottlenecks
- •Bottlenecks—Slowing a Process
- •Typical Bottlenecks
- •Eliminating Bottlenecks
- •2.5.3 Throughput and Latency
- •Unit 3. Operating System Software
- •3.1 Structure
- •3.1.1 Layers of Software
- •Layers and Process Management
- •Encapsulation and Abstraction
- •Layers of Software
- •3.1.2 The bios: Life at the Bottom
- •The Role of the bios
- •Changing bios Settings
- •3.1.3 Process Control
- •3.1.4 Lab: The Task Manager
- •3.2 Device Management and Configuration
- •3.2.1 Interrupt Handling
- •Interrupts
- •Interrupt Priority and Nested Interrupts
- •Traps and Faults
- •3.2.2 Hardware Attributes
- •Installing Drivers
- •Changing a Driver's Configuration
- •3.2.3 Configuration
- •3.2.4 Lab: Device Management
- •3.3 Resource Sharing
- •3.3.1 Virtual Memory
- •Managing Memory
- •Relocation
- •Virtual Memory
- •3.3.2 File and Printer Sharing
- •Printers
- •3.4 File Systems
- •3.4.1 File Organization
- •Folders
- •Shortcuts
- •File Names and Types
- •3.4.2 File Allocation Table and nt File System
- •Clusters and File Allocation Tables
- •Nt File System
- •Unit 4. Application Software
- •4.1 Software Basics
- •4.2 Using Software Systems
- •4.2.1 Lab: dos Commands
- •4.2.2 Lab: Macros
- •4.2.3 Lab: Embedding Application Objects
- •4.3 Batch Script Files
- •4.3.1 Advanced Command-Line Functions
- •Dos Command Syntax
- •Review of File System Commands
- •Wildcard Characters
- •Redirection and Piping
- •4.3.2 Batch File Commands
- •Batch Files
- •Commands
- •4.3.3 Lab: Creating a Batch File
- •Example of a Batch File
- •Example of a Batch File with Arguments
- •4.4 Databases
- •4.4.1 Lab: Searching the Library of Congress
- •4.5 Software Engineering
- •4.5.1 Issues in Large-Scale Software Development
- •The Software Development Process
- •Define or Redefine the Problem
- •Plan a Solution to the Problem
- •Code the Solution
- •Evaluate and Test Everything
- •4.5.2 Open Source Model
- •Free Software
- •4.5.3 Tools for Software Creation and Management
- •Editors
- •Compilers
- •Debuggers
- •Integrated Development Environments (idEs)
- •Unit 5. Network Systems
- •5.1 Internet Basics
- •5.1.1 Mime Types
- •5.1.2 Internet Languages
- •JavaScript
- •5.2 Local and Wide Area Networks
- •5.3 Communication Strategies
- •5.3.1 Client-Server Framework
- •5.3.2 Peer-to-Peer Connectivity
- •5.4 Data Transfer Technologies
- •5.5 Internet Architecture
- •5.5.1 Routers and tcp/ip
- •Internet Protocol
- •Routers
- •Transmission Control Protocol
- •5.5.2 Domain Name Service
- •Domain Name Service
- •5.5.3 Connectivity
- •Conventional Analog Phone Lines
- •Isdn: Integrated Services Digital Network
- •Cable Modem
- •XDsl: Digital Subscriber Line
- •Dedicated High Speed Lines
- •5.5.4 Internet Service Providers
- •Unit 6. Computer Security
- •6.1 Security Threats
- •6.1.1 Intruders: Who, Why, and How?
- •6.1.2 Identity Theft and Privacy Violation
- •Password Cracking
- •Packet sniffing
- •Social Engineering/Fraud
- •Spoofing
- •Port Scanning
- •6.1.3 Malicious Software
- •Trojan Horse
- •Prevention
- •Detection
- •Counter Measures
- •6.1.4 Denial of Service
- •Network Connectivity
- •Network Bandwidth
- •Other Resource Consumption Attacks
- •Distributed Denial of Service Attack
- •Prevention
- •6.2 Security Technologies
- •6.2.1 Encryption
- •Substitution Cipher
- •Transmitting the Key
- •Private Key Encryption Scheme
- •Public Key Encryption Scheme
- •Hybrid Encryption Schemes
- •6.2.2 Applications of Encryption
- •Hard Drives
- •Dvd Movies
- •Cellular Phones
- •6.2.3 Authentication
- •Strong Passwords
- •Smart Cards
- •Biometrics
- •Digital Signatures
- •Digital Certificates and Certificate Authorities
- •Ssl Protocol
- •6.3 Prevention, Detection, and Recovery
- •6.3.1 Firewall
- •Application Gateway
- •Packet Filter
- •Application Gateway versus Packet Filter
- •Intruder Attacks Prevented by Firewall
- •Setting up a Firewall
- •6.3.2 Intrusion Detection Tools
- •Intrusion Detection Systems
- •Network Monitoring Tools
- •Anti-Virus Software
- •6.3.3 Data Recovery
- •6.3.4 Summary of Security Tips
3.2.3 Configuration
The operating system, like the lower level BIOS, is configurable. Each user works in a different way, with different demands and usage styles. The right configuration of the operating system can improve aesthetics, convenience, and performance. The configuration options described here are from the Windows NT 4.0 operating system, but similar features can be found in other Windows systems.
The most conspicuous operating system configurations are the aesthetic ones. In Windows, users can set preferences for the "look and feel" of the desktop and file system. It seems that no two desktops are alike. Views can be set to adjust how icons appear and what information appears within file listings, such as file sizes and types (under the View menu of My Computer or of Explorer, click Folder Options...). The desktop itself can use a variety of color schemes and can even contain graphics in various layouts. To adjust the size of the viewing space, the monitor resolution can be set by right-clicking an empty spot of the desktop and then clicking Properties on the shortcut menu.
Toolbars appear at various places and are themselves customizable. Most toolbars contain buttons representing shortcuts, and some contain text fields in which Web addresses or even file system paths can be typed in order to navigate to those items quickly (right-click an empty spot on the taskbar and then click eitherToolbars or Properties). Even the way numbers, time, and monetary values are represented can be customized (open the Control Panel and click Regional Settings).
Other elements like font styles and sizes can be changed to something more comfortable or pleasing. Some users set fonts large for easy viewing, while others enjoy strange fonts (right-click an empty spot on the desktop, then click Properties, and then click the Appearance tab). There is an array of sound themes to choose from, like jungle sounds and sounds from musical instruments (open the Control Panel and select Sounds).
For convenience, users can take advantage of the User Startup Folder, which is the first Startup folder that appears under Programs on the Start menu. Program icons, usually shortcuts, which appear in this folder, will be started automatically each time the user logs on. For example, users who read their mail first thing after logging on can place a shortcut to the email client in the Startup folder and have it start automatically after log on. Shortcuts themselves are a form of customization, allowing the user to invoke programs and represent files from a variety of places in the file system (right-click an icon and then click Create Shortcut). Things like mouse tracking properties (open the Control Panel and click Mouse) and keyboard repeat rates (open the Control Panel and click Keyboard) can also be set. Some users have a difficult time double-clicking quickly, and, therefore, these users adjust the speed at which double-clicking is accepted to be adjusted. Some mice and keyboards go further by allowing the user to attach functions to certain mouse buttons or keyboard keys. This functionality will be provided with the keyboard or mouse via accompanying software.
Performance can even be tweaked a little from within the operating system. By clicking System from the Control Panel, you can adjust the default search path, virtual memory parameters, and similar items. The search path tells the system what directories to look in to find an application. Rearranging the order of directories on the search path can speed up the time it takes to locate executables. Decreasing the amount of virtual memory provided will mean less memory is available to hold open files and running programs, but it also may increase system performance on those that remain. Such adjustments are usually left to advanced users, as the default settings are usually close to optimal for most configurations. Even reducing the number of displayable colors and the resolution may speed processes up, although this is not generally noticeable except in graphics-intensive games and applications.