1. TECHNOLOGY GUIDE ONE
Computer Hardware

2. TECHNOLOGY GUIDE OUTLINE
TG1.1 Introduction
TG1.2 Strategic Hardware Issues
TG1.3 Innovations in Hardware Utilization
TG1.4 Computer Hierarchy
TG1.5 Input and Output Technologies
TG1.6 The Central Processing Unit
TG1.7 Computer Memory

3. LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Identify the major hardware components of a computer system.
Discuss the strategic issues that link hardware design to business strategy.
Discuss the innovations in hardware utilization.
Describe the hierarchy of computers according to power and their respective roles.

4. LEARNING OBJECTIVES (continued)
Differentiate the various types of input and output technologies and their uses.
Describe the design and functioning of the central processing unit.
Discuss the relationships between microprocessor component designs and performance.

5. LEARNING OBJECTIVES (continued)
Describe the main types of primary and secondary storage.
Distinguish between primary and secondary storage along the dimensions of speed, cost, and capacity.
Define enterprise storage, and describe the various types of enterprise storage.

6. TG1.1 Introduction Hardware
Hardware refers to the physical equipment used for the input, processing, output, and
storage activities of a computer system.

7. Hardware consists of: Central processing unit (CPU) Primary storage
Secondary storage
Input technologies
Output technologies
Communication technologies
Central processing unit (CPU) manipulates the data and controls the tasks performed by the other components.
Primary storage is internal to the CPU; temporarily stores data and program instructions during processing.
Secondary storage is external to the CPU; stores data and programs for future use.
Input technologies accept data and instructions and convert them to a form that the computer can understand.
Output technologies present data and information in a form people can understand.
Communication technologies provide for the flow of data from external computer networks (e.g. the Internet and intranets) to the CPU, and from the CPU to computer networks.

8. TG1.2 Strategic Hardware Issues
How do organizations keep up with the rapid price and performance advancements in hardware?
How often should an organization upgrade its computers and storage systems?
Will upgrades increase personal and organizational productivity?
How can organizations measure such increase?
How do organizations manage telecommuting?

9. TG1.3 Innovations in Hardware Utilization
Server Farms
Virtualization
Grid computing
Utility computing
Cloud computing
Edge Computing
Autonomic Computing
Nanotechnology
Server Farms: massive data centers that contain thousands of networked computer servers.
Virtualization: using software to create partitions on a single server so that multiple applications can run on a single server.
Grid computing involves applying the resources of many computers in a network to a single problem at the same time.
Utility computing (also called subscription computing and on-demand computing) is when a service provider makes computing resources and infrastructure management available to a customer as needed for a charge based on specific usage rather than a flat rate.
In cloud computing, tasks are performed by computers physically removed from the user and accessed over
a network, in particular the Internet.
Edge Computing: process where parts of Web content and processing are located close to the user to decrease response time and lower processing costs.
Autonomic Computing: systems that manage themselves without direct human intervention.
Nanotechnology refers to the creation of materials, devices and systems at a scale of 1 to 100 nanometers (billionths of a meter).

10. Server Farms
A server farm contains hundreds of thousands of networked computer servers.

11. Server Virtualization (example)
Server virtualization uses software to create partitions on a single server so that multiple applications
can run on a single server.

12. Grid Computing
Grid computing involves applying the resources of many computers in a network to a single problem at the same time.

13. Utility Computing
Utility computing (also called subscription computing and on-demand computing) is when a service provider makes computing resources and infrastructure management available to a customer as needed for a charge based on specific usage rather than a flat rate.

14. Cloud Computing
In cloud computing, tasks are performed by computers physically removed from the user and accessed over
a network, in particular the Internet.
The cloud in this figure represents the Internet. Various companies’ data centers are connected to the Internet. When you make a query to Google, Yahoo, or Amazon (for example), your request travels over the Internet to one of their data centers. As many servers as are needed are brought to bear answering your query. The response is then sent back to you.

15. Nanotechnology
What a nanometer looks like
(see these slides)

16. TG1.4 Computer Hierarchy Supercomputers Mainframe Computers
Midrange Computers
Workstations
Notebooks and Desktop Computers
Ultra-mobile PCs
Computing devices

17. NASA Supercomputer

18. Mainframes and Mid-range computers
IBM iSeries
midrange computer
IBM System Z
mainframe

19. Desktops, Laptops, Notebooks
Dell desktop
HP notebook
IBM Thinkpad laptop (now Lenovo)

20. Ultramobile PC

21. Plug Computers The SheevaPlug
A plug computer is a tiny server for use in the home. It is a lower cost and lower power
alternative to a PC-based home server.

22. TG1.5 Input and Output Technologies
Input technologies
Human data-entry
Source-data automation

23. Various Human Input Devices
Trackball
Pointing Stick
Digital Pen
Web Camera
Note: The Maltron Keyboard is designed for ease of use and possibly to reduce the incidence
of carpal tunnel syndrome. We see that some of the keys are operated by your thumbs.
Bluetooth laser projection keyboard allows you to type on any flat surface.
Bluetooth Laser Virtual Keyboard
Wii
The Maltron Keyboard

24. We’ve come a long way!
Keypunch machine
Punch card

25. The First Mouse
A very early (if not the first) mouse demonstration in 1968.

26. Microsoft Seadragon
Microsoft Seadragon is a very interesting interface. See a demonstration here.
Seadragon is software, called Photosynth, capable of assembling static photos into a synergy of
zoomable, navigatable spaces.

27. The Multitouch Screen
Jeff Han presents the multitouch screen at the TED talks.
Clicking on the Perceptive Pixel link at the bottom will take you to the company’s
home page. There is an interesting video on the home page.
Han is the founder of Perceptive Pixel.

28. Obscura Digital’s Multitouch Screen
See the video of Obscura Digital’s multitouch wall at the Hard Rock Café in Las Vegas
Obscura Digital's newest, longest multitouch wall has launched at the Hard Rock in Vegas,
using three projectors to handle 100 hi-res images and videos simultaneously in real time.

29. Microsoft Surface Computing
Microsoft Surface Computing offers an interesting user interface. This technology is also called the Microsoft “coffee table.” Demo
Another look at Microsoft Surface Computing Demo

30. Gesture-Based Input See the video of Oblong’s product, called G-Speak
Clicking on the video link above will take you to Oblong’s home page. On their home page,
click on the company’s logo to watch the video.
See the video of Oblong’s product, called G-Speak

31. Output Technologies
Output generated by a computer can be transmitted to the user over several output devices and media, which include:
Monitors
Printers
Plotters
Voice

32. Electronic Book Readers
Amazon’s Kindle 2 and Kindle DX
Sony Reader

33. The Asus eBook Reader
Predicted to have dual color screens and be out Christmas 2009

34. Multimedia Technology
Multimedia technology is the computer-based integration of text, sound, still images, animation and digitized motion video.
Merges capabilities of computers with televisions, VCRs, CD players, DVD players, video and audio recording equipment, music and gaming technologies.

35. Multimedia Authoring System

36. TG1.6 The Central Processing Unit
Central processing unit (CPU)
Microprocessor
Control unit
Arithmetic-logic unit (ALU)
Registers
Central processing unit (CPU) performs the actual computation or “number crunching”
inside any computer.
Microprocessor made up of millions of microscopic transistors embedded in a circuit on a
silicon chip.
Control unit sequentially accesses program instructions, decodes them and controls the flow
of data to and from the ALU, the registers, the caches, primary storage, secondary storage
and various output devices.
Arithmetic-logic unit (ALU) performs the mathematic calculations and makes logical comparisons.
Registers are high-speed storage areas that store very small amounts of data and instructions for
short periods of time.
A Central Processing Unit

37. Central Processing Unit (CPU) (continued)

38. How the CPU Works Binary form Machine instruction cycle Clock speed
Word length
Bus width
Line width
Binary form: The form in which data and instructions can be read by the CPU – only 0s and 1s.
Machine instruction cycle: The cycle of computer processing, whose speed is measured in
terms of the number of instructions a chip processes per second.
Clock speed: The preset speed of the computer clock that times all chip activities, measured
in megahertz and gigahertz.
Word length: The number of bits (0s and 1s) that can be processed by the CPU at any one time.
Bus width: The size of the physical paths down which the data and instructions travel as electrical
impulses on a computer chip.
Line width: The distance between transistors; the smaller the line width, the faster the chip.

39. How the CPU Works (continued)
See this view from Intel of how a chip works

40. Advances in Microprocessor Design
Moore’s Law: microprocessor complexity would double every two years.
Moore’s Law is that microprocessor complexity would double every two years as a result of the following changes:
--Increasing miniaturization of transistors.
--Making the physical layout of the chip’s components as compact and efficient as possible.
--Using materials for the chip that improve the conductivity (flow) of electricity.
--Targeting the amount of basic instructions programmed into the chip.

41. The Evolution of Chips
For a look at the evolution of chips from the Intel 4004 to multicore chips, click here.

42. Evolution of Computer Power/Cost
This graph comes from work by Ray Kurzweil.
Note the logarithmic scale on the Y-axis. The “linear” look of the graph is a result
of the logarithmic scale. On a linear Y-axis, the graph would be curving at an
increasing rate.
Note also the trend lines (1965, 1975, 1985, and 1995) at the upper right of the graph.
These trend lines point out that improvements in computer technology are
accelerating even faster than predicted.

43. TG1.7 Computer Memory Two basic categories of computer memory:
Primary Storage
Secondary Storage
Primary Storage stores small amounts of data and information that will be immediately used by the CPU.
Secondary Storage stores much larger amounts of data and information (an entire software program, for example) for extended periods of time.
Evolution of Man and Storage

44. Memory Capacity Bit Byte
In this picture, one byte, , represents the letter H
Bit: Short for binary digit (0s and 1s), the only data that a CPU can process.
Byte: An 8-bit string of data, needed to represent any one alphanumeric character or simple mathematical operation.

45. Hierarchy of Memory Capacity
Kilobyte
Megabyte
Gigabyte
Terabyte
Petabyte
Exabyte
Zettabyte
Kilobyte (KB): approximately one thousand bytes.
Megabyte (MB): approximately one million bytes (1,048,576 bytes, or 1,024 x 1,024).
Gigabyte (GB): actually 1,073,741,824 bytes (1,024 x 1,024 x 1,024 bytes).
Terabyte: One trillion bytes.
Petabyte: One thousand terabytes.
Exabyte: One thousand petabytes.
Zettabyte: one thousand exabytes.

46. Primary Storage
Primary storage or main memory stores three types of information for very brief periods of time:
Data to be processed by the CPU;
Instructions for the CPU as to how to process the data;
Operating system programs that manage various aspects of the computer’s operation.
Primary storage takes place in chips mounted on the computer’s main circuit board, called the motherboard.

47. Main Types of Primary Storage
Registers
Random access memory (RAM)
Cache memory
Read-only memory (ROM)
Registers: Registers are part of the CPU with the least capacity, storing extremely limited
amounts of instructions and data only immediately before and after processing.
Random access memory (RAM): The part of primary storage that holds a software program
and small amounts of data when they are brought from secondary storage.
Cache memory: A type of primary storage where the computer can temporarily store blocks of
data used more often.
Read-only memory (ROM): Type of primary storage where certain critical instructions are
safeguarded; the storage is nonvolatile and retains the instructions when the power to the
computer is turned off.

48. Primary Storage
RAM
Register
MRAM
Cache

49. Internal workings of personal computer
Hard disk drive
CPU board with fan
Floppy disk drive
RAM

50. Primary versus Secondary Memory

51. Secondary Storage
Memory capacity that can store very large amounts of data for extended periods of time.
Magnetic tape (sequential access)
Magnetic disks (direct access)
Secondary Storage:
It is nonvolatile.
It takes much more time to retrieve data because of the electromechanical nature.
It is cheaper than primary storage.
It can take place on a variety of media
Magnetic tape: A secondary storage medium on a large open reel or in a smaller cartridge or
cassette.
Sequential access: Data access in which the computer system must run through data in sequence
in order to locate a particular piece.
Magnetic disks: A form of secondary storage on a magnetized disk divided into tracks and sectors
that provide addresses for various pieces of data; also called hard disks.
Hard drives: A form of secondary storage that stores data on platters divided into concentric tracks
and sectors, which can be read by a read/write head that pivots across the rotating disks.
Direct access: Data access in which any piece of data be retrieved in a nonsequential manner by
locating it using the data’s address.

52. Magnetic Tape
Magnetic tape reel
Magnetic tape cartridge

53. Hard Drive (Magnetic Disks)

54. Hard Drive

55. The IBM Microdrive

56. Optical Storage Devices
Compact Disk, Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM)
Digital Video Disk (DVD)
Optical storage devices: A form of secondary storage in which a laser reads the surface of a reflective plastic platter.
Compact disk, read-only memory (CD-ROM): A form of secondary storage that can be only read and not written on.
Digital video disk (DVD): An optical storage device used to store digital video or computer data. VS
The Winner

57. Flash Memory Devices Flash memory Flash memory devices Thumb drive
Flash memory: non-volitile memory that can be erased and reprogrammed.
Flash memory devices: electronic storage devices with no moving parts.
Thumb drive: a flash memory device that fits into Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports on personal computers and other devices.

58. Flash Memory Devices

59. Thumb Drive

60. Sony Microvault Tiny Drive

61. Enterprise Storage Systems
Three types of enterprise storage:
Redundant Arrays of Independent Disks (RAID)
Storage Area Network (SAN)
Network Attached Storage (NAS)
Enterprise storage system: An independent, external system with intelligence that includes
two or more storage devices.
Redundant arrays of independent disks (RAID): An enterprise storage system that
links groups of standard hard drives to a specialized microcontroller that coordinates
the drives so they appear as a single logical drive.
Storage area network (SAN): An enterprise storage system architecture for building special,
dedicated networks that allow rapid and reliable access to storage devices by multiple servers.
Network-attached storage (NAS): A special-purpose server that provides file storage
to users who access the device over a network; plug-and-play.