Category Archives: 1. Computer Systems

1. Computer Systems, Computing Higher

Hub / Switch Comparison

Hub

  • A hub contains multiple ports. When a packet arrives at one port, it is copied to the other ports so that all segments of the LAN can see all packets.
  • Cheap to purchase and install
  • Problem – All devices on the network share the same bandwidth

Switch

  • Will look at traffic it receives and based on the destination address it will direct the traffic to the port.
  • Devices don’t share the same bandwidth. The network will not be slowed down.
  • Packet is delivered to address port. Problem – Require additional set-up and expensive to purchase.
1. Computer Systems, Computing Higher

Work for Tuesday 24th Sept.

A lot of the peripherals unit is investigation and comparison of similar products. A huge part of any IT professionals business revolves around knowing what the customer wants even when the customer can’t express it.

Take for example a design brief where the customer is looking for a way of getting photographs on to a DVD. We would need to know the following pieces of information.

  • Are the photographs already on the computer or would they need to be digitised.
  • Do they need to be edited before being placed on the disc
  • What format does the customer want them in, what about compression?
  • How many photographs?
  • What operating system?
  • Does the computer have a DVD writer?

Most of us would naturally start asking these question without thinking. However, in this unit we also need to compare the product we are suggesting with other similar products. This requires us to identify criteria we can use to pick the best product.

Continue reading Work for Tuesday 24th Sept. →