Computer system with a dedicated function within a larger
mechanical or electrical system, often with real-time computing
constraints. It is embedded as part of a complete device often
including hardware and mechanical parts. Embedded systems
control many devices in common use today.
The clock speed (Measured in megahertz) determines the rate
at which instructions are carried out. The higher the clock speed,
the faster each instruction is fetched and executed. Each tick of
the clock is used to synchronise the processor. Each and every
operation of the processor takes a fixed number of ticks.
Therefore, if the clock is ticking faster, the more instructions are
processed.
The Number of cores can affect the performance of the
computer because a core fetches and decodes instructions. So if
you add more than one it will increase the speed of performance
and mean that it will help create a faster computer system. So
the higher the number of cores, the better the performance of the
computer
The Cache size is a memory buffer that sits between the
processor and the main memory. The bigger the cache, the more
space there is to store instructions that the processor needs, and
so the more likely it is that when an instruction needs to be
fetched, it will already be in the cache. Therefore, having a larger
cache size on the CPU can improve the performance of the
computer.
RAM(random access memory) is the place in a computing device
where the operating system (OS), application programs and data
in current use are kept so they can quickly reached by the
device's processor. Data remains in RAM as long as the
computer is running. When the computer is turned off, RAM
loses its data.
Windows uses virtual memory to compensate. Virtual memory The need for virtual memory
combines your computer's RAM with temporary space on your
hard disk. When RAM runs low, virtual memory moves data from
RAM to a space called a paging file.
Data in RAM is not permanently written. When you power off The difference between RAM and ROM
your computer the data stored in RAM is deleted. Data in ROM
is a type of non-volatile memory. Data in ROM is permanently
written and is not erased when you power off your computer.
Read-Only Memory, ROM is a storage medium that is used with
computer and other electronic devices. As the name indicates,
data stored in ROM may only be read. Another example of ROM
is EEPROM, which is a programmable ROM used for the The purpose of ROM in a computer system
computer BIOS, as shown in the picture below.
Flash memory is electronic (solid-state) non-volatile computer
storage medium that can be electrically erased and
reprogrammed. NAND or NOR flash memory is also often used
to store configuration data in numerous digital products, a task
previously made possible by EEPROM or battery-powered static
RAM.
SAN - Storage Area Network, System Area Network, Server
Area Network, or sometimes Small Area Network
WLAN - Wireless Local Area Network
MAN - Metropolitan Area Network
Types of networks
PAN - Personal Area Network
Scalable - Equipment cost (CPE) is the same independent of
bandwidth
CAN - Campus Area Network, Controller Area Network, or
Highspeeds and bandwidth - Frame Relay packet switch tech. Pros
sometimes Cluster Area Network
Ease of Implementation - Service provider handles data
transport link.
Multiple connections - Redundancy
LAN - Local Area Network
WAN - Wide Area Network
Frame Relay, HDLC, PPP
Technology to choose - no one-size-fits-all solution
ISDN (PRI,BRI), T1, T3, DSL, Dialup
Equipment is expensive
WAN connection handled by the provider. Provider must correct Cons
data transport link problems.
Mobility: Once the network drops are installed, there is limited
Routing would be much more complex - determine exactly ability to move a different location without setting up additional
where each subnet would be advertised. switches and running cables.
Cons
More options - connectivity that would need to be considered.
Server: In very small networks, it is possible to set up a local
network without a server. However, once there are more than
five computers in use, it is advisable to install a high powered
Expensive - bandwidth at a cost. and high capacity server. The server stores centralizes
information across a medical office. In medical offices, due to the
amount of data being moved and the need for centralized
storage for documents, you should have a server. This requires
ongoing maintanace and greater cost, as you will need to
purchase software licenses, anit-virus software, etc.
Embedded system
von Neumann architecture
How common characteristics of CPUs effect their
performance
CPU
Common components and their function
The purpose of RAM in a computer system
Computer Science
Memory
Suitable storage devices and storage media for a given
The need for flash memory
Storage
Need a special piece of equipment to record and read the data
on the tape.
Can be set up to do the back up overnight or over the weekend
Cheapest form of storage per megabyte of storage
Can store large amounts of data - up to 1 Terabyte per tape
cartridge
Serial access so can be quite slow to access data
The data may be corrupted if the tape is placed near a strong
magnetic field e.g. a large speaker or magnet
Networks
Factors that affect network performance
Network security: The network must be protected by a firewall
and should be set up by a professional networking expert who
can ensure that the correct ports are being switched on and
other security features enabled. Once done, the network is
generally well protected.
Speed: Speed of data transfer is significantly faster than
wireless and not sensitive to dead spots within the practice as
sometimes is encountered with wireless
Pros
Cost: Relatively inexpensive to initially install and very low
maintenance cost thereafter. The average cost for each network
drop (outlet) is approximately $100; however, if a full office is
being set up, this cost can be negotiated down.
Stability: Local networks are very stable and, once correctly
configured, are workhorses that do not cause many problems or
require much maintenance. They are generally more stable than
wireless networks, although wireless is improving all the time.
The CPU(Central Processing Unit) is the part of a computer
system that is commonly referred as the "brains" of a
computer. The CPU is also known as the processor or
microprocessor. The CPU is responsible for executing a
sequence of stored instructions called a program.
Also known as the von Neumann model and Princeton
architecture, is a computer architecture based on that
described in 1945 by the mathematician and physicist John von
Neumann and others in the First Draft of a Report on the
EDVAC.
Performs mathematical and logical calculations on data, but
can only process one instruction at a time. The main
purpose of the CPU is to process instructions. To do this it
loads data and the program associated with that data in RAM
memory.
The Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU): Performs arithmetic
calculations e.g add and subtract two numbers together or
multiply and divide numbers in binary. Performs logical
operations. These can computations that involve, for example,
the use of AND, OR and NOT. Holds data it has already worked
on, ready to be sent out, and holds data that has been fetched,
ready to be processed. All data that goes into and out of the
CPU goes via the ALU.
The Control Unit: Directs the operation of the processor. It tells
the computer's memory, arithmetic/logic unit and input and
output devices on how to respond to a program's instructions.
The Registers: May hold an instruction, a storage address, or
any kind of data(such as a bit sequence or individual characters).
Immediate Access Store (IAS): Holds data needed straightaway
by the control unit. input Data which is inserted into a system for
processing and/or storage.
Cache: Reduces the average cost(time or energy) to access
data from the main memory. Stores copies of the data from
frequently used main memory locations.
Capacity can be a Terabyte or more.
Type of storage is magnetic
application Hard Disk
Data access is Direct (i.e. not serial access like a tape)
Hard disks hold a vast amount of data and are relatively cheap,
so on a per-byte basis they are the amongst the cheapest form
of storage, although magnetic tape is cheaper.
An internal hard disk is faster than external storage devices. it is
however, slower than internal solid state memory (SSD) which
are now appearing in top end computers.
Magnetic Tape
An internal hard disk is not intended to be portable - it is screwed
to the computer chassis as a permanent fixture unless a
Advantages and disadvantages
replacement is needed.
An external hard disk used for backing up data is portable as it
comes in various pocket-sized or larger cases, but it is larger
than a DVD USB memory stick.
Very durable, it can last for years if treated carefully.
Can be damaged by being dropped, experience extreme heat or
strong magnetic fields.
Data can be written to it and deleted from an infinite amount of
times.
As long as it is not damaged, a hard disk is very reliable. The
system detects any failed area on the disk surface and prevents
data being written in that spot (these are called 'bad sectors').
Packet Loss: Glitches, errors, or network overloading might
result in the loss of data packets. Sometimes routers or switched
might shed traffic intentionally to maintain overall network
performance or to enforce a particular service level. In a well-
tuned network intentional packet loss is hopefully a rare
occurrence, through packet loss is still something that happens
regularly due to a host of other reasons, and must be monitored
closely to ensure overall network performance.
Latency: Think of latency as the speed limit on a highway.
Traffic speed on a motorway is affected by many variables such
as weather, other traffic, and highway signs. Likewise, data
packets traversing a network are affected by many variables as
well.
Throughput: Throughput is the amount of traffic a network can
carry at any one time. Like the analogy of traffic used to explain
latency above, think of throughput as analogous to the number of
lanes on a highway. The more lanes, the more traffic a highway
can accommodate. When thinking of networks, the higher the bit
rate, the faster files transfer. Slow response times might be an
issue with your network not having enough throughput.
Retransmission: When packet loss does occur, those lost
packets are retransmitted. This retransmission process can
cause two delays; one from re-sending the data and the second
delay resulting from waiting until the data is received in the
correct order before forwarding it up the protocol stack.