1.2.1 – Define the terms: hardware, software, peripheral, network, human resources

Hardware

Anything within a computer you can physically touch.

Software

The collection of programs and instructions that control the computer.

Peripheral

The devices attached to the computer that allow it to interact with its environment and exchange information.

Network 

A group of computers connected together in some way to share resources such as documents or files and printers.

Human Resources

The humans operating the computers

Types of Peripheral

Input peripherals:

  • Keyboard
  • Mouse
  • Microphone
  • Webcam
  • Scanner

Output peripherals

  • Screen
  • Speakers

1.2.2 – Describe the roles that a computer can take in a networked

world

The computer can assume several roles in a networked world. It can function as a

  • client,
  • server,
  • e-mail server,
  • domain  name system server (DNS server),
  • router
  • firewall.
Client VS Server

A computer can be both client and server in a network at the same time! – P2P Networks for example.

Email server

This is the equivalent of a post office that manages the flow of email in and out of the network, checks that an email address is valid, allows users to access their email, etc.

DNS (Domain name Server)

Is a special type of server mapping web addresses to IP addresses allowing us to surf the web without having to look up the IP address of every website they want to visit.

Firewall

A computer or software package monitoring and protecting the network traffic of a computer or computer network. It decides which computers get access to which part of the network. It acts like a bouncer at a club

Router

A Router is a networking device that accepts incoming information (data packets), reads their destination address and distributes  them across networks, according to a routing table or routing policy (policy based routing).  A router identifies the destination of messages and sends them via an appropriate route and is used to forward data packets between networks

1.2.3 – Discuss the social and ethical issues associated with a networked world

This is a huge area for discussion, but consider some of the following:

  • The recent development in Artificial Intelligence and peoples jobs
  • Can employ people in other countries to do work cheaper
  • People are connected to device so should the be available 24/7 for work
  • Cultures being diluted as everyone is connected
  • Computers to replace face to face interactions?
  • Digital divide – will older people be left behind and younger people be forced to work with technology