Overview

Indicative content includes:

• Hardware
• Overview of computer systems: identification, purpose and functionality of key components and computer architecture
• Memory concept and functionality, types of and protected and virtual aspects
• Data representation, in memory, numbering systems and consideration of data transfer rates
• Overview, identification and functionality of key types of I/O to include peripherals

• Overview of connectivity to include internal buses (PCI), external buses (USB) and networking (ADSL, Ethernet etc.)

• Operating Systems

• Overview of operating systems: identification, purpose and functionality of key components within a modern operating systems and the use of Microsoft OS and Linux as exemplars.
• Resource Management and concept of sharing
• Device Management to include device drivers, dumb and smart peripherals
• Memory Management including virtual memory and addressing
• File Management for local and remote files

Learning Outcomes

• Analyse how elements of a system meet system or user requirements.

• Describe key principles and concepts of Computer Systems.

• Identify and summarise hardware architectures.