WGU C182 Introduction to IT 2024 Guide with complete
solution
Information Technology
The technology used in creating, maintaining, and making information accessible.
IT Professional Roles
Administration and Support
System Administrator
Maintains all aspects of the system including hardware, software, and programming.
Network Administrator
In charge of all aspects of the computer network
Database Administrator
Focuses on the design, development, and support of database management systems
(DBMSs).
Security Administrator
Installs, configures, and administers firewall security to protect systems and proactively
work to stop intrusions.
Web Administrator
Installs, configures, maintains, secures, and troubleshoots web severs.
Support IT Professionals
Help desk and training.
Information
Processed data.
DIKW Hierarchy
Defines the transition of data to information from knowledge to wisdom. (Data
Information Knowledge Wisdom)
Data in DIKW
The input directly received by the user (or computer). It is generally not usable until it
has been converted into a relevant form.
Information in DIKW
Having been inferred from data; one or more processes have been applied to the data
to transform it into a more useful form.
Knowledge in DIKW
Information that has been put to use; information placed into a context. Refined
information such that the user of the knowledge is able to call forth only relevant
portions of information when needed.
Wisdom in DIKW
Provides a social setting to knowledge; an understanding of the "why". Can only come
by having both knowledge and experience.
Information Systems
A collection of data and information used to support the management of an
organization. Also refers to the technical components and human resources that enable
the assembly, storage, and processing of data and the delivery of information. This has
existed for a lot longer than computers.
Characteristics of Quality Data
,Relevance - the data being used must apply directly to the decision being made
Timely - data must be efficient and must be provided in a timely manner
Thorough - the data must be complete
Accurate - data should be captured only once, where possible and should be captured
as close to the point of activity as possible.
Reliable - data should reflect stable and consistent data collection processes across
collections points and over time
IPOS
The Input-Procession-Output-Storage Cycle
Input
Raw data is entered by the user.
Processing
Raw data is organized or structured for usefulness.
Output
Information is output so user can see results.
Storage
Processed information is stored for permanent record.
Computer System
A collection of components that work together to meet the needs of the user; typically
categorized as either hardware, software, networks, or users.
Hardware
Physical components of a computer system which include the system unit and its
components and peripheral devices; tangible aspects of the computer.
Software
Computer programs that tell the computer what to do--how to execute commands and
process information
Network
A collection of computers and resources connected by various media so that they can
communicate with each other.
User
Those who use a computer.
Software Categories
Systems Software and Applications Software
Evolution of Users
First users were the engineers who built and programmed computers, then employees
who had received specialized training were users, and now today, anyone and
everyone can be a user.
Protocol
Rules provided by which networks communicate with each other.
TCP/IP
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. Most commonly used protocol; is
required of all computers that communicate over the Internet.
, Protocol Stack
A collection of protocols. TCP/IP is an example.
Components of a Computer
CPU, Memory and Storage, Peripheral Devices
CPU
Executes programs' instructions and commands various components in the computer.
Referred to as the "chip".
Memory
Stores the programs being executed and the data they are using.
I/O Subsystem
All peripheral devices where long term storage devices are used.
Bus
Permits information to move between each component; electrical channels that enable
communication among the electronic components
System Unit
Critical component of all computer based systems; consists of most of the hardware the
computer needs in order to run; comes in a variety of shapes and sizes.
Internal Components of the System Unit
Case, Internal Bays, Buses, Ports, Hard Drive, Motherboard, CPU, CPU Cooler,
Memory Module (RAM), Power Supply Unit (PSU), Expansion Slots/Cards
Parts of the CPU
Control Unit (CU) - retrieves the instructions and the raw data that is input and
coordinates or controls the sending of those instructions and data to the ALU
Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) - does the actual processing of the data; completing
mathematical calculations and logical operations to process the data and converting the
input of the keyboard text entry to output displayed on the screen
System Clock
Controls the speed at which instructions are processed.
RAM
Stands for Random Access Memory.
It temporarily stores data before it is processed and sent to your screen or printer.
It is volatile (means data or information stored disappears when the computer is turned
off or loses power).
You can choose the amount of RAM your computer has.
Types of RAM
Dynamic RAM (DRAM) - typically called main memory
Static RAM (SRAM) - cache memory and registers
BIOS ROM
BIOS stands for Basic Input Output System; ROM stands for Read Only Memory.
Typically stored in ROM chip on the motherboard.
solution
Information Technology
The technology used in creating, maintaining, and making information accessible.
IT Professional Roles
Administration and Support
System Administrator
Maintains all aspects of the system including hardware, software, and programming.
Network Administrator
In charge of all aspects of the computer network
Database Administrator
Focuses on the design, development, and support of database management systems
(DBMSs).
Security Administrator
Installs, configures, and administers firewall security to protect systems and proactively
work to stop intrusions.
Web Administrator
Installs, configures, maintains, secures, and troubleshoots web severs.
Support IT Professionals
Help desk and training.
Information
Processed data.
DIKW Hierarchy
Defines the transition of data to information from knowledge to wisdom. (Data
Information Knowledge Wisdom)
Data in DIKW
The input directly received by the user (or computer). It is generally not usable until it
has been converted into a relevant form.
Information in DIKW
Having been inferred from data; one or more processes have been applied to the data
to transform it into a more useful form.
Knowledge in DIKW
Information that has been put to use; information placed into a context. Refined
information such that the user of the knowledge is able to call forth only relevant
portions of information when needed.
Wisdom in DIKW
Provides a social setting to knowledge; an understanding of the "why". Can only come
by having both knowledge and experience.
Information Systems
A collection of data and information used to support the management of an
organization. Also refers to the technical components and human resources that enable
the assembly, storage, and processing of data and the delivery of information. This has
existed for a lot longer than computers.
Characteristics of Quality Data
,Relevance - the data being used must apply directly to the decision being made
Timely - data must be efficient and must be provided in a timely manner
Thorough - the data must be complete
Accurate - data should be captured only once, where possible and should be captured
as close to the point of activity as possible.
Reliable - data should reflect stable and consistent data collection processes across
collections points and over time
IPOS
The Input-Procession-Output-Storage Cycle
Input
Raw data is entered by the user.
Processing
Raw data is organized or structured for usefulness.
Output
Information is output so user can see results.
Storage
Processed information is stored for permanent record.
Computer System
A collection of components that work together to meet the needs of the user; typically
categorized as either hardware, software, networks, or users.
Hardware
Physical components of a computer system which include the system unit and its
components and peripheral devices; tangible aspects of the computer.
Software
Computer programs that tell the computer what to do--how to execute commands and
process information
Network
A collection of computers and resources connected by various media so that they can
communicate with each other.
User
Those who use a computer.
Software Categories
Systems Software and Applications Software
Evolution of Users
First users were the engineers who built and programmed computers, then employees
who had received specialized training were users, and now today, anyone and
everyone can be a user.
Protocol
Rules provided by which networks communicate with each other.
TCP/IP
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. Most commonly used protocol; is
required of all computers that communicate over the Internet.
, Protocol Stack
A collection of protocols. TCP/IP is an example.
Components of a Computer
CPU, Memory and Storage, Peripheral Devices
CPU
Executes programs' instructions and commands various components in the computer.
Referred to as the "chip".
Memory
Stores the programs being executed and the data they are using.
I/O Subsystem
All peripheral devices where long term storage devices are used.
Bus
Permits information to move between each component; electrical channels that enable
communication among the electronic components
System Unit
Critical component of all computer based systems; consists of most of the hardware the
computer needs in order to run; comes in a variety of shapes and sizes.
Internal Components of the System Unit
Case, Internal Bays, Buses, Ports, Hard Drive, Motherboard, CPU, CPU Cooler,
Memory Module (RAM), Power Supply Unit (PSU), Expansion Slots/Cards
Parts of the CPU
Control Unit (CU) - retrieves the instructions and the raw data that is input and
coordinates or controls the sending of those instructions and data to the ALU
Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) - does the actual processing of the data; completing
mathematical calculations and logical operations to process the data and converting the
input of the keyboard text entry to output displayed on the screen
System Clock
Controls the speed at which instructions are processed.
RAM
Stands for Random Access Memory.
It temporarily stores data before it is processed and sent to your screen or printer.
It is volatile (means data or information stored disappears when the computer is turned
off or loses power).
You can choose the amount of RAM your computer has.
Types of RAM
Dynamic RAM (DRAM) - typically called main memory
Static RAM (SRAM) - cache memory and registers
BIOS ROM
BIOS stands for Basic Input Output System; ROM stands for Read Only Memory.
Typically stored in ROM chip on the motherboard.
