D075 WGU IT Final Exam Notes:
Understanding IT Infrastructure & Networks.
Module 2 Lesson 1: IT Infrastructure
The six components of IT Infrastructure are:
1. Hardware
• microprocessor chip, called a central processing unit (CPU)—which is the "brains"
of the computer and executes instructions required by the software
• a monitor to output information to an end user
• keyboard and mouse for input
• disk drives to store data and information
• random-access memory (RAM) for short-term and working memory to support the CPU
• a network interface card (NIC) or Wi-Fi adapter that connects to a network
• a main circuit board, called a motherboard
2. Software
• Application: software an end user chooses to use that accomplishes a specific task
for the user (e.g., Microsoft Excel and Adobe Photoshop)
• Utility: software that performs a particular function in the background and requires
little to no interaction with the user, but is essential to the functioning of the computer
(e.g., printer drivers and virus protection)
• System: software that supports a computer's basic functions, such as scheduling tasks,
executing applications, and controlling peripherals (e.g., Microsoft Windows,
macOS, and Linux)
3. networks
4. data
5. people
• Hardware technicians who install and repair computers.
• software technicians who install software and assist users in using the software.
, • network technicians and administrators who design, install, and monitor the
network to ensure it is running at maximum efficiency; and
• database administrators who design, create, and monitor databases so they can
store and retrieve data crucial to the processes of the business.
• Systems analysts analyze business users' needs and find ways for IT to make
processes more efficient or write specifications for programmers to write code.
• Programmers take the designs from the systems analysts and create application
programs to meet specifications of the business, then test the software before it
is implemented.
6. Processes
• Amazon facilitates web purchases that electronically process the order, credit
card authorization, and payment
• the DMV issues and updates drivers' licenses
• a bank accepts deposits and enables customer withdrawals of funds from a web
portal, ATM, or teller
• a patient record is automatically updated based on user input to the patient's chart in
a secure database management system
Lesson 1 Summary:
• IT infrastructure is the basis on which businesses are built. IT infrastructure
includes the following:
o all the hardware that makes the physical parts of computers and
other technologies (like keyboards and printers)
o the software that runs programs such as spreadsheets and databases
o the computer networks that connect computers to share information
Understanding IT Infrastructure & Networks.
Module 2 Lesson 1: IT Infrastructure
The six components of IT Infrastructure are:
1. Hardware
• microprocessor chip, called a central processing unit (CPU)—which is the "brains"
of the computer and executes instructions required by the software
• a monitor to output information to an end user
• keyboard and mouse for input
• disk drives to store data and information
• random-access memory (RAM) for short-term and working memory to support the CPU
• a network interface card (NIC) or Wi-Fi adapter that connects to a network
• a main circuit board, called a motherboard
2. Software
• Application: software an end user chooses to use that accomplishes a specific task
for the user (e.g., Microsoft Excel and Adobe Photoshop)
• Utility: software that performs a particular function in the background and requires
little to no interaction with the user, but is essential to the functioning of the computer
(e.g., printer drivers and virus protection)
• System: software that supports a computer's basic functions, such as scheduling tasks,
executing applications, and controlling peripherals (e.g., Microsoft Windows,
macOS, and Linux)
3. networks
4. data
5. people
• Hardware technicians who install and repair computers.
• software technicians who install software and assist users in using the software.
, • network technicians and administrators who design, install, and monitor the
network to ensure it is running at maximum efficiency; and
• database administrators who design, create, and monitor databases so they can
store and retrieve data crucial to the processes of the business.
• Systems analysts analyze business users' needs and find ways for IT to make
processes more efficient or write specifications for programmers to write code.
• Programmers take the designs from the systems analysts and create application
programs to meet specifications of the business, then test the software before it
is implemented.
6. Processes
• Amazon facilitates web purchases that electronically process the order, credit
card authorization, and payment
• the DMV issues and updates drivers' licenses
• a bank accepts deposits and enables customer withdrawals of funds from a web
portal, ATM, or teller
• a patient record is automatically updated based on user input to the patient's chart in
a secure database management system
Lesson 1 Summary:
• IT infrastructure is the basis on which businesses are built. IT infrastructure
includes the following:
o all the hardware that makes the physical parts of computers and
other technologies (like keyboards and printers)
o the software that runs programs such as spreadsheets and databases
o the computer networks that connect computers to share information
