D386 Hardware and Operating Systems Essentials
Study Guide
Table of Contents
Operating Systems .....................................................................................................................................1
Functionality .............................................................................................................................................. 1
CPU .................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Motherboard .................................................................................................................................................4
Motherboard Components ................................................................................................................... 4
Motherboard Form Factors ...................................................................................................................5
Memory ........................................................................................................................................................... 5
RAM ................................................................................................................................................................. 6
DDR .................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Cache Memory .............................................................................................................................................7
Storage ............................................................................................................................................................. 8
Hybrid Drives ................................................................................................................................................9
RAID Structure ........................................................................................................................................... 9
Virtual Environment ..............................................................................................................................10
Virtual Sandbox ............................................................................................................................................ 11
How VMs Work: .....................................................................................................................................12
Cloud Computing ..................................................................................................................................... 13
Cloud Services:...................................................................................................................................... 13
Cloud Models............................................................................................................................................ 15
Functional | Non-Functional Requirements.............................................................................. 15
Integrated Development Environments and Text Editors ................................................ 16
Programmed and Interrupt Initiated I/O................................................................................... 17
Technology Stack ..................................................................................................................................... 18
Viruses: ..........................................................................................................................................................21
Types of viruses .......................................................................................................................................21
Networking .................................................................................................................................................. 22
Area Network Types: ...........................................................................................................................22
Networking Architectures ................................................................................................................23
Network Topologies............................................................................................................................... 24
Network Security..................................................................................................................................... 25
Quizzes ........................................................................................................................................................... 29
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, D386 Hardware and Operating Systems Essentials
Study Guide
Operating Systems
COHORT Operating systems
Types of OSs
□ Single-user systems - personal computer, workstation, multi-tasking,
found in laptops and desktops.
○ Manages resources (CPU, memory, hard drive, peripherals) of a
computer.
○ Provides a GUI for the user to navigate.
○ Examples: Windows, Mac, Linux (GNOME, KDE)
□ Mobile device systems- small hand-held devices like phones, tablets, e-
readers
○ Cameras, mobile phones, smartphones, and tablets contain non-
magnetic storage media.
○ Static magnetic fields near those devices cannot delete data.
○ Android 70% market share, iOS 28% market share
□ Mainframe systems - large-scale platforms and enterprise environments
□ Network server systems: designed for specific purpose like database or
web server.
○ Uses a command line interface (CLI) of GUI to control applications
and services.
○ Thin client - computers that are connected to a networked server.
The computer contains the minimum amount of hardware required
for the user to interact with the system. The server does the "hard
work," including booting, storing data, and performing calculations.
○ Examples: Windows Server, Linux, and Unix
□ Real-time systems: Systems that need to act in real time, ie in
pacemakers, cars.
□ Embedded control systems: designed to control single piece of
equipment, i.e. thermostat.
○ Provide a light-weight kernel that runs on low-powered hardware.
○ Designed to manage the resources of a device.
■ Sensor, controller, other internet of things (IoT) devices-like a
fridge or microwave
○ Examples: FreeRTOS and VxWorks
□ Distributed systems: allocates process power, programs files, to
network users.
P a g e 2 | 34
, D386 Hardware and Operating Systems Essentials
Study Guide
□ Barebones Computer System: a system that can run only one program
at a time with no memory or I/O.
Functionality
□ Emulator - a computer or program that emulates or imitates another
computer or program. For example, emulators make it possible to run
Windows on a Mac computer and vice versa.
□ Cross-platform application - may run on many platforms, or as few as
two.
○ may run on Linux, macOS and Microsoft Windows
○ Some frameworks for cross-platform development are Codename
One, ArkUI-X, Kivy, Qt, Flutter, NativeScript, Xamarin, Phonegap,
Ionic, and React Native.
□ Multiprogramming - multiple programs execute at a time on a single
device.
□ Multitasking - allow multiple programs and processes to run on a
computer system simultaneously. Multitasking operating systems help
manage allocating system resources such as CPU time, input/output
devices, and computer memory among programs that are running.
○ Preemptive - Each process is allocated an equal share of
computing resources.
○ Cooperative - non-preemptive. Legacy technique allocates an
entire CPU to a single process till the time a process is completed.
○ Hybrid - The preemptive multitasking part interrupts the running
process to allow other processes to run, whereas cooperative
multitasking allows the process to yield control voluntarily.
□ Multithreading - allows the CPU to execute multiple threads of the same
process simultaneously.
□ Concurrency - ability of multiple threads to access shared resources
simultaneously.
□ Batch processing - The method computers use to periodically complete
high-volume, repetitive data jobs
□ HCL - Hardware compatibility list. list of computer hardware (typically
including many types of peripheral devices) that is compatible with a
particular operating system or device management software.
□ System call groups
□ Process control - Manage processes.
□ File management - Manage files.
□ Device management - Manage devices.
P a g e 3 | 34
, D386 Hardware and Operating Systems Essentials
Study Guide
□ Information maintenance - Manage process, file or device metadata.
□ Communication - Communication connections. Messages. Transfer
status information. Attach or detach remote devices.
□ Protection - Manage file permissions.
□ Operating system life cycle - Refers to the time when the OS is
introduced to the time in which the OS is no longer supported.
□ End-of-life (EOL): OS will no longer receive updates.
□ Life cycle terms
○ Alpha, Beta, Release Candidate, Current, Service Pack, Mainstream
Support, and
○ Extended Support - Only critical security updates no hotfixes
□ Process control block?
CPU
principal part of any digital computer system, generally composed of the main
memory, control unit, and arithmetic-logic unit and processes program
instructions for output via the instruction cycle.
○ A CPU is often viewed as 3 parts:
■ Arithmetic logic unit (ALU) - performs arithmetic, logical,
and bitwise operations on integer binary numbers.
■ Control unit (CU) - orchestrates the fetching (from
memory), decoding and execution (of instructions) by
directing the coordinated operations of the ALU,
registers, and other components.
■ Registers – the smallest data holding elements that are
built into the processor itself. These are the memory
locations that are directly accessible by the
processor.
● supplies operands (values that operations are
performed on) to the ALU and stores the results
of ALU operations.
Types of Registers
□ Accumulator - most frequently used register used to store data taken
from memory.
□ Memory Address Register (MAR) - holds the address of the location to
be accessed from memory.
P a g e 4 | 34
Study Guide
Table of Contents
Operating Systems .....................................................................................................................................1
Functionality .............................................................................................................................................. 1
CPU .................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Motherboard .................................................................................................................................................4
Motherboard Components ................................................................................................................... 4
Motherboard Form Factors ...................................................................................................................5
Memory ........................................................................................................................................................... 5
RAM ................................................................................................................................................................. 6
DDR .................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Cache Memory .............................................................................................................................................7
Storage ............................................................................................................................................................. 8
Hybrid Drives ................................................................................................................................................9
RAID Structure ........................................................................................................................................... 9
Virtual Environment ..............................................................................................................................10
Virtual Sandbox ............................................................................................................................................ 11
How VMs Work: .....................................................................................................................................12
Cloud Computing ..................................................................................................................................... 13
Cloud Services:...................................................................................................................................... 13
Cloud Models............................................................................................................................................ 15
Functional | Non-Functional Requirements.............................................................................. 15
Integrated Development Environments and Text Editors ................................................ 16
Programmed and Interrupt Initiated I/O................................................................................... 17
Technology Stack ..................................................................................................................................... 18
Viruses: ..........................................................................................................................................................21
Types of viruses .......................................................................................................................................21
Networking .................................................................................................................................................. 22
Area Network Types: ...........................................................................................................................22
Networking Architectures ................................................................................................................23
Network Topologies............................................................................................................................... 24
Network Security..................................................................................................................................... 25
Quizzes ........................................................................................................................................................... 29
P a g e 1 | 34
, D386 Hardware and Operating Systems Essentials
Study Guide
Operating Systems
COHORT Operating systems
Types of OSs
□ Single-user systems - personal computer, workstation, multi-tasking,
found in laptops and desktops.
○ Manages resources (CPU, memory, hard drive, peripherals) of a
computer.
○ Provides a GUI for the user to navigate.
○ Examples: Windows, Mac, Linux (GNOME, KDE)
□ Mobile device systems- small hand-held devices like phones, tablets, e-
readers
○ Cameras, mobile phones, smartphones, and tablets contain non-
magnetic storage media.
○ Static magnetic fields near those devices cannot delete data.
○ Android 70% market share, iOS 28% market share
□ Mainframe systems - large-scale platforms and enterprise environments
□ Network server systems: designed for specific purpose like database or
web server.
○ Uses a command line interface (CLI) of GUI to control applications
and services.
○ Thin client - computers that are connected to a networked server.
The computer contains the minimum amount of hardware required
for the user to interact with the system. The server does the "hard
work," including booting, storing data, and performing calculations.
○ Examples: Windows Server, Linux, and Unix
□ Real-time systems: Systems that need to act in real time, ie in
pacemakers, cars.
□ Embedded control systems: designed to control single piece of
equipment, i.e. thermostat.
○ Provide a light-weight kernel that runs on low-powered hardware.
○ Designed to manage the resources of a device.
■ Sensor, controller, other internet of things (IoT) devices-like a
fridge or microwave
○ Examples: FreeRTOS and VxWorks
□ Distributed systems: allocates process power, programs files, to
network users.
P a g e 2 | 34
, D386 Hardware and Operating Systems Essentials
Study Guide
□ Barebones Computer System: a system that can run only one program
at a time with no memory or I/O.
Functionality
□ Emulator - a computer or program that emulates or imitates another
computer or program. For example, emulators make it possible to run
Windows on a Mac computer and vice versa.
□ Cross-platform application - may run on many platforms, or as few as
two.
○ may run on Linux, macOS and Microsoft Windows
○ Some frameworks for cross-platform development are Codename
One, ArkUI-X, Kivy, Qt, Flutter, NativeScript, Xamarin, Phonegap,
Ionic, and React Native.
□ Multiprogramming - multiple programs execute at a time on a single
device.
□ Multitasking - allow multiple programs and processes to run on a
computer system simultaneously. Multitasking operating systems help
manage allocating system resources such as CPU time, input/output
devices, and computer memory among programs that are running.
○ Preemptive - Each process is allocated an equal share of
computing resources.
○ Cooperative - non-preemptive. Legacy technique allocates an
entire CPU to a single process till the time a process is completed.
○ Hybrid - The preemptive multitasking part interrupts the running
process to allow other processes to run, whereas cooperative
multitasking allows the process to yield control voluntarily.
□ Multithreading - allows the CPU to execute multiple threads of the same
process simultaneously.
□ Concurrency - ability of multiple threads to access shared resources
simultaneously.
□ Batch processing - The method computers use to periodically complete
high-volume, repetitive data jobs
□ HCL - Hardware compatibility list. list of computer hardware (typically
including many types of peripheral devices) that is compatible with a
particular operating system or device management software.
□ System call groups
□ Process control - Manage processes.
□ File management - Manage files.
□ Device management - Manage devices.
P a g e 3 | 34
, D386 Hardware and Operating Systems Essentials
Study Guide
□ Information maintenance - Manage process, file or device metadata.
□ Communication - Communication connections. Messages. Transfer
status information. Attach or detach remote devices.
□ Protection - Manage file permissions.
□ Operating system life cycle - Refers to the time when the OS is
introduced to the time in which the OS is no longer supported.
□ End-of-life (EOL): OS will no longer receive updates.
□ Life cycle terms
○ Alpha, Beta, Release Candidate, Current, Service Pack, Mainstream
Support, and
○ Extended Support - Only critical security updates no hotfixes
□ Process control block?
CPU
principal part of any digital computer system, generally composed of the main
memory, control unit, and arithmetic-logic unit and processes program
instructions for output via the instruction cycle.
○ A CPU is often viewed as 3 parts:
■ Arithmetic logic unit (ALU) - performs arithmetic, logical,
and bitwise operations on integer binary numbers.
■ Control unit (CU) - orchestrates the fetching (from
memory), decoding and execution (of instructions) by
directing the coordinated operations of the ALU,
registers, and other components.
■ Registers – the smallest data holding elements that are
built into the processor itself. These are the memory
locations that are directly accessible by the
processor.
● supplies operands (values that operations are
performed on) to the ALU and stores the results
of ALU operations.
Types of Registers
□ Accumulator - most frequently used register used to store data taken
from memory.
□ Memory Address Register (MAR) - holds the address of the location to
be accessed from memory.
P a g e 4 | 34
