The Motherboard

IT 3315 Hardware and Operating Systems

Unit 1 Discussion

The Motherboard

Choose one of the following motherboard features. If your last name begins with a letter from A–M, then choose one of the following features to discuss:

Central Processing Unit.

Buses.

Connectors.

If your last name begins with a letter from N–Z, then choose one of the following:

The role expansion slots play and the current standard for expansion slots.

Motherboard ports.

Sockets and chipsets.

Describe your chosen feature and its function in the motherboard.

How would you know if this component was not functioning properly?

How would you troubleshoot it.

What are your options for repair?

IT 3315 Hardware and Operating Systems

Unit 2 Discussion

Troubleshooting Files Access Problems

Understanding and working with the file system structure of an Operating System is an important skill that an IT support professional must possess.

Imagine you are an IT customer service specialist who has received a call from a users that he or she cannot access a folder or a file on the Windows network. In this discussion, you need to do the following:

Discuss the sequence of steps you would take to troubleshoot this call. Discuss three possible sources of the problem and suggest what you would do to solve them.

Discuss which of the following would be your Windows interface preference for servicing this call. What are the considerations?

GUI Interface.

Windows PowerShell.

Windows Command Prompt.

IT 3315 Hardware and Operating Systems

Unit 3 Discussion

Computer Networking Communication Standards and Protocols.

The job of the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) is to make the Internet work, and the IETF achieves that primarily by writing technical standards that guide computer network design and communication. The TCP/IP Protocol Suite is a collection of protocols that ultimately enables the IETF to share data across the Internet and other networks.

Search the Internet for information on one of the IETF Request for Comments (RFC) listed here:

IETF RFC 791 Internet Protocol (IP).

IETF RFC 793 Transmission Control Protocol (TCP).

IETF RFC 792 Internet Control Message Protocol

IETF RFC 768 User Datagram Protocol (UDP).

IETF RFC 959 File Transfer Protocol (FTP).

IETF RFC 854 Telnet (Telecommunications Network).

IETF RFC 1939 Post Office Protocol (POP3).

IETF RFC 2570 Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP).

IETF RFC 2131 Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP).

IETF RFC 4251 Secure Shell (SSH).

Based on the information gathered, describe the following:

The primary function that makes the protocol unique from others.

Describe the salient characteristics of the protocol including its relationship to the OSI and TCP/IP networking models, and discuss any security mechanisms that the protocol may have built into it.

Review the prominent features of the protocol, do not include material directly copied from the associated IETF.

IT 3315 Hardware and Operating Systems

Unit 4 Discussion

Storage

Virtualization technology is fundamental in enabling the development and operation of cloud computing services. It has evolved quite rapidly. These days, we are not only virtualizing desktops and servers but also networks and even entire data centers.

In this discussion, discuss the relative advantages and disadvantages of virtualization, particularly as it relates to enterprise networking and cloud computing. Ideally, you will speak from your own professional experience. If you do not have any professional experience related to virtualization technology, then base your discussion on your own research and be sure to include citations.

IT 3315 Hardware and Operating Systems

Unit 5 Discussion

Comments: Building the Gaming Computer

Discuss your gaming computer design process. Consider the following:

What are your top considerations for your computer design?

What steps and sequence will you use as you choose your hardware and OS?

What drives your hardware specification requirements?

What challenges are you facing? How might you address them?

IT 3315 Hardware and Operating Systems

Unit 1 Assignment

Install Windows and Gather System Information

Preparation

By now you should have completed the practice labs for this unit andpasted the screenshots into a Word document called “Unit 1 Screenshots” for submission with this assignment.

Instructions

Do the following in a Word document titled “Unit 1 Assignment”:

Explain when it is appropriate to do a “clean” install versus an upgrade when updating to a newer OS version. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?

Explain the usefulness of the System Information tool in Windows system. How might you use it as an IT support professional?

IT 3315 Hardware and Operating Systems

Unit 2 Assignment

File and Print Management

Preparation

By now you should have completed the practice labs for this unit and pasted the screenshots into a word document called “Unit 2 Screenshots” for submission with this assignment.

Instructions

In this assignment, you need to do the following in a Word document titled “Unit 2 Assignment”:

Compare the purpose, functionality, and hardware characteristics of inkjet, laser, thermal, impact, and multi-function printers.

Compare virtual printing environments to traditional printing environments. Consider processes, hardware, software, and outputs in your comparison.

Describe some of the similarities of working with printer and file related command lines in Windows, MacOS, and Linux based systems.

Describe considerations or precautions for users when working with OS command line tools versus GUIs.

IT 3315 Hardware and Operating Systems

Unit 3 Assignment

TCP/IP and Network Troubleshooting

Preparation

By now you should have completed the practice labs for this unit and pasted the screenshots into a word document called “Unit 3 Screenshots” for submission with this assignment.

Instructions

In this assignment, do the following in a Word document titled “Unit 3 Assignment:”

Compare common LAN network cables and connectors. Describe the pros and cons of each as well as their likely applications.

Describe two commonly used native Linux troubleshooting commands. For example, the “ls” command can be used by itself or with additional options such as “ls -I” that will list directories or files types, size, and other pertinent information. Identify a troubleshooting issue for which each command might be appropriately applied and why?

Technical IT support professionals often encounter network issues such as loss of connectivity and slow response time. Imagine you (an IT support tech) receive a complain on network sluggishness from one of your network users. What three or four questions would you ask during your initial troubleshooting? Describe your reasoning.

IT 3315 Hardware and Operating Systems

Unit 4 Assignment

Computer Virtualization, Storage, and Cloud-Based Application and Storage

Preparation

By now you should have completed the practice labs for this unit and pasted the screenshots into a word document called “Unit 4 Screenshots” for submission with this assignment.

Instructions

In this assignment, you need to do the following in a Word document titled “Unit 4 Assignment:”

Imagine that you are tasked with storing digital files for a feature length movie that is in production. Suggest and defend a solution that meets the needs of large data files (500 T) that can be easily accessed for editing and stored safely.

Compare the architectures of virtual machine-based and container-based virtualization. Be sure to provide insights on the host operating system, storage and software deployment issues of both technologies, and the relationship between Linux container services and Windows platforms.

IT 3315 Hardware and Operating Systems

Unit 5 Assignment

Gaming Computer Design

In this assignment, you are asked to design a state-of-the-art gaming computer equipped to handle modern 3D gaming titles.

Instructions

Create a document that specifies the hardware and software components of the computer and justify reasons for the choice of each component. State any assumptions that you need to make to create a viable computer. Use diagrams as necessary to explain your design in detail. Your design should identify an OS as well as specify and explain all required hardware (no peripherals) including the following components:

Cases and form factor.

CPU.

Power supply.

Motherboard and buses.

Memory.

Video Cards.

Audio.

Cooling.

Make sure to address the following using clear headers to separate sections:

Specify the OS and reasons that you chose it.

Specify the hardware components and why you chose them.

Explain which computer components are most important for driving the ultimate design of the computer.

Explain how the motherboard form factor governs the choice of dependent hardware.

Discuss the standards that determine CPU and motherboard compatibility.