Outlines
Chapter 2: ✓Basic Architecture
✓Input Devices
Computer Hardware ✓Storage Devices
▪ Primary Memory
▪ Secondary Memory
▪ Cloud Storage
▪ Physical and Logical Storage
✓Processing Unit
Dr. Amad Ud Din ✓Output Devices.
ammad@[Link] ✓Communication Devices
Basic Architecture of Computer
The basic architecture of computer is based on the components that work
together to perform the computer’s operations.
▪ Input unit
▪ Storage unit
▪ Processing unit
▪ Output unit.
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Basic Architecture of Computer
➢ Von Neumann Architecture
• Described by Von Neumann in 1945.
• Stored-program computer rather than fixed-program computer.
• The model describe computer with the following components.
▪ A CPU, comprised of ALU and registers.
▪ A CU with instruction register and program counter.
▪ Main memory
▪ Secondary memory
▪ I/O mechanisms.
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Input Devices
• Any device used to input data into computer.
• Allow us to interact with computer.
• A wide range of devices including:
▪ Mouse
▪ Keyboard
▪ Scanner
▪ Audio conversion device
▪ Biometric e.g. fingerprint sensor
▪ Barcode reader
▪ Business card reader
▪ QR code reader
▪ Digital camera
▪ Joystick
▪ Light pen
▪ Touch screen
▪ Medical imaging devices
▪ Microphone and more.
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Storage Devices
• A device capable of holding data and information.
• Basically two types:
▪ Primary memory, used to hold programs and programs data.
▪ Secondary memory, a mass storage device that permanently stores data.
➢ Primary Memory
• Provides quick access to data and programs.
• Lies between processor and mass storage devices.
• Based on type and purpose, classified to several sub-types:
▪ RAM
▪ ROM
▪ BIOS memory
▪ Cache memory
▪ CPU Registers.
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Primary Memory
1. RAM
• Random Access Memory, allows random access of data rather than sequential.
• Holds part of the OS and programs being run by the computer.
• Faster than secondary memory to enable fast data processing.
• Volatile memory.
• Different types including:
▪ SRAM (Static random access memory)
▪ SDRAM (Synchronized dynamic random access memory)
▪ DDR SDRAM (Double data rate SDRAM)
▪ DDR2 SDRAM
▪ DDR3 SDRAM
▪ DDR4 SDRAM
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Primary Memory
2. ROM
• Read Only Memory, a memory on which data is pre-recorded.
• Data written on ROM can’t be modified or with difficulty.
• Non volatile.
• Stores firmware and other programs like those needed to boot computer.
• Used to store the entire OS of some devices like calculators, laser printers etc.
• MROM
▪ Mask read-only memory.
▪ Programmed by the manufacturer
▪ Used to store boot loader and other firmware.
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Primary Memory
2. ROM (continued…)
• PROM
▪ Programmable read-only memory
▪ Blank chips on which data could be written only one.
• EPROM
▪ Erasable programmable read-only memory.
▪ Data can be erased and re-written.
▪ Ultraviolet light is used to erase data.
• EEPROM
▪ Electrically erasable programmable read-only memory.
▪ Data is erased by exposing the chip to an electric charge.
▪ Similar to flash memory.
▪ Allows to write data one byte at a time rather than in blocks.
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Primary Memory
3. BIOS Memory
• Built into the motherboard.
• Non volatile.
• Stores BIOS settings.
• Traditionally called CMOS RAM as it uses a volatile Complementary Metal-
Oxide Semiconductor SRAM powered by the "CMOS" battery.
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Primary Memory
4. Cache Memory
• Integrated directly with CPU.
• Faster than RAM.
• Smaller size.
• Stores frequently accessed instructions.
5. CPU Registers
• Inside CPU.
• Provides very fast access to data e.g. an instruction, address or character.
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Secondary Memory
• Non-volatile memory.
• Permanently stores data until deleted.
• Large capacity.
• Slower.
• Examples: Hard drive, SSD drive, Flash memory.
1. Hard Disk Drive
• Magnetic storage device.
• One or more platters in air sealed casing.
• Magnetic head reads and writes the data.
• Connected to the motherboard via ATA, SCSI
or SATA cables.
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Secondary Memory
1. HDD (continued…)
• Reading
▪ To transfer data from secondary memory to main memory.
• Writing
▪ To transfer data from main memory to secondary memory.
• Read/Write Head
▪ Reads and writes data into the platter.
▪ One or more, depending upon the number of
platters.
▪ Three types:
1. Positioned at a fixed distance form the
platter.
2. Some come in physical contact with the
platter during read/write.
3. Some rest lightly on the platter surface.
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Secondary Memory
1. HDD (continued…)
• Disk Formatting
▪ Tracks and sectors to store data.
▪ 1 track = 30 sectors.
▪ 1 sector = 600 bytes (storing 512 kb data)
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Secondary Memory
2. Solid State Drive
• Latest technology used in secondary storage devices.
• Much like RAM memory, but non-volatile.
• Advantages
▪ No moving parts.
▪ Much faster than HDD.
▪ Low power consumption.
▪ No noise and vibration.
▪ Generates lesser heat.
▪ Light in weight.
▪ More reliable than HDD
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Secondary Memory
3. External Hard Disk
• External storage device.
• Connects via USB or other port.
4. RAID
• Redundant Array of Independent Disks.
• Two or more HDDs or SSDs integrated
together.
• Redundancy in data.
• Increased speed.
• Concurrent access to data.
• Disk mirroring.
• Disk stripping.
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Secondary Memory
5. Optical Storage
• Optically readable media.
• Light is used to read/write data.
• Examples: CD and DVD disks.
6. Flash Memory
• Electrically erasable memory.
• Developed using the concept of EEPROM.
• Data is erased block by block rather than byte
by byte.
• Faster than EEPROM.
• Examples: USB stick, memory card, SSD.
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Secondary Memory
7. Cloud Storage
• Online data storage and maintenance.
• The hosting company is responsible for keeping
the data available and accessible.
• Data made available over the internet.
• Personal Cloud
▪ Provides memory space to individuals to store and share data.
▪ Google Drive, Dropbox.
• Public Cloud
▪ Third party provides and maintains computing resources to individuals and
organizations.
▪ Accessed online using a web browser.
▪ Amazon Web Service, Microsoft Azure.
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Secondary Memory
7. Cloud Storage (continued…)
• Private Cloud
▪ Enterprise cloud.
▪ Created for the dedicated use of a single organization.
▪ The organization runs its own cloud servers and has a
direct control over the infrastructure.
• Hybrid Cloud
▪ Private cloud as well as third party public
cloud.
▪ Intended to distribute workload across two
platforms.
▪ Requires high level of compatibility between
the platforms.
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Physical and Logical Storage
• Physical Storage
▪ Refers to the storage device that physically exists.
▪ Contains a specific amount of unallocated memory space.
▪ Examples: Hard drive, USB drive, SSD etc.
• Logical Storage
▪ Virtual space allocated within a physical drive.
▪ One or more partitions in the physical storage device.
▪ One physical drive can have multiple logical drives and vice versa.
(a) Physical Storage (b) Logical Storage
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Processing Unit
• Central processing unit (CPU).
• Handles the instructions received form hardware and software.
• Four basic components:
▪ CU
▪ ALU
▪ Processor buses
▪ Processor memory.
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Processing Unit
➢ Control Unit
• Controls and directs operations.
• Extracts, decodes and executes
instructions.
• Controls flow of data.
➢ Arithmetic Logic Unit
• Arithmetic Unit
▪ Performs arithmetic operations, e.g.
addition, subtraction.
• Logic Unit
▪ Logical Operations, e.g. less than,
greater than.
▪ Decision operations.
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Processing Unit
➢ CPU Memory
• Random access memory.
• Faster than regular RAM.
• Integrated with CPU or as a separate
chip.
• Cache memory.
• CPU registers.
➢ CPU Buses
• Communication media.
• Interconnect chips within CPU.
• Communicate CPU components
with motherboard.
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Output Devices
• Peripherals that output data in some form.
• Display, e.g. on a monitor.
• Physical production, e.g. printing a document.
• Examples:
▪ Printer
▪ Monitor
▪ Headphones
▪ Speaker
▪ Plotter
▪ Projector
▪ GPS
▪ Sound card
▪ Video card.
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Communication Devices
These are the devices that assist a computer to connect to, and send or receive
data over a network.
➢ Wi-Fi Adapter
• Radio waves based communication.
• On sender device, it transforms the data into radio
signals.
• On receiver side, decodes the signal it receives
from the router.
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Communication Devices
➢ Bluetooth
• Radio waves based wireless technology.
• Communication over short distances.
• Personal area network.
• High level of security.
➢ Network Interface Card
• NIC.
• Connects a device to the rest of the
network.
• Interface between a computer and a
network e.g. a LAN or the internet.
• Add-in card, either fitted in an expansion
slot or connected via USB port.
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