Alamata TVET College
Training, Teaching and Learning Materials Development
yes
ALAMATA TVET COLLEGE
under
Ethiopian TVET-System
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
SUPPORT SERVICE
Level II
LEARNING GUIDE # 1
Unit of Competence: Administrate Network and Hardware Peripherals
Module Title : Administrating Network and Hardware Peripherals
LG Code : ICT ITS2 M01 L01 01
TTLM Code : ICT ITS2 TTLM01 0511
LO 2: Obtain required peripheral
INTRODUCTION Learning Guide # 1
Learning Guide Date: 05-2013 Page 1 of 16
1st Revision Author: ICT SECTOR
Alamata TVET College
Training, Teaching and Learning Materials Development
This learning guide is developed to provide you the necessary information regarding the following content
coverage and topics –
Opening and designing DB application and principles
Creating DB object table
Creating DB object form, query and report
Creating DB object macros, module & data access page
This guide will also assist you to attain the learning outcome stated in the cover page.
Specifically, upon completion of this Learning Guide, you will be able to –
Open and design database application incorporating basic design principles
Create database object according to database usage, as well as user requirements
Modify database object as required
Add and modify data in a table according to information requirements
Add, modify and delete records as required
Save and compile database objects
Learning Activities
1. Read the specific objectives of this Learning Guide.
2. Read the information written in the “Information Sheets 1” in pages 3-5.
3. Accomplish the “Self-check” in pages 6.
4. If you earned a satisfactory evaluation proceed to “Information Sheet 2”. However, if your rating is
unsatisfactory, see your teacher for further instructions or go back to Learning Activity # 1.
5. Read the information written in the “Information Sheet 2” in pages 7-10.
6. Accomplish the “Self-check” in page 11.
7. If you earned a satisfactory evaluation proceed to “Information Sheet 3”. However, if your rating is
unsatisfactory, see your teacher for further instructions or go back to Learning Activity # 2.
8. Read the information written in the “Information Sheet 3” in pages 12-15.
9. Accomplish the “Self-check” in page 16.
10. If you earned a satisfactory evaluation proceed to “Information Sheet 4”. However, if your rating is
unsatisfactory, see your teacher for further instructions or go back to Learning Activity # 3.
11. Read the information written in the “Information Sheet 4” in pages 17-21.
12. Accomplish the “Self-check” in page 22.
13. If you earned a satisfactory evaluation proceed to “Operation Sheet 1-7” in page 23-43. However, if
your rating is unsatisfactory, see your teacher for further instructions or go back to
Learning Activity #4.
14. Read and perform each of the “Operation Sheets”.
15. Do the “LAP test” on page 44 (if you are ready) and show your output to your teacher. Your teacher
will evaluate your output either satisfactory or unsatisfactory. If unsatisfactory, your teacher shall
advice you on additional work. But if satisfactory you can proceed to Learning Guide 2.
Your teacher will evaluate your output either satisfactory or unsatisfactory. If unsatisfactory, your
teacher shall advice you on additional work. But if satisfactory you can proceed to the next topic.
Information Sheet 1 Obtaining peripherals
Obtaining a peripheral
Learning Guide Date: 05-2013 Page 2 of 16
1st Revision Author: ICT SECTOR
Alamata TVET College
Training, Teaching and Learning Materials Development
The first step in obtaining a peripheral device is to locate suppliers of that device. Then,
there are factors you need to consider about the supplier and the devices on offer, such as
support provided and purchase price. This will help you to compare and choose the most
appropriate supplier and the exact model of the device according to client requirements.
Finally, you are ready to place an order for your organization or client to purchase the
device.
Locating a supplier
There are many ways to find a supplier of peripheral equipment. Some ways include:
Searching the Internet
The Internet provides different methods for searching for suppliers. Using search engines
such as Google or Yahoo can help you find a hardware supplier anywhere in the world.
Suppliers will often have their own websites that can provide you with catalogues of
available equipment.
Other ways to investigate suppliers are to follow links from a website such as a
manufacturer’s website, or to browse website directories that may be linked to search
engine home pages.
PC magazines
Computing magazines often contain a large section devoted to advertising current hardware
suppliers.
Newspapers
Major newspapers have computer/IT sections or classified advertisements which can be a
source for finding suppliers.
Brochures/advertising material
Many larger hardware suppliers use television, radio or leaflet deliveries to inform potential
customers of their latest hardware.
Telephone directory
A telephone directory is useful if you need to find a hardware supplier located within your
local area.
Contacting the manufacturer directly
Learning Guide Date: 05-2013 Page 3 of 16
1st Revision Author: ICT SECTOR
Alamata TVET College
Training, Teaching and Learning Materials Development
Manufacturers generally have their own websites. These may list major suppliers in your
area. Emailing or telephoning the manufacturer may also be a way to find out names of local
suppliers.
Choosing a supplier
With so many choices of suppliers available, how do you find the right one? There are a few
factors to consider:
How long has the supplier been operating?
It is a good idea to find a supplier who will still be around for the lifetime of the hardware.
Does the supplier offer suitable support and training?
If the client will be requiring a lot of additional assistance, training could be a major
contributing factor for choosing a particular supplier.
Does the supplier offer competitive pricing?
Considering the support and stability, it is also important to weigh up these factors in
relation to price. For a client with a strict budget, price may be a big issue when determining
where to purchase hardware.
Is the supplier a preferred supplier for your organization?
Some organizations have arrangements that equipment must be purchased from suppliers
who are considered to be the preferred provider for the organization. Organizations create
these agreements because customer loyalty offers substantial discounts, extended
warranties and additional support.
Selecting a peripheral
Once you have selected suitable suppliers you need to contact each supplier. Information
you should find out from the supplier includes:
model and manufacturer names of peripherals that will satisfy the majority of your clients
requirement (including system specifications, physical dimensions, support)
price of each model
Availability of each model.
You may find it helpful to keep a record of any details that you collect so you refer to this
information quickly and easily.
Placing an order
Depending on the type of organization you work for, placing an order for a hardware
peripheral device could be done in a variety of ways. In a small organization you may be
Learning Guide Date: 05-2013 Page 4 of 16
1st Revision Author: ICT SECTOR
Alamata TVET College
Training, Teaching and Learning Materials Development
responsible for ordering the device yourself. However, in a larger organization there may be
employees who are responsible for purchasing new equipment. You may need to fill out an
order form that can be given to the purchasing department.
Before an order is submitted, it could also be necessary to obtain final approval from senior
staff. Often an order form might require signatures from the manager or supervisor before it
can be processed. A purchasing department might require written quotes from three
suppliers, a recommendation and justification for the chosen supplier.
Make sure that you find out from your supervisor or manager what procedures you
need to follow when placing an order within your organization.
Sample order form
From: Date:
Code Quantit Description Pric Supplier Cost GST Tota
y e Name l
Delivery point
Budget holder signature
(Please return to the Purchasing Department)
Self-Check 1 Written Test
Learning Guide Date: 05-2013 Page 5 of 16
1st Revision Author: ICT SECTOR
Alamata TVET College
Training, Teaching and Learning Materials Development
Name:____________________ Date:_________________
Instruction: Answer all the questions listed below, if you have some clarifications- feel free to ask your teacher.
1. Give the five (5) ways of locating a supplier. (5 points)
2. What are the four (4) factors in choosing a right supplier? (4 points)
3. After choosing the suitable supplier, what three (3) information you should find out from
the supplier? (3 points)
Note: Satisfactory rating – 10 points above / Unsatisfactory - below 10 points. You can ask
you teacher for the copy of the correct answers
Information Sheet 2 Hardware inventories
Hardware inventories
The purpose of a hardware inventory (or registry) is to keep detailed information about all the
hardware equipment within an organization. Every piece of hardware, including each computer and
Learning Guide Date: 05-2013 Page 6 of 16
1st Revision Author: ICT SECTOR
Alamata TVET College
Training, Teaching and Learning Materials Development
peripheral device, should be recorded on the inventory. As well as providing an excellent quick
reference guide to the organization’s hardware, an inventory can be very useful for insurance,
warranty and service purposes.
In order for an inventory to be a valuable source of information, it is vital that the
information be maintained regularly. New devices need to be entered into the inventory as soon as
they have been obtained. You must also adjust the inventory frequently, to delete hardware that is
no longer functional or has been removed. Some organizations do random checks or yearly audits of
their hardware inventories to ensure that all information is current.
There are a number of tools available to create hardware inventories. Databases and
spreadsheets are often used to store the information. There are also software programs that you can
purchase, designed specifically for recording hardware and software details. Although these
programs are good for keeping a ‘soft copy’ of the information, it is also essential that you keep a
current ‘hard copy’ (printed version) of the inventory. In this way, if the computer system ever fails
you will still have the information.
Details that should be included within a hardware inventory include:
description of hardware device
manufacturer
supplier
model number
serial number
warranty or maintenance conditions
components
Location number and identity of authorized users
purchase price
Date of purchase.
Documenting peripherals used with each computer
If the peripheral is an essential part of the computer system (for example mouse, keyboard or
monitor) it is logical to record information about the device within the documentation for the
Learning Guide Date: 05-2013 Page 7 of 16
1st Revision Author: ICT SECTOR
Alamata TVET College
Training, Teaching and Learning Materials Development
computer to which it is connected. Individual computer inventories will often contain detailed
information about the computer’s related hardware and software. It may also be more practical to
record information about the peripheral inside the computer’s record, if the device is also
permanently connected to a computer (for example a printer or scanner).
Hardware inventory (Example 1) Details for Administration Computer
System parameter System description
Manufacturer: Dell
Model: OptiPlex GX280MT Minitower—Power
Operating System: Windows XP
Serial number: 12345
RAM: 128 Mb
Hard disk space: 160 Gb
Monitor: Dell UltraSharp™ 1905FP flat panel,
Printer: HP LaserJet IID
Keyboard: Dell USB keyboard
Pointing device: Dell USB 2-button optical mouse with scroll
Individually documenting each peripheral device
If the device is shared between several computers, it makes more sense to keep information about
the peripheral as an individual entry in an inventory. Devices such as digital cameras, data
projectors and USB drives would more likely to be used by many computers, thus it would make
more sense to record their details separate to the computer details.
Hardware inventory (Example 2)
Learning Guide Date: 05-2013 Page 8 of 16
1st Revision Author: ICT SECTOR
Alamata TVET College
Training, Teaching and Learning Materials Development
Checking contents
When unpacking any peripheral device, an organized and methodical approach needs to be taken.
Randomly ripping open boxes and packaging without carefully identifying each component can
potentially cause many problems later on.
Prepare a suitable work area before you begin unpacking. This should include a large sturdy flat
area with no carpet so that small components will not be lost.
Before commencing to open any packaging, find the manual for the device. Check instructions for
any precautions or specific unpacking procedures. Most manuals will also contain a section that
tells you a list of included components. It is useful to create a checklist based on the component list.
You will then be able to use the checklist to mark off the components when they have been
identified.
Below is a sample checklist for a typical inkjet printer.
printer
cartridge
power cable
USB cable
sample paper
feeding device
CD driver
Learning Guide Date: 05-2013 Page 9 of 16
1st Revision Author: ICT SECTOR
Alamata TVET College
Training, Teaching and Learning Materials Development
You do not want to damage your new device. Remove any packing material surrounding and also
within the device. Some printers, for example, have soft foam and plastic pieces inside the device to
ensure that parts are locked into the correct position. Make sure that you remove these pieces and
foam before installation.
Inspect the equipment for damage that may have occurred during transport. If the equipment has
been damaged, report the damage to the supplier immediately.
If possible, try to keep all the original packing material that came with your computer and its
peripherals. Often this packaging gets thrown out because it is so bulky. It can be very useful;
however, if you need to return the item within the warranty period as some manufacturers will
request original packaging. It can also be good protection when transporting sensitive peripheral
devices. For example, equipment such as digital cameras, video cameras and data projectors have
delicate lenses which can break very easily.
Storing peripherals
Peripheral devices need to be located in a suitable environment — otherwise there may be potential
problems. It is a good idea to refer to the manufacturer’s manual to determine what guidelines
should be followed. When storing peripherals it is important to:
make sure equipment is kept in ideal working conditions
adhere to current Occupational Health and Safety guidelines
ensure the electrical safety of the device
consider security of the device
Keeping equipment in ideal working conditions
Each manufacturer will have their own recommendations on how to store their peripheral
equipment. In order to guarantee that a peripheral will function correctly throughout its life it is
important to follow guidelines that have been recommended by the manufacturer. Some common
recommendations may include:
Keep equipment in the correct position — after unpacking, most devices will usually have a proper
resting position. If a device is not kept in its natural position, there could be problems when trying
Learning Guide Date: 05-2013 Page 10 of 16
1st Revision Author: ICT SECTOR
Alamata TVET College
Training, Teaching and Learning Materials Development
to operate the device later on. For example, when a printer is stored in a vertical position,
components such as the ink cartridges could leak or be dislodged.
Keep equipment away from weather, dust and other harmful material — when finding storage
location; consider what kind of elements the device may be subjected to. If, for example, you store a
USB drive in a cabinet next to chalk, dust from the chalk could potentially damage the storage
device’s USB connection.
Do not expose equipment to extreme temperatures and high humidity — sudden changes in
temperature can cause condensation in many peripheral devices. For instance, if a video camera is
taken from a cold place to a warm place, condensation may form on the lens and internal parts.
Avoid storing the device in direct sunlight — Exposure to direct sunlight could damage many of the
external components of a device as well as subject the device to high temperatures.
Do not expose equipment to water or moisture — if water gets inside many peripheral devices there
is a risk of electric shock.
Adhering to OH&S guidelines
When positioning peripherals in their permanent locations it is important to take into account many
OH&S considerations as follows.
Positioning of the monitor
It is essential to position a monitor correctly to ensure it will suit the needs of the user. Tips include:
1. Try to make sure that monitor is in a position away from the glare of sunlight.
2. Check that the brightness and contrast controls of the screen have been adjusted to suit lighting
conditions in the room.
3. The top of the screen should be the same level as the user’s eye level.
Positioning of the keyboard
A keyboard also needs to be positioned carefully to be of adequate comfort and safety for the user.
Some tips include:
1. Position the keyboard directly in front of the monitor and at the same height as the mouse.
2. The keyboard should allow the user’s forearms to be parallel to the floor.
3. Allow space for the computer user to rest their wrists.
Learning Guide Date: 05-2013 Page 11 of 16
1st Revision Author: ICT SECTOR
Alamata TVET College
Training, Teaching and Learning Materials Development
Positioning of other equipment
Some general Occupational Health and safety guidelines to consider when positioning other
peripheral equipment are:
1. Make sure that you can reach the peripheral device and its components without having to strain
your back.
2. Place equipment such as scanners and printers at a suitable height so a user is easily able to reach
paper trays, open scanner lids, etc.
3. Make sure that equipment such as speakers is easily accessible if settings such as volume control
need to be changed.
Ensuring electrical safety
Some tips to ensure electrical safety are:
1. Do not be tempted to add too many extension cables or double socket adapters to your existing
electrical sockets.
2. Never use damaged plugs or leads.
3. If possible, ask an electrician to check the safety of your system.
4. Position electrical leads where they will not cause tripping hazards to people.
Physical security of devices
In many situations it is important to consider the physical security of the peripheral devices. Some
devices, such as digital cameras, data projectors and USB drives, may not be permanently
connected to a computer so it will be necessary to find a secure location to store the device. Make
sure that these kinds of devices are secured in a lockable storage cupboard, cabinet or safe when not
required. Some organizations install security devices onto desks to guarantee that computers are
secure and will not be able to be taken from their position unless unlocked.
Storing consumables
Learning Guide Date: 05-2013 Page 12 of 16
1st Revision Author: ICT SECTOR
Alamata TVET College
Training, Teaching and Learning Materials Development
The term ‘consumables’ refers to a product that is used once and then replaced. Examples of
consumables include printer cartridges, CDs and paper. As well as for computer equipment,
consideration also needs to be given to the way consumables for peripheral devices are stored.
Paper
Paper needs to be stored in an area which is cool and dry, to prevent moisture from fusing pages
together.
Ink cartridges and toner
Make sure to store cartridges/toner in a cool dry place, away from sparks and open flames, with
adequate ventilation and do not expose the device to high temperatures. Also, ensure that the
cartridges are not taken out of their packaging until they will be used within the printer, as the ink
will dry out before use.
CDs
When possible, make sure that CDs are kept in their protective case, to minimize the chances of
being scratched. Also keep them out of direct sunlight and extreme temperatures.
Summary
There are several steps that you must go through when you obtain a peripheral device. The first step
involves working out where to obtain the device, whether it is from a supplier who regularly
provides equipment to the organization, or a supplier found from searching the Internet, magazines
or telephone directory.
Depending on the organization, placing an order for a device may be done in different ways. Some
smaller organizations may not have strict guidelines, while larger organizations may have strict
procedures that need to be followed.
Once the device has arrived it is always a good idea to keep a record of the device in a hardware
inventory. Recording details such as manufacturer, supplier, model, date of purchase and purchase
price, can be very useful — especially if you need to send a device back within the warranty period.
It is also a good idea to unpack the contents in an organized manner. Find a clear space to unpack
contents and create a checklist of equipment that should be supplied.
Learning Guide Date: 05-2013 Page 13 of 16
1st Revision Author: ICT SECTOR
Alamata TVET College
Training, Teaching and Learning Materials Development
Once the device has been unpacked, storage is another consideration. Make sure to look at the
manufacturer’s guidelines, consider the security of the device and any occupational health and
safety issues.
Self-Check 2 Written Test
Name___________________________________ Date______________________________
Instruction: Answer all the questions listed below, if you have some clarifications- feel free to ask your teacher.
1. What do you need to have to have detailed information about all the hardware equipment within an organization?
(1 point)
2. What are the two (2) common tools to create a hardware inventories? (2 points)
3. Give at least six (6) details that should be included in hardware inventory. (6 points)
4. Give at least 2 considerations when unpacking delivered items. (2 points)
5. What are the four (4) important considerations when storing the hardware? (4 points)
6. What are the five (5) steps in obtaining peripheral devices? (5 points)
Note: Satisfactory rating – 17 points above / Unsatisfactory - below 17 points. You can ask you teacher for the copy
of the correct answers
Learning Guide Date: 05-2013 Page 14 of 16
1st Revision Author: ICT SECTOR
Alamata TVET College
Training, Teaching and Learning Materials Development
Lap Test Practical Demonstration
Name______________________________ Date_______________________________
Time started: _ Time finished:
Instructions: You are required to perform the following individually with the presence of your teacher.
Scenario: You have already selected a supplier of computer peripherals. You are going to place an order of the
peripherals per piece. It will be assembled later by the company technician. You can decide on the specs of it.
Code Quantity Description Price Supplier Name
COST
GST
TOTAL
Delivery point: _
Budget holder’s signature:
Make an inventory of all the delivered items. (Just choose one item for the purpose of this activity)
Details for an Office Computer
Manufacturer:
Model:
Operating System:
Serial number:
RAM:
Hard disk space:
Learning Guide Date: 05-2013 Page 15 of 16
1st Revision Author: ICT SECTOR
Alamata TVET College
Training, Teaching and Learning Materials Development
Monitor:
Printer:
Keyboard:
Pointing device:
Your teacher will evaluate your output either satisfactory or unsatisfactory. If unsatisfactory, your teacher shall
advice you on additional work. But if satisfactory, you can proceed to the next topic.
Learning Guide Date: 05-2013 Page 16 of 16
1st Revision Author: ICT SECTOR