Question

1) List the four most important hardware components of a computer (in your opinion or based on a source) and detail what their function is. You can use the slides or conduct your own research. Make sure you cite any external sources appropriately. (Approximately 300 words)

2) In class, we talked about different protocols that are used to transfer data across networks. Pick two protocols and detail how they work, then compare and contrast them. Finally, discuss when each protocol would be more useful (e.g., protocol x is more useful that protocol y when transferring large quantities of information). As usual cite any sources you used to lookup the protocols. (Approximately 400 words)

3) The last question is an open ended discussion question: what are the environmental impacts of creating and developing technology in such a fast pace? How can we mitigate it? You can include your own answer or do some research to answer these questions in more depth (Approximately 300 words)

Answer 1

Answer 1:

Well,According to me the four major components of a computer are Mother Board,RAM,Hard Disk,CPU

Mother Board:All the components of a computer are attached to the computer.It is also called as the spine of computer.One of the major functions of a motherboard is that it acts as a hub where in all the components can communicate to each other.The other functions are it takes the power from the SMPS and transfers the power to all the components.

RAM:RAM is the acronym for Random Access Memory.It is a computer memory used to store temporary data which is the working data.Data in RAM gets deleted every time the computer is rebooted.RAM allows the faster access of the data.There are mainly two types of RAM's i.e., DRAM and SRAM.

Hard Drive:A hard disk/drive is a non-volatile storage device containing magnetic disks or platters rotating at very high speeds.A hard disk drive is a secondary storage device used to store data for permanently,wherein random access memory (RAM) is the primary memory device in a computer.

CPU: CPU is the acronym for central processing unit.It is also reffered as the brain of the computer.it is made up of the major parts i.e., Control Unit,Arrithmetic and Logical Unit and Memory Unit. CPU is resposible for performing all the arithmetic and logical operations.

CU is responsible fot controlling input and output devices

ALU is responsible for reforming arithmetic operations and decision making

MU is responsible for data storage and data access.

Answer 2:The very common network protocols are

Ethernet:It is by far the most widely used protocol.It uses an access method called Carrier Sense Multiple Access/Collision Detection(CSMA/CD).In this system each computer listens to the cable before sending anything through the network. If the network is clear then the computer will transmir or If some other nodes have already transmitted on the cable the computer will wait and try again when the line is clear. Sometimes when two computers are attempting for transmitting the data at the same instant then a collision will occur and Each computer then backs off and waits for a random amount of time before attempting to retransmit,it is normal to have collisions in this access method. However, the delay caused by collisions and retransmitting is so small and it does not normally effect the speed of transmission over the network.

Fast Ethernet:It is uesd for an increased speed of transmission,this protocol has developed a new standard that supports 100 Mbps and this is why it is commonly called Fast Ethernet.It requires the application of different and more expensive network concentrators/hubs and network interface cards.Also the category 5 twisted pair or fiber optic cable is very necessary. Fast Ethernet is becoming common in schools and other institutions that have been recently wired.

Token Ring:It was developed by IBM in the mid-1980s. The access method used in this protocol involves token-passing. In this protocol the computers are connected so that the signal travels over the network from one computer to another computer in the form of a logical ring. Here a single electronic token moves over the ring from one computer to the next and If a computer does not have information to transmit then it simply passes the token on to the next workstation. If a computer is wished to transmit and then received an empty token then it attaches data to the token and the token then proceeds around the ring until it comes to the computer for which the data is meant to be sent and hence the data is captured by the receiving computer. This protocol requires a star-wired ring using twisted pair or fiber optic cable. It can be operated at transmission speeds of 16 Mbps or 4 Mbps. because of the increasing popularity of Ethernet, the use of Token Ring in the school environments has now decreased.

There are few more protocols but let's just pick two i.e., ethernet and fast ethernet,However the protocol names itself tells the whole story,Ethernet uses twsited pair,coaxial and fiber cables and wherein fast ethernet uses twisted pain and fiber.

ether net transmission speed is 10mbps whereas fast ethernet can transmit over a speed of 100mbps and this is really insane.

when talking about the topologies ethernet uses star,linear bus and tree where in fast ethernet uses only star.

to conclude,well, fast ethernet was an advance version of ethernet and hence if ones only concern is fast transmission then fast ethernet is the protocol.

Answer 3:

Technology simplifies the way we do things. The research and development for the technological innovations has been growing at a very fast pace and where It becomes highly imperative in our competitive world to find out the impact of technology on all stakeholders. The sustainable aspect of the development in any sector is the need of the hour and technological development also needs through impact assessment. In my view, there is a need to balance the development with the environment as it becomes our responsibility towards the entire ecosystem that the resources of which are being exploited in lie of technological development.

With growing needs and aspirations we tend to ignore the basic need to survive and which is supported by the environment we live in. Impact of the technology on environment can be stated with day to day examples such as increasing pollution levels, reducing green cover,global warming,above all causing changes in weather patterns. We need to have a sustainable approach towards inclusive development of technology.

We all can see and experience the consequences of unsustainable practices in business and personal life which is driven by technological development. Technology works as the backbone of an economy and if it does not consider the social and environmental impact which might lead to environmental degradation.

On the other hand, technology itself can be a boon for environmental restoration. The required research and development on renewable sources of energy will be an advantage for the community and also for environmental stability.The way we approach defines the impact of development and there is a scope of improvement, as human mind evolves new technology shall come to the fore for making the world Sustainable for all the living being on this planet.