Benchmark originates from ...
bench = you put the test item on the work bench.
mark = what result the item received.
Other uses; a benchmark price is a reference point for setting a price, a benchmark in surveying is a point of reference for a measurement for a block of land.
Computer system performance = how well the computer is going for the resources it has got.
Software benchmarks = test results for the applications used in computing.
Hardware benchmarks = test results for hardware items in computing. This is the most common.
Operating system benchmarks = test results for how well the operating system performs compared to other operating systems.
Benchmarking = the act of conducting tests to measure performance of parts within a computer system.
Benchmarking, testing to measure hardware and/or software performance.
Benchmarking = measurement testing.
Benchmarking = testing for software, operating systems and most commonly hardware items.
A benchmark is a test result for a product.
Benchmarking = public see a comparison of similar products.
Benchmarking = also used by individuals to test their own computers.
Companies = test products compared to other similar products.
A disaster recovery plan is simply a set of documented steps (or procedures) to be used in the event of a disaster. A disaster can be natural (such as power outages from storms, etc.) or man-made (such as security attacks).
A disaster is an event or fact that has unfortunate consequences. A disaster has the ability to severely affect a computer system and / or network.
A disaster is an event or fact that has unfortunate consequences
A disaster recovery plan is a documented set of procedures
This plan is referred to and followed in the event of a disaster
There are many tools
Online storage is a form of preventing data loss as files are backed up externally
Incremental backup = a backup that only contains files that have been changed or altered since the last full backup
Full backup = a backup is taken of all the files and folders on the system
RAID = Redundant Array of Independent Disks
RAID allows for data to be mirrored on multiple storage devices, hence preserving data if one device should fail
Level 0 = also known as striped volume, data is spread across a minimum of two storage devices.
Allows for excellent performance and no redundancy, but should not be used for backing up data as information is not mirrored.
Level 1 = mirrors data between a minimum of two storage devices.
Allows for excellent redundancy and good performance, making it a good solution for backing up data
Level 10 = combines both technologies. Allows for striping across a minimum of four storage devices, where data is spread between storage devices and also mirrored.
Allows for both excellent redundancy and performance as data is backed up and optimized for performance, hence making it the best solution for data backups (especially databases). This option is however the most expensive.
UPS = Uninterruptible power supply. This is a device that provides an emergency power supply to a machine in the event that there is a problem with the normal electricity supply. UPS ensures a user has enough reserve power to shut down a system correctly, thus preserving data.
Maintenance and troubleshooting are crucial steps to take in order to ensure the safety and operation of any computer system. There are many methods, both physical and virtual, that are used to achieve this.
Defrag = this is the process of rearranging files on a hard disk so that they're contiguous (or adjoining). This allows for a computer system to process the data smoothly and in turn run faster.
Error Checking = data is simply checked to ensure the validity and integrity of the information. Often applications are able to automatically solve common errors if they have been detected, or provide solutions for manual resolution.
Disk Clean = a computer maintenance utility that analyzes computer disks and "cleans" them. This involves searching for files that are no longer in use or needed by the computer and removing them.
Backup = this is the process of creating copies of information in order to keep safe if hardware or software fails. Backups are a crucial preventative method for ensuring data isn't lost or unusable due to the corruption.
Online Backups = this technique allows for backups to be made online, allowing for backups to be made without any physical devices. Backups can also be accessed and retrieved easily with this method.
Anti-malware = this is software that is used to ensure the protection of your computer. It search for and removes any malicious software (aka Malware), and can even prevent you from installing it accidentally.
Diagnosis of fault = first we must diagnose what the problem with the computer system is. This can usually be done automatically by software included with the operating system. If that fails, we can isolate specific components or programs on the system and monitor their performance to see if the problem lays within it.
Implement a solution = after diagnosis, we check for solutions to the problem. This can be done automatically by some software, or we are sometimes given steps to manually resolve the issue.
Document the solution procedure = this is an important step to ensure we know how to fix the issue if it happens again. It's as simple as keeping a note somewhere of the issue and the steps taken to resolve it.
Occasional cleaning = this will help prevent dust and other particles from interfering with your computer system.
Allowing for a constant airflow = this allows for the computer system to stay cool. Overheating can cause serious damage to many components.
Restricting access = in terms of security, restricting physical access to the computer system can be crucial. This can be done by placing security measures such as biometrics or enforcing password access, or it can be as simple as locking the door to the room holding the system. This ensures malicious software or infected hardware can't interfere from outside sources.
Maintenance Tools - Anti-static wrist bands and more.
A standard operating environment (or commonly referred to as an SOE) is a standard setup of a computer's operating system and its related software programs and hardware devices.
A standard is something used or accepted as normal or average.
Operating refers to how something functions; in this case a machine.
An environment is the surroundings or conditions in which the system operates.
A standard operating environment (SOE) is used to maintain similarity of hardware and software for ease of network administration.
It's easy to upgrade and maintain software and hardware on multiple computers as they're identical
Costs are significantly cut as bulk software licensing and hardware purchases can be made
Time to install and maintain the systems is shortened through processes such as Imaging
Essential upgrades and fixes can be tested on a small number of systems before rolling out to the network, hence cutting downtime
Users may have to adjust to an operating system or software that they don't often use
A network administrator may need to be hired
Specialist software is sometimes unavailable
The Southern Cross University provides an example of an implemented SOE.
1. Brainstorm to make up a diagram of the software used at your school. Think of the different places in your school where you do media, music, business studies, AIT, CSC and more.
A computer system is a mix of electronic hardware and software.
Computer systems generally follow an input, process, output and storage cycle.
A specific computer system is simply a computer system that has been designed to perform a specific purpose. For example, there are many specific computer systems within the typical household, such as washing machines and cameras. These devices all contain the appropriate hardware and software in order to perform their intended function.
Computers are often built for an intended purpose, such as video editing or music production, and require specific hardware and software to achieve this objective.
Computer systems are a mix of electronic hardware and software
Computer systems accept data as an input, process this information and then output the result (such as a calculation).
Computer systems also usually store this information in either primary or secondary storage.
System unit = simply the housing (usually plastic or metal) that is used to cover the computer system.
Power supply = the unit that converts the AC (alternating current) to low-voltage DC (direct current) to power the computer system.
Motherboard = often referred to as the "main" component in a computer system. It contains the circuitry necessary to connect all the devices within the system and allow for communication.
Central processing unit (CPU) = referred to as the "brains" of the computer as it performs calculations and other crucial tasks.
Chipset = allows for communication between the CPU and other components.
Random access memory (RAM) = stores data that is being actively used by the CPU.
Read only memory (ROM) = includes the BIOS (basic input output system) which controls the boot process and power management.
Buses = connect the CPU to various internal components as well as to the expansion cards for graphics and sound.
CMOS battery = this is a battery attached to the motherboard which powers the memory for the date and time in the BIOS.
Expansion cards = printed circuit boards that add functionality to a computer system when inserted to an expansion slot. E.g. a network interface card (NIC) for Internet connection capabilities a graphics card for enhanced graphic capabilities.
Storage devices = devices that are used to store data and information, such as hard disk drives or solid-state drives.
Removable media = hubs for connections such as USB devices that allow for media to be added to the computer system. This also includes optical disc drives.
Input / Output peripherals = these are the devices that are used to allow input and output from the computer system, such as a mouse, keyboard, webcam, speakers and monitor.
Virtualisation refers to creating virtual (as opposed to physical) versions of something. This includes virtual desktops / personal computers, servers and even storage devices.
Virtual machines are tightly isolated containers that are capable of running an operating system and associated software separate from its host machine.
Virtual refers to something that doesn't physically exist as such, but is made by software to do so.
Desktop & Personal Computer Virtualisation: This is used to emulate whole computers and associated applications. An example is using software such as Oracle VM Virtualbox to run a separate operating system on your computer system.
Server Virtualisation: This allows multiple operating systems on the same hardware/server using the same processing power and other physical component power. Web hosts often create virtual private servers (VPS) to do this.
Storage Virtualisation: multiple network storage locations can be virtually joined on one single physical storage device. eg a H: drive for users on a network, S: shared drive on a network. These are virtual drives on one physical server.
Ease of maintenance. For example from a server can update the software on computers without logging into each individual computer.
More secure. For example software is stored in one secure place. Harder for hackers to get hold of it.
Less cost. For example a web host can host many VPS on one larger server, rather than buying more server hardware.
The purpose is to make a computer with minimal hardware and server allocated software.
This creates low spec hardware which provides benefits as seen above of; low maintenance, improved security and less cost.
An example of this could be found in a large hospital or large school, where there are computers that have minimal hardware and all software allocated via servers. An example of minimal hardware is small RAM and small HDD. The server provides the virtual software at login for the user.