QUESTION

Assignment Brief

You have just been recruited as a technical adviser at GigaTech  IT Solutions.  Your main role is to assist customers and give advice.  On your first day at work you find you find on your desk the instructions for the two following jobs:

Task 1 (20 %)

Assume that these clients are completely new to computers.  Your manager has asked you to write a document in a user friendly style of less than 1000 words which will explain to them the following.

1)     The difference between hardware and software.

2)     What an operating system is and why they need one.

3)     The difference between system and application software.

4)     The meaning and implications of the terms boot, install, upgrade, crash, driver, backup as used in the computer industry.

Task 2 (30 %)

Make a recommendation for each client as to what hardware and software will be needed.  Include pricing and the reasons for your advice.

You need to include: software (operating system and applications) and details of hardware. Do not describe generic items such as mouse unless the user has a special need.

Task 3 (10%)

Describe two different backup strategies which the customers might employ to safeguard data and enable recovery of the system in the event of disaster.

SOLUTION

COMPUTER BASED SYSTEMS

Differences between Hardware and software

Operating system:

Operating systems are most significant system software. This system is a set of series that directs and organizes the hardware of the system and present services to application of software, programmers and users of computer. The operating system helps the user to communicate with hardware and this acts as a mediator between user of computer and hardware. The main aim of operating system is to craft computer expedient to use. The secondary goal of operating system is to use computer efficiently(Gary and Harry 2011).  The important duty of this working system is to manage resources of the computer such as central processing unit, disk drives, running programs of users. Each type of computer has its own operating system. The operating systems that are used for mainframes and other large computers are complex because they keep records of several programs that are given by several users and these run at same time frame. This operating system controls the tasks that are performed by computer and manages the resources of system to optimize performance.

The operating systems that are used for personal computers are DOS, windows, Linux, UNIX, Solaris etc.

System Software:

System software is a fundamental part of mainframe operations. The main purpose of system software is to direct properties of computer, automate its operations and to assist its program development(Peter etal 2009). This generally afford by the producer of the computer or some of the dedicated programming firms.

Application software:

Application software is intended to carry out the specific data dispensation or computational tasks for users. The programs are mainly intended to meet requirements of end users or clients. The application software is processed through spreadsheets, word processors, media player and database applications. The application software is categorized in to two types such as application software that work for general purpose and application software special that work for special purpose

Boot: The term boot is to illustrate the procedure taken by computer, when it is turned on then it loads operating system and plan system for use. (Giovanni,2002)

Install: Installation is permanent or semi permanent location of a software system or a semi restricted unit, with its complementary assemblies, accessories and parts. This installation generally includes stipulation of association to services that are requisite to make the installed tools ready for operation.

Upgrade: The software or hardware programs that provide an added enhancement over earlier versions or models are called as upgrade.

Crash: An unusual extinction of a program, which is frequently caused by software even though hardware failure is also a reason. When a computer crashes it locks up and the user cannot attain any retort from mouse or keyboard.

Driver: The programs that have capability control a device, disk drive or keyboard is due to driver program. Many of drivers programs come with the operating systems.

Backup: Backup is the activity that is done to copy files or databases so that they will be preserved in the failure of equipment. Backup is routine part of large business activities.

Hardware and software recommendations:

Client 1:

Quick book pro 2010 can help in storage of all the information that is related to financial aspects. The minimum system requirements can be:

• Operating system: Windows XP (SP2), Vista or 7
• CPU: 2.0 GHz Pentium 4 processor (2.4 GHz recommended)
• Memory: 512 MB RAM (1 GB recommended) for a single user, 1 GB of RAM for multiple, concurrent users
• Hard Drive: 1 GB of available disk space
• 232 MB for Microsoft .NET 3.5 Runtime, provided on the QuickBooks CD
• Monitor display resolution of 1024 X 768 at 16-bit color
• 4x speed CD-ROM drive
• All online features/services require Internet access
• Internet Explorer 6 or later must be installed on every computer running QuickBooks.

• Microsoft Word and Excel 2002, 2003 and 2007
• Contact synchronization requires Microsoft Outlook, 2002, 2003, and 2007
• Compatible with QuickBooks Point of Sale version 5.0 and later

Multi user networking recommendations:

• Microsoft Windows XP, Vista, 2003 Server, and Windows 2008 Server.
• Linux is supported for Enterprise Solutions

This hardware and software recommendation is done based on requirement of the client. This specific requirement helps to store large number of balance sheets, tax and VAT payments. Quick books pro will work with the system by running the RAID which is redundancy array of inexpensive disks.

It can be estimated that corporate office which supports approximately 120 users will be cost about $55,000 to $ 60,000.

Client 2:

As per the requirement of Client this is the hardware and software requirement specifications of storing the pictures in the database.

• Multi core Intel processor which consists of 64-bit support
• Mac OS X v10.6.8
• 1GB of Random access memory
• 2GB hard disk has been choosing for the function of installation. This also provides the space that is required for installation. Then the extra free space will be required during the installation
•  1024×768 with display of about 16-bit color and 256MB of VRAM
• OpenGL 2.0– cable scheme
• DVD-ROM drive

The conversion of a design can be done to HTML/CSS/images and these are the main reasons for taking this software in to consideration.

• opening a PSD that a graphic designer sent me
• crop some images out of it, generally picking up the layer to have transparent backgrounds
• calculate distances
• determine colors (RGB)
• determine font and font sizes

This software cannot be operated without installation. The registration of broad band connected is required for activation of software.(Ralf,1998) This also requires validation of subscriptions, and access to internet services. In the corporate offices which can support approximately 120 users will be cost $15000 to $30,000. The cost of this is quite low compared to other sources.

Backup strategies

The hard drive consists of thousands of documents or files which are to b stored. Many of these files are backed up day by day and others are to be done occasionally. The other files include temporary files and browser cache.

The two important strategies to safeguard the data

Utilize the easiest backup of all

Superior for: Documents

Frequency: Daily

Routine off-site storage: No

At the first purchase of USB drive should be done, then it should be plugged in to computer and back up starts. The installations of software need not be done on hard drive and configure backup sets. This is fully automated backup system which knows completely about what to back up and what not to. This is the most recent backup software and if it is prepared properly it can back up as no brain back up. But this can be big process if plug-ins and back up system have major defects(Rosalind,1995). San Disk consists of a good back up switch and information back up program than any other. The other one Rebit presents an easiest back up among all the systems. There is no requirement to make a decision about the files and folders which are to be back up. It requires the user to access the plug in the drive and everything will be stored in regular applications and even in windows.

Automate backup and accumulate in a safe place

High-quality for: application data and documents

Occurrence: Daily

Recovery features: versioning, no full system store

Usual of-site storage: Yes

The backup is a backup is constantly associated to computer which is susceptible to threats that may affect computer; this is the backup that is kept in the same building as the computer. If there is no presence of internet which is fast, then the online backup that saves the server from computers. The hardware that is required is need not be purchased instead install a software that transfers data from any internet enabled computer. The online services that are present are Comodo and Spider Oak. But among all these Mozy is most preferred and versatile software with low price. The Rebit is the rights click files in windows explorer and can be restored by any version of Mozy.

REFERENCES:

Gary, B and Harry, J 2011, Systems Analysis and Design, Cengage Learning.

Peter, Rand Carlos, C 2009, Database Systems: Design, Implementation, and Management, Cengage Learning.

Giovanni, D, Rolf, E and Wayne, H 2002, Readings in Hardware/Software Co-Design, Morgan Kaufmann.

Ralf, N 1998, Hardware/Software Co-Design for Data Flow Dominated Embedded Systems, Springer.

Rosalind, L 1995, Software Engineering Education: 8th SEI CSEE Conference, New Orleans, LA, USA, March 29-April 1, 1995: Proceedings, Volume 8 Springer.

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