ACIT 1420 Comprehensive Study Guideline

Midterm Topics

1. Basic computer components and their functions

o Components: CPU, RAM, storage devices (HDD, SSD),

motherboard, GPU.

o Functions: CPU processes instructions, RAM provides

temporary data storage, HDD/SSD store data, motherboard
connects components, GPU processes graphics.

2. Tools for identifying issues of the components above

o Diagnostic tools include CPU-Z, GPU-Z, MemTest86, and

built-in OS utilities like Task Manager and Disk Utility.

3. Lossy compression and lossless compression, examples

o Lossy: JPEG, MP3 (reduces file size, loses some data).

o Lossless: PNG, FLAC (reduces size without losing data).

4. Bit -> Byte -> Kilobyte -> Megabit -> Gigabit

o Conversion: 1 Byte = 8 bits; 1 Kilobyte = 1024 Bytes; 1

Megabit = 1,000,000 bits; 1 Gigabit = 1,000 Megabits.

5. Instruction cycle (Fetch -> Decode -> Execute)

o CPU retrieves instruction from memory (Fetch), interprets it

(Decode), and performs the operation (Execute).

6. How to write instructions

o Utilize assembly language syntax or high-level languages

compiled into machine code.

7. How data is stored on HDD, SSD, CD, and DVD

o HDD: Magnetic storage on spinning disks.

o SSD: Flash memory.

o CD/DVD: Optical storage using laser-etched data pits.

8. Sector vs. Cluster

o Sector: Smallest storage unit on a disk.

 o Cluster: Group of sectors treated as a single unit by file
systems.

9. Binary -> Decimal, Decimal -> Binary, Decimal -> 2’s

complement

o Conversion involves base changes; 2’s complement

represents negative binary values.

10. CPU (L1, L2, L3 Cache) and Chipset (Northbridge &

Southbridge)

o Caches: Store frequently used data for quick access.

o Northbridge: Manages high-speed components.

o Southbridge: Manages slower peripherals.

11. CPU-Z (How to read CPU-Z)

o Tool for viewing CPU, memory, and system information like

clock speed, cores, and RAM details.

12. RAM vs. ROM; Memory mix modules

o RAM: Volatile, temporary storage.

o ROM: Non-volatile, permanent storage.

13. BIOS vs. CMOS

o BIOS: Firmware interface for hardware initialization.

o CMOS: Stores BIOS settings.

14. Upgrade vs Update vs Service Pack

o Upgrade: New version.

o Update: Bug fixes or improvements.

o Service Pack: Cumulative updates.

15. What is Cloud Storage? Public cloud and private

cloud? Benefits and drawbacks.

o Public: Accessible via the internet.

o Private: Internal network.

 o Benefits: Scalability, accessibility. Drawbacks: Security
concerns, ongoing costs.

16. Operating system (Definition, History, Key goals,

Services)

o OS: Software managing hardware and applications.

o Goals: Resource management, user interface, process

coordination.

17. Software (Definition, Categories)

o Software: Set of instructions.

o Categories: System software, application software.

18. Process vs. Thread

o Process: Independent execution unit.

o Thread: Subset of process, shares resources.

19. Uniprogramming vs Multiprogramming (OS PPT)

o Uniprogramming: Single task at a time.

o Multiprogramming: Multiple tasks managed concurrently.

20. Multiprocessing vs. Multitasking vs. Multithreading

o Multiprocessing: Multiple CPUs.

o Multitasking: Switching between tasks.

o Multithreading: Multiple threads within a process.

21. What is hypervisor? (Type 1 and Type 2)

o Hypervisor: Manages virtual machines.

o Type 1: Bare-metal.

o Type 2: Hosted.

22. What is virtual machine?

o Software emulation of a computer system.

23. What is Kernel? What is user mode?

o Kernel: Core OS managing hardware.

 o User mode: Restricted execution mode for apps.

24. Web App - Advantages and disadvantages

o Advantages: Accessibility, cross-platform.

o Disadvantages: Dependent on internet.

25. What is UEFI?

o Modern firmware interface replacing BIOS.

26. Why UEFI replaced BIOS

o Faster boot times, larger drive support, improved security.

Final Exam Topics

1. What is file system?

o A method for storing and organizing data on a storage

device.

2. Filename extensions?

o Suffixes added to file names indicating the file type

(e.g., .txt, .jpg).

3. What is partition? What is volume?

o Partition: A division of a storage device.

o Volume: A formatted partition ready for use.

4. File Management Metaphors (Tree Structure)

o File systems often use a hierarchical tree structure to

represent folders and files.

5. FAT32 vs NTFS; the main advantages of NTFS?

o FAT32: Older system with file size limits.

o NTFS: Supports larger files, better security, and journaling.

6. Windows OS File system conversion commands.

o Use convert command to change FAT32 to NTFS.

7. Basic disks vs Dynamic disks; what is basic disk primary

partitions?

o Basic disk: Fixed partitions.

o Dynamic disk: Flexible volumes spanning multiple disks.

8. Dynamic disk volumes: what is simple volume? spanned

volume? mirrored volume? striped volume?

o Simple: Single disk volume.

o Spanned: Combines space across disks.

o Mirrored: Redundant copy.

 o Striped: Data spread across disks for speed.

9. What is RAID? RAID 0 vs RAID 1 vs RAID 5

o RAID 0: Striped, no redundancy.

o RAID 1: Mirrored, redundancy.

o RAID 5: Striped with parity for redundancy.

10. What is encryption?

o Encoding data to protect it.

11. What is authentication and authorization?

o Authentication: Verifying identity.

o Authorization: Granting access to resources.

12. Bitlocker? Bitlocker Requirements?

o Encryption tool for Windows.

o Requirements: TPM chip, compatible OS.

13. What is offline attack? brute force attack? dictionary

attack?

o Offline: Targets stored data.

o Brute force: Tries all combinations.

o Dictionary: Uses known words.

14. What is strong password? How to make a strong

password?

o Mix uppercase, lowercase, numbers, symbols.

15. Computer Worms vs. Computer viruses vs. Trojans

o Worms: Spread autonomously.

o Viruses: Require host.

o Trojans: Disguised malware.

16. Antivirus software (Repair, Quarantine, Delete)

o Detects and handles malware.

17. What are the different types of accounts in Windows
OS?

o Built-in accounts (user, admin).

18. Standard account vs administrator account

o Standard: Limited rights.

o Admin: Full access.

19. What is UAC?

o User Account Control, prevents unauthorized changes.

20. What is Linux? Linux file system; What is shell?

o Linux: Open-source OS.

o Shell: Command interface.

21. Linux directory structure, Linux File System (ext4

vs. xfs)

o Hierarchical directories.

22. Linux basic commands

o ls, cd, mkdir, rm, chmod.

23. What is IP? Network subnet mask?

o IP: Identifies devices.

o Subnet Mask: Divides network segments.

24. Node (switch, router, bridge, repeater or extender)

o Components connecting networks.

 Switch: Connects devices within a network.

 Router: Directs data between networks.

 Bridge: Connects two LANs.

 Repeater/Extender: Amplifies network signals.

25. Network topology

o Point-to-Point: Direct connection between two devices.

 o Star: All devices connected to a central hub.

o Ring: Devices connected in a circular format.

o Mesh: Devices interconnected for redundancy.

o Full Mesh vs Partial Mesh: Full mesh connects all nodes,

while partial mesh connects some.

26. Wireless vs. wired

o Wireless: Flexible.

o Wired: Reliable.

27. Command line options for ipconfig/DNS

o ipconfig /flushdns, ipconfig /all.

28. What is dynamic DNS?

o Updates DNS records automatically.

29. DNS record types

o A, MX, CNAME, TXT.

30. TCP vs. UDP?

o TCP: Reliable.

o UDP: Fast.

31. What is DHCP?

o Assigns IP addresses.

32. What is firewall? DMZ?

o Protects network, DMZ isolates services.

33. What is NAT? Why do we need NAT?

o Network Address Translation, shares a public IP across

devices.

34. What is VPN and why is it used?

o VPN: Virtual Private Network.

o Purpose: Encrypts internet traffic and masks the user’s IP

address, enhancing privacy and security.