What you'll learn
Hardware and networking are two essential, interconnected fields of information technology. Hardware refers to the physical components of computers and network devices, while networking involves connecting these devices to facilitate communication and share resources.
Hardware
Computer hardware comprises the tangible, physical components that make a computer system function.
Key Internal Components:
- Central Processing Unit (CPU): Often called the "brain" of the computer, it executes instructions and performs calculations.
- Motherboard: The main circuit board that connects all other internal components, such as the CPU, RAM, and storage drives.
- Random Access Memory (RAM): Temporary, volatile memory used to store data and instructions that the CPU is actively processing for quick access.
- Storage Devices: Components for long-term data storage, such as Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) and Solid-State Drives (SSDs).
- Graphics Processing Unit (GPU): Responsible for rendering images, videos, and 3D graphics.
- Power Supply Unit (PSU): Converts electrical power from an outlet into the correct direct current (DC) required by the internal components.
Key External/Peripheral Components:
- Input Devices: Keyboards, mice, scanners, microphones, etc., used to provide data and instructions to the computer.
- Output Devices: Monitors, printers, speakers, etc., used to display or produce processed data in a user-understandable format
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Course Syllabus
Hardware
- Computer Fundamentals: History, architecture, software vs. hardware, input/output devices.
- PC Assembly: Assembling and disassembling a computer.
- Hardware Components: Motherboard, CPU, RAM, hard drives, power supplies, and their functions.
- Troubleshooting: Diagnosing and fixing hardware issues, including chip-level troubleshooting.
- Operating System: Installing operating systems (Windows/Linux) and managing system settings like BIOS/CMOS.
Networking
- Networking Concepts: Introduction to networks (LAN, WAN), topologies, and the OSI and TCP/IP models.
- Network Devices: Understanding and configuring devices like repeaters, hubs, switches, and routers.
- Cabling and Connectors: Types of cables (CAT 5) and connectors, as well as structured cabling.
- IP Addressing: TCP/IP configuration, IP classes, subnetting, and basic IP utilities (like
ping and ipconfig). - Network Configuration: Setting up peer-to-peer networks, sharing files and folders.
- Network Security: Basic security concepts, firewalls, and virtual private networks (VPN).
- Wireless Networking: Understanding wireless LAN standards, access points, and Wi-Fi/Bluetooth.
Practical and advanced topics
- Hands-on Labs: Practical exercises for all key concepts.
- Server Basics: Introduction to servers (file, mail, proxy).
- Backup and Recovery: System image backups and data backup types.
- Server Administration: User and group management and server configuration (e.g., Linux or Cisco).
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