In this course we'll give an introduction to variety of topics.

Points: 6 ECTS

Grading: homework + exam

Lecturer: Lauri Võsandi

Introduction to computer hardware

Homework:

• Follow instructions on Getting started with Ubuntu
• Place your preferred ISO image to a memory stick using dd or Win32 Disk Imager and boot it on your personal laptop.
• Open up terminal by pressing Ctrl-Alt-T.
• Use cat /proc/cpuinfo and check what CPU model and how many cores your computer has.
• Use cat /proc/meminfo and check how much RAM your computer has.
• Use lspci -t -v -nn to enuerate PCI and PCI Express devices.
• Use lsusb and lsusb -t to enumerate USB devices.
• Use fdisk -l to enumerate disks and partitions.
• Use lsblk to enumerate block devices.
• Use xrandr to enumerate display outputs.
• Use alsamixer to check which audio devices are available, use F6 to select between audio devices.
• Use dmidecode to see even more information about your computer.
• Use ifconfig -a to list all network interfaces.
• What audio card is your machine using? What bus is it using?
• What graphics controller is your machine using? How is it connected to your machine? What video output resolutions are available and which one is currently used?
• What webcam is your machine using? What bus is it using?
• What wired network chipset your computer has? What bus is it using?
• What wireless network chipset your computer has? What bus is it using?
• What bluetooth device your computer has? What bus is it using?
• Is there a cellular modem connected and how it's connected?
• Boot the ISO image in VirtualBox and follow the same steps as above, what are the differences and why?
• Collect command outputs, answer to questions and send it as plain text e-mail to lauri [dotchka] vosandi [plus] i600 [ät] gmail [dotchka] com

Potential exam questions:

• Different buses and their uses
• What are the differences between HDD and SDD? [1]
• What are difference between volatile/non-volatile, RAM, ROM, EEPROM and where are they used?
• What are difference between asynchronous/synchronous, dynmic/static RAM and where are they used?
• What is cache? What is cache coherence? [2]
• What are differences between resistive and capacitive touchscreen? [3]
• Name screen technologies making use of TFT technology? [4]
• What are the differences between linear vs switching power regulation? [5]
• Name uses for light polarization filters?
• What are the benefits of twisted pair cabling and differential signalling?
• Active matrix vs passive matrix in display technology
• What is resistance? Capacitance? Inductance?

Jargon: CPU, RAM, ROM, HDD, SSD, PCI, PCI Express, USB 2.0, USB 3.0, VGA, HDMI, DVI, LCD, TFT, LED, AMOLED,