J.H.

CERILLES STATE COLLEGE

West Capitol Road, Balangasan District
Pagadian City

NURSING DEPARTMENT

NURSING INFORMATICS
ASSIGNMENT: Review on Hardware, Software, and Networking

1. Differentiate Computer Hardware and Software.

 Provide at least 5 examples each.

Computer hardware refers to the collection of tangible components and physical devices
of a computer system. These are necessary for storing and executing (or running) the software.
They serve as a delivery system for the set of instructions provided by a software.
Hardware performs as a delivery system for different types of software solutions. In comparison
to software programs, hardware components are infrequently changed. This includes the
computer case, monitor, keyboard, mouse, sound card, printer, video card, scanner, label maker,
router, modem and CD-ROM.

Software refers to a collection of programs, documentation, codes, instructions that

enables users to interact with computer systems. Software is typically a program that’s essential
for computers to perform specific tasks. They are intangible in nature and cannot be physically
seen as hardware components. The main function of software is to enable the performance of
specific tasks with the help of hardware units. Although software may not be obligatory for the
basic level tasks performed by computers, they definitely enhance the overall functionality of
operating systems. Software is said to be ‘soft’ in nature as it can be readily created, erased or
modified. This includes Adobe Acrobat, QuickBooks, Google Chrome, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft
Word, and Apple Maps.

2. Discuss what an operating system is and its importance.

 What is the operating system of your PC, Laptop/Netbook, or smart phone?

An operating system is the most important software that runs on a computer. It manages
the computer's memory and processes, as well as all of its software and hardware. Every
general-purpose computer must have an operating system to run other programs
and applications.

Computer operating systems are important because they perform basic tasks, such as
recognizing input from the keyboard, sending output to the display screen, keeping track of files
and directories on the storage drives, and controlling peripheral devices, such as printers. After
being initially loaded into the computer by a boot program, manages all of the other application
programs in a computer. The application programs make use of the operating system by making

Submitted:
Anna Delle Nicole P. Aranding, BSN-II
 J.H. CERILLES STATE COLLEGE
West Capitol Road, Balangasan District
Pagadian City

NURSING DEPARTMENT

requests for services through a defined application program interface (API). In addition, users can
interact directly with the operating system through a user interface such as a command line or a
graphical user interface (GUI).

An operating system can perform the following services for applications:

 In a multitasking operating system, where multiple programs can be running at the same
time, the OS determines which applications should run in what order and how much time
should be allowed for each application before giving another application a turn.
 It manages the sharing of internal memory among multiple applications.
 It handles input and output to and from attached hardware devices, such as hard disks,
printers and dial-up ports.
 It sends messages to each application or interactive user (or to a system operator) about the
status of operation and any errors that may have occurred.
 It can offload the management of batch jobs (for example, printing) so that the initiating
application is freed from this work.
 On computers that can provide parallel processing, an operating system can manage how to
divide the program so that it runs on more than one processor at a time.

For large systems, the operating system has even greater responsibilities and powers. It
is like a traffic cop — it makes sure that different programs and users running at the same time
do not interfere with each other. The operating system is also responsible for security, ensuring
that unauthorized users do not access the system.

The operating system of my phone is Android v.9 and for the laptop I am currently using
is Windows 7.

3. Differentiate wireless network and wired network. In the real world, where can you find these
types of setup?
 Give 1 example of a wireless connection and 1 example of a wired connection.

In wired networks, "wired" is the term refers to any physical medium consisting of cables.
The cables can be copper wire, twisted pair or fiber optic. Wired network is used to carry different
forms of electrical signals from one end to the other. Mostly in wired network one internet
connection is being taken using T1 line, cable modem or using any other means. This connection
is shared among multiple devices using wired network concept.

Submitted:
Anna Delle Nicole P. Aranding, BSN-II
 J.H. CERILLES STATE COLLEGE
West Capitol Road, Balangasan District
Pagadian City

NURSING DEPARTMENT

Example of wired network in the real world: LAN (Local Area Network): This network
consists of ethernet cards housed in PCs or laptops. These cards are connected using ethernet
cables. The data flows between these cards. For small wired network router is used to connect
few numbers of desktop or laptop computers. In order to increase the network coverage for a
greater number of systems multiple switches and routers are used.

In wireless networks, "Wireless" is the term refers to medium made of electromagnetic

waves (i.e. EM Waves) or infrared waves. All the wireless devices will have antenna or sensors.
Typical wireless devices include cellular mobile, wireless sensors, TV remote, satellite disc
receiver, laptops with WLAN card etc. Wireless network does not use wires for data or voice
communication; it uses radio frequency waves as mentioned above. The other examples are fiber
optic communication link and broadband ADSL etc.

Examples of wireless network in the real world:

1. Outdoor cellular technologies such as GSM, CDMA, WiMAX, LTE, Satellite etc.
2. Indoor wireless technologies such as Wireless LAN(or WiFi), Bluetooth, IrDA, Zigbee, Zwave
etc.

Specifications Wired network Wireless network

lower compare to wired networks, But

advanced wireless technologies such as
Speed of
Higher LTE, LTE-A and WLAN-11ad will make it
operation
possible to achieve speed par equivalent
to wired network

System Low, as Frequency Spectrum is very

High
Bandwidth scarce resource

More as wireless subscriber stations,

Less as cables are not
Cost wireless routers, wireless access points
expensive
and adapters are expensive

Wired network installation

Wireless network installation is easy and
Installation is cumbersome and it
it requires less time
requires more time

Submitted:
Anna Delle Nicole P. Aranding, BSN-II
 J.H. CERILLES STATE COLLEGE
West Capitol Road, Balangasan District
Pagadian City

NURSING DEPARTMENT

Limited, as it operates in the

area covered by connected Not limited, as it operates in the entire
Mobility
systems with the wired wireless network coverage
network

Transmission copper wires, optical fiber

EM waves or radiowaves or infrared
medium cables, ethernet

requires hubs and switches More area is covered by wireless base

Network coverage
for network coverage limit stations which are connected to one
extension
extension another.

WLAN, WPAN(Zigbee, bluetooth),

Applications LAN (Ethernet), MAN
Infrared, Cellular(GSM,CDMA, LTE)

Interference is higher due to obstacles

Channel Interference is less as one
between wireless transmitter and
Interference and wired network will not
receiver e.g. weather conditions,
signal power loss affect the other
reflection from walls, etc.

QoS (Quality of Poor due to high value of jitter and delay

Better
Service) in connection setup

High compare to wireless

counterpart, as
manufactured cables have Reasonably high, This is due to failure of
Reliability
higher performance due to router will affect the entire network.
existence of wired
technology since years.

4. Why do most employers nowadays would prefer to hire applicants who are knowledgeable in
computers?

With the unavoidable incorporation of technology in the workspace, companies and

institutions must be able to cope up with the present and upcoming changes that are happening.

Submitted:
Anna Delle Nicole P. Aranding, BSN-II
 J.H. CERILLES STATE COLLEGE
West Capitol Road, Balangasan District
Pagadian City

NURSING DEPARTMENT

If not all, then almost all jobs that are present in this and the upcoming eras require at least some
technical knowledge. In the sea of countless applicants knowing about computers can be a
competitive edge against others who are applying for the same job. Due to these, it is vital that
employers must hire applicants that are already knowledgeable in computers so as to avoid a
difficult transition into work. Computer literacy is considered a very important skill to possess.
Employers want their workers to have basic computer skills because their company becomes ever
more dependent on computers. Many employers try to use computers to help run their company
faster and cheaper. Computers are just as common as pen and paper for writing and for many
applications – especially communicating – computers are preferred over pen and paper because
of their ability to duplicate and retain information and ease of editing.

Submitted:
Anna Delle Nicole P. Aranding, BSN-II
 J.H. CERILLES STATE COLLEGE
West Capitol Road, Balangasan District
Pagadian City

NURSING DEPARTMENT

References

Beal, V. (2019). Webopedia. Operating System (OS). Retrieved from

https://www.webopedia.com/TERM/O/operating_system.html

LaPlant, K. (2017). Hennepin Technical College. Why Computer Skills Are Important in Achieving
Academic Success and Improving Retention. Retrieved from
http://www.csplacement.com/downloads/WhyComputerSkillsareImportant.pdf

Matt, M. (2019). Goodwill Community Foundation Global. Computer Basics – Understanding

Operating Systems. Retrieved from
https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/computerbasics/understanding-applications/1/

Negi, S. (April 2019). Quora. What is the Difference Between a Software and a Hardware?
Retrieved from https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-difference-between-software-
and-hardware

Rouse, M. & Lewis, S. (2019). TechTarget. WhatIs.com. Operating System (OS). Retrieved from
https://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/operating-system-OS

R.F. (2019). RF Wireless World. Wired Networks vs. Wireless Networks. Difference Between Wired
and Wireless Network Types. Retrieved from https://www.rfwireless-
world.com/Terminology/wired-network-vs-wireless-network.html

Submitted:
Anna Delle Nicole P. Aranding, BSN-II