A computer is a unit which consists of many parts.

We can categories those parts into components

according to the nature of the functions they do.

 Input Devices
 Output Devices
 Central Processing Unit
 Main Memory
 Storage Devices
 Communication Devices

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Input Devices

Input is the process of entering data and instructions into a computer.

The devices that are used to input data and instructions to the computer are called input
devices.

Output Devices

The devices through which we see the output from a computer are called output devices.

Output devices like VDU, printer, plotter and speaker convey information from the
computer to the user.

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Central Processing Unit or Processor

Controlling the computer and processing data according to the given instructions are done
by the Central Processing Unit.

The Central Processing Unit is located inside the system unit. It cannot be seen from
outside.

Processor socket

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What is the memory of the computer?
The storage capacity of a computer is called its memory.

What are the two types of computer memory?

Primary Memory and Secondary Memory

Main Memory or primary memory

This memory temporarily stores data.

The data stored in RAM will be deleted when the computer

is switched off. Therefore this is also called volatile memory.

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Storage Devices
The devices which are used to store data, information and instructions are called storage
devices.
Storage

Internal Storage External Storage

CD DVD Blue Ray Disks

Internal Hard Disk

Pen Drives

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External Hard disk
Communication Devices
1) Network Interface Card (NIC)
• A network interface card (NIC) is a hardware component without which a computer
cannot be connected over a network.
• It is a circuit board installed in a computer that provides a dedicated network
connection to the computer.
• NIC has an RJ45 port and is built into the mother board in modern computers.
• In the port NIC was a separate code to be plugged to the mother board.

RJ45 Cable

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2) Modem
• The modem acts as a data translator.
• Digital signals sent from the computer is translated to analog signals so that they can be
transmitted via telephone line and the analog signals coming from the telephone line send
to the computer from the internet is translated to digital signals.
This is called MOdulation and DEModulation.

• Today’s routers have a modem inbuilt in the device.

• There are different types of MODEMs. Internal, external and wireless modems.

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3) Router
• Router is the device used to build a connection between two or more computer
networks.