2. We talked about the evolution of computers
How initial computers were mechanical, and then
came electro-mechanicals, then tube-based, and
finally transistor based, and how the future
belongs to quantum computers
We discussed how the size is drastically
decreasing with time and how their capability is
increasing year by year
3. 1. To learn to classify computers according to
their capability and targeted applications
2. To find out about the essential building
blocks that make up a modern computer
4. Amount of data that can be stored in
memory
Speed of internal operation of the computer
Number and type of peripheral devices
Amount and type of software available for
use with the computer
6. State-of-the-art machines designed to perform
calculations as fast as the current technology allows
Used to solve extremely complex and large-scale
problems: weather prediction, simulation of atomic
explosions; aircraft design; movie animation
Cost tens of millions of dollars
Unique in that unlike mainframes &
personal computers, designed to focus all
their resources and capabilities on a single
task at a time
7. Early supercomputers used a single or a few
processors working in parallel
Those processors were custom-built for the
supercomputers, and were, therefore, very
expensive
Modern supercomputers use the same
processors that are used in desktop PCs.
They, however, are designed to use 1000’s of
them working together in parallel
8. ?
Why not just design a
single, really powerful
processor ?
Post your answers on YG
9.
10. Most powerful computer as of February 2002
Capable of 12.3 trillion calculations/sec
74,000 times faster than Cray 1 (1976)
1,000 times faster than Deep Blue (1997)
Designed for complex 3-D simulations required
for testing nuclear weapons
Powered by 8192 microprocessors
6 TB of memory; 160 TB of storage capacity
11. As of June 2010, Jaguar is the world's most
powerful computer according to TOP500.
Peak performance of just over 1750 teraflops
(1.75 petaflops)
Has 224, 256 Opteron processor cores
Operates with a version of Linux called Cray
Linux Environment.
300TB of memory;
12. Also called “Enterprise Servers”
Designed for performing multiple, intensive
tasks for multiple users simultaneously
Used by large businesses (e.g. banks, e-
commerce sites), military, and industrial
organizations
13. Designed for very-high reliability
Can be serviced/upgraded while in operation
Generally consist of multiple processors, GB’s of
memory, and TB’s of storage
Cost in millions of dollars
14. The name minicomputers used to define
the class of computers that lies between
personal computers and mainframes
Then very high-end desktop computers –
called low-end or mid-range servers – took
over the role that was previously played by
minicomputers
15. Low-end and mid-range servers are used by small
businesses and organizations as file-stores, to run
e-mail systems and Web sites
Generally are more reliable than desktops, but
not as solid as the mainframes
Generally consist of 2 or more processors, GB’s of
memory, and TB’s of storage
Costs in hundreds of thousands of dollars
16. Also called microcomputers
Low-end desktops are called PC’s and high-end
ones “Workstations”
Generally consist of a single processor only, some
times 2, along with GB’s of memory, and GB’s of
storage
17. PC’s are used for running productivity applications,
Web surfing, messaging
Workstations for more demanding tasks like low-
end 3-D simulations and other engineering &
scientific apps
Are not as reliable and fault-tolerant as servers
Workstations cost a few thousand dollars; PC
around a $1000
18. Laptops, palmtops, and wearable computers are very
capable computers but are light-weight and consume
very little power
Laptops (also called notebook computers) generally
weigh around 2kg, use special low-power processors,
typically have 1GB memory, 320GB of storage, can work
for more than 2 hours on battery
Their usage is similar to that of PCs
They cost in the range of $1500-2500
19. Palmtops, also known as PDA’s - Personal Digital
Assistants
Weigh less than a pound, have very low-power processors,
KB’s of memory, MB’s of storage capacity
Can run for many hours on AA batteries
Used as an electronic version of a pocket diary. Also for
Web surfing and e-mail or even as mobile phones
Palmtops cost $200-600
20. Wearables are small in size, carried in a
pocket, worn on the arm, waist, or head or
elsewhere on the body
Capability similar to PDA’s, but more expensive
They are always ON, and always accessible. That
is, the user can always enter and execute
commands, even while walking around or doing
other activities
Each soldier of the future will be fitted with one
21.
22. PC’s
PDA’s
Workstations
Servers
Wearables (will take the top spot in future)
Mainframes
Supercomputers
23.
24. Hardware: The physical equipment in a
computing environment such as the
computer and its peripheral devices
(printers, speakers, etc.)
Software: The set of instructions that
operates various parts of the hardware.
Also termed as “computer program”
25.
26. Input – the component through which a user instructs a
computer about what to do
Processor – the engine that processes the instructions given
by the user
Memory – where the processor stores information that is
required during its computations
Storage – where information that is required to be used much
later is stored
Output – the component that communicates the results of a
computation to the user
27.
28.
29. Control Integer Keyboard Mouse
Unit Unit
Compact
Floating Disk
Cache
Point
Memory
Unit
Processor Hard
System Bus
Disk
Memory
Bus
Memory Printer Monitor
