Demystifying Computers

How They Really Work

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

Scott Badman, Instructor


Session 8: Peripherals
                  The Internet


November 4, 2013


This evening we will explore how peripherals are attached to a computer and how computers communicate over the Internet.


Core Concepts

The isolation of complexity

Maintaining compatibility whenever possible, especially backwards compatibility

The importance of standards and protocols to allow different components to work together

The components and data flow in a connection to a periferal

Most peripherals are special purpose computers, and the communication between them is essentially a computer to computer dialog.

The importance of protocols in electronic communication

The importance of the ISO/OSI Model in making the equipment that runs the Internet work together

The World's two electronic addressing systems: Phone numbers and TCP/IP addresses

Topics

The Internet

Peripherals

Resources

Peripherals (Power Point)

Peripherals (pdf file) (Much faster download over the Internet)

The Internet (Power Point)

The Internet (pdf file) (Much faster download over the Internet)

Typical Home Network (Power Point)

Typical Home Network (pdf file) (Much faster download over the Internet)