7.1.1 Understand the features and use of different types of physical computers:

• personal computers
• mobile devices (smartphones and tablets)
• servers
• embedded devices

7.1.2 Understand the features and use of different types of hardware devices:

• input devices
• output devices
• processors:
  • number of cores
  • clock speed
  • cache size
  • mobile processors
• main memory:
  • RAM (Random access memory)
  • ROM (Read-only Memory)
• secondary storage:
  • magnetic
  • solid state
  • optical
  • RAID (1, 5 and 10)
  • NAS
  • SAN
• motherboard:
• graphics processing units
• network interface devices:
  • PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect)
  • USB (Universal Serial bus)
• cooling:
  • air cooling
  • liquid cooling
• sensors.

7.2.1 Understand the features and use of operating systems:

• batch:
  • non-interactive applications
  • high volume
  • scheduling
• multitasking:
  • concurrent execution of multiple tasks 
  • time-slicing
  • interrupts
• real-time operating system:
  • monitoring and control applications
  • transaction processing
• network operating system: 
  • resource sharing
  • user management
  • communication
• mobile operating system:
  • smartphones and tablets
  • lower processing requirements
  • increased battery life.

7.2 Software

7.2.2 Understand the features and use of common utilities:

• file management
• defragmenters
• file compression
• package managers
• protection software
• backup software.

7.2.3 Understand the features and use of common application software:

• word processors
• spreadsheets
• databases
• email
• project management software.

7.3.1 Understand the benefits and drawbacks of connecting devices to form networks.

7.3.2 Know the different types of networks:

• number of users 
• connection media
• coverage area
• network types:
  • Personal Area Network (PAN)
  • Local Area Network (LAN)
  • Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
  • Wide Area Network (WAN).

7.3.3 Understand the features, characteristics, benefits and drawbacks of connectivity methods:

• wired:
  • copper/ethernet
  • fibre-optic
• wireless:
  • wireless access points.

7.3.4 Understand the features, benefits and drawbacks of the common network topologies:

• star
• mesh
• tree
• logical versus physical.

7.3.5 Understand the features, benefits and drawbacks of different network models:

• client-server
• thin client
• peer-to-peer.

7.3.6 Understand the role of common components of a network:

• server
• client
• router
• network switch
• internet connection/internet backbone.

7.3.7 Understand the seven-layer OSI (open systems interconnection) model, including the function and related protocols of each layer:

• application layer
• presentation layer
• session layer
• transport layer
• network layer
• data link layer
• physical layer.

7.3.8 Understand the four-layer TCP/IP (transmission control protocol/internet protocol) model, including the function and related protocols of each layer:

• application layer
• transport layer
• internet layer
• network layer.

7.3.9 Understand the role of data packets in transmitting over a network, including:

contents and structure of a data packet

• role of the components of a data packet
• packet switching:
  • causes of packet loss
• error handling:
  • cyclic redundancy check (CRC).

7.3.10 Understand the role of common network protocols:

• web protocols:
  • HTTP
  • HTTPS
• mail protocols:
  • SMTP
  • POP
  • IMAP
• routing protocols:
  • RIP
  • OSPF
• application protocols:
  • FTP
  • SFTP
  • DHCP
  • DNS.

7.3.11 Understand the concepts of bandwidth and latency, and their effect on the performance of networks and connected systems.

7.4.1 Understand the role and characteristics of common virtual environment components:

• virtual machines:
  • clients (virtual PC, virtual switch, virtual router)
  • servers
• hypervisors:
  • type 1
  • type 2.

7.4.2 Understand the key features of virtual environments:

• increased security
• managed execution
• sharing
• aggregation
• emulation
• isolation 
• portability.

7.4.3 Understand the benefits of the use of virtual environments:

• cost effectiveness for large environments
• easy management
• resilience
• potentially lower carbon footprint
• improved disaster recovery options
• better testing environments
• provision of education and training options.

7.4.4 Understand the drawbacks of the use of virtual environments:

• extra hardware load
• slower execution time
• potential for false representation of performance.

7.5.1 Understand different types of cloud:

• private
• public.

7.5.2 Understand the benefits of the use of cloud:

• portability
• elasticity
• less storage limitations
• cost effectiveness.

7.5.3 Understand common cloud delivery models, their advantages and disadvantages, and the way in which responsibility and ownership of resources are distributed between the client and cloud provider:

• Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS):
  • client manages application software, system software (middleware and operating system), runtime, data and user accounts
  • cloud provider manages virtualisation and hardware (servers, network and storage)
• Platform as a Service (PaaS):
  • client manages application software, data and user accounts
  • cloud provider manages virtualisation, hardware (servers, network and storage) and systems software (middleware and operating system) and runtime
• Software as a Service (SaaS):
  • client manages user accounts and data
  • cloud provider manages virtualisation, hardware (servers, network and storage) systems software (middleware and operating system), runtime and application software.

7.6.1 Understand the benefits of resilient environments and the impact on organisations and clients:

• increased security:
  • data security (storage and transfer)
  • reduce vulnerabilities
• increased reputation:
  • protect brand/image
  • retain customer confidence 
• reduction in downtime.

7.6.2 Understand methods used to improve the resilience of digital environments:

• software updates/upgrades:
  • planned updates/upgrades
  • patches in response to new vulnerabilities
• hardware replacement:
  • rolling replacement plans
  • secure disposal
• data and system redundancy
• device hardening:
  • removal of unneeded ports, applications, permissions and access
• backup systems and recovery procedures:
  • onsite
  • remote/offsite
  • cloud
• hot, cold and warm sites
• standard operating procedures:
  • effective staff training
  • induction
  • new digital systems
  • new or updated policies.