Unit 2 of 5
Study guide for CLEP CLEP Information Systems — Unit 2: Hardware & Software. Practice questions, key concepts, and exam tips.
20
Practice Questions
11
Flashcards
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Key Topics
Try these 5 questions from this unit. Sign up for full access to all 20.
A company is considering replacing its current database management system with a new one. The new system requires a 64-bit operating system, but the company's current computers only have 32-bit processors. What would be the most appropriate solution for the company?
Answer: D — The correct answer is B because the new database management system requires a 64-bit operating system, which can only be installed on computers with 64-bit processors. Upgrading the computers to 64-bit processors would allow the company to install the new system. Option A is incorrect because the new system requires a 64-bit operating system, which cannot be installed on 32-bit processors. Option C is incorrect because while virtual machines can run different operating systems, they still require the host computer to have a compatible processor architecture. Option D is incorrect because while purchasing new computers would solve the problem, keeping the old ones as backups may not be the most cost-effective solution.
A company is planning to upgrade its existing computer systems. The management wants to ensure that the new systems are compatible with the existing software applications. The company's IT department decides to use virtualization software to create a virtual machine that can run the existing operating system and applications on the new hardware. What is the primary advantage of using virtualization software in this scenario?
Answer: D — The correct answer is A because virtualization software allows multiple operating systems to run on a single physical machine, enabling the company to run existing software applications on new hardware without modifying them. This is a key advantage of virtualization, as it provides hardware independence and allows companies to migrate to new hardware without disrupting existing operations. The other options are incorrect because virtualization software does not require upgrading existing software applications (B), does not increase the risk of system crashes and data loss (C), and does not necessarily reduce overall system performance (D).
A company is planning to upgrade its existing computer systems to improve performance. The current systems have 32-bit processors and 4GB of RAM. The company wants to install a 64-bit operating system and run multiple applications simultaneously without significant performance degradation. Which of the following upgrades would be the most effective in achieving this goal?
Answer: B — The correct answer is D because a 64-bit processor can address more than 4GB of RAM, and 16GB of RAM would provide sufficient memory to run multiple applications simultaneously without performance degradation. Options A and C are incorrect because a 32-bit processor can only address up to 4GB of RAM, regardless of the amount of RAM installed. Option B is incorrect because 4GB of RAM may not be sufficient to run multiple applications simultaneously without performance degradation, even with a 64-bit processor.
A company is considering upgrading its computer systems to improve overall performance. The current systems have outdated processors, insufficient memory, and outdated operating systems. Which of the following actions would most likely improve the performance of the systems?
Answer: C — Option C is correct because upgrading the processors and increasing the memory would directly address the performance issues of the systems, and updating the operating systems would ensure compatibility and efficiency. Options A, B, and D are incorrect because increasing the hard drive size (A) would only provide more storage, not improve performance; upgrading software applications (B) might require more resources and not necessarily improve overall system performance; and replacing the keyboard and mouse (D) would have no impact on system performance.
A company is setting up a new computer system for its employees. The system consists of a central processing unit (CPU), memory, and storage. The CPU executes instructions from the operating system, which is an example of what type of software?
Answer: A — The correct answer is D) System software, because the operating system manages the computer's hardware resources and provides a platform for running applications. It is a type of system software. The other options are incorrect because application software (A) refers to programs that perform specific tasks, utility software (B) refers to programs that perform maintenance or management tasks, and firmware (C) refers to software that is embedded in hardware devices.
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