Desktop Hardware
This part is the "brain" of the computer that does all the calculating.
What is the CPU (or Processor)?
The built-in flat pad you slide your finger across to move the mouse cursor.
What is a Touchpad (or Trackpad)?
Because servers cannot lose data, they often have rows and rows of these storage devices clicking inside them.
What are Hard Drives (or SSDs)?
This device broadcasts the invisible signal that lets your phone and laptop connect to the internet without wires.
What is a Wi-Fi Router (or Access Point)?
This is the term for a person who uses their computer skills to break into computer networks or devices without permission.
What is a Hacker?
This is the physical box or tower that holds all the internal parts together.
Computer Case (or Chassis)?
The internal component that allows a laptop to run without being plugged into a wall.
What is the Battery?
Servers need a massive amount of this short-term memory so they can handle thousands of users at the exact same time.
What is RAM?
The physical, usually yellow or blue plastic cords you plug into the back of a computer to get a stable internet connection.
What is an Ethernet Cable (or Network Cable)?
When you download a file or video, the internet breaks it up into millions of these tiny, bite-sized digital pieces to send it to your computer.
What is a Packet?
The main, giant circuit board that every single part plugs into.
What is the Motherboard?
This built-in hardware at the top of the laptop screen allows you to see yourself during a Zoom call.
What is a Webcam (or Camera)?
When a server boots up they make loud noises, but push the heat out through vents.
What are server fans?
This box connects your home network directly to your Internet Service Provider (like Comcast or Spectrum).
What is a Modem?
This famous, free software tool lets IT professionals (and hackers) look at and inspect the data packets flying through a network.
What is Wireshark?
This part box plugs into the wall outlet and distributes electricity to all the other components.
What is the Power Supply (or PSU)?
Modern laptops use this silent type of storage with no moving parts instead of an old, spinning hard drive.
What is an SSD (Solid State Drive)?
Because servers can never turn off, they usually have two of these power parts plugged in, just in case one dies.
What are Power Supplies?
This hardware box has dozens of ports on it and acts like a "power strip" for Ethernet cables, connecting all computers in a room together.
What is a Network Switch?
This tool is used to scan a network to see exactly which devices are connected and what "doors" (ports) are left open.
What is Nmap?
Because the CPU gets burning hot, this metal part sits on top of it with a fan to blow the heat away.
What is a Heatsink (or CPU Cooler)?
To keep laptops incredibly thin, this primary computer brain is usually permanently soldered directly onto the motherboard, unlike a desktop.
What is the CPU (or Processor)?
To connect to the internet at blazing speeds, servers have special high-speed ports for these glass-based internet cables.
What are Fiber Optic cables?
The actual physical port or card built into your computer where you plug the internet cable.
What is a Network Interface Card (or NIC)?
This digital "security guard" blocks unauthorized hackers from getting into a network while letting safe data pass through.
What is a Firewall?