Computer Storage and Architecture Basics
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Questions and Answers

What is the smallest convenient chunk of storage on most computers?

  • Word
  • Byte (correct)
  • Bit
  • Kilobyte

    • Which of the following accurately defines a kilobyte?

  • 10,000 bytes
  • 1,024 bytes (correct)
  • 1,000 bytes
  • 1 million bytes

    • In computer architecture, what does a 'word' refer to?

  • An instruction to move data
  • A series of bits that represent characters
  • The total amount of memory in a computer
  • The native unit of data consisting of one or more bytes (correct)

    • Network measurements are typically given in what unit?

    <p>Bits</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many bytes are there in a terabyte according to standard definitions?

    <p>1,024⁴ bytes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What advantage does open-source operating systems provide in terms of learning?

    <p>They allow for studying the operating systems directly through their source code.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following operating systems is NOT mentioned as being available in both source and binary formats?

    <p>Windows</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does virtualization play in the context of operating systems?

    <p>It allows multiple operating systems to run on a single core system.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a significant benefit for students interested in becoming operating system developers?

    <p>Access to source code and community support.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What limitation did students face in the past with regards to operating system source code?

    <p>Access to source code was difficult or impossible.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is generally considered the slowest method for executing computer languages that are not compiled to native code?

    <p>Interpretation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In a virtualization environment, which method allows an operating system to be run natively on the CPU while simultaneously running guest operating systems?

    <p>Virtual Machine Monitor (VMM)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a primary use case for virtualization in computing environments?

    <p>Simultaneous testing of multiple operating systems</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following networks is most commonly associated with local communication among devices in close proximity?

    <p>LAN</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In distributed systems, which statement best defines the role of network operating systems?

    <p>They facilitate communication and message exchange between networked systems.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What advantage do multiprocessor systems offer compared to single processor systems?

    <p>Enhanced processing capabilities through parallel execution.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which network type is characterized by a larger geographic scale, often connecting multiple LANs?

    <p>WAN</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic of virtualization when it operates without a general-purpose host?

    <p>The VMM itself acts as the host operating system.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a defining characteristic of asymmetric multiprocessing?

    <p>Each processor is assigned a specific task.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of clustering involves a single machine in hot-standby mode?

    <p>Asymmetric clustering</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main advantage of clustered systems?

    <p>High-availability service that withstands failures.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In a symmetric multiprocessing environment, what task distribution is observed?

    <p>All processors perform the same tasks simultaneously.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which computing environment is characterized by interconnectivity resulting from the Internet?

    <p>Traditional computing</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common feature of mobile computing environments?

    <p>Use of handheld devices such as smartphones and tablets.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the goal of applications designed for high-performance computing (HPC)?

    <p>To leverage parallelization for enhanced performance.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following methods is used to avoid conflicting operations in a clustered system?

    <p>Distributed lock manager</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the major benefits of using multiprocessor systems?

    <p>Enhanced fault tolerance and reliability.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a possible drawback of dual-core designs in multiprocessor systems?

    <p>Increased power consumption compared to single cores.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main purpose of caching in storage systems?

    <p>To enhance the speed of data access</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Direct Memory Access (DMA) allow high-speed I/O devices to do?

    <p>Transfer data without requiring CPU intervention</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the bootstrap program in an operating system?

    <p>To initialize the system and load the kernel</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In a multiprogramming environment, what happens when a job is ready to run?

    <p>The operating system schedules it based on priority</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes multitasking in a timesharing system?

    <p>Response time for user interactions is less than 1 second</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of a device driver in an operating system?

    <p>To facilitate communication between the kernel and hardware devices</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements about Dual-mode Operation is true?

    <p>It uses a mode bit to differentiate between user and kernel code</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does virtual memory allow in a computing system?

    <p>Execution of processes not completely in memory</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key disadvantage of using multiprogramming systems?

    <p>Complex job scheduling requirements</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What initiating event causes the kernel to load system services or daemons?

    <p>The boot process completion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Computer Storage Basics

    • A bit stores 0 or 1; all computer storage uses bits.
    • A byte is 8 bits, the smallest commonly used storage unit.
    • A word is a computer's native data unit (e.g., 64-bit word = 8 bytes).
    • Storage sizes: KB (1024 bytes), MB (1024² bytes), GB (1024³ bytes), TB (1024⁴ bytes), PB (1024⁵ bytes). Manufacturers often round these.
    • Network measurements use bits, not bytes.

    Storage Hierarchy

    • Storage systems are hierarchical, based on speed, cost, and volatility.
    • Caching copies data to faster storage (e.g., RAM as a cache for secondary storage).
    • Each storage device uses a device driver for I/O management, providing a uniform kernel interface.

    Computer Architecture

    • Von Neumann architecture is a common computer design.
    • Direct Memory Access (DMA) enables high-speed I/O devices to transfer data directly to memory without CPU intervention, reducing interrupts.

    Operating System Operations

    • The bootstrap program initializes the system and loads the kernel.
    • The kernel loads and starts system daemons (background services).
    • The kernel is interrupt-driven (hardware and software interrupts).
    • Software interrupts include system calls (requests for OS services), software errors (e.g., division by zero), and process problems (infinite loops, process conflicts).

    Multiprogramming and Multitasking

    • Multiprogramming keeps the CPU busy by running multiple jobs concurrently. A subset of jobs resides in memory; the OS switches between jobs.
    • Multitasking (timesharing) extends multiprogramming to allow interactive computing with sub-second response times. Processes are swapped in/out, and virtual memory enables running processes larger than available RAM.

    Dual-Mode Operation and Virtualization

    • Dual-mode operation (user mode and kernel mode) protects the OS and system components. The mode bit distinguishes between user and kernel code execution.
    • Virtualization allows running multiple OSes on a single system using a Virtual Machine Manager (VMM). Examples include VMware and VirtualBox.

    Distributed and Multiprocessor Systems

    • Distributed systems are networks of independent systems. Network Operating Systems manage communication and provide a unified system view. Network types include LAN, WAN, MAN, PAN.
    • Multiprocessor systems (parallel systems) increase throughput, provide economy of scale, and enhance reliability. Types include asymmetric (processors assigned specific tasks) and symmetric (processors perform all tasks) multiprocessing.

    Clustered Systems

    • Clustered systems are multiple systems working together, often sharing storage (SAN). They offer high availability, surviving failures (asymmetric: hot-standby; symmetric: nodes monitor each other). Some clusters support high-performance computing (HPC).

    Computing Environments

    • Traditional: Standalone general-purpose machines, but increasingly interconnected.
    • Mobile: Handheld devices (smartphones, tablets).
    • Client-server: Clients request services from centralized servers.
    • Peer-to-peer: Systems share resources directly without a central server.
    • Cloud computing: On-demand computing resources.
    • Real-time embedded: Systems with strict time constraints.

    Open Source Operating Systems and Virtualization

    • Many operating systems are available in both source and binary formats (e.g., Linux, BSD Unix, Solaris).
    • Virtualization tools (e.g., VMware, VirtualBox) allow running multiple operating systems on one machine. This facilitates experimentation and software development.
    • Open-source availability of operating systems has made it easier to develop and explore their inner workings.

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    Related Documents

    ch1 Introduction.pdf

    Description

    This quiz covers the fundamentals of computer storage, including bits, bytes, and storage hierarchy. It also delves into computer architecture concepts such as Von Neumann architecture and Direct Memory Access. Test your knowledge on how these components interact within operating systems.

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