Memory Management and Storage Management Quiz

Study Notes

Memory Management

Determines what is in memory and when
Optimizes CPU utilization and computer response to users
Keeps track of which parts of memory are currently being used and by whom
Decides which processes and data to move into and out of memory
Allocates and deallocates memory space as needed

Storage Management

Provides uniform, logical view of information storage
Abstracts physical properties to logical storage unit - file
Each medium is controlled by a device (e.g. disk drive, tape drive)
Files are usually organized into directories
Access control is implemented to determine who can access what
OS activities include creating and deleting files and directories, primitives to manipulate files and directories, mapping files onto secondary storage, and backing up files onto stable storage media

Mass-Storage Management

Disks are used to store data that doesn't fit in main memory or data that must be kept for a long period
Proper management is central to the speed of computer operation
OS activities include free-space management, storage allocation, and disk scheduling
Some storage doesn't need to be fast (e.g. tertiary storage like optical storage, magnetic tape)

Performance of Various Levels of Storage

Movement between levels of storage hierarchy can be explicit or implicit
Data migration between levels of storage (e.g. from disk to register) requires careful management to ensure the most recent value is used

I/O Subsystem

Hides peculiarities of hardware devices from the user
Responsible for memory management of I/O, including buffering, caching, and spooling
Provides a general device-driver interface and drivers for specific hardware devices

Protection and Security

Protection: controlling access to resources defined by the OS
Security: defense of the system against internal and external attacks
Systems distinguish among users to determine who can do what
User identities (user IDs, security IDs) include name and associated number
User ID is associated with all files and processes of that user to determine access control

Kernel Data Structures

Similar to standard programming data structures
Examples include singly linked lists, doubly linked lists, circular linked lists, and binary search trees

Operating System Overview

What operating systems do: manage computer hardware resources and provide common services to computer programs
Computer-system organization: CPU, device controllers, and memory connected through a common bus
Operating-system structure: system programs, application programs, and kernel
Operating-system operations: process management, memory management, storage management, I/O management, and security
Computing environments: various types of computing environments, including open-source operating systems

Description

Test your knowledge on memory management and storage management concepts such as optimizing CPU utilization, tracking memory usage, allocating and deallocating memory space, and more. This quiz is based on Operating System Concepts – 9th Edition by Silberschatz, Galvin and Gagne.