Operating System Concepts - 10th Edition

Front

What are the main functions of Operating Systems?

Back

1. What Operating Systems Do 2. Computer-System Organization 3. Storage Structure 4. Computer-System Architecture 5. Operating-System Operations 6. Resource Management 7. Security and Protection 8. Virtualization 9. Distributed Systems 10. Computing Environments 11. Free/Libre and Open-Source Operating Systems

Front

What is primary storage?

Back

Registers, cache memory, and main memory. Main memory is the only large storage media that the CPU can access directly.

Front

What are the characteristics of main memory?

Back

1. Random access and typically volatile. 2. Typically random-access memory (RAM) in the form of Dynamic Random-access Memory (DRAM).

Front

Why can't programs and data reside in main memory permanently?

Back

1. Main memory is usually too small to store all needed programs and data permanently. 2. Main memory is volatile; it loses its contents when power is turned off.

Front

What is secondary storage?

Back

An extension of main memory that provides large non-volatile storage capacity.

Front

What is tertiary storage?

Back

Magnetic tapes, CD-ROM, etc. They are slow and large, used only for special purposes like storing backup copies.

Front

What is the storage hierarchy?

Back

The main differences among various storage systems lie in speed, size, and volatility. Storage systems are organized in hierarchy based on speed, size, cost, and volatility.

Front

What is caching in the context of storage?

Back

Copying information into a faster storage system; main memory can be viewed as a cache for secondary storage.

Front

What are the two types of multiprocessor systems?

Back

1. Asymmetric Multiprocessing: each processor is assigned a specific task. 2. Symmetric Multiprocessing (SMP): each processor performs all tasks.

Front

What is a dual-core design?

Back

A dual-core design has two cores on the same processor chip, each with its own register set and local cache.