1. Hardware Flashcards
What is Von Neumann?
- The VN architecture used the idea of storing programs instructions and data in main memory and moving them between memory and the processor.
- The processor can access the instructions and data in the main memory as required to execute the program. by using buses.
- This means the same address and data buses are used to transfer instructions and data.
What is Harvard Architecture?
Harvard architecture keeps instructions and data in separate memories which the processor accesses using separate data and address buses.
Harvard is used extensively in embedded systems.
How does multiple cores affect performance?
The more cores a computer has, the more instructions it can execute at the same time so the computer will perform more efficiently.
What is parallel processing?
Dividing a computation into subtasks that can be processed in parallel (one task per core at the same). This is known as parallel processing and it is only possible on multicore systems
Communication and synchronisation between the different subtask are typically some of the greatest obstacles to getting efficient parallel program performance
How does a larger cache affect system performance?
The larger the cache, the more instructions can be queued and carried out. Storing instructions in cache reduces the amount of time it takes to access that instruction and pass it to a CPU core.
How does clock speed affect performance?
The greater the clock speed, the faster the instructions. Making a processor perform more instructions per second than it is recommended to (overclocking), could cause the processor to overheat.
Describe The FDE Cycle
1.The program counter (PC) keeps the address of the next instruction to be executed. The contents of the PC are copied to the memory address register (MAR), which is connected to the address bus. The address of the next instruction to be executed is placed on the address bus.
2.Once the address of the instruction is on the address bus, the control unit instructs a memory read operation to allow the contents of the memory location to be transferred to the processor. The instruction that is stored at that address is transferred from the main memory to the processor (using data bus) , and is saved in the memory data register (MDR). The PC is incremented by 1.
3.The contents of the memory data register (MDR) are copied to the current instruction register (CIR).
4.The control unit decodes the instruction that is kept in the current instruction register (CIR) and the instruction is executed. Depending on the type of instruction, executing an instruction can involve the ALU and the general-purpose registers, the accumulator, or the main memory.
What is the purpose of secondary storage?
- Secondary storage provides permanent storage for data files and applications.
- Secondary storage is non-volatile (so data is not lost when power is removed).
- Secondary storage needs to be high capacity and low cost. It needs to be fast enough for loading and saving files, and it needs to provide reliable permanent storage so that files are not lost or easily corrupted.
What is a network?
A network is a group of devices connected together, wirelessly or using cables, so they can communicate with each other and share resources.
What is the importance of networking standards?
Network standard allows communication between different network devices so its impossible to create networks that communicate without them.
- Easier to develop – can be done one layer at a time
- Allows different companies to work together / international standardisation
- Leads to more competitive pricing
What’s HTTP(S)?
Hypertext Transfer Protocol is used to make a request for a webpage. HTTPS uses protocol (TSS/TLC) to encrypt the data making it more secure.
What is FTP?
File Transfer Protocol is used for the transfer of computer files from a server to a client on a computer network. It’s used for sharing files with other users, either for storage or collaboration.
What is SMTP and IMAP?
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol transfers the email from the client device to the linked mail server.
Internet Message Access Protocol is used to synchronise a client email account with an account on the mail server. The server returns new emails and deletes any emails that were deleted locally on the client application.
What is TCP and UDP?
TCP is more reliable and makes sure every data packet arrives by using an error checking feature.
UDP is faster but less reliable so if any packets arrive out of sequence or are missing, they are ignored.
TCP - video streaming services
UDP - video games
What is Handshaking?
Handshaking is the process that establishes communication between two networking devices.
