6.1 Managing Hardware Flashcards
What is primary memory and give an example.
Place where all data/programs currently being processed are kept. e.g. RAM
What happens to primary memory if it is too limited? [3]
Secondary storage is required, which is a slower method of storing.
Virtual memory is limited so data can’t be loaded
Influences how many processes can be done simultaneously
What is secondary storage? And give 3 examples.
Place where data/programs can be stored if power is lost. E.g. HDD, SDD, optical.
What happens is secondary storage is too limited? [3]
No place to ‘save’ works so data might be lost.
Can prevent OS from using virtual memory.
Limits computer data generally.
What is a processor?
A processor does all the calculations in a computer system.
What happens if the processor is too limited?
The processor will take longer to perform tasks.
What do processor cores do?
Each core can process smth. More processors - more tasks simultaneously.
What happens if you have too little cores?
If you have only one core, you can only perform one set of calculations at once. Takes longer to process stuff.
What does bandwidth measure? And what is it unit?
How much data can be sent at one time. Measured in bps (bits per second)
What happens if bandwidth is too limited?
Data takes longer to travel.
Effects speed of all data processing.
What is screen resolution?
Measurement of pixels height x width.
What happens if screen resolution is too small?
Image quality deteriorates.
What happens if screen resolution is too big?
Files would be too large.
What is a sound processor?
A place where sound processing happens to give CPU more space.
What is the GPU?
Does complex graphic processing.
What happens if the sound processor or GPU are limited?
CPU has to do more work and the quality is reduced.
What is the role of the network card?
Each network card connects to a network media.
What happens if the network connectivity is limited?
The connection types are limited and it’s slower.
What is cache?
Contains instructions that the CPU is likely to request next for RAM. Usually in MB.
What does a mainframe contain? [3]
Processor with thousands of cores.
Vast amounts of primary memory.
Vast amounts of secondary memory.
What is a mainframe?
A mainframe is a large-capacity computer system
Where are mainframes commonly used?
In large companies, weather/financial models and to virtualise smaller computers.
What is a server farm?
A server farm is a group of computers acting as servers and housed together in a single location.
What do server & server farms contain?
Processor with many high spec PCs in parallel.
Big capacity of primary memory.
Lots of secondary memory per machine.
Where are server & server farms used?
In networks or data centres for cloud storage.
What is a PDA?
A personal digital assistant - a small mobile device to store information.
Is Siri a PDA?
NO.
What can you do if a certain area of your resources are limited and you can’t upgrade them?
Use a multi-programming or multi-user system.
What is a multi-user system?
Either many users on the same machine.
Or many users connected to the same network.
What is a multi-programming network?
System that can have different programs installed.
