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Computing > Computer Architecture and Storage (paper 1) > Flashcards

Computer Architecture and Storage (paper 1) Flashcards

1
Q

what is the purpose of the CPU

A

to continuosly process instructions and data that are input and repeatedly carrying out the fetch-execute cycle to output a result

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2
Q

what does CPU stand for

A

central processing unit

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3
Q

what does the CPU contain

A
  • arithmetic logic unit
  • control unit
  • current instruction register
  • accumalator
  • memory data register
  • memory address register
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4
Q

what is the fetch-execute cycle

A

the process every operation carries out goes through, regulated by a cucle of the CPU clock

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5
Q

describe the fetch-execute cycle

A
  • FETCH an instruction from main memory (RAM)
  • DECODE the instruction
  • EXECUTE the instruction
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6
Q

what does the ALU (Arithmetic logic unit) do

A

carries out mathematical and logical operations

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7
Q

what does the CU (Control unit) do

A

coordinates all of the CPU’s actions in the fetch-decose-execute cycle and decodes instructions

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8
Q

what does the clock do

A

regulate the speed and timing of all signals and computer functions

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9
Q

what do the registers do

A

they are very small very fast memory locations, temporarily storing memory addresses, instructions or data

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10
Q

what do address, data and control buses do

A

they are wires used to transfer data, instructions, memory addresses, and control signals from one component to another

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11
Q

what does the clock speed determine

A

the number of fetch-execute cycles per second

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12
Q

what is cache memory

A

storage which is much faster than main memory beacuse it is transferred more quickly, making the CPU more efficient

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13
Q

how many levels of cache are there

A

2 or 3

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14
Q

what is the relationship between speed and capacity with cache memory

A

the fastest cache has the smallest capacity (level 1)

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15
Q

will the CPU use cache or RAM first

A

it will use the fastest level of cache before moving to the next level

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16
Q

what can each core do

A

process one operation per clock cycle

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17
Q

what type of code do processors execute

A

machine code

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18
Q

what is an instruction set

A

a processors own specific list of commands written in machine code that can be executed and understood by the CPU

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19
Q

what is an embedded system used for

A

to control the function of electronic devices, they don’t need operating systems

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20
Q

why do embedded systems not need operating systems

A

because they perform limited and very specific tasks with their imput frequency controlled by a button or switch

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21
Q

why must embedded systems be reliable

A

because they cannot be modified once manufactured - the program is held in the ROM

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22
Q

what does RAM stand for

A

random access memory

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23
Q

what is the function of the RAM (main memory)

A

to temportarily store the instructions and data the computer needs whilst it is in operation

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24
Q

why is the RAM needed

A

because it would be too slow to access everything directly from the hard drive disk

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25
Q

explain how the RAM is volatile

A

it is a temporary working memory - it gets wiped as soon as the power is switched off

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26
Q

what does ROM stand for

A

read only memory

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27
Q

what is the function of the ROM

A

stores instructions and data that never needs to be changed

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28
Q

give an example of what the ROM stores

A

the computers start up intructions so that it can turn the computer on

29
Q

is the ROM volatile

A

no

30
Q

can you read and write in the ROM

A

no, read only

31
Q

give an example of primary storage

A

RAM and ROM

32
Q

what is secondary storage

A

storage no directly accessed by the CPU

33
Q

give an example of secondary storage

A
  • USB falshdrive
  • CDs
34
Q

what makes solid state drives so good

A

they don’t have any moving parts and require very little power so are very small and very fast

35
Q

what type of memory are solid state drives

A

flash memory

36
Q

how do SSDs work

A
  • they used NAND or NOR gates in electrical circuits to presistently store data
  • they use transistors as control gats and floating gate to control the flow of current
37
Q

what is current flowing represented by

A

1

38
Q

what is no current flowing represented by

A

0

39
Q

how odes a optical dirve work

A
  • uses a laser to reflect light off the surface of the disk
  • one long spiral track contains pits and lands
  • when the bean hits a pit the light is refracted and a 1 is recorded
40
Q

when is virtual memory used

A

when there isn’t enough space in RAM for all the data prigrams you are currently working on

41
Q

explain virtual memory

A
  • a small section of the hard disk is reserved to act like the RAM
  • when the program in virtual emmory is needed it is swapped with something else in the RAM
  • the swapping may cause a slow down
42
Q

why does your computer slow while accessing the virtual memory

A

because it is not nearly as fast as the RAM

43
Q

what is cloud storage

A

the remote file storage on someone else’s servers (google, microsoft)

44
Q

what is needed to store data in cloud storage

A

physical servers and storage

45
Q

what are the advantages of cloud storage compared to local storage

A
  • no need to purchase local storage devices
  • files are automatically backed up in the cloud
  • greater fualt tolerace
  • remote access to files from any internet connected device
  • enables file sharing
46
Q

what are the disadvantages of cloud storage compared to local storage

A
  • may need to commit annual subscription
  • back up may be slower dependsing on internet connection speed
  • security of data wil be managed by a third party
  • need an internect connection to access online data
  • limiter or delayed support from provider
  • responsible for any security breaches over data
47
Q

what are network interface cards (NIC)

A

something required to connect ti any netwok-enabled device - a physical component which can operate with a wireless connection or a wired connection

48
Q

what is a MAC address (media access control)

A

used to identify a device with a unique hexadecimal identification number assigned to every network interface card

49
Q

is the MAC address static

A

yes it stays the same

50
Q

what does IP address stand for

A

internet protocol address

51
Q

what is an IP address

A

a unique public address fro teh router or gateway of a network

52
Q

how do routers use IP addresses

A

to direct data packets from one router to another between start and end point on a netwrok

53
Q

where do routers sit

A

between local networks adn the internet to join them together with a public IP address fro the internet and a private IP address for the local network

54
Q

who assigns the IP address for your whole network

A

the internet service provider

55
Q

what is a static address

A

an address that does not change

56
Q

what is a dynamic address

A

an address that does change and are assigned from a list of avaliable address at the time they are required

57
Q

why are dynamic address used

A

because the IPv4 system does not have enough static addresses for everyone

58
Q

what is an IPv4 address

A

an address wuth four numbers each seperated by a full stop

59
Q

what is the problem with IPv4

A

the system is running out of possible addresses owing to the huge rise in networked devices

60
Q

what was created to solve the IPv4 problem

A

IPv6

61
Q

what are the cloud storage features

A
  • synchronisaed devices
  • 24/7 availability
  • redundancy
62
Q

define redundancy

A

Having more than one copy of files stored on a different hard drive or at a different location

63
Q

define scalability

A

The ability to easily increase the size of computing storage or processing power

64
Q

what is cloud storage

A

the storage of data on the cloud

65
Q

what is cloud computing

A

using Word or Exel etc on the cloud

66
Q

what is a server

A

An item of hardware which responds to requests by processing data and sending replies

67
Q

what is a data centre

A

A centralised collection of servers stored in on building

68
Q

what are the advantages and disadvantages of opticle storage

A

+ cheap
+ very easily portable
-easily damaged
-slow write speed

69
Q

how does a hard disk drive work

A
  • the magnetic platter contains data
  • the disk contains tracks
  • the dick head is mounted on mechanical arms to read and write data
  • the actuator moves the arm while the spindle rotates

Computing (8 decks)

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