Michaelmas 2023 Flashcards

Architecture of the CPU CPU Performance Embedded Systems Primary Storage Secondary Storage Networks

1
Q

What is the CPU responsible for?

A

Executing the instructions given to it in a program

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2
Q

What is a microprocessor?

A

An integrated circuit that is made up of millions of transistors

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3
Q

What does the CPU contain?

A

CU, MAR, MDR, ALU

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4
Q

What is the Von Newmann Architecture?

A

The way the CPU is designed, and executes the program instructions

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5
Q

What is the Von Newmann Bottleneck?

A

A limitation on CPU performance caused by the CPU having to wait for data. (Processor speed is very fast, data transfer from RAM is slower)

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6
Q

What is a bus?

A

A collection of wires that carry signals or connections between the components in the computer system

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7
Q

Control bus

A

Transfers control signals between the CPU to the memory

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8
Q

Data bus

A

Transfers data between the CPU and the memory

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9
Q

Address bus

A

Copies memory address from the CPU to the memory

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10
Q

Fetch, Decode and Execute Cycle

A

Address of instruction copied from PC to MAR, then copied to MDR by data bus, then copied to CIR. Instruction is decoded by the CU, and is performed

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11
Q

ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit)

A

Performs arithmetic and logical operations

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12
Q

CU (Control Unit)

A

Coordinated actions of the computer, and controls the flow of the data between CPU and i/o devices

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13
Q

Clock

A

Pulses are sent out by a vibrating quartz crystal to synchronise FDE and operation of the CPU

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14
Q

Overclocking

A

Adjusting the clock to run faster than the CPU is designed for

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15
Q

Cache

A

A small amount of energy that is part of the CPU, temporarily holds data and instructions CPU is likely to reuse

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16
Q

More cache

A

means more data is can be stored closer to the CPU

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17
Q

More cores

A

(processing units) means more power to run multiple programs at the same time

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18
Q

Decoder

A

Decodes program instruction from memory and decides what to do with it, then sends control signals to other components to carry them out

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19
Q

Registers

A

Small high-speed memory locations in a CPU which stores instructions and data that are used in the FDE cycle

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20
Q

-Program Counter (PC)

A

Holds memory address for the instruction of each cycle, increased each time an instruction is carried out

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21
Q

-MAR (Memory Address Register)

A

Stores the address of the next item of data that is needed by the processor

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22
Q

-MDR (Memory Data Register)

A

Stores data from memory until it is used

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23
Q

-Accumulator

A

Stores results of logical and arithmetic operations

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24
Q

Embedded system

A

Computer system built within a larger device, and limited to a certain number of tasks at an efficient rate

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25
Q

Characteristics:

A
  • limited number of components
  • specific hardware necessary
  • clock speed much lower than general purpose computers (100MHz)
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26
Q

Advantages:

A
  • easier to design
  • cheaper to produce
  • more efficient than PC
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27
Q

Disadvantage:

A

Narrow functionality

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28
Q

Computer Network

A

Two or more devices joined together to share data

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29
Q

Node

A

An entity or addressable device on a network that can be managed

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30
Q

Standalone Device

A

Computer or device that is not connected to the network

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31
Q

Transmission Media

A

A method of carrying data signals from one computer to another

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32
Q

Features of LAN

A

Communications media is owned by LAN, owner is responsible for setting up and maintaining the network

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33
Q

Advantages:

A
  • Users can share resources and files
  • Files can be backed up
  • Protection from malware can be managed centrally
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34
Q

Disadvantages:

A

Cost (must buy, install and maintain), malware (bugs and viruses can spread)

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35
Q

WAN

A

Made of several different LANs connected together, used by companies to connect offices all over the world

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36
Q

Advantages:

A
  • Shares information over a large area
  • Supports global market and global businesses
  • Centralised It structure
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37
Q

Disadvantages:

A
  • Buying access can be expensive as you pay through broadbands at home
  • Relies on internet service providers to fix problems
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38
Q

Bandwidth

A

How much data can be pushed across a connection in a given amount of time

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39
Q

Error Rate

A

Number of mistakes that occur during data transmission

40
Q

Latency

A

Time between the transmission of data packet and the receipt of a message across a network

41
Q

Data Collision

A

Result of simultaneous data packet transmission between two or more network domain devices or nodes (causes transmission errors requiring data to be resent)

42
Q

Factors that affect network performance:

A
  • Latency
  • Number of users
  • Bandwidth
43
Q

Wireless connections have more or less bandwidth than wired?

A

Less

44
Q

How do errors occur

A

By interference from other networks, weak wifi, data collisions

45
Q

Round-trip Latency

A

The time computer A has to wait until it receives the acknowledgement for the IP packet for computer B

46
Q

Client-server Network

A

Network where a server provides data and services for client computers

47
Q

Peer-to-peer

A

Network where computers have equal status, each peer performs tasks for itself whilst other tasks can be shared between the peers in the network (COMPUTERS COMMUNICATE DIRECTLY WITH EACHOTHER WITHOUT A CENTRAL SERVER)

48
Q

Network Architecture

A

A set of rules on how computers are organised in a system and how tasks are allocated between these computers

49
Q

Server

A

A computer dedicated to providing information in response to requests, classified by the type of service they provide

50
Q

Clients

A

Computers which users login to the network

51
Q

Client-server Advantages:

A

central management of files and backup procedures, security and software updates, logins and user activity can be monitored

52
Q

Disadvantages:

A

Server hardware is expensive and costly to manage, network is reliant on the server, services can be overwhelmed by requests

53
Q

P2P Advantages:

A

Easy and cheap to set up, robust

54
Q

Disadvantages:

A

File management and backups performed individually, network less secure (one insecure computer can allow malware into the entire network)

55
Q

Networking Hardware

A

Hardware needed to set up a network

56
Q

NIC (Network Interface Card)

A

Enables a device to connect to a network, each unique MAC address to enable data to be sent to that device on a LAN

57
Q

Switch

A

Intelligent device to provide wired connections for nodes on a LAN

58
Q

Hubs

A

Broadcasts to all connected nodes, generating a lot of data traffic

59
Q

Hubs and Switches

A

Connect wired devices on a LAN

60
Q

WAP

A

Device that allows wireless devices to connect to a wired network

61
Q

WAP Features

A

Data transmitted to all devices, encryption required, bandwidth less than wired connections
Connects to a router, but can also be an integral part of the router itself

62
Q

Disadvantage:

A

Bandwidth is shared with any old user with the password

63
Q

Router

A

Networking device which connects different networks

64
Q

Copper cables types

A
  • Coaxial ( signal degenerates quickly over distance)
  • Unshielded twisted pair (twisting reduces signal degeneration)
  • Shielded twisted pair (copper shielding reduces interference)
65
Q

Advantages:

A

Cheap and more adequate for wiring in a LAN

66
Q

Disadvantage:

A
  • Lower bandwidth
    -can only be used over a short distance
  • Interference
67
Q

Fibre-optic

A

Data transmitted along thin glass cables using light pulses, cables are thin and bundles together to increase bandwidth

68
Q

Advantage:

A
  • Data can be transmitted at very high speeds, and over long distances without losing signal strength
  • Hard for hackers to intercept signals
69
Q

Disadvantage:

A

Replacing copper cables with fibreoptic is expensive

70
Q

Internet

A

Global communication system including hardware and infrastructure

71
Q

World Wide Web

A

Collection of services hosted on the internet

72
Q

Network Protocol

A

Standard that specifies format of data as well as the rules to be followed during transmission

73
Q

Satellite Internet

A

Constellation of artificial satellites providing internet service

74
Q

Advantages:

A

Enables internet access in remote areas, potentially faster than ground-based access

75
Q

Cloud Computing

A

Practice of using a network of remote servers hosted on the internet to store, manage and process data, rather than a local server or a personal computer

76
Q

File servers

A

Used to store and manage files for network usersS

77
Q

Advantages of Cloud Computing

A
  • Do not need to buy secondary storage
  • Backups done, multiple copies of data in different locations
  • Enables multiple users to access and modify files
78
Q

Disadvantages:

A
  • Pay for internet access
  • Could lose password, dependent on Cloud Service Provider
  • Target of sophisticated hackers
79
Q

Environmental Considerations

A

Enables Work from Home, which reduces pollution and energy consumption
Huge amounts of land are used to build data centres

80
Q

Network Architecture

A

Logical structure of the network

81
Q

Network Topology

A

Physical layout or configuration of a network

82
Q

Star Topology

A

Nodes are connected to a central device which is connected to one or more servers

83
Q

Advantages:

A
  • easy to add new nodes
  • management of network can be done centrally
84
Q

Disadvantages:

A
  • requires extra hardware (central device is high maintenance)
  • reliant of central device
85
Q

Mesh Topology

A

Multiple communication pathways between nodes, no central point
Paid for when reliability of network communication is very important (military)

86
Q

Advantages:

A
  • multiple pathways
  • no single device failure compromises network
  • fast data transfer
87
Q

Disadvantages:

A
  • very expensive to connect all nodes
  • Adding new node is complex
88
Q

Partial Mesh Topology

A

Most nodes are interconnected, but some are connected to only some of the other nodes

89
Q

Primary Storage

A

Storage used for data currently in use, eg RAM, ROM, cache, registers, virtual memory

90
Q

Secondary Storage

A

non-volatile long term storage, device that provides permanent storage for data

91
Q

RAM

A

Random Access Memory, contains millions of memory locations, each with a distinct address

92
Q

ROM

A

Read Only Memory, stores basic input/output system and bootstrap program

93
Q

Bootstrap Program

A

Initialises all aspects of system, loads operating system into RAM and starts execution

94
Q

Virtual Memory

A

Used when physical RAM is full, less used data copied from RAM into virtual memory. When it is needed, it is copied back

95
Q

Disadvantage:

A

Data access on hard disk much slower than RAM<, computer performance will be affected