Computer System Architecture: A Comprehensive Guide

COMPUTER SYSTEM
ARCHITECTURE

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction......................................................................................................................................1
Lo1...................................................................................................................................................2
P1 Identify the main subsystems of a computer and explain how they are organized and
connected.....................................................................................................................................2
P2 Explain the purpose of the Central Processing Unit (CPU) and include details on its
operation......................................................................................................................................6
Lo2...................................................................................................................................................8
P3 Describe a range of different operating systems including the purpose, use and hardware
requirements of each....................................................................................................................8
P4 Discuss the key features associated with the architecture of an operating system...............13
Lo3.................................................................................................................................................15
P5 Explain the relationships between hardware and network addresses including their use with
regards to networking devices and components........................................................................15
P6 Setup, configure and document appropriate hardware and software systems to establish
computer based network connectivity.......................................................................................19
Lo4.................................................................................................................................................20
P7 Use information gathering methods to assess troubleshoot and document solutions to a
number of different technical hardware, software and networking issues................................20
P8 Conduct and document a range of maintenance activities with regards to computer
hardware and software...............................................................................................................22
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................31
References......................................................................................................................................32

LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Type of register and it functions........................................................................................6
Table 2: types of buses....................................................................................................................7
Table 3: Feature and requirement of different OS.........................................................................11
Table 4: Comparison between MAC and IP address.....................................................................17

LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Von Neumann Architecture.............................................................................................2
Figure 2: Memory Hierarchy of a computer system........................................................................3
Figure 3: Memories in computer system.........................................................................................4
Figure 4: Desktop of computer system having Ubuntu OS.............................................................9
Figure 5: Windows 10...................................................................................................................10
Figure 6: Screensort of MAC OS X..............................................................................................11
Figure 7: MAC address of a system..............................................................................................16
Figure 8: IP address in command prompt......................................................................................17
Figure 9: Start menu having the File explorer...............................................................................22
Figure 10: Open the Local Disk (C :)............................................................................................23
Figure 11: Optimizing the computer’s drive.................................................................................23
Figure 12: The drive is selected for Optimization.........................................................................24
Figure 13: Percentage of fragmentation........................................................................................24
Figure 14: Initializing the Defragmentation process.....................................................................25
Figure 15: Cleaning the browser’s history.....................................................................................26
Figure 16: Control panel is clicked................................................................................................27
Figure 17: System and security option is clicked..........................................................................28
Figure 18: Backup and Restore......................................................................................................28
Figure 19: Back up Storing............................................................................................................29

Introduction
Computer architecture is referred to the rules or the methods that are used for explaining,
function, implementation and organization of a computer system. Through the Computer
architecture various user commands are executed and accomplished. In this report, various
computer subsystems are illustrated. The report will be discussing about process or the Central
Processing Unit along with its operation. Presently, there are different types of operating system
for different user or system. The report will discuss about the OS along with its requirement and
features. In this report about relation and comparison between MAC and IP addresses will also
be provided. Lastly the report will discuss about maintenance task which a user need to
performed for maintaining proper functionality of computer system and also its components.
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Lo1
P1 Identify the main subsystems of a computer and explain how they are organized and
connected
Von Neumann architecture: In the year 1945 Von Neumann came up with computer
architecture. This model is used presently to serve as a base of the modern computer. In this
model o computer design it consist of a CPU that has a control unit, arithmetic/logic unit and
memory unit, along with input and output devices (Amdahl, 2013.).
Figure 1: Von Neumann Architecture
This architecture of the computer system is designed on the basis of stored-program concept of
computer, in this same memory is used for storing both program data and instruction data (Peter
et al 2016).
Main elements of Von Neumann Architecture:
Memory unit:
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This is referred to the collection of different storage devices together. The Memory unit
effectively stores all the binary information in form of bits. Broadly the Memory of a computer
system is classified into two different types: Volatile and No-Volatile memory. In case of
Volatile memory, the stored data get lost in case of discontinuity of power supply. While in case
of, Non-Volatile Memory data are stored permanently, even is the power supply get interrupted
data storage is not damaged.
Memory Hierarchy
Figure 2: Memory Hierarchy of a computer system
(Source: http://abhaycopi.blogspot.com/2014/04/memory-hierarchy.html, 2018)
With the help of memory hierarchy, the total memory present in a computer system can be
visualized. Memory system of a computer contains every storage devices including Main
Memory, Cache memory and Auxiliary Memory (Kolodner, 2014).
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Figure 3: Memories in computer system
Main Memory: This memory unit mostly communicates directly with that of I/O processor, CPU,
Auxiliary memory. Main memory is the central storage unit of a computer system. This type of
memory has large capacity and is very fast. Main memory of a system is basically used for data
storage during various operations. Main memory is sub divided further into RAM and ROM.
Auxiliary Memory: This memory in the computers system is used for offering storage backup. For
example: Magnetic drums, Magnetic tapes and disks, optical disks. Only Input/output devices can
access it effectively and this memory is not accessible by CPU (Åström, and Wittenmark, 2013).
Cache Memory: Those data which are present in the main memory and are repeated used by the
CPU is stored in cache memory. This helps in easy data access.
Hardware devices:
Computer system is classified broadly as hardware and software components. Hardware are the
physical components like keyboard, monitor, circuit, printer, disk drives and chips etc. every
hardware element configured along with a computer system performs specific functions.
Hardware is again subdivided as per their functions, such output, Input, control devices,
processing and even storage devices.
Input devices: devices like keyboard, scanner, joystick, mouse is referred as input devices. These
devices are used for data insertion into the computer for further processing.
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