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......................................................................................................................................7
Lo2...................................................................................................................................................9
P3 Describe a range of different operating systems including the purpose, use and hardware
requirements of each....................................................................................................................9
P4 Discuss the key features associated with the architecture of an operating system...............12
Lo3.................................................................................................................................................14
P5 Explain the relationships between hardware and network addresses including their use with
regards to networking devices and components........................................................................14
P6 Setup, configure and document appropriate hardware and software systems to establish
computer based network connectivity.......................................................................................16
Lo4.................................................................................................................................................17
P7 Use information gathering methods to assess troubleshoot and document solutions to a
number of different technical hardware, software and networking issues................................17
P8 Conduct and document a range of maintenance activities with regards to computer
hardware and software...............................................................................................................20
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................25
References......................................................................................................................................26

LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Department and IP addresses...........................................................................................16
Table 2: Common computer system issue along with measures...................................................18

LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Interaction between different subsystems of a computer.................................................2
Figure 2: Central processing Unit....................................................................................................3
Figure 3: Memory Hierarchy...........................................................................................................4
Figure 4: Input/output Subsystem....................................................................................................5
Figure 5: CPU organization along with System bus........................................................................6
Figure 6: Phases of Instruction Cycle..............................................................................................7
Figure 7: Ubuntu desktop..............................................................................................................10
Figure 8: Window 10 Screenshot..................................................................................................11
Figure 9: Operating Systems Architecture....................................................................................12
Figure 10: Monolithic, Microkernel and Hybrid operating sytsem...............................................13
Figure 11: Setting Up a Computer network...................................................................................16
Figure 12: File explorer.................................................................................................................21
Figure 13: C: drive of the computer..............................................................................................21
Figure 14: Drive to optimise..........................................................................................................22
Figure 15: Select drive for its optimization...................................................................................22
Figure 16: fragmentation Percentage.............................................................................................23
Figure 17: Scanning the system with Antivirus.............................................................................24

Introduction
Computer architecture is a part of Computer engineering in which rule and method for
organizing the computer system and its function is defined. Computer architecture is the
specification that states the interaction established between the hardware and software
components. Presently the report discusses about computer’s subsystems. The report also
discusses about most important computer units such as Central Processing Unit and Operating
System. Network addresses will also be discussed in this report. Lastly, report discuss about the
various maintaining task that is required for performance boosting of the computer system.
1

Lo1
P1 identify the main subsystems of a computer and explain how they are organized and
connected
Computer system is an electronic device that was designed for performing various task like data
calculations and data processing according to the instruction provided by the user. The man
purpose of the device is to minimize human efforts. A computer system consist of both hardware
and software components for performing various functions (Null, and Lobur, 2014).
A computer system is subdivided broadly into four main subsystems, the processor, main
memory, input/ output subsystem and lastly the system bus for establishing connection between
them (Comer, 2017).
Figure 1: Interaction between different subsystems of a computer
Central processing Unit: One of the most important units of a computer system is its processing
Unit. The processor performs complex functions and operations of the computer (Müller, and
Paul, 2013). It is Chip present attached with them motherboard of the computer system that is
used for gathering various data and instructions from system board as well as software
application.
2

Figure 2: Central processing Unit
The CPU of a computer has components like ALU, register and the Control unit. The arithmetic
performs arithmetic operation and logic on the data it is provided with. Register of the CPU are
used for holding the data temporarily. The control unit of the CPU is responsible for controlling
the function and operation of every other subsystem of a computer. CPU processes a data or
instruction in a time period of less than milliseconds.
Main memory
The main memory of a computer system is referred to the collection different location for storage
that has unique identifier ‘addresses. Main memory is also called as Random access memory or
RAM. Main memory is the internal physical memory. The main memory of the computer is used
for storing various information and data along with Operating system software, software
application etc. this helps in faster task execution.
Main memory of the computer system is categories into: RAM and ROM. Both of the memory is
based on semiconductor (Moto, 2012. ). RAM or the Random Access Memory is used for storing
program code and data. Data stored in this memory can be read and write by the CPU can read,
however this memory is volatile and in case of discontinued power supply the data gets deleted.
ROM or the Read Only Memory stores the program code, this is a no-volatile memory and the
CPU is capable of only reading.
Memory hierarchy
3

A user of a Computer system required numerous amount of memory, which must be fast as well
as inexpensive. Faster the memory is higher is cost. Thus hierarchical levels of memory is
created for users understanding.
Figure 3: Memory Hierarchy
(Source: https://cs.uwec.edu/~buipj/teaching/cs.352.f12/lectures/lecture_08.html, 2018)
Input/output Subsystem: the I/O subsystem is referred to various devices that allow a computer
system to establish communication with external world and also helps in for storing programs
and data (Null, and Lobur, 2014). Keyboards, mouse, card readers, mouse, touch screens,
scanner are the input devices that allows entry of data to the computer system for processing
them further. While, monitor, printers, speakers are referred as the output devices which transmit
the processed data to the user after processing trough the processor .
4