Computer Architecture: Subsystems, CPU Operations, and OS Features

This report provides a detailed analysis of computer architecture, covering its fundamental aspects and key components. It begins by defining computer architecture and its role in the interaction between hardware and software. The report then identifies and explains the main subsystems of a computer, including the Von Neumann architecture, memory (RAM and ROM), the Central Processing Unit (CPU), and input/output systems, detailing their organization and interconnections. The function of the CPU is explored, including its purpose in executing instructions and the operations performed by its Arithmetic/Logic Unit (ALU) and Control Unit. Furthermore, the report describes various operating systems, such as desktop/server, mobile, and embedded systems, discussing their purposes, uses, and hardware requirements. Key features associated with the architecture of operating systems are also discussed, particularly focusing on the Windows operating system's structure, including user mode, kernel mode, and the management of resources within the kernel.

Computer
architecture

Table of Contents
Table of Contents.............................................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1 Identification of main subsystems of computer and explanation of the way in which they
are organised and connected........................................................................................................1
P2 Purpose of central processing unit and details of its operations.............................................2
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................3
P3 Description of range of different operating systems along with purpose, use and hardware
requirements of them...................................................................................................................3
P4 Discussion of key features associated with architecture of an operating system...................3
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................4
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................5

INTRODUCTION
Computer architecture can be defined as the set of methods and rules that are mainly
focused with description of functionality, implementation and organisation of various types of
systems of computer. In other words, it could be described as the specification which used to
analyse the way in which software and hardware technologies interact to make sure that a
computer platform should be created (Ceze, Hill and Wenisch, 2016). Present report is based
upon analysis of computer architecture and there are various topics that are covered in it. These
are explanation of relationships between hardware components and the subsystems used in a
computer system. Apart from this, categorisation of key features and services provided by
different computer operating systems and hardware is also covered in this assignment.
TASK 1
P1 Identification of main subsystems of computer and explanation of the way in which they are
organised and connected
Every computer has different types of subsystems which could be understood with the
help of following discussion:
Von Neuman Architecture: It is a type of design which is the basis of various general-
purpose computers. The major elements of it are data and information and these are stored as
binary and in the main memory. In order to organise it all the details of it are stored in the
memory of computer. It is connected with the control unit and these are connected with the
single memory which is mainly used for the purpose of storing data values and program
instructions.
Memory: It is a type of physical device which is used for the purpose of storing
information on temporary or permanent basis. There are two main types of it which are RAM
and ROM. In all the computers it is organised in hierarchy system which starts with higher speed
and ends with lower speed. In order to connect it motherboard is used which connects it to the
CPU.
CPU (Central Processing Unit): It is considered as the brain of computer as it is the
main processor of computer. It is mainly used for the purpose of processing the instructions to
perform all the operations. There are two main units of it which are Arithmetical and Logical
Unit and Control Unit (Comer, 2017). It is organised by making sure that all the other hardware
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items are connected to it as it is the central processor of computer. It is connected with the help
of mother board so that all the information and data could be stored in memory.
Input and output systems: Input systems are used to insert commands in the computer
systems. On the other hand, output systems are used to get output from the computer. In order to
get the out something will be required to be inserted so both of them are linked with each other.
For the purpose of organising them it is very important for the users to make sure that these are
connected to the computer system. These are connected with the help of CPU which is the main
processor and used to connect all the main elements of computer.
P2 Purpose of central processing unit and details of its operations
Central processing unit is a main part of computer which is used for the purpose of
controlling and executing all the operations. Main purpose of it is to make sure that all the
instructions are executed so that computer programs could be made. There are various types of
operations that are performed by it. These are basic arithmetic, controlling, input and output,
logic etc. All of them are specified by the instructions in the program. In order to run all the
operations properly it is very important for users to make sure that they are able to manage CPU
appropriately (Dean, 2020). There are two main units of it which are used to perform all the
operations of it. Description of them along with the operations is as follows:
Arithmetic / logic unit: With the help of it all the data manipulation related operations are
performed by CPU. It consists the operational activities such as arithmetical, logical etc. It helps
to make sure that all the instructions are followed in logical manner so that appropriate results
could be generated. Apart from this, these operations are also used to make sure that all the
commands of users are followed properly.
Control unit: This unit of CPU is used to manage controlling, execution, input and output
operations. All of them are focused with the proper management in resources so that appropriate
results for instructions of users could be generated. Apart from this, these operations are also
used to coordinate with machine’s activities.
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TASK 2
P3 Description of range of different operating systems along with purpose, use and hardware
requirements of them
Operating system can be defined as the software which is required to operate the
computer. Without it, it will be impossible to run programs in the computers. With the help of
them, keyboard, mouse, storage devices, WIFI, display could be handled properly. There are
various types of operating systems which are used in computers. All of them are described below
along with their uses, purpose and required hardware:
Desktop and server network: It is one of the main types of operating systems which are
used by individual person to perform different types of jobs. Main purpose of it is to make sure
that all the essential tasks of the users are performed systematically by providing them a proper
server which will facilitate to carry out operations (Dean, Patterson and Young, 2018). It is used
for performing simple tasks which could be executed by single person. The main hard ware
which is required for it is desktop, CPU, Key board, Mouse etc.
Mobile: It is mainly used in mobiles, tables, smart watches etc. There are various types
of this operating system which are android, I phone’s operating system, Apple iOS, Google’s
open source etc. These are used to operate mobile phones and other smart devices which are
small in size. Main purpose of such operating system is to make sure that all the small devices
that are used by clients could be handled by them properly. The hardware which is required for it
is the mobile or smart device such as watch etc.
Embedded systems: All the windows version are the examples of this type of operating
systems. The main types of it are Windows 10, 7, 2016, Linux, Unix, MacOs, IOS etc. These are
used to operate the computers and main purpose of them is to follow the instructions of users and
perform all the tasks properly. The hardware which are required to be use this operating system
are CPU, monitor, mouse, key board etc.
P4 Discussion of key features associated with architecture of an operating system
Architecture of windows consist of two main components that are: user made and kernel mode.
Initially Microsoft used to make only 32- bit operating systems but since Windows 2000, they
have started developing 64- bit operating system as well. Overall structure of operating system of
Windows is a modular structure that further consist of several simple modules. Kernel of
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Windows OS is quite similar to Kernel of other operating systems of Linux, Unix etc. There are
various different kinds of task that are managed by internal architecture or kernel. Soe of these
tasks are input/ output manager, maintenance of different resources like thread, procs,
management of memory and peripheral equipment’s. Management of these resources is done at
kernel mode at NT executive level of component. NT executive in kernel model focuses upon
management of these resources and different kinds of operations within these resources. There
are many different kinds of objectives that are managed by NT executive in kernel mode, some
of them are: First type of object is file object which is present which is present in File system. In
this all kinds of peripheral devices are considered as file. Second type of object is process object
which is present in NT executive for identification of virtual address for thread identification is
process. It helps in identifying virtual address space which is required for setting or executing
thread. Another object is thread object. It is important that in each windows process at least one
thread should be present. Other than this, NT executive also consist of job which is a set of
processes of same program package, desktop which is drawing area of Windows, window station
in which more than one desktop are attached.
Mostly in Windows OS kernel is known as hybrid kernel which consist of drivers,
hardware abstraction layer, microkernel and executive services. kernel is one of the most trusted
function of operating system. Other than Kernel, another important component is user mode. All
kinds of programs in use mode cannot access hardware directly. Any kind of code running in this
mode are required to delegate to system API to access memory or hardware.
CONCLUSION
From the above project report it has been concluded that computer architecture is the set
of methods which are used to keep the computer in a structured manner. With the help of it, all
the information and data which is inserted by the user could be kept safe for long run. There are
various types of subsystems of a computer. These are Vin Neuman Architecture, Memory, CPU
and input and out put systems. CPU is one of the main hardware of computer and there are
various operations which are performed by it. These are logical, controlling, execution, input, out
and arithmetical. There are various types of operating systems that are used in a computer. These
are desk top and server, mobile, embedded etc. The features of operating systems include file
management, memory management, acting as the interface between user and hardware etc.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals:
Ceze, L., Hill, M. D. and Wenisch, T. F., 2016. Arch2030: A vision of computer architecture
research over the next 15 years. arXiv preprint arXiv:1612.03182.
Comer, D., 2017. Essentials of computer architecture. CRC Press.
Dean, J., 2020, February. 1.1 The Deep Learning Revolution and Its Implications for Computer
Architecture and Chip Design. In 2020 IEEE International Solid-State Circuits
Conference-(ISSCC) (pp. 8-14). IEEE.
Dean, J., Patterson, D. and Young, C., 2018. A new golden age in computer architecture:
Empowering the machine-learning revolution. IEEE Micro. 38(2). pp.21-29.
Hennessy, J. L. and Patterson, D. A., 2019. A new golden age for computer
architecture. Communications of the ACM. 62(2). pp.48-60.
Hwang, K. and Jotwani, N., 2016. Advanced computer architecture, 3e. McGraw-Hill Education.
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