1. 10 marks · processing environments: • single processor systems • multiprocessor systems •...
TRANSCRIPT
1. Discuss, with examples, how the problem of maintaining coherence of cached data manifests itself in the followingprocessing environments:
• Single processor systems• Multiprocessor systems• Distributed systems
Let us look at the following example:Suppose an integer A which is to be incremented by 1 is located in file B, and file B resides in magnetic disk. The increment operation proceeds by first issuing an I/O operation to copy the disk block on which A resides to main memory. This operation is followed by copying A to the cache and to an internal register. Thus, the copy of Aappears in several places; on the magnetic disk, in main memory, in the cache and in an internal register (Fig below).
Once the increment takes place in the internal register, the value of A differs in the various storage systems. Thevalue of A becomes the same only after the new value of A is written from the internal register back to the magneticdisk.
Single processor systemsIn a computing environment where only one process executesat a time, this arrangement poses no difficulties, since access to integer A will always be to the copy at the highest level of hierarchy. However, in a multitasking environment, where the CPU is switched back and forth among various processes, extreme care must be taken to ensure that, if several processes wish to access A, then each process will obtain the most recently updated value of A.
Multiprocessor systemsIt is a bit more complicated since each of the CPUs might contain its own local cache. In such an environment, a copy of A may exist simultaneously in several caches. Since the various CPUs can all execute concurrently, we must make sure that an update to the value of A in one cache is immediately reflected in all other caches where A
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resides. This situation is called cache coherency, and is usually a hardware problem.
Distributed systemsThe situation here is even more complex. In this environment, several copies of the same file can be kept on different computers that are distributed in space. Since the various replicas may be accessed and updated concurrently, some distributed systems ensure that, when areplica is updated in one place, all other replicas are brought up to date as soon as possible.
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2a. Describe the differences between symmetric and asymmetric multiprocessing.
Asymmetric multiprocessingThere are multiple processors in the system.
Each processor is assigned a specific task.
A master processor controls the system; the other processors either look to the master for instruction or have predefined task.
This is basically a masterslave relationship.
The master processor schedules and allocates work for the slave processors.
Symmetric multiprocessing (SMP)Each processor performs all tasks within the operating system.
SMP means that all processors are peers; there is no masterslave relationship.
Each processor has its own set of registers and private orlocal cache;
But, all processors share physical memory.
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2b. What are the advantages and one disadvantage of multiprocessor systems?
Multiprocessor systems also known as parallel systems aretightlycoupled systems whose advantages include:
1. Increased throughput2. Economy of scale3. Increased reliability – graceful degradation or fault
tolerance
One of the disadvanges is:If the CPU has an integrated memory controller, then adding CPUs can also increase the amount of memory addressable in the system. Either way, multiprocessing cancause a system to change its memory access model from uniform memory access (UMA) to nonuniform memory access (NUMA).
UMA is defined as the situation in which access to any RAMfrom any CPU takes the same amount of time. With NUMA, some parts of memory may take longer to access than other parts, creating a performance penalty.
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3 With a neat diagram, explain briefly, the different services provided by a typical operating system.
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One set of operatingsystem services provides functions that are helpful to the user:User interface Almost all operating systems have a user interface (UI). Varies between CommandLine (CLI), Graphics User Interface (GUI), Batch
Program execution The system must be able to load a program into memory and to run that program, end execution, either normally or abnormally (indicating error)
I/O operations A running program may require I/O, whichmay involve a file or an I/O device
Filesystem manipulation The file system is of particular interest. Programs need to read and write filesand directories, create and delete them, search them, listfile Information, permission management.
Communications – Processes may exchange information, on the same computer or between computers over a networkCommunications may be via shared memory or through messagepassing (packets moved by the OS)
Error detection – OS needs to be constantly aware of possible errors. May occur in the hardware or software. For each type of error, OS should take the appropriate action to ensure correct and consistent computing
Debugging facilities can greatly enhance the user’s and
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programmer’s abilities to efficiently use the system
Another set of OS functions exists for ensuring the efficient operation of the system itself via resource sharing
Resource allocation When multiple users or multiple jobs running concurrently, resources must be allocated to each of themMany types of resources Some (such as CPU cycles, main memory, and file storage) may have special allocation code, others (such as I/O devices) may have general request and release code
Accounting To keep track of which users use how much andwhat kinds of computer resources
Protection and security The owners of information storedin a multiuser or networked computer system may want to control use of that information, concurrent processes should not interfere with each other
4a Explain, with the help of a state transition diagram, the different states, a process can be in.
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Process StatesAs a process executes, it changes state. The state of a process is defined in part by the current activity of thatprocess. Each process may be in one of the following states:New. The process is being created.Running. Instructions are being executed.Waiting. The process is waiting for some event to occur (such as an I/0 completion or reception of a signal).Ready. The process is waiting to be assigned to a processor.Terminated. The process has finished execution.
4b. Explain what a queuing diagram is, with the help of a diagram.
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A common representation of process scheduling is a queueing diagram, such as that shown in Figure. Each rectangular box represents a queue. Two types of queues are present: the ready queue and a set of device queues. The circles represent the resources that serve the queues,and the arrows indicate the flow of processes in the system.
A new process is initially put in the ready queue. It waits there until it is selected for execution, or is dispatched. Once the process is allocated the CPU and is executing, one of several events could occur:
1. The process could issue an I/0 request and then be placed in an I/0 queue.
2. The process could create a new subprocess and wait for the subprocess's termination.
3. The process could be removed forcibly from the CPU, as a result of an interrupt, and be put back in the ready queue.
In the first two cases, the process eventually switches from the waiting state to the ready state and is then put back in the ready queue. A process continues this cycle until it terminates, at which time it is removed from all queues and has its PCB and resources deallocated.
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5. Describe the differences between shortterm, mediumterm and longterm schedulers.
Often, in a batch system, more processes are submitted than can be executed immediately. These processes are spooled to a massstorage device (typically a disk), wherethey are kept for later execution
The longterm scheduler or job scheduler, selects processes from this pool and loads them into memory for execution.
The shortterm scheduler or CPU scheduler, selects from among the processes that are ready to execute and allocates the CPU to one of them.
Differences between the longterm and the shortterm schedulersThe primary distinction between these two schedulers lies in frequency of execution.
The shortterm scheduler must select a new process for theCPU frequently.
A process may execute for only a few milliseconds before waiting for an I/0 request. Often, the shortterm scheduler executes at least once every 100 milliseconds. Because of the short time between executions, the shortterm scheduler must be fast.
The key idea behind a mediumterm scheduler is that sometimes it can be advantageous to remove processes from memory (and from active contention for the CPU) and thus reduce the degree of multiprogramming. Later, the process can be reintroduced into memory, and its execution can be continued where it left off. This scheme is called swapping. The process is swapped out, and is later swappedin, by the mediumterm scheduler. Swapping may be necessary to improve the process mix or because a change in memory requirements has overcommitted available memory,requiring memory to be freed up
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6. With the help of a relevant code snippet, explain how the bounded buffer can be used to enable processes to share memory.
One solution to the producerconsumer problem uses shared memory. To allow producer and consumer processes to run concurrently, we must have available a buffer of items that can be filled by the producer and emptied by the
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consumer. This buffer will reside in a region of memory that is shared by the producer and consumer processes. A producer can produce one item while the consumer is consuming another item. The producer and consumer must be synchronized, so that the consumer does not try to consumean item that has not yet been produced.
The bounded buffer assumes a fixed buffer size. In this case, the consumer must wait if the buffer is empty, and the producer must wait if the buffer is full.
The following variables reside in a region of memory shared by the producer and consumer processes:#define BUFFER_SIZE 10typedef struct{…}item;item buffer[BUFFER_SIZE];int in = 0;int out = 0;
The shared buffer is implemented as a circular array with two logical pointers: in and out. The variable in points to the next free position in the buffer; out points to thefirst full position in the buffer.
When is the buffere empty? When is it full?The buffer is empty when in== out; the buffer is full when((in+ 1)% BUFFER_SIZE) == out.
item nextProduced;while (true) { /* Produce an item in nextProduced*/ while ((in + 1) % BUFFER SIZE) == out)
; /* do nothing no free buffers */ buffer[in] = nextProduced; in = (in + 1) % BUFFER SIZE;
}The producer process.
item nextConsumed;while (true) {while (in == out); II do nothingnextConsumed = buffer[out];out = (out + 1) % BUFFER_SIZE;I* consume the item in nextConsumed *I }
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The consumer process.
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