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Computer Science GCSE OCR > Michaelmas 2023 > Flashcards

Michaelmas 2023 Flashcards

Architecture of the CPU CPU Performance Embedded Systems Primary Storage Secondary Storage Networks (95 cards)

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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
Characteristics:
- limited number of components - specific hardware necessary - clock speed much lower than general purpose computers (100MHz)
26
Advantages:
- easier to design - cheaper to produce - more efficient than PC
27
Disadvantage:
Narrow functionality
28
Computer Network
Two or more devices joined together to share data
29
Node
An entity or addressable device on a network that can be managed
30
Standalone Device
Computer or device that is not connected to the network
31
Transmission Media
A method of carrying data signals from one computer to another
32
Features of LAN
Communications media is owned by LAN, owner is responsible for setting up and maintaining the network
33
Advantages:
- Users can share resources and files - Files can be backed up - Protection from malware can be managed centrally
34
Disadvantages:
Cost (must buy, install and maintain), malware (bugs and viruses can spread)
35
WAN
Made of several different LANs connected together, used by companies to connect offices all over the world
36
Advantages:
- Shares information over a large area - Supports global market and global businesses - Centralised It structure
37
Disadvantages:
- Buying access can be expensive as you pay through broadbands at home - Relies on internet service providers to fix problems
38
Bandwidth
How much data can be pushed across a connection in a given amount of time
39
Error Rate
Number of mistakes that occur during data transmission
40
Latency
Time between the transmission of data packet and the receipt of a message across a network
41
Data Collision
Result of simultaneous data packet transmission between two or more network domain devices or nodes (causes transmission errors requiring data to be resent)
42
Factors that affect network performance:
- Latency - Number of users - Bandwidth
43
Wireless connections have more or less bandwidth than wired?
Less
44
How do errors occur
By interference from other networks, weak wifi, data collisions
45
Round-trip Latency
The time computer A has to wait until it receives the acknowledgement for the IP packet for computer B
46
Client-server Network
Network where a server provides data and services for client computers
47
Peer-to-peer
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
Network Architecture
A set of rules on how computers are organised in a system and how tasks are allocated between these computers
49
Server
A computer dedicated to providing information in response to requests, classified by the type of service they provide
50
Clients
Computers which users login to the network
51
Client-server Advantages:
central management of files and backup procedures, security and software updates, logins and user activity can be monitored
52
Disadvantages:
Server hardware is expensive and costly to manage, network is reliant on the server, services can be overwhelmed by requests
53
P2P Advantages:
Easy and cheap to set up, robust
54
Disadvantages:
File management and backups performed individually, network less secure (one insecure computer can allow malware into the entire network)
55
Networking Hardware
Hardware needed to set up a network
56
NIC (Network Interface Card)
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
Switch
Intelligent device to provide wired connections for nodes on a LAN
58
Hubs
Broadcasts to all connected nodes, generating a lot of data traffic
59
Hubs and Switches
Connect wired devices on a LAN
60
WAP
Device that allows wireless devices to connect to a wired network
61
WAP Features
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
Disadvantage:
Bandwidth is shared with any old user with the password
63
Router
Networking device which connects different networks
64
Copper cables types
- Coaxial ( signal degenerates quickly over distance) - Unshielded twisted pair (twisting reduces signal degeneration) - Shielded twisted pair (copper shielding reduces interference)
65
Advantages:
Cheap and more adequate for wiring in a LAN
66
Disadvantage:
- Lower bandwidth -can only be used over a short distance - Interference
67
Fibre-optic
Data transmitted along thin glass cables using light pulses, cables are thin and bundles together to increase bandwidth
68
Advantage:
- Data can be transmitted at very high speeds, and over long distances without losing signal strength - Hard for hackers to intercept signals
69
Disadvantage:
Replacing copper cables with fibreoptic is expensive
70
Internet
Global communication system including hardware and infrastructure
71
World Wide Web
Collection of services hosted on the internet
72
Network Protocol
Standard that specifies format of data as well as the rules to be followed during transmission
73
Satellite Internet
Constellation of artificial satellites providing internet service
74
Advantages:
Enables internet access in remote areas, potentially faster than ground-based access
75
Cloud Computing
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
File servers
Used to store and manage files for network usersS
77
Advantages of Cloud Computing
- 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
Disadvantages:
- Pay for internet access - Could lose password, dependent on Cloud Service Provider - Target of sophisticated hackers
79
Environmental Considerations
Enables Work from Home, which reduces pollution and energy consumption Huge amounts of land are used to build data centres
80
Network Architecture
Logical structure of the network
81
Network Topology
Physical layout or configuration of a network
82
Star Topology
Nodes are connected to a central device which is connected to one or more servers
83
Advantages:
- easy to add new nodes - management of network can be done centrally
84
Disadvantages:
- requires extra hardware (central device is high maintenance) - reliant of central device
85
Mesh Topology
Multiple communication pathways between nodes, no central point Paid for when reliability of network communication is very important (military)
86
Advantages:
- multiple pathways - no single device failure compromises network - fast data transfer
87
Disadvantages:
- very expensive to connect all nodes - Adding new node is complex
88
Partial Mesh Topology
Most nodes are interconnected, but some are connected to only some of the other nodes
89
Primary Storage
Storage used for data currently in use, eg RAM, ROM, cache, registers, virtual memory
90
Secondary Storage
non-volatile long term storage, device that provides permanent storage for data
91
RAM
Random Access Memory, contains millions of memory locations, each with a distinct address
92
ROM
Read Only Memory, stores basic input/output system and bootstrap program
93
Bootstrap Program
Initialises all aspects of system, loads operating system into RAM and starts execution
94
Virtual Memory
Used when physical RAM is full, less used data copied from RAM into virtual memory. When it is needed, it is copied back
95
Disadvantage:
Data access on hard disk much slower than RAM<, computer performance will be affected

Computer Science GCSE OCR (1 decks)

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