Summary COS3721 EXAM PREP.

An operating system manages memory by keeping track of what parts of memory are being used and by whom. The operating system is also responsible for dynamically allocating and freeing memory space. Storage space is also managed by the operating system; this includes providing file systems for representing files and directories and managing space on mass-storage devices. Operating systems must also be concerned with protecting and securing the operating system and users. Protection measures control the access of processes or users to the resources made available by the computer system. Security measures are responsible for defending a computer system from external or internal attacks. Several data structures that are fundamental to computer science are widely used in operating systems, including lists, stacks, queues, trees, hash functions, maps, and bitmaps. Computing takes place in a variety of environments. Traditional computing involves desktop and laptop PCs, usually connected to a computer network. Mobile computing refers to computing on handheld smartphones and tablet computers, which offer several unique features. Distributed systems allow users to share resources on geographically dispersed hosts connected via a computer network. Services may be provided through either the client – server model or the peer-to-peer model. Virtualization involves abstracting a computer’s hardware into several different execution environments. Cloud computing uses a distributed system to abstract services into a “cloud,” where users may access the services from remote locations. Real-time operating systems are designed for embedded environments, such as consumer devices, automobiles, and robotics. The free software movement has created thousands of open-source projects, including operating systems. Because of these projects, students are able to use source code as a learning tool. They can modify programs and test them, help find and fix bugs, and otherwise explore mature, full-featured operating systems, compilers, tools, user interfaces, and other types of programs. GNU/Linux and BSD UNIX are open-source operating systems. The advantages of free software and open sourcing are likely to increase the number and quality of open-source projects, leading to an increase in the number of individuals and companies that use these projects. Practice Exercises 1.1 What are the three main purposes of an operating system? 1.2 We have stressed the need for an operating system to make efficient use of the computing hardware. When is it appropriate for the operating system to forsake this principle and to “waste” resources? Why is such a system not really wasteful? 1.3 What is the main difficulty that a programmer must overcome in writing an operating system for a real-time environment? 1.4 Keeping in mind the various definitions of operating system, consider whether the operating system should include applications such as web browsers and mail programs. Argue both that it should and that it should not, and support your answers. COS3721 EXAM PREP. 50 Chapter 1 Introduction 1.5 How does the distinction between kernel mode and user mode function as a rudimentary form of protection (security) system? 1.6 Which of the following instructions should be privileged? a. Set value of timer. b. Read the clock. c. Clear memory. d. Issue a trap instruction. e. Turn off interrupts. f. Modify entries in device-status table. g. Switch from user to kernel mode. h. Access I/O device. 1.7 Some early computers protected the operating system by placing it in a memory partition that could not be modified by either the user job or the operating system itself. Describe two difficulties that you think could arise with such a scheme. 1.8 Some CPUs provide for more than two modes of operation. What are two possible uses of these multiple modes? 1.9 Timers could be used to compute the current time. Provide a short description of how this could be accomplished. 1.10 Give two reasons why caches are useful. What problems do they solve? What problems do they cause? If a cache can be made as large as the device for which it is caching (for instance, a cache as large as a disk), why not make it that large and eliminate the device? 1.11 Distinguish between the client – server and peer-to-peer models of distributed systems. Exercises 1.12 In a multiprogramming and time-sharing environment, several users share the system simultaneously. This situation can result in various security problems. a. What are two such problems? b. Can we ensure the same degree of security in a time-shared machine as in a dedicated machine? Explain your answer. 1.13 The issue of resource utilization shows up in different forms in different types of operating systems. List what resources must be managed carefully in the following settings: a. Mainframe or minicomputer systems b. Workstations connected to servers c. Mobile computers Exercises 51 1.14 Under what circumstances would a user be better off using a timesharing system than a PC or a single-user workstation? 1.15 Describe the differences between symmetric and asymmetric multiprocessing. What are three advantages and one disadvantage of multiprocessor systems? 1.16 How do clustered systems differ from multiprocessor systems? What is required for two machines belonging to a cluster to cooperate to provide a highly available service? 1.17 Consider a computing cluster consisting of two nodes running a database. Describe two ways in which the cluster software can manage access to the data on the disk. Discuss the benefits and disadvantages of each. 1.18 How are network computers different from traditional personal computers? Describe some usage scenarios in which it is advantageous to use network computers. 1.19 What is the purpose of interrupts? How does an interrupt differ from a trap? Can traps be generated intentionally by a user program? If so, for what purpose? 1.20 Direct memory access is used for high-speed I/O devices in order to avoid increasing the CPU’s execution load. a. How does the CPU interface with the device to coordinate the transfer? b. How does the CPU know when the memory operations are complete? c. The CPU is allowed to execute other programs while the DMA controller is transferring data. Does this process interfere with the execution of the user programs? If so, describe what forms of interference are caused. 1.21 Some computer systems do not provide a privileged mode of operation in hardware. Is it possible to construct a secure operating system for these computer systems? Give arguments both that it is and that it is not possible. 1.22 Many SMP systems have different levels of caches; one level is local to each processing core, and another level is shared among all processing cores. Why are caching systems designed this way? 1.23 Consider an SMP system similar to the one shown in Figure 1.6. Illustrate with an example how data residing in memory could in fact have a different value in each of the local caches. 1.24 Discuss, with examples, how the problem of maintaining coherence of cached data manifests itself in the following processing environments: a. Single-processor systems b. Multiprocessor systems c. Distributed systems 52 Chapter 1 Introduction 1.25 Describe a mechanism for enforcing memory protection in order to prevent a program from modifying the memory associated with other programs. 1.26 Which network configuration— LAN or WAN—would best suit the following environments? a. A campus student union b. Several campus locations across a statewide university system c. A neighborhood 1.27 Describe some of the challenges of designing operating systems for mobile devices compared with designing operating systems for traditional PCs. 1.28 What are some advantages of peer-to-peer systems over client-server systems? 1.29 Describe some distributed applications that would be appropriate for a peer-to-peer system. 1.30 Identify several advantages and several disadvantages of open-source operating systems. Include the types of people who would find each aspect to be an advantage or a disadvantage. Bibliographical Notes [Brookshear (2012)] provides an overview of computer science in general. Thorough coverage of data structures can be found in [Cormen et al. (2009)]. [Russinovich and Solomon (2009)] give an overview of Microsoft Windows and covers considerable technical detail about the system internals and components. [McDougall and Mauro (2007)] cover the internals of the Solaris operating system. Mac OS X internals are discussed in [Singh (2007)]. [Love (2010)] provides an overview of the Linux operating system and great detail about data structures used in the Linux kernel. Many general textbooks cover operating systems, including [Stallings (2011)], [Deitel et al. (2004)], and [Tanenbaum (2007)]. [Kurose and Ross (2013)] provides a general overview of computer networks, including a discussion of client-server and peer-to-peer systems. [Tarkoma and Lagerspetz (2011)] examines several different mobile operating systems, including Android and iOS. [Hennessy and Patterson (2012)] provide coverage ofI/O systems and buses and of system architecture in general. [Bryant and O’Hallaron (2010)] provide a thorough overview of a computer system from the perspective of a computer programmer. Details of the Intel 64 instruction set and privilege modes can be found in [Intel (2011)]. The history of open sourcing and its benefits and challenges appears in [Raymond (1999)]. The Free Software Foundation has published its philosophy in source of Mac OS X are available from