Computer Systems (Essay Sample)

Computer Systems
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Computer Systems
Communication between the internal and external components of a computer
CPU and RAM
The RAM assumes the role of processing data that might cause delays if the task were left to the storage devices. The CPU processes much of the functions in the memory. During processing of vast amounts of data, the RAM prepares the data to enable usage by the CPU. The RAM and CPU can work in unison but are not mandated to do so. Communication between the internal and external components of a computer is established via what is referred to as buses (Blanchet & Dupouy, 2013). There are three types of buses. There is address bus, local bus and the data bus. The bus works by providing a description of a memory location that highlights from where the data is being sourced or to where it is being sent. The internal bus is used to ensure effective communication between all the internal components of a computer. On the other hand, the external bus is used to ensure effective communication between all the external components of a computer. It has to be noted that the core function of the bus is to ensure communication between the CPU, memory and the input/output devices.
The address bus is single directional. The core mandate is to transmit addresses from the CPU to the main memory and/or the input and output devices. It has to be noted that the address bus is one directional and only transmits data from the processor and not the other way round. The data bus and the control bus are both bidirectional. Both of these buses transmit data between the three components. Information is transmitted from the CPU to the various I/O devices. The optical drives, USB drives, hard drives and expansion drives communicate with the CPU using these two bidirectional buses. The key input devices are the keyboard and mouse (Holden & Liversedge, 2014).
Function of the different types of backing storage
Hard disk drives
The hard disks are used to store data that is long term best exemplified by the Operating System as well as personal files. Hard disks are responsible for ensuring that the CPU can access the operating system when booted. The distinguishing feature between hard drives is the storage capacity and performance (Page, 2009).
Optical media (CD/DVDs)
Optical media devices are storage media that are both written and read via laser. Such devices are used store digital content. The growing use of these media stems from their durability in comparison to the traditional storage media (Tay, 2014).
USB storage devices
USB storage devices use the flash memory technology. Upon plugging into a computer, the operating system identifies the device as a removal drive and subsequently assigns a letter. USB storage devices function as additional storage locations as well as enabling quicker file transfer between computers (Holden & Liversedge, 2014).
Flash memory cards
Flash memory cards are storage mediums. They provide some added benefits to the traditional hard disk drives. The portability, ease of access of the flash memory cards make coupled with the reduced probability of mechanical failure make them core components in computer use (Englander, 2014).
Function of portable and fixed storage devices
The function of the portable and fixed storage is to store the Operating System as a well as a client personal files. The fixed storage devices contain software that ensures effective working and communication between the various components of a computer. The portable storage devices enable ease of transfer of data as well as providing a reliable storage location (Tay, 2014).
Factors of backing storage performance
The factors impacting performance of storage devices are the capa...