Names : Jacky Lai Choon Huey

TP Numbers : TP028752

Intake Code : UC1F1308SE

Module : CT049-3-1-OS Operating System and Computer
Architecture

Report Title : Research on Operating Systems [OS] and Computer
Systems Architecture [CSA]

Lecturer : Abubakar S.Santuraki

Hand Out Date :

Hand In Date :

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CT049-3-1-OS Operating System and Computer Architecture 2

Marking Grid
Assessment Criteria
Marks
Allocated
Marks Given
Research and Investigation 20%
Referencing 10%
Analysis 30%
Reflection 30%
Documentation 10%

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Contents Page
1.0 Abstract
2.0 Introduction
3.0 Section 1 : Question 2 - Memory managements of any Operating System
3.1 Swapping
3.2 Memory Paging and Demand Paging
4.0 Section 2 : Question 1 - Researches on Microprocessors
4.1 Desktop System
4.2 Laptop System
4.3 Servers System
4.4 Embedded System
5.0 Limitations and Extensions
6.0 Conclusion
7.0 Reference
8.0 Appendices
8.1 FAQ
8.2 Gantt Chart

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List of Figures Page
3.1 UNIX Operating System Timeline
3.1.1 Schematic View of Swapping
3.2.1 The Process of Memory Paging
3.2.2 Non-contiguous memory VS contiguous memory
3.2.3 The Process of Demand Paging
4.1.1 Haswell Performance Benchmark
4.1.2 Quick Sync Performance Comparison
4.2.1 An illustration on the level of integration in Haswell
4.2.2 Considering Ultrabooks aren't meant for gaming, performance is respectable
4.2.3 Battery life for MacBook Air
4.3.1 Server CPUs are much more efficient
4.4.1 The Raspberry Pi Model B
4.4.2 The Raspberry Pi Model B Schematics Diagram



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1.0 Abstract
This report contains two sections. Firstly, it is the research on memory management of
UNIX OS. This section discuss on how swapping, paging and demand paging affect UNIX OS
and how it differs between them. The second section is about current trends of microprocessors
which include desktop, laptop, server and even embedded system. This section will discuss
mainly about performance and power saving technology of these microprocessors. In this report
contains the limitations, FAQ and conclusion as well.



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2.0 Introduction



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3.0 Section 1 : Question 2 - Memory managements of any Operating System
The researched operating system is generally speaking UNIX OS
1
. This open source
operating system was first released at 1970's by AT&T
2
Bell Laboratories which led to different
variant in accommodating different ways of usage. (Unix.org, 2013) The goal of UNIX OS is to
be portable, pre-emptive multi-tasking and multi-user. The notable variants of UNIX OS are
Oracle Solaris 11 and Mac OS. They both used UNIX source code as their base. In this section,
memory management techniques of UNIX OS like swapping, paging and demand paging will be
discussed. The figure below shows the history and development of the UNIX OS.

Figure 3.1 UNIX Operating System Timeline
Source : http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/198/1d5r.png/


1
Operating System
2
American Telephone and Telegraph
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3.1 Swapping
Swapping is a technique which moved the whole process [page] back and forth
from the swap device [backing store] and main memory for operating system execution.
(Indiabix.com, 2013). This technique helps to increase the logical memory size without
upgrading the physical or main memory. Thus, saving hardware implementation cost.
The major weakness of this system is the transfer time. For example, a page fault occurs
when the OS tries to retrieve data which is not in the main memory. Hence, it forces the
CPU
3
to wait for the data to be swap in from the swap device. When there is insufficient
space large enough for memory to expand. It will be swapped out and in with a new size,
therefore, wasting more time. It is said that the total transfer time is directly proportional
to the amount of memory swapped. (Sgpraju, 2012). This technique might be the easiest
and have less system overhead compare to demand paging but it still lack the ability to
produce fast result. The only way to improve speed is to upgrade the main memory
[RAM
4
] itself to increase the capacity for data to be swapped in.

Figure 3.1.1 Schematic View of Swapping
Source : http://www.slideshare.net/sgpraju/os-swapping-paging-segmentation-and-virtual-
memory

3
Central Processing Unit
4
Random Access Memory
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3.2 Memory Paging and Demand Paging

Figure 3.2.1 The Process of Memory Paging
Source : http://www.c-jump.com/CIS77/ASM/Protection/W77_0130_paging.htm



Figure 3.2.2 Non-contiguous Memory VS Contiguous Memory
Source : http://stackoverflow.com/questions/4059363/what-is-a-contiguous-memory-block

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Figure 3.2.3 The Process of Demand Paging
Source : http://www.cs.odu.edu/~cs471w/spring10/lectures/virtualmemory.htm

(Mick, 2013) said that Demand paging is a technique that loads pages on demand
however (Imbhargav. 2012) said that demand-paging is similar to a paging system with
swapping. Therefore, Demand Paging is a combination of memory swapping and paging
but instead of swapping the whole process, it swaps pages or frames from a page table.
Thus, resolving the memory transfer issue of memory swapping.


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4.0 Section 2 : Question 1 - Researches on Microprocessors
When it comes to microprocessors, CPU is most probably the first thing that comes into
mind. CPU is the component that does most of the necessary processing. CPU isnt the only
microprocessors found in a computer system, though, there many other types like, GPU
5
, audio
processors, RAID
6
processors, NIC
7
or even storage controllers found in SSD
8
.
4.1 Desktop System
In desktop computers, microprocessors are usually more powerful than laptops
and server counterparts since desktops are much less thermal and power constrained than
the others. Intels latest line-up of CPUs based on their new microprocessor architecture,
Haswell, was announced on 4
th
of June 2013.
Unfortunately, there is only about 10% increment in performance compared to
previous generation, thanks to its increase in instruction-per-clock (Angelini, 2013). To
make matters worse, overclocking headroom for these chips are getting smaller as Intel
decides to integrate more components from the motherboard into the CPU itself, such as
the VRM
9
, making them produce denser heat.


5
Graphics Processing Unit
6
Redundant Array of Independent Disks
7
Network Interface Controller
8
Solid State Drive
9
Voltage Regulation Module
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Figure 4.1.1 Haswell Performance Benchmark
Source : http://www.anandtech.com/show/7003/the-haswell-review-intel-core-i74770k-i54560k-
tested/6
As seen in chart above, the performance of the latest Intel Core i7-4770K versus
previous generation Core i7-3770K is only marginally better.
The improvements are mostly emphasizing on its integrated GPUs performance
and power efficiency, which can only be realized in more specific use cases. While
integrated GPU is too underpowered for any modern 3D gaming, but hardware
accelerated video encoding/decoding is where Quick Sync technology comes in. It is
arguable that similar technology has been around for many years, using GPU to do the
job, expanding their functionality. However, this is exactly what Intel had done
differently; Quick Sync is a dedicated circuitry in the CPU, designed to do only one task,
also known as fixed function processing. Many consider this kind of architecture design
as a waste of space and material, but Intel made it worthwhile by making Quick Sync
really fast.
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Figure 4.1.2 Quick Sync Performance Comparison
Source : http://www.anandtech.com/show/7003/the-haswell-review-intel-core-i74770k-i54560k-
tested/8
Another way of taking advantage of Intels integrated graphics is setting up a
HTPC
10
. HTPCs are designed for providing the best media playback experience in a
smaller form factor, power efficient and produce little to no noise. Decoding and
rendering the pictures of a video is not an intensive task, but the processor has to do that
using the least amount of resources to maintain the noise and power consumption
threshold. Therefore Quick Sync to perform the decoding allow users to employ low
power CPUs as the compute performance wont make much impact in this use case.
What we are seeing here is the emphasis in integration, both Intel and AMD is
trying to produce chips by building components that we used to see on the motherboard

10
Home Theatre PC
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into the chip itself and try to convince consumer that dedicated hardware is optional, or
even obsolete, which can either be good and bad at the same time. For small form factor
devices, this is perfect for power efficiency (discussed later), but in the desktop space,
that means enthusiasts will have even lesser control on their hardware. It used to be that
choosing a motherboard with well build components is very crucial and affects
performance by a tangible amount, but now it doesnt matter that much, and it became
harder to differentiate good and bad hardware, hurting the industry in some ways.
4.2 Laptop System
Mobile computers has been getting a lot of hype these days and laptops is no
exception, and its good business when microprocessor companies design chips that are
optimized for theses form factors. Fortunately, this is exactly what Intel had done, the
aforementioned power efficiency and integration improvements to Haswell chips really
shines here.

Figure 4.2.1 An illustration on the level of integration in Haswell
Source : http://diit.cz/clanek/intel-uvadi-4jadrovy-haswell/cipsety-intel-8-rady
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Power has always been the limiting factor to laptops performance and portability,
high performance laptops require the device to be plugged in almost all the time while
those that could last for hours are too underpowered to get any job done. Intels goal is to
make power efficient processors without compromising performance. Processors found in
these devices are scaled down versions of their siblings in desktops, identified by their U
suffix, such as Core i5- 4250U, which stands for ULV
11
, providing two cores and Intel
HD Graphics, higher end chips will have Turbo Boost and more cache, with TDP
12
as
low as 15W.

Figure 1.2.2 Considering Ultrabooks aren't meant for gaming, performance is respectable
Source : http://www.anandtech.com/show/7085/the-2013-macbook-air-review-13inch/4

11
Ultra-Low Voltage
12
Thermal Design Power
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The machine that best demonstrate the Ultrabook is none other than the Macbook
Air from Apple. The latest ULV Haswell chip paired with LPDDR3
13
, low voltage
memory commonly found in smartphone and tablets, along with Mac OS Xs power
efficient software allows the latest Macbook Air to achieve a whopping 11 hours of
battery life, very close to the 12 hours advertised proudly by Apple. (Shimpi, 2013)

Figure 4.2.3 Battery life for MacBook Air
Source : http://www.anandtech.com/show/7085/the-2013-macbook-air-review-13inch/6
The battery life increment is insane but the compute performance of the CPU is
actually lower by about 5% than before in exchange for the ridiculous battery life. The
impact in real life is non-existence but is consistent across benchmark standards and
consumers tend to exaggerate on these matters. Though, it seems that Apple is quite
confident that most people doesnt need more performance from these machines but is

13
Low-Power Double Data Rate 3, a type of memory that operates at lower voltage than regular DDR3 at the same
frequency, more expensive to manufacture.
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definitely happy to see better power efficiency, and based on the positive reviews and
praise for taking battery life to the next level, Apple seems to be right.
4.3 Server System
Server processors are designed differently from the ground up, completely
separated from consumer level of products, which is the first justification for their price.
Then, huge organizations are usually customers for these type processors, thus after sales
services is also quite different from what we usually encounter.
Server processors serve different purposes than desktop parts, they are not
designed for multitasking, but is made for dedicated task, taking advantage of multiple
cores by dividing the same workload into multiple threads. Servers are also responsible
for feeding data to an enormous number of clients, meaning its I/O performance and data
integrity is often more important than raw compute power, therefore, server processors
have to be equipped with sophisticated memory and storage controllers with features such
as ECC
14
that gives the level of precision to servers where organizations cannot afford to
have data corruption or any form of miscalculation. Servers are also meant to operate for
a long time without fail, therefore server components have to be tested thoroughly and be
verified for long term operation.
Redundancy is also what servers does very well, depending on the scale of the
server, number of components could go from a few to a few thousands, increasing the
chance of faulty hardware exponentially, therefore servers are built with multiple CPUs
on a motherboard and hard drives operating in RAID configuration, allowing them
continue working even when hardware were to fail.
However, no matter the situation the efficiency of a system is exactly what server
processors do best.

14
Error Code Correction
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Figure 4.3.1 Server CPUs are much more efficient
Source : http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/xeon-e5-2687w-benchmark-review,3149-
11.html
Here it shows the power needed to complete the same workload. On the left its
obvious that server CPUs sucks more power as there are 2 of them (Red VS Black), but
ultimate require less power since they finish the task much faster. The same chart also
shows the improvement in efficiency compared to previous generations.
4.4 Embedded System

Figure 4.4.1 The Raspberry Pi Model B
Source : http://www.raspberrypi.org/faqs
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One embedded system which is getting all the hypes lately is the Raspberry Pi.
With just the size of a credit-card, it can be used to do activities like spreadsheets, word-
processing, games and plays high-definition video. (Raspberrypi.org, 2013) It is basically
a miniaturize Linux powered computer. Not only it is the smallest computer but, it is the
cheapest considering the price tag of just $35 USD for Model B. Other than cost, the
performance of this miniature computer is remarkable. With a 700 MHz ARM-11
processor, it can provide basic functionality of a computer. Besides that, the Broadcom
VideoCore IV GPU provides 1 Gpixel/s, 1.5 Gtexel/s or 24 GFLOP of performance. In
other words, it's got the graphics power of the original Xbox. (Browning, 2013)
With computer technology going this far, I would not be surprise when embedded system
are able to compete with laptop computers or even desktop in the near future.


Figure 4.4.2 The Raspberry Pi Model B Schematics Diagram
Source : http://www.raspberrypi.org/faqs



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5.0 Limitations and Extensions
Before I started the assignment, I always had a concept where UNIX and LINUX is
running on the same platform. I was wrong. During the course of the assignment, I found out the
difference between these OS and be able to clear my doubts. I might know how to assemble and
fix a computer but I never took the effort to know what is going on behind the scene of an
operating system or hardware. Therefore, I struggle the most at Section 1 as I am not exposed to
these types of information before.

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6.0 Conclusion
In conclusion,
After finish this assignment, i found out that the small tiny chip, register can do a lot of
thing that we can't image. From my own research I found that there is many extra information
that related to computer architecture through the book references. From the online research i
know that how much is need a process control management to control the I/O in a computer.


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7.0 Reference
Section 1
1. C-jump.com. 2013. Paging and Address Translation Scheme. [online] Available at:
http://www.c-jump.com/CIS77/ASM/Protection/W77_0130_paging.htm [Accessed: 17
Nov 2013].
2. Mick. 2013. A closer look at Demand Paging Michael Gleeson. [online] Available at:
http://www.comp.dit.ie/mgleeson/?p=242 [Accessed: 17 Nov 2013].
3. Cs.odu.edu. 2013. VirtualMemory. [online] Available at:
http://www.cs.odu.edu/~cs471w/spring10/lectures/virtualmemory.htm [Accessed: 17
Nov 2013].
4. Imbhargav. 2012. Paging and Demand Paging. [online] Available at:
http://imbhargav.wordpress.com/2012/12/31/paging-and-demand-paging-2/ [Accessed:
17 Nov 2013].
5. Indiabix.com. 2013. UNIX Memory Management - Interview Questions and Answers.
[online] Available at: http://www.indiabix.com/technical/unix-memory-management/
[Accessed: 17 Nov 2013].
6. Sgpraju. 2012. Unix memory management. [online] Available at:
http://www.slideshare.net/Tech_MX/unix-memory-management [Accessed: 17 Nov
2013].
7. Sgpraju. 2012. Os Swapping, Paging, Segmentation and Virtual Memory. [online]
Available at: http://www.slideshare.net/sgpraju/os-swapping-paging-segmentation-and-
virtual-memory [Accessed: 17 Nov 2013].
8. Stackoverflow.com. 2011. Memory management - Difference Swapping and Paging -
Stack Overflow. [online] Available at:
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/4415254/difference-swapping-and-paging [Accessed:
17 Nov 2013].
9. Stackoverflow.com. 2009. memory - What's the difference between operating system
"swap" and "page"? - Stack Overflow. [online] Available at:
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/1688962/whats-the-difference-between-operating-
system-swap-and-page [Accessed: 17 Nov 2013].
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10. Stackoverflow.com. 2010. c - What is a contiguous memory block? - Stack Overflow.
[online] Available at: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/4059363/what-is-a-contiguous-
memory-block [Accessed: 17 Nov 2013].
11. Thegeekstuff.com. 2013. Linux Memory Management Virtual Memory and Demand
Paging. [online] Available at: http://www.thegeekstuff.com/2012/02/linux-memory-
management/ [Accessed: 17 Nov 2013].
12. Tips.dataexpedition.com. 2013. Memory Management - UNIX Tips. [online] Available
at: http://tips.dataexpedition.com/memory.html [Accessed: 17 Nov 2013].
Section 2
13. Shimpi, A. 2013. The 2013 MacBook Air Review (13-inch). [online] Available at:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/7085/the-2013-macbook-air-review-13inch [Accessed:
17 Nov 2013].
14. Shimpi, A. 2013. A Look at Intel HD 5000 GPU Performance Compared to HD 4000.
[online] Available at: http://www.anandtech.com/show/7072/intel-hd-5000-vs-hd-4000-
vs-hd-4400 [Accessed: 13 Nov 2013].
15. Walton, J. 2013. Acer Aspire S7 Ultrabook: Acers Best Foot Forward. [online]
Available at: http://www.anandtech.com/show/6535/acer-aspire-s7-ultrabook-acers-best-
foot-forward [Accessed: 13 Nov 2013].
16. Gelas, Johan. 2013. LRDIMMs, RDIMMs, and Supermicro's Latest Twin. [online]
Available at: http://www.anandtech.com/show/6068/lrdimms-rdimms-supermicros-latest-
twin [Accessed: 13 Nov 2013].
17. Gelas, Johan. 2013. The new Opteron 6300: Finally Tested!. [online] Available at:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/6508/the-new-opteron-6300-finally-tested [Accessed:
13 Nov 2013].
18. Shimpi, A. 2013. ARM's Cortex A57 and Cortex A53: The First 64-bit ARMv8 CPU
Cores. [online] Available at: http://www.anandtech.com/show/6420/arms-cortex-a57-
and-cortex-a53-the-first-64bit-armv8-cpu-cores [Accessed: 13 Nov 2013].
19. Angelini, C. 2013. The Core i7-4770K Review: Haswell Is Faster; Desktop Enthusiasts
Yawn - Haswell Turns Into Intel's Fourth-Gen Core Architecture. [online] Available at:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/core-i7-4770k-haswell-review,3521.html
[Accessed: 13 Nov 2013]
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20. Raspberrypi.org. 2013. FAQs | Raspberry Pi. [online] Available at:
http://www.raspberrypi.org/faqs [Accessed: 17 Nov 2013].
21. Browning, J. 2013. So you got a Raspberry Pi: now what?. [online] Available at:
http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/04/raspberry-pi-getting-started-guide-how-to/
[Accessed: 17 Nov 2013].
8.0 Appendices
8.1 FAQ
8.2 Gantt Chart
Date 11 November 2013 to 20 November 2013
Research

Abstract

Introduction

Section 1Memory Management

Section 2 Microprocessors

Limitation and Extensions

Conclusion

Appendixes