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School of Computing

Module details

CO883 Systems Architecture (15 credits)

Syllabus

A computer system's architecture describes the underlying combination of software and hardware that needs to be provided before the system can be used; an understanding of the basic principles of computer architecture is essential if computer systems are to be used effectively.

• Fundamental ideas of computer hardware:
   
  • Boolean algebra.
  • Binary and hexadecimal numbers, two's complement, and binary arithmetic.
  • Data representation: bits, bytes, and words; character codes.
  • The von Neumann architecture: processor, memory, and peripherals; registers, RAM and ROM, data and address buses; the fetch-execute cycle.
  • Processor microarchitecture: CISC v RISC, superscalar, pipelined, out-of-order execution, branch prediction, multiprocessing.
  • Cache architectures.
  • Buses.
     
• Practical introduction to the use of a UNIX-like operating system:
   
  • The structure of the filing system.
  • Syntax of operating system commands: options, files, etc.
  • Input/output, redirection and pipes.
  • Operating system tools and their use in building pipelines.
     
• The principles and mechanisms of operating systems:
   
  • Function and historical development of operating systems.
  • Processes: states, communication, mutual exclusion, synchronisation, semaphores, monitors, avoidance of deadlock, high-level scheduling, process security.
  • The kernel: hardware requirements, interrupt handlers, low-level scheduling.
  • Memory management: swapping, virtual memory, paging.
  • Input/output; blocking and non-blocking transfers; privileged I/O processes.
  • File systems: functions, storage media, layout and organisation of files, file security.
  • The loading process; libraries; relocation.
  • Resource allocation; resource management.
  • Local and remote file access.

Note

This web page provides advance information about a module due to run in the coming academic year. We believe the details are accurate at the time of writing but they may be subject to change.