This document discusses desktop systems and multiprocessor systems.
For desktop systems, it describes them as personal computers dedicated to single users, with keyboards, mice, displays and small printers. It notes they run operating systems like Windows, MacOS, UNIX and Linux.
For multiprocessor systems, it defines them as having multiple processors that share clocks, memory and buses. Symmetric multiprocessors have similar operating systems on each processor, while asymmetric ones have predefined master-slave roles. Multiprocessor systems provide advantages like reliability, throughput and cost-effectiveness, but require more memory, expense and complex operating systems.
2. Desktop Systems
Personal computers – computer system dedicated to a
single user appeared in the 1970’s.
I/O devices – keyboards, mice, display screens, small
printers.
User convenience and responsiveness.
Can adopt technology developed for larger operating
system’ often individuals have sole use of computer and
do not need advanced CPU utilization of protection
features.
May run several different types of operating systems
(Windows, MacOS, UNIX, Linux)
3. Desktop Systems
• The control program that operates in a user’s machine is
termed as the desktop system. Such a system is also
referred as a client operating system.
• The client can be said as a computer in a network where
the user performs some task or activity over the network.
• Such computer operating systems do not have complete
control over the resources but use the network to access
them.
• Also, these operating system only use the network to
carry out tasks such as downloading a file from the
network or browsing the internet.
4. Desktop Systems
• Desktop operating systems usually operate with a server
computer which has the complete control over the
resources.
• Also, the processing power remains completely in the hand
of the server operating system.
• The server operating system is developed in such a way
that it can fulfill all the requirements and requests of the
client or the desktop operating system.
• Desktop or the client operating system is completely
dependent on the server operating systems and are
ineffective in the absence of a server.
5. Desktop Systems
Features :
• Basic operating features such as data sharing, internet
browsing, and detecting hardware.
• Needs minimal memory requirements.
• Highly budget friendly.
• Better utilization of resources.
• Less operational complexity.
6. Desktop Systems
Advantages :
• Centralization of resources as all the resources are present
at a common location.
• Better management of resources as the files are stored at a
single place. This also avoids redundancy of resources
such as printers and scanners.
• Remote access to the server gives processing power to
every user.
• High security as only the server needs to be secured from
threats and attacks.
• The server can play different roles for the different
7. Desktop Systems
Disadvantages :
• Network congestion as multiple requests from the clients
can block the network traffic.
• The architecture of request and response is not robust
enough for heavy processing.
• If the server fails, all the desktop systems connected over
the network fails.
• If the service interrupts, the task has to be started from
scratch. For instance, if a desktop system requests a file
download which gets interrupted, the file becomes
corrupt, and the entire process needs to be carried out
from the start.
8. Desktop Systems
Disadvantages :
• The operating system architecture is highly costly.
• A professional IT personnel is needed to manage and
maintain such an operating environment.
• File protection was necessary when other computers and
other users can access the files on PC.
• Malicious programs such as WORM or Virus mechanisms
are implemented for the file protection.
9. Mutiprocessor Systems
Most computer systems are single processor systems i.e
they only have one processor.
However, multiprocessor or parallel systems are
increasing in importance nowadays.
They are also known as tightly coupled systems.
These systems have multiple processors working in
parallel that share the computer clock, memory, bus,
peripheral devices etc.
11. Multiprocessor Systems
Types of Multiprocessors
There are mainly two types of multiprocessors i.e. symmetric
and asymmetric multiprocessors.
• Symmetric Multiprocessors
• In these types of systems, each processor contains a similar
copy of the operating system and they all communicate
with each other. All the processors are in a peer to peer
relationship i.e. no master - slave relationship exists
between them.
• An example of the symmetric multiprocessing system is the
Encore version of Unix for the Multimax Computer.
12. Multiprocessor Systems
Asymmetric Multiprocessors
• In asymmetric systems, each processor is given a
predefined task.
• There is a master processor that gives instruction to all the
other processors.
• Asymmetric multiprocessor system contains a master
slave relationship.
• Asymmetric multiprocessor was the only type of
multiprocessor available before symmetric
multiprocessors were created.
13. Multiprocessor Systems
Advantages of Multiprocessor Systems
• There are multiple advantages to multiprocessor systems.
Some of these are −
More reliable Systems
• In a multiprocessor system, even if one processor fails,
the system will not halt. This ability to continue working
despite hardware failure is known as graceful
degradation. For example: If there are 5 processors in a
multiprocessor system and one of them fails, then also 4
processors are still working. So the system only becomes
slower and does not ground to a halt.
14. Muliprocessor Systems
Enhanced Throughput
• If multiple processors are working in tandem, then the throughput
of the system increases i.e. number of processes getting executed
per unit of time increase. If there are N processors then the
throughput increases by an amount just under N.
More Economic Systems
• Multiprocessor systems are cheaper than single processor systems
in the long run because they share the data storage, peripheral
devices, power supplies etc. If there are multiple processes that
share data, it is better to schedule them on multiprocessor systems
with shared data than have different computer systems with
multiple copies of the data.
15. Multiprocessor Systems
Disadvantages of Multiprocessor Systems
There are some disadvantages as well to multiprocessor
systems. Some of these are:
Increased Expense
• Even though multiprocessor systems are cheaper in the
long run than using multiple computer systems, still they
are quite expensive. It is much cheaper to buy a simple
single processor system than a multiprocessor system.
Large Main Memory Required
• All the processors in the multiprocessor system share the
memory. So a much larger pool of memory is required as
compared to single processor systems.
16. Multiprocessor Systems
Disadvantages of Multiprocessor Systems
Complicated Operating System Required
• There are multiple processors in a multiprocessor system
that share peripherals, memory etc. So, it is much more
complicated to schedule processes and impart resources to
processes.than in single processor systems. Hence, a more
complex and complicated operating system is required in
multiprocessor systems.