COP 6611 Operating Systems

Assignment 1
Sridhar Godavarthy (U32086851)
1.8) Which of the following instructions should be privileged?
a. Set value of timer
c. Clear Memory
e. Turn off interrupts
f. Modify entries in a device-status table
g. Switch from user to kernel mode.
h. Access I/O Device.

1.9) 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.
a. Any new critical data created by the OS would have to be anyway placed on the
writable partition nullifying its use.
b. The operating system can never be updated / patched.

1.13) 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?
i) A single process may exhaust all resources unless proper resource management is
performed.
ii) User programs may overwrite others address spaces without proper memory
management.
iii) Users may be able to access others file and data without proper file management.
iv) User programs may result in fatal system errors which will affect all other users.
b) Can we ensure the same degree of security in a time-shared machine as in a
dedicated machine?
No. No matter how secure an OS is, there are always loopholes and an OS can never be
100% secure. Even if the OS provides for reasonable restrictions, the administrators
must fully understand and utilize these resources which is a very complex task.

COP 6611 Operating Systems

Assignment 1
Sridhar Godavarthy (U32086851)
1.14) The issue of resource utilization shows up in different forms in different types of
Uses. List what resources must be managed carefully in the following settings:
a) Mainframe or minicomputer systems CPU time, Memory, I/O
b) Workstations connected to servers Network bandwidth, server utilization, file
servers, compute servers and print servers
c) Hand held computers Power consumption, Memory usage.

1.17) Describe the differences between symmetric and asymmetric multiprocessing.

What are three advantages and one disadvantage of multiprocessor systems?
A) In symmetric systems, all processors are peers in software and hardware. i.e all
processors perform all tasks.
In asymmetric systems, the processors differ from each other( in software- where has
control software and controls the other CPUs. In Hardware- one processor is designed to
be good at control and others good at computations). One CPU acts as the master and
assigns tasks to the other processors.
Advantages: Increased throughput (better performance); Economy of scale (reduction in
costs by resource sharing); Increased reliability.
Disadvantage: Increased complexity

1.18) 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?
A) Clustered systems are two or more individual systems coupled together and may
share storage or have a faster interconnect.
Multiprocessor systems on the other hand are much more closely coupled and generally
use shared memory to communicate. The processors generally share the same system
resources.
High availability can be achieved by adding a level of redundancy to the system. A
software known as the cluster software runs on the system and each machine is
monitored ( keep track of process information) by one or more machines. When a
machine fails, the monitoring machine takes up its tasks.

1.20) Consider a computer 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.
A) Asymmetric clustering The nodes can be implemented in the hot standby mode
with one node performing the database operation and the other node monitoring the

COP 6611 Operating Systems

Assignment 1
Sridhar Godavarthy (U32086851)
first node keeping track of its state. If the first node fails, the second node takes up the
operation from where the first one failed. However, in this case, only one node is utilized
while the other nodes computation power is wasted
Symmetric clustering In this mode, both nodes perform the operation, and monitor
each other. When one fails, the other machine takes up both the operations. In this
case, the computation power is utilized, but the system design is very complex to
handle parallel operations and proper locking and synchronization mechanisms between
the two nodes.

1.21) How are network computers different from traditional personal computers?
Describe some usage scenarios in which it is advantageous to use network computers.
A) Personal computers have all the required resources local to the machine and are
capable of handling all requests locally. Network computers have very minimal
resources locally( in some cases- known as dumb terminals- only the memory and a
processor) and a minimalistic operating system too. They depend on a network server
for all their resource requirements.
Systems that have a centralized storage that needs to be shared between several
clients is a good scenario to use such a setup. For example, a database class whose
students need to work on a central database server.

1.22) What is the purpose of interrupts. What are the differences between a trap and an
interrupt? Can traps be generated intentionally by a user program? If so, for what
purpose?
A) Interrupts are used to indicate events ( changes in state, interesting scenarios,
freeing of resources, I/O completions, errors) to the Operating System, which usually
results in a change in the operating system performing an action. Traps are software
generated interrupts, whereas an interrupt is hardware generated.
Yes. Traps can be generated intentionally by user programs All system calls are called
by traps. Also, exception handling mechanisms can generate traps to allow the O/S to
handle errors.

1.26) Consider an SMP system similar to what is shown in figure Illustrate with an
example how data residing in memory could in fact have two different values in each of
the local caches.
A)

Time

Operation

CPU 1 Cache

CPU 2 Cache

Memory Location G

BEGIN

32

T+t

CPU 1 Read G

32

32

COP 6611 Operating Systems

Assignment 1
Sridhar Godavarthy (U32086851)
T + 2t

CPU 2 Read G

32

32

32

T + 3t

CPU 1 Write G

32

Assume write through caches. Initially both caches do not cache memory location G. At
T + t, the 1st CPU issues a read on G, This causes a miss and fetches the value 32 from
main memory into the cache. At T + 2t, CPU2 issues a read on G which again causes a
miss and fetches the value 32 from main memory. Now, at T + 3t, CPU 1 issues a write
to memory location G. This is a hit and hence the value is updated in cache-1 and also
written back to memory. In the absence of mechanisms to notify the Cache of CPU2 of
its dirty value, the Cache of CPU2 now has a wrong value the two caches have two
different values for the same memory location. This is shown in red at T + 3t

1.27) Discuss, with examples, how the problem of maintaining coherence of cached
data manifests itself in the following processing environments:
a) Single-processor systems In a multitasking environment, this is not very
complicated. Mechanisms should be in place to provide the data from the cache even
when requested from a different process. All other principles of caching remain the
same.
b) Multiprocessor systems As each processor will have its own cache, there must be a
synchronization between the caches of all processors. However, writing back at each
access will cause performance degradation. Instead, each cache must communicate
with the others and when one cache is invalidated, all other caches must be notified.
Another method is to have a central cache control such as a snoopy cache which will
manage the synchronization. Only when the block is being removed from the cache
should the block be written-back ( for ideal caching- but this is seldom the scenario).
c) Distributed systems As each node has its own local memory, caching is not an issue
in this scenario. However, file caching discrepancy is a scenario. To overcome this, any
update to a file in any system will result in updates to all replicas.

1.28) Describe a mechanism for enforcing memory protection in order to prevent a

program from modifying the memory associated with other programs
Allocate memory in a fixed size chunk. If more memory is requested by a process,
allocate another chunk. Keep track of chunks allocated to a process and do not allow
access outside the allocated memory.

COP 6611 Operating Systems

Assignment 1
Sridhar Godavarthy (U32086851)
A simpler, but performance degrading method would be track each and every block of
memory allocated to a process and check the bounds at every access.

1.30) Define the essential properties of the following types of OS:

a) Batch batch operating systems are those where several jobs that are dependent on
the output of the previous job or- completely independent jobs are queued to run on a
computer. Earlier, this was done by operators. Such programs usually do not interact
with users. Such a system provides a high CPU utilization in single process operating
systems.
b) Interactive An OS where each job needs several inputs from the user at different
points in time making it unfit for batch processing. Generally, GUIs which require a lot of
user interactions utilize this kind of OS.
c) Time sharing The OS is accessed by multiple users simultaneously. It is capable of
servicing several users by rapid switching between the various processes. It, handles
synchronization of resources and also handles locking mechanisms for parallel access of
memory.
d) Real time Such OSs are usually used for a specific purpose. They read information
from sensors and must provide a response/action to the sensors within a specified time.
The time limit is a hard limit and cannot be broken.
e) Network The OS and resources reside on a network server and a minimalistic OS is
present on other machines. The central OS may either control or support the other
machines.
f) Parallel Capable of handling multiple processor scenarios. It is designed to
synchronize the processors and handle shared access of resources. Each CPU has the
same OS running on it. All resources are common and shared except for memory.
g) Distributed Several machines exist with each system having the same OS. They
generally communicate over a LAN. The OS is designed to split up a specific task into
multiple components. Each system performs an individual task- generally on the same
data. There are no common resources
h) Clustered Several individual nodes are combined into a single system. Each node
has its own OS running on it. The OS communicate with each other. They can be
designed to monitor each other, operate in parallel or as a hot standby. There are no
common resources.
I) Handheld This is a very simple OS which runs on very low power, low memory, very
little resources and small display sizes and provide for longer battery life to
performance.

1.32) 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.

COP 6611 Operating Systems

Assignment 1
Sridhar Godavarthy (U32086851)
A)
Advantage For

Disadvantage For

Advantages:
Build on others ideas

Independent developers,
Students, small businesses

Peer reviewed

Developers of the software

Better quality

Community

Competitors

Less expensive

Independent developers,
Students, small businesses

Competitors

Availability of source code

to tailor modules to
individual needs

Anybody who needs to

customize the product

Competitors,
Consultants,
Independent
developers

Improved security as flaws

are analyzed by "many
eyes"

Community

Hackers, Cyber
thieves

Several vendors for same

OS

Independent developers,
small scale businesses

Competitors

Portable with wider

hardware

Independent developers,
Students, small businesses

Competitors,
manufacturers of OS
which work on only
their H/W

Easier licensing

Independent developers,
Students, small businesses

Competitors

More support in
developing stage

Independent developers,
Students, small businesses

Ability to and satisfaction

from contributing

Independent developers,
Students

Disadvantages:
Comes without warranty
or guarantee
Chances for intellectual
property infringements

Competitors

Small businesses

Competitors, advocates

Small businesses,
Independent

COP 6611 Operating Systems

Assignment 1
Sridhar Godavarthy (U32086851)
developers
Projects can be abandoned

Competitors

Small businesses,
Independent
developers

Might not get support

when required as there is
no obligation

Competitors

Small Businesses

REFERENCES:
[1] Silberschatz. Galvin and Gagne, Operating System Concepts 7ed, 2004, John Wiley
& Sons Inc.
[2] John L. Hennessy and David A. Patterson, Computer Architecture: A Quantitative
Approach 4ed, 2006, Morgan Kaufmann