1.​ What is processor management?
It refers to the way an operating system (OS) controls and coordinates the activities of the
CPU (Central Processing Unit). It ensures that processes are executed efficiently,
manages the allocation of CPU time, and optimizes performance. Processor management
involves scheduling processes, handling interrupts, and managing resources so that
multiple programs can run smoothly without conflicts.
2. Discuss the types of multicore technologies and its benefits and give at least 2 examples
each.
​ It allows a CPU to have multiple processing units, or cores, on a single chip. This
improves performance by enabling parallel processing. There are different types of
multicore technologies. Symmetric Multiprocessing (SMP) has identical cores sharing
memory and I/O, commonly found in desktops and servers (for example., Intel Core i7,
AMD Ryzen 9). Asymmetric Multiprocessing (AMP) assigns specific tasks to specific
cores, often used in embedded systems (for example, automotive control systems,
smartphones with big.LITTLE architecture). Benefits of multicore technology include
faster processing, better multitasking, and improved energy efficiency.
3. Discuss the types of scheduling submanagers and give examples in real world situations.
​ Are components of the OS responsible for determining the order in which processes run.
Types include the Long-Term Scheduler, which decides which processes are admitted
to the system for processing (for example, when a computer loads applications at
startup), the Medium-Term Scheduler, which temporarily suspends or resumes
processes to optimize performance (for example, swapping background apps to free
memory), and the Short-Term Scheduler, which selects a process from ready queues for
immediate execution on the CPU (for example, running a web browser while a download
is ongoing).
4. What are the scheduling policies and algorithms and its goal?
​ They guide how processes are prioritized for CPU execution. The goal is to maximize
CPU utilization, minimize waiting time, and ensure fairness. Common algorithms include
First-Come, First-Served (FCFS), Shortest Job Next (SJN), Round Robin (RR), and
Priority Scheduling. For example, Round Robin is used in time-sharing systems where
each process gets a fixed time slice, preventing any single process from monopolizing the
CPU.
5. Discuss the type of interrupts and the OS responsibilities.
​ They are signals that alert the CPU to stop its current activities and handle urgent tasks.
They are categorized as hardware interrupts, triggered by devices like keyboards or
network cards, and software interrupts, generated by programs needing OS services.
The OS is responsible for detecting interrupts, prioritizing them, saving the state of the
current process, and executing the appropriate interrupt service routine (ISR). This
ensures that critical tasks, like input from a user or completion of a data transfer, are
handled efficiently.
References:
https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/operating-systems/introduction-of-process-management/
What is a multicore processor and how does it work?
https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/operating-systems/process-schedulers-in-operating-system/
CPU Scheduling in Operating Systems
What is an Interrupt?