Computer Architecture Assignment: A Reflective Journal

Question

Task: Write a reflective journal on computer architecture assignment analysing the theoretical concepts captured from the weekly material.

Answer

Introduction
According to the investigation carried on this computer architecture assignment, computer architecture is made up of several elements and components. Some of the significant components and aspects include the operating systems, memory storage, input and output devices, cloud storage, and many others. The understanding on all these aspects is significant. It is also necessary that the meaning and utilization of the components is clear so that the proper usage can be done. The report on computer architecture assignment covers the reflective analysis on these concepts that were shared across the weeks. The weekly reflection is included which gives a summary of the information covered and the lessons acquired. 

Background
The discussion provided within this computer architecture assignment was conducted on a weekly basis and there were specific topics and subjects that were covered throughout these weeks. The reflective journal that has been prepared within this computer architecture assignment is based on the weekly learning’s. The information from the first till the eleventh week has been covered and it includes the summary of the information covered along with the details of the lessons that were acquired during the week. All of this provided an additional ability to understand all of the concepts that were discussed in an effective manner. Also, the applicability of the concepts could be determined as well. 

Reflective Journal
Week 1
The week outlined in the computer architecture assignment covered the information on the memory aspects associated with the computer architecture. The discussions on the memory components and the various types of memories that are involved in the computing lifecycle were discussed during the week. It included the details of the volatile and non-volatile memory, memory characteristics, and the memory access. The representation of information is a significant aspect in the computer systems and this was also covered during the week (Tomsho 2017).

The primary information that was included was the conversion of the data from one representation to the other. The memory size is represented in byte and there are various other representations based on the byte size. Binary, octal, decimals, hexadecimal, etc. were the forms that were discussed in the week and the information around the memory types, base representation, and conversion was then included.

There were numerous lessons as discussed in this computer architecture assignment that I could learn during the week. I was not aware of the specific memory characteristics apart from the size and volume. The understanding of these characteristics could be obtained along with an understanding on the different memory types. I could also learn about the conversion from one representation to the other. This is extremely important while carrying out memory storage and processing. The base representation and the conversions that I could learn will enable me to easily convert the data from one representation to the other. It will also provide me with the ability to carry out the proper and effective memory storage.

Week 2
The functioning of the computer system cannot take place without the presence of an operating system. The week considered in the computer architecture assignment covered the concept of the operating systems along with the information on the operating system types. There are several components that are included in the operating system that were covered. There are three primary tasks that are performed by any computer system. These include the input operations, processing, and the output. There are several features and capabilities that are provided by the operating system. Some of these include kernel, file system, user interface, and others. The week also covered a brief history of the operating systems along with the numerous components that are included in these systems.

The elements of the operating system and their significant were discussed and it enabled the understanding of the overall functioning of these systems. The different types of operating systems were also discussed, such as time-sharing system in which the multi-user access is provided to the system (Stallings, 2018). The real-time systems are the ones in which the processing is carried out in real-time. There are several users that are provided with the access at the same time in the multi-user systems. The concept behind these different OS types and the differences between these types was covered in the week.

There were a number of lessons that could be learnt during the week. The primary lessons mentioned in the computer architecture assignment included the information on the OS elements and types. These learning will enable me to effectively select the OS type applicable to the specific applications and purpose.

Week 3
There are several operating systems that are available in the market as released by their respective vendors. Microsoft is one of the most popular OS vendors that have given the world with Windows OS and its numerous versions. The other popular systems include UNIX and Mac OS. These are also quite popular and widely used across the globe. The week focussed on the specific features of the operating systems. Windows is an OS that was released long time back and MS DOS and Windows 95 were some of the initial systems that were released. The entire timeline of these systems is covered in this week discussing the features of Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows 7, Windows 10, and others.

The most important concepts that are discussed herein computer architecture assignment are the difference between the different versions of Windows OS and the features that come in Unix and Mac OS. For example, the support and concept of the virtual private networks came with the release of Windows 2000. Windows XP was one of the very popular versions of the Windows OS that provided the support to a number of multimedia applications (Stallings, 2018). The transition has been included in the week that assisted in understanding the features and differences between the various OS.

I could learn about the features and the aspects associated with each of these OS. I will be able to apply and use them in the future. There are certain applications that require specific OS elements and the understanding of the features will enable me to make correct selections.

Week 4
Central Processing Unit or CPU is one of the fundamental components of a computer system. The entire functioning of the computer system is based on the CPU as it performs the actual computation and processing for the computer system. The week considered in this section of computer architecture assignment discussed the concept and features of the CPU. The basic CPU architecture was discussed during the week that comprised of the details on the components as control unit, arithmetic logic unit, register, and system bus. There are several other concepts and elements that were also discussed during the week, such as the three types of buses that are involved. These include the control, address, and data bus.

There are some of the hardware elements that can also be used to define the basic CPU architecture. These include the type of the design, cache, CPU scheduling, speed, buses, etc. The designs of the CPU that were discussed were one of the important concepts and two of these designs were discussed as complex and reduced ISC (Tanenbaum & Bos 2015). There are specific differences between these design types and the differentiation is necessary for the effective functioning.

It is stated in this computer architecture assignment that I could learn the concepts on the differences between CISC and RISC along with the understanding of the CPU scheduling and associated elements. I will be able to use and apply these lessons in the years to come. It will enable me to carry out the CPU processing and make the necessary changes and alterations in the machine as per the requirement. The architecture will be utilized to its fullest.

Week 5
The file systems are significant to the concept of operating systems and the computer architecture. This is because the use of these file systems is done for the computer processing. All the information that is present within the system can be retrieved and managed using the file system. There are numerous other tasks that are performed using these file systems. These include proper interface to the users and applications, hierarchical structure, organization of space, and a lot more. The hierarchical structure can also vary on the basis of the operating systems. For instance, there are differences in the hierarchical structure of Mac OS and Windows OS (Tanenbaum & Bos 2015).

The most important concept that was covered during the week was storage space organization. The discussion on the concepts noted herein computer architecture assignment, such as partitioning logical drives, block allocation, etc. was done in this week. It provided the ability to understand the significance of the storage space organization and the mechanisms to carry out the same. The week also covered the information on the different file systems that are used, such as FAT 16, FAT32, and many others.

I could learn about the details of the file systems and the alterations that are present between these file systems. It is clear on this computer architecture assignment that the week provided me with the understanding of these file systems and I will be able to make use of the file systems in the years to come. It will enable me to effectively use the storage space and will also provide me with the ability to make effective usage of the space available.

Week 6
To make use of the operating system, it is necessary that the installation of the OS is done properly and there are updates that are also installed on the system. Some of these aspects were covered during the week. The two types of installations that can be done were included. These covered the clean installation and the upgrade installation. The entire stage of installation mentioned in the computer architecture assignment of an OS can be classified in three stages. These cover the preparation, installation, and configuration. There are some of the minimal specifications that are needed while preparing for the OS installation. These include speed, memory, and the disk space.

There are also several sub-steps and pre-requisites that are involved and the adequate information on the same shall be available. For example, hardware compatibility and the checks are necessary before the installation of the OS is carried out (Kaur, 2015). The decision on the installation type as in clean or upgrade is also a significant decision that shall be made after effective analysis. All of these aspects were covered in the week with proper details.

I will be able to efficiently install the OS on the basis of the learnings that I gained during the week. These learnings will enable me to take correct and effective decisions and will also provide me with the ability to ensure that the prior checks and validations are done before the installations are performed.

Week 7
The input and the output devices are the major components that build up an entire computing system. The lack or absence of these devices will not make it possible to use the computer system. The week 7 considered in the computer architecture assignment focussed on the input and output devices with the discussion on the primary features associated with these devices. The configuration and installation aspects of the devices vary from one operating system to the other. The use of the device drivers is also an important aspect which was covered during the week. There are a large number of benefits that are provided with the use of the device drivers, such as enhanced flexibility and ability to not make extensive updates.

The detailed steps on the installation of the specific operating systems were covered during the week. For example, the steps to install the Windows OS were included with the proper listing of the details and the use of the figures. Similarly, the listing of the Unix installation steps was also done in the week. This enabled the enhanced understanding on the steps and methods that shall be used to install the OS (Kaur, 2015).

I acquired the lessons on the use and the installation of the operating systems and I will be able to apply these lessons in the future. These lessons outlined herein computer architecture assignment will enable me to apply and install the Windows and the other operating systems in an effective manner. I will also be able to make effective use of the lessons for the installation of the OS and the management of the related components.

Week 8
The storage devices are very important as there is a lot of data that needs to be stored on the computer systems. The week involved the discussion on the storage devices and systems that can be used with the OS. There are different types of files and documents that need to be stored on the OS. These include the files, application logs, database storage, and a lot more. The storage access methods were also discussed during the week and these included direct and network attached storage along with the storage area network and local storage. The disk capacity and speed concepts were also covered so that the information on the variations that may be witnessed with these could be clear. There are different types of Windows volumes and data types that are associated and were discussed in the week (Andujar, Sofi?a & Cuenca 2014).

The information covered on cloud storage was important as it is the preferred form of storage in the present times. The discussion on the different types of drives and the storage tools used on the Windows OS is also an important concept that was discussed during the week.

The week examined in the computer architecture assignment enabled me to learn numerous lessons on the storage types and mechanisms involved. I will be able to apply the lessons that I gained in the years to come. These lessons will enable me to store the information and the datasets on the preferred platform. Also, I will be able to make the adequate selections during the storage and implementation measures.

Week 9
Virtualization and cloud computing are the two very significant concepts in the computing world in the present times. The discussion on these aspects was covered during the week discussed herein computer architecture assignment with the background on the technologies and the explanation of the associated components. There are various aspects that are associated with Virtualization, such as virtual disk, virtual network, and snapshot. There are different forms and techniques of virtualization that have also been defined. Hosted virtualization is one of these techniques that find applications in network and application isolation, software development, and numerous others.

VMware and Virtual Box background was discussed in the week along with the discussion on the aspects of Cloud Computing. The week discussed the three main models that come under Cloud Computing as SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS. The discussion and comparison of the models done on this computer architecture assignment enabled the understanding of specific concepts that are involved (Andujar, Sofi?a & Cuenca 2014).

I could learn a number of lessons during the week. The lessons on cloud computing and cloud models will enable me to make effective usage of the cloud platforms. I will be able to make use of these learnings as the cloud storage is now the preferred storage platform that is used. The understanding of virtualization and cloud models will provide the ability to make effective utilization of the models. I will also be able to store and manage the datasets in an effective manner with the learnings that I have obtained.

Week 10
The week mentioned in this segment of computer architecture assignment covered two major concepts as configuration of the files and the user accounts. Both of these concepts are extremely relevant and provided the ability to understand the specific details associated with the concepts. There is dominant file sharing protocol that is used as server message block. The sharing of the files in Windows OS was discussed in the week along with the steps to share the files and printer in Windows and Linux operating systems. The similar discussion was included for the Mac OS. The information around the management of the users and groups was also covered during the week.

The account and password conventions were included during the week and it is one of the most important concepts that were discussed. The discussion on the accounts information and their usage specific to the operating systems was done and it included the details for the Windows and other major OS (Gong et al. 2016).

The lessons that I learnt during the week will enable me to make effective usage of the information in the future. The details on the user accounts, file sharing, and printer sharing are significant and are relevant for the current and future applications. Without the understanding of these concepts and the specific steps that are involved in the operating systems, it will not be easy to conduct these operations. The variations involved in Windows, Unix, Linux, and Mac OS and the understanding of these steps will lead to the reduced probability to make errors in the process of sharing or account management. This will have a positive implication on the overall quality.

Week 11
The management and maintenance aspects were covered and discussed during the week. Some of the basic rules that are involved in the file structure were discussed in the week along with the information on the file system maintenance. The advantages associated with the proper steps followed in the file system management were also discussed during the week considered in this computer architecture assignment. The steps in identifying the specific files and deleting the files along with the deletion of the temporary files are some of the significant details that were covered in the week. The similar information was also shared for the Unix, Linux, and Mac OS.

The details that were included on the defragmentation of the disks along with the movement and RAID techniques were also significant. The backup systems are essential to ensure that the management and maintenance of the datasets can be properly done in a computing system. These details were also covered and discussed during the week (Gong et al. 2016).

The lessons that I could learn mentioned herein computer architecture assignment included the information on the file and data maintenance and management. I will be able to use and apply these lessons in the years to come. These will include the application in terms of the effective management to make sure that the instances around the loss of the data and the poor management of the data are avoided. With adequate backup, the proper handling and control of the data will be ensured.

Conclusion
The overall discussion done in the above sections of computer architecture assignment concludes that there are a lot many components that are included in the computer architecture and operating system. It is necessary that all of these elements and concepts are properly synced with each other. This will ensure that the utility and applicability of the concepts and measures is done in an effective manner.

References
Andujar, DG, Sofi?a, R & Cuenca, AL 2014, Operating system, Museo Nacional Centro De Arte Reina Sofi?a, Madrid.

Gong, L, Li, Z, Dong, T & Sun, Y 2016, ‘Rethink Scalable M:N Threading on Modern Operating Systems’, Journal of Computers, vol. 11, no. 3, pp. 176–188.

Inderjeet Kaur 2015, Operating system., I K International Publish.

Stallings, W 2018, Operating Systems: internals and design principles, computer architecture assignment Pearson Education Limited, Essex.

Tanenbaum, AS & Bos, H 2015, Modern operating systems, Pearson Education, ©, [I.E, Harlow.

Tomsho, G 2017, Guide to Operating Systems, 5th edn, Cengage Learning Australia.