CIS332 (Spring 1999) Principles of Operating Systems;
Professor Franz J. Kurfess 

Home page:http://www.cis.njit.edu/franz   E-mail:franz@cis.njit.edu
Homework Task Deadline Points Student Name:
2 Computer Structures Tuesday, Feb. 2, 1999 10

1. It is possible to construct a computer that consists only of the CPU and main memory. What would be practical limitations on the usability of such a system?













2. The memory protection scheme with the base and limit register (described in the textbook on page 40) relies on specific hardware to detect unauthorized memory accesses. Is it possible to use a software-based solution for such a protection scheme? Explain your answer!













3. Why do most modern computer system use interrupts to indicate the occurrence of events to the CPU? What are the alternatives?













4. Describe two examples of caches in a modern computer system. What problems do the solve, and what are the disadvantages they have?













5. Give two important reasons for the fact that almost all current computer systems use hard disks as storage devices, in addition to main memory.