What is typical storage hierarchy, Computer Engineering

Assignment Help:

Q. What is typical storage hierarchy?

A typical storage hierarchy is displayed in Figure above. Though Figure shows only block diagram however it includes storage hierarchy:   

Register

Cache memory

Main memory

Secondary Storage and 

Mass Storage. 

As we move up hierarchy we encounter storage elements which have faster access time and higher cost per bit stored as well as slower access time as a result of moving down hierarchy. So cache memory normally has the fastest access time and the smallest storage capacity as well as the highest cost per bit stored. Primary memory (main memory) falls next in storage hierarchy list. On-line, direct-access secondary storage devices like magnetic hard disks make up level of hierarchy just below main memory. Off-line, direct-access and sequential access secondary storage devices like magnetic tape, ZIP disk, Floppy disk and WORM disk etc. fall next in storage hierarchy. Mass storage devices generally referred to as archival storage are at the bottom of storage hierarchy. They are cost-effective for storage of very large quantities of data when fast access time is not essential.

Please note two significant points here: 

  • Size of memory increases as we move down hierarchy.
  • Quantum of data which is transferred between two consecutive memory layers at a time also increases as we go from a higher to lower side. For illustration from main memory to Cache transfer one or a few memory words are accessed at a time while in a hard disk to main memory transfer, a block of about 1 Megabyte is transferred in a single access.

 


Related Discussions:- What is typical storage hierarchy

Determine the current allocation state and granted process, An operating sy...

An operating system contains 3 resource classes. The number of resource units in these classes is 7, 7 and 10. The current resource allocation state is shown below:

8259 PIC, plz expalain interfacing of 8259 with 8085 step wise

plz expalain interfacing of 8259 with 8085 step wise

Calculus, i want an assignment on application of integraton and my topc of ...

i want an assignment on application of integraton and my topc of assifment is area under the curve includin solved examples

How can you pass a struct by reference in e, How can you pass a struct by r...

How can you pass a struct by reference in e?   The question is phrased in a tricky way because passing by reference is the default and only possible way to pass structs in e. I

Give an account of issue pertaining in c language, Give an account of the i...

Give an account of the issue pertaining to compilation of if statement in C language Control structures as if cause significant gap in between the PL domain and the execution d

Engineering maths, calculate dy/dx if y=[x-cos(1/cos(xe/2x))]/x

calculate dy/dx if y=[x-cos(1/cos(xe/2x))]/x

Computer engineering designing, How the production of metal contributes to ...

How the production of metal contributes to computer engineering designing?

What is error detection code, What is Error detection code? It is a bin...

What is Error detection code? It is a binary code that notice digital errors during transmission. The detected errors cannot be correct but the presence is shown.

How do you ensure that our records are scanned accurately, How do you ensur...

How do you ensure that our records are scanned accurately? Not only do we have a highly trained and capable staff, we also have quality controls in place to make sure your reco

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd