Cisy 304:Computer Operating Systemii Question Paper
Cisy 304:Computer Operating Systemii
Course:Computer Science
Institution: Kenya Methodist University question papers
Exam Year:2012
KENYA METHODIST UNIVERSITY
END OF 2ND TRIMESTER 2012 (EVENING) EXAMINATIONS
FACULTY : COMPUTING & INFORMATICS
DEPARTMENT : COMPUTER SCIENCE & BUSINESS INFORMATION
UNIT CODE : CISY 304/BBIT 419
UNIT TITLE : COMPUTER OPERATION SYSTEM II
TIME : 2 HOURS
Instructions: Answer Question ONE and any Other TWO Questions.
Question One
Explain the following terms as used in operating systems:
(8 Marks)
Device controller
Socket
Remote procedure call
DMA controller
Differentiate between character and block oriented ILO devices giving examples in each case.
(6 Marks)
Describe microkernel operating system structure.
(4 Marks)
Define the term programmed ILO.
(2 Marks)
A system that supports threads facility must provide a set of primitives to its end users for FIVE important issues in designing a threads package.
(10 Marks)
Question Two
Define ILO buffering.
(2 Marks)
Explain the benefits of ILO buffering.
(4 Marks)
Describe how sockets can be used by process running on client machine in order to communicate with server process. Outline the specific system calls.
(10 Marks)
Explain TWO categories of system programs
(4 Marks)
Question Three
Compare the following as used in file systems.
(8 Marks)
Direct and sequential file access.
Linked and contiguous allocation
Consider the readFile ( ) function in the Win32 API, a function to read from a file. The API for this function can be written as follows:
Bool ReadFile C (handle file,
LPVOID buffer,
DWORD bytes to Read
LPDWORD bytes Read
LPOVERLAPPED OVL)
Provide a brief description of the parameters passed to readfFile ( ) function.
(10 Marks)
Give TWO general methods used to pass parameters to an operating system.
(2 Marks)
Question Four
Outline the contents of process control block.
(4 Marks)
Discuss THREE advantages and ONE disadvantage of microkernel operating system structure.
(8 Marks)
Discuss the following dynamic memory placement algorithms giving their advantages and disadvantages where applicable.
(8 Marks)
First fit
Next fit
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