32. Working Principle of Hard Disk
The chapter covers the fundamental aspects of input/output systems, focusing on the operation and organization of hard disks as both input and output devices. Key elements include the function of device drivers, the principles of data transfer, organization of data on disks, and performance measurement criteria. Additionally, it outlines the different modes of I/O transfer and the need for I/O modules in connecting peripheral devices to processors.
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What we have learnt
- External memory is essential for permanent storage, as main memory is volatile.
- Hard disks operate using magnetic signals and have specific organizational principles such as sectors, tracks, and surfaces.
- The performance of magnetic disks can be measured by factors like seek time, rotational delay, and transfer rate.
Key Concepts
- -- External Memory
- Storage that retains data even when the power is off, unlike volatile main memory.
- -- Device Driver
- Software that controls a hardware device, enabling communication between the operating system and the hardware.
- -- Data Transfer Mechanisms
- Methods used to transfer data between the processor and I/O devices, including programmed I/O, interrupt-driven, and DMA (Direct Memory Access).
- -- Hard Disk Organization
- The structure of data storage on a hard disk, typically organized in tracks, sectors, and surfaces to facilitate access.
- -- Performance Measurement
- Criteria such as seek time and transfer rate used to evaluate the effectiveness and speed of a storage device.
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