Page 25 - UNI 101 Computer Science Handout.

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allows further advances in performance, which result from system integration. Individual components

are designed to work together in such a way that overall performance is enhanced beyond the

performance of each component. This concept is known as synergy. Much of the discussion in this
chapter is devoted to innovations in computer system design resulting from a synergistic approach to

system integration. An important consideration in this discussion is the means used to interconnect the

various components to achieve effective integration. This chapter introduces bus and channel computer
system architectures that attempt to optimize interconnectivity goals, as well as maximize I/O

throughput and fast storage capability. Some of the new techniques in computers are improvements in

technology, design, and implementation: improved materials, manufacturing techniques, and circuit

components and better ways of performing the same task that enhance the operation of a particular

system component. Others are architectural changes: new features and implementation methods that
change in a fundamental way the design of the system.1

Many of the innovations and enhancements that are used to achieve high performance are a

fundamental part of modern systems. The terminology that names and describes these techniques is a

basic part of the vocabulary of computing. To analyze, purchase, and manage modern business systems
intelligently, it is important to understand these techniques. Perhaps surprisingly, the model presented

is relatively independent of system size or CPU type; it applies across the board, from the embedded

system found in a car, to the cell phone or game controller or PC laptop, to the mainframe system used
in the largest businesses.

Although computer power has increased tremendously, one continuing challenge is the ability to

support the massive amounts of input/output, including networking, as well as storage requirements

that accompany modern computer usage. There are a number of different approaches in use. Enhanced
traditional bus approaches are suitable for smaller systems, particularly with specialized high-speed

buses, such as USB and FireWire, designed for this purpose. Larger systems, particularly mainframe

computer systems, supplement their I/O capability with specialized I/O processors that offload much of

the I/O processing to separate I/O equipment to achieve extremely high I/O data transfer rates. The best

25 Academic Year 2025/2026