Advanced Computer Architecture Exam
Sequential access is accessing data in a specific linear sequence
(example: tapes).
Direct access has the data address based on a physical location.
With random access, any location can be selected at random, and
the addressable locations in memory have a unique, physically
wired-in addressing mechanism. - ANSWERS-4.1 What are the
differences among sequential access, direct access, and random
access?
As access time becomes faster, the cost per bit increases. As
memory size increases, the cost per bit is smaller. Also, with
greater capacity, the access time becomes slower. - ANSWERS-
4.2 What is the general relationship among access time, memory
cost, and capacity?
Slower and less expensive memory is used in higher stages, with
the most expensive being the registers in the processor as well as
cache. Main memory is slower, less expensive, and is outside of
the processor. - ANSWERS-4.3 How does the principle of locality
relate to the use of multiple memory levels?
Direct mapping maps each block of main memory into only one
possible cache line.
