Lec. 15 Hardware Configuration

Core Hardware
• CPU • RAM • Firmware • Mass storage devices
The CPU
• Processes data and performs calculations • Two common types: - 32 bit x86 - 64 bit x86_64 • To view CPU information - For detailed info: $cat /proc/cpuinfo - For summary: $lscpu
RAM
• Stores system and program data • Max for 32 bit processors is 4GiB • Max for 64 bit processors is 16EiB • Swap space: - Hard drive space used when memory is low - Also called virtual memory or swap • To display RAM and swap space: - For detailed info: $cat /proc/meminfo - For summary: $free
Firmware
• Software provided by the computer hardware: - BIOS: Basic Input Output System - UEFI: Unified Extensible Firmware Interface • Initiates the boot process • Helps the kernel recognizes devices • Not standard on all systems • Accessed using a function key (F2 or F12), ESC, or DEL depending on the computer
Mass storage devices
• Used to store programs, data, etc. • Several types available: - SCSI: Small Computer System Interface - IDE: Integrated Drive Electronics - SATA: Serial Advanced Technology Attachement - USB: Universal Serial Bus • User either serial (SCSI, SATA, USB) or parallel interfaces - Use $df –h to determine drive type