Modern computer solutions can be classified based on their relevance to a particular architecture. But what can it be? What are the main approaches to understanding this term?
Computer system architecture as a combination of hardware components
What is the essence of the concept of "computer system architecture"? Under the corresponding term, first of all, we can understand the set of electronic components that make up the PC, interacting within a certain algorithm using various types of interfaces.
The main components that make up a computer system:
- input device;
- main computing chipset;
- devices for storing data;
- components designed to display information.
In turn, each of the marked components may include a large number of individual devices. For example, the main computing chipset may include a processor, a chipset on the motherboard, and a graphics processing module. In this case, the same processor may consist of other components: for example, the kernel, cache, registers.
Proceeding, in fact, from the structure of specific hardware components of a PC, it is determined which architecture of the computer system is built. Consider the main criteria by which certain computing solutions can be classified.
Computer system classification
In accordance with the approach widespread among experts, computer systems by their architecture may include:
- to large computers;
- to mini-computers;
- to personal computers.
It should be noted that this classification of computing solutions, in accordance with which the architecture of a computer system can be determined, is considered outdated by many experts. In particular, the same personal computers today can be divided into a large number of varieties that are very different in purpose and characteristics.
Thus, as computer systems evolve, the architecture of a computer can be classified using changing criteria. Nevertheless, the designated scheme is considered traditional. It will be useful to consider it in more detail. In accordance with it, the first type of computer - those that relate to the architecture of large machines.
Mainframe computers
Large computers, or mainframes, are most often used in industry - as data centers for various production processes. Powerful, exceptionally high-performance chips can be installed in them.
The considered architecture of a computer system can carry out up to several tens of billions of calculations per second. Large computers are incomparably more expensive than other systems. As a rule, their maintenance requires the participation of a fairly large number of people with the necessary qualifications. In many cases, their work is carried out within the units organized as a computer center of the enterprise.
Minicomputers
The architecture of computing systems and computer networks based on them can be represented by solutions classified as mini-computers. In general, their purpose may be similar to that in the case of mainframes: the use of the corresponding type of computers in industry is very common. But, as a rule, their use is characteristic of relatively small enterprises, medium-sized businesses, and scientific organizations.
Modern minicomputer: features
In many cases, the use of these computers is carried out just in order to effectively manage internal corporate networks. Thus, the solutions under consideration can be used, in particular, as high-performance servers. They are also equipped with very powerful processors, such as, for example, Intel's Xeon Phi. This chip can operate at speeds of more than 1 teraflops. The corresponding processor is designed for manufacturing according to the 22 nm manufacturing process and has a memory bandwidth of 240 GB / s5.
Personal computers
The next type of computer architecture is PC. It is probably the most common. PCs are not as powerful and high-performance as mainframes and microcomputers, but in many cases they can solve problems both in industry and in science, not to mention typical user tasks, such as launching applications and games.
Another noteworthy feature that characterizes personal computers is that their resources can be combined. The computing power of a sufficiently large number of PCs, therefore, can be comparable with the performance of higher-class computer architectures, but, of course, reaching their levels nominally using a PC is very problematic.
Nevertheless, the architecture of computer systems, networks based on personal computers is characterized by universality, in terms of implementation in various industries, availability and scalability.
Personal computers: classification
As we noted above, PCs can be classified into a large number of varieties. Among them: desktops, laptops, tablets, PDAs, smartphones - combining PCs and phones.
As a rule, desktops possess the most powerful and productive architectures; the least powerful - smartphones and tablets due to the small size and the need to significantly reduce the resources of hardware components. But many of the corresponding devices, especially the top models, in terms of speed, in principle, are comparable with leading laptop models and budget desktops.
The noted classification of PCs testifies to their universality: in various varieties they can solve typical user problems, production, scientific, and laboratory. Software, the architecture of computer systems of the corresponding type, in many cases are adapted for use by an ordinary citizen who does not have the special training that a person working with a mainframe or mini-computer may need.
How to establish assignment of a computing solution to a PC?
The main criterion for classifying a computing solution as a PC is the fact of its personal orientation. That is, the appropriate type of computer is designed primarily for use by one user. However, many of the infrastructural resources to which he refers are undeniably social in nature: this can be seen in the use of the Internet. Despite the fact that the computing solution is personal, practical effectiveness in its use can be fixed only if a person gets access to data sources generated by other people.
Classification of software for computer architectures: mainframes and minicomputers
Along with the classification of computers considered by us above, there are also criteria for assigning to one or another category of programs that are installed on the corresponding types of computing equipment. As for mainframes and those close to them by purpose, and in some cases also by the performance of minicomputers, they usually have the opportunity to use several operating systems adapted to solve specific production problems. In particular, these OSs can be adapted to launch various automation tools, virtualization, implementation of industry standards, integration with various types of application software.
Software Classification: Personal Computers
Programs for ordinary PCs can be presented in varieties optimized for solving, in turn, user tasks, as well as those production ones that do not require the level of performance that characterizes mainframes and minicomputers. There are, therefore, programs for PCs industrial, scientific, laboratory. Software, the architecture of computer systems of the appropriate type depends on the particular industry in which they are used, on the expected level of user skill: it is obvious that professional solutions for industrial design may not be designed for a person who has only basic knowledge in the field of computer programs.
Programs for PCs in various varieties have in many cases an intuitive interface and various help documentation. In turn, the power of mainframes and minicomputers can be fully used if not only following the instructions, but also when the user regularly makes changes to the structure of the programs being launched: this may require additional knowledge, for example, related to the use of languages programming.
PC software architecture levels
The concept of "architecture of computer systems", a computer science textbook, depending on the views of its author, can be interpreted in different ways. Another common interpretation of the term involves its correlation with the levels of software. Moreover, it does not matter in which particular computer system the corresponding software levels are implemented.
In accordance with this approach, the architecture of a computer should be understood as a set of various types of data, operations, and characteristics of the software used to maintain the functioning of the hardware components of the computer, as well as create conditions under which the user gets the opportunity to put these resources into practice.
Software Level Architecture
Experts distinguish the following main architecture of computer systems in the context of the approach to understanding the corresponding term:
- digital logical architecture of a computing solution - in fact, PC hardware in the form of various modules, cells, registers - for example, located in the processor structure;
- microarchitecture at the level of interpretation of various microprograms;
- special teams translation architecture - at assembler level;
- architecture for interpreting the corresponding commands and their implementation into program code understandable to the operating system;
- compilation architecture that allows you to make changes to the software codes of various types of software;
- The architecture of high-level languages, allowing you to adapt program codes to solve specific user problems.
The value of software architecture classification
Of course, this classification in the context of considering this term as corresponding to the levels of software can be very conditional. The architecture of a computer and the design of computer systems, depending on their manufacturability and purpose, may require other approaches by developers in classifying software levels, as well as, in fact, understanding the essence of the term in question.
Despite the fact that these representations are theoretical, their adequate understanding is of great importance, since it contributes to the development of more effective conceptual approaches to building certain types of computing infrastructure, and allows developers to optimize their solutions to the needs of users who solve specific problems.
Summary
So, we have defined the essence of the term "architecture of a computer system", the way in which it can be considered depending on a particular context. In accordance with one of the traditional definitions, the corresponding architecture can be understood as the hardware structure of a PC, which determines the level of its performance, specialization, and user qualification requirements. This approach involves the classification of modern computer architectures into 3 main categories - mainframes, mini-computers, as well as PCs (which, in turn, can also be represented by various types of computing solutions).
As a rule, each type of these architectures is designed to solve certain problems. Mainframes and minicomputers are most often used in industry. Using a PC, it is also possible to solve a wide range of production problems, carry out engineering development - the corresponding computer system architecture is also adapted for this. Laboratory work, scientific experiments with this technique are becoming more understandable and efficient.
Another interpretation of the term in question involves its correlation with specific levels of software. In this sense, the architecture of computer systems is a work program that ensures the functioning of a PC, as well as creating the conditions for using its computing power in practice in order to solve certain user problems.