© Thomas Kunz 2000
SCE 574
12
Basic Components
äProcessor (CPU)
äMain Memory (aka
real memory, aka primary memory)
äholds data in
code
äI/O modules (I/O
controllers, I/O channels, I/O processors...)
ähardware (with registers called I/O ports) that moves data between cpu and peripherals like:
äsecondary
memory devices (eg: hard disks)
äkeyboard,
display...
äcommunications
equipment
äSystem
interconnection (ie: Buses)
äcommunication among processors, memory, and I/O modules
äSecondary memory
(aka stable memory, aka storage)
äpreserves contents
even with computer powered down