Bahria University

Lahore Campus
Department of Computer Sciences

Assignment # 1
Date Conducted: 30-03-2021 Instructor Name: Ms. Nighat Usman
Program/Semester: BSCS – 5A Course Title:
Operating System Max Marks:
20

Model Solution
Question # 1:
What is clustered system? Discuss its forms. Must include the diagrams (write in your own
words).
Answer:

Clustering systems are similar to parallel systems as they both have multiple CPUs. However a
major difference is that clustered systems are created by two or more individual computer
systems merged together. There are two types of Clustering systems i.e. asymmetric and
symmetric clustering systems. Details about these are given as follows:

Asymmetric Clustering System:

In this system, one of the nodes in the clustered system is in hot standby mode and all the others
run the required applications. The hot standby mode is a failsafe in which a hot standby node is
part of the system. The hot standby node continuously monitors the server and if it fails, the hot
standby node takes its place.

A diagram that demonstrates asymmetric clustering system is:

Symmetric Clustering System:

In symmetric clustering system two or more nodes all run applications as well as monitor each
other. This is more efficient than asymmetric system as it uses all the hardware and doesn't keep
a node merely as a hot standby

A diagram that demonstrates symmetric clustering system is:

Question # 2:
What is Interrupt Service Routine? (Write in your own words).
Answer:
Interrupt Service Routine (ISR) also called an interrupt handler is a software process invoked by
an interrupt request from a hardware device. It handles the request and sends it to the CPU,
interrupting the active process. When the ISR is complete, the process is resumed.
A basic example of an ISR is a routine that handles keyboard events, such as pressing or
releasing a key. Each time a key is pressed, the ISR processes the input. For example, if you
press and hold the right arrow key in a text file, the ISR will signal to the CPU that the right
arrow key is depressed. The CPU sends this information to the active word processor or text
editing program, which will move the cursor to the right. When you let go of the key, the ISR
handles the "key up" event. This interrupts the previous "key down" state, which signals to the
program to stop moving the cursor.

Question # 3:
What are the types of interrupt? Give examples with each of its type. (Write in your own words).
Answer:
There are two types of interrupt:

1. Polling: A polled interrupt is a specific type of I/O interrupt that notifies the part of the
computer containing the I/O interface that a device is ready to be read or otherwise
handled but does not indicate which device.

2. Vectored: A vectored interrupt is an I/O interrupt that tells the part of the computer that
handles I/O interrupts at the hardware level that a request for attention from an I/O device
has been received and also identifies the device that sent the request.

Question # 4:
What are the responsibilities of OS with process management activities? (Write in your own
words).
Answer:
The operating system is responsible for the following activities in connection with process
management:

 Creating and deleting both user and system processes

 Suspending and resuming processes

 Providing mechanisms for process synchronization

 Providing mechanisms for process communication

 Providing mechanisms for deadlock handling