Buffer
It is an area of computer’s memory or devices memory for
holding data during data transfer. Normally I/O devices have low speed than
processor. This speed adjusted by having temporary data storage in a memory
typically called buffer. While the device is in operation data transfer can
take place in buffer. The process of holding data temporarily during I/O
operation is called buffering. Because of buffering , I/O channels place data
in buffer and the processor or I/O devices can access data from the buffer.
Cache Memory
The cache
memory is placed in between CPU and main memory. It is a semiconductor memory.
It consists of static RAMs. It is a special and very high speed memory that is
used to increase the speed of processing by making current program and the data
available to the CPU at a rapid rate. Cash memory holds the frequently used
instruction and data so that it can provide CPU at a faster rate. It is
fabricated along with the CPU so works same as the speed of the CPU.CPU speed
is usually faster than main memory speed, with the result that the processing
speed is limited primarily by the speed of the main memory. So, the use of
cache memory let the processor work in its actual speed.
To access
main memory the CPU sends an address to it. In response of this the main memory
sends data contained at the specified memory address. On the other hand cache
memory uses parallel searching of the required data. It first compares the
incoming address to the addresses present in the cache. If the address matches
, it is called cache “hit”. If the data does not match, is called cache “miss”.
When miss occurs, the data is read from the main memory. The data read from the
main memory also written to the cache memory, so that when this specific address
is accessed next time hit occurs. The hit ratio is defined as the ratio of the
number of hits to the total number of read requests sents to the cache memory
by the CPU.
Difference
between Buffer and Cache:
Buffer
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Cache
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1.processing speed in slower than
cache.
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1.processing speed is high.
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2.area of RAM or devices memory.
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2.placed between processor and main
memory.
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3.currently in operation data holds.
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3.frequently used instruction loaded.
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4.adjust speed difference between
processor and Devices.
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4.let the processor work in its actual
speed.
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5.make temporary data storage in a
memory.
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5.eg.L1,L2,L3 caches,
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