Lesson 3 Activity 2 - System Monitor

Task 1

Idle

Watch the system just after startup, then record the monitor readings and explain why the computer is still active.

Processor load Main memory usage

Why is memory being used and why is the processor doing work even though no user programs are open?

Task 2

Planetarium

Compare the system before the program starts and while it is running.

Processor before Processor during Memory before Memory during

Why do processor load and memory usage increase while the program runs? When does the network activity appear? Why might that network activity be happening?

Task 3

Image Editing

Track the memory changes as the program starts, the image loads, and the processing continues.

Memory before program starts Memory after program starts Memory before image loads Memory after image loads Peak processor load Peak memory usage

Why does memory usage keep increasing while the image is being processed?

Task 4

Streaming

Watch the browser open, render a page, then stream video from the network.

Processor load observations and explanation Main memory usage observations and explanation Network activity observations and explanation

Task 5

Browsing

Predict first, then watch the browsing recording to verify your ideas.

Which step should cause the biggest increase in processor load? Which step should cause the biggest increase in main memory usage? Which step should cause the biggest increase in network activity?

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