OCR J277 Systems Software

Lesson 3: Peripherals & Drivers

How the OS talks to external hardware.

Lesson Progress

0/5
01 Review of Previous Learning

DO NOW: Input, Output or Storage?

All hardware connected to a computer is called a **Peripheral**. Categorise these below:

Webcam
SSD
Projector
USB Stick
Microphone
Headphones
Controller
Printer
Reveal Classification

Input

  • Webcam
  • Microphone
  • Controller

Output

  • Projector
  • Headphones
  • Printer

Storage

  • SSD
  • USB Stick
02 Introducing the New Objective & KWs

Context & Keywords

Learning Objective

To describe how device drivers and buffers allow the OS to manage external hardware.

Tier 3 Vocabulary (Click to flip):

Peripheral Click to enlarge

Any external piece of hardware connected to the computer (e.g. mouse, keyboard, printer).

"The OS must manage them all."

Click to close
Device Driver Click to enlarge

Software that acts as a **translator** between the OS and the hardware device.

OS
DRIVER
HARDWARE

Universal OS -> Specific Device.

Click to close
Buffer Click to enlarge

Temporary storage area for data being sent to a device, compensating for different speeds.

Data Waiting...

Fast CPU vs Slow Printer.

Click to close
03 New Learning

How OS Manages Peripherals

1. The Translator (Driver)

Operating Systems cannot "speak" to every device directly. There are millions of different printers, webcams, and mice.

The OS sends a universal command:

PRINT "HELLO WORLD"

The Device Driver translates this into the specific signals that **YOUR** HP Envy 5000 printer understands.

2. The Waiting Room (Buffer)

A CPU is millions of times faster than a physical printer. If the CPU had to wait for the printer to finish every page, the whole computer would freeze.

"I'll put the data in a Buffer. The printer can take it out when it's ready, and I'll go back to running Chrome." — The CPU

This allows the user to keep working while the peripheral does its job.

04 Application

Independent Task & Exam Practice

Task 1: The Driver Match Lab

  • Open the Driver_Match.html link shared in Google Classroom.
  • Connect the 4 peripherals to the motherboard.
  • Install the correct drivers to enable the hardware.
  • Watch the Buffer fill up as you send print jobs!
  • Screenshot your completed system and paste it into your Google Doc.

Task 2: Exam Question

In your Google Doc, answer the following 4-mark OCR exam question.

"A computer user plugs in a new 4K webcam, but it does not work. Identify the type of software needed and explain why it is required." (4 Marks)
Show Mark Scheme Hint
1 Mark: Identify "Device Driver".
1 Mark: Explains it acts as a translator.
1 Mark: Explains it allows the OS to talk to the hardware.
1 Mark: Mentions every device needs specific software to function with a universal OS.
05 Consolidation

Plenary: Keyword Match

Match the term to its definition on your mini-whiteboard.

A. Buffer

B. Driver

C. Peripheral

1. External hardware like a mouse.

2. Software translator for specific hardware.

3. Temporary storage for speed differences.

Lesson Complete!

You've mastered how the OS controls the physical world.

Return to Hub