Auxiliary Operation (Noun)
Meaning
A operation performed by off-line equipment not under the control of the central processing unit.
Classification
Nouns denoting natural processes.
Examples
- The magnetic tape unit was performing an auxiliary operation, copying files to a backup tape, while the CPU was executing the payroll program.
- Auxiliary operations, such as disk mirroring and tape backup, are critical for data protection but are usually handled by external equipment.
- During system downtime, the disk controller can perform auxiliary operations, such as low-level formatting and diagnostic testing, without interfering with CPU operations.
- Off-line storage devices, such as optical disc drives, often execute auxiliary operations, like data verification and duplication, independent of the central processing unit.
- While the mainframe was busy with online transactions, the attached tape drives were executing auxiliary operations, such as data compression and encryption, to prepare files for archiving.