What is the role of the memory management unit (MMU) in an operating system?

Operating System Questions



38 Short 62 Medium 50 Long Answer Questions Question Index

What is the role of the memory management unit (MMU) in an operating system?

The memory management unit (MMU) in an operating system is responsible for managing and controlling the allocation and utilization of memory resources. It translates virtual memory addresses used by programs into physical memory addresses, ensuring efficient and secure memory access. The MMU also enforces memory protection by assigning access permissions to different memory regions, preventing unauthorized access and ensuring data integrity. Additionally, it handles memory swapping and paging, allowing the operating system to efficiently utilize limited physical memory by moving data between main memory and secondary storage devices.