How does DMA work?

Direct memory access (DMA) is a method used by computer systems to transfer data between devices without involving the CPU. In DMA, a separate controller takes charge of data transfers between the device and memory. The controller requests access to the system bus, bypassing the CPU, and transfers the data directly to or from the device and memory. This allows for faster and more efficient data transfer, as the CPU is freed up to perform other tasks. DMA is particularly useful for high-speed devices, such as hard drives or network adapters, where transferring data directly between the device and memory reduces latency and improves overall system performance.

This mind map was published on 8 November 2023 and has been viewed 50 times.