Disk Scheduling Algorithms

Last Updated : 15 Jan, 2025

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Disk scheduling algorithms are crucial in managing how data is read from
and written to a computer’s hard disk. These algorithms help determine the
order in which disk read and write requests are processed, significantly
impacting the speed and efficiency of data access. Common disk scheduling
methods include First-Come, First-Served (FCFS), Shortest Seek Time First
(SSTF), SCAN, C-SCAN, LOOK, and C-LOOK. By understanding and
implementing these algorithms, we can optimize system performance and
ensure faster data retrieval.
 Disk scheduling is a technique operating systems use to manage the order
in which disk I/O (input/output) requests are processed.
 Disk scheduling is also known as I/O Scheduling.
 The main goals of disk scheduling are to optimize the performance of disk
operations, reduce the time it takes to access data and improve overall
system efficiency.
In this article, we will explore the different types of disk scheduling algorithms
and their functions. By understanding and implementing these algorithms, we
can optimize system performance and ensure faster data retrieval.
Importance of Disk Scheduling in Operating System
 Multiple I/O requests may arrive by different processes and only one I/O
request can be served at a time by the disk controller. Thus other I/O
requests need to wait in the waiting queue and need to be scheduled.
 Two or more requests may be far from each other so this can result in
greater disk arm movement.
 Hard drives are one of the slowest parts of the computer system and thus
need to be accessed in an efficient manner.
Key Terms Associated with Disk Scheduling
 Seek Time: Seek time is the time taken to locate the disk arm to a
specified track where the data is to be read or written. So the disk
scheduling algorithm that gives a minimum average seek time is better.
 Rotational Latency: Rotational Latency is the time taken by the desired
sector of the disk to rotate into a position so that it can access the
read/write heads. So the disk scheduling algorithm that gives minimum
rotational latency is better.
 Transfer Time: Transfer time is the time to transfer the data. It depends on
the rotating speed of the disk and the number of bytes to be transferred.
 Disk Access Time:
Disk Access Time = Seek Time + Rotational Latency + Transfer Time
Total Seek Time = Total head Movement * Seek Time

Disk Access Time and Disk Response Time

 Disk Response Time: Response Time is the average time spent by a

request waiting to perform its I/O operation. The average Response time is
the response time of all requests. Variance Response Time is the measure
of how individual requests are serviced with respect to average response
time. So the disk scheduling algorithm that gives minimum variance
response time is better.
Goal of Disk Scheduling Algorithms
 Minimize Seek Time
 Maximize Throughput
 Minimize Latency
 Fairness
 Efficiency in Resource Utilization
Disk Scheduling Algorithms
There are several Disk Several Algorithms. We will discuss in detail each one
of them.
 FCFS (First Come First Serve)
 SSTF (Shortest Seek Time First)
 SCAN
 C-SCAN
 LOOK
 C-LOOK
 RSS (Random Scheduling)
 LIFO (Last-In First-Out)
 N-STEP SCAN
 F-SCAN
1. FCFS (First Come First Serve)
FCFS is the simplest of all Disk Scheduling Algorithms. In FCFS, the requests
are addressed in the order they arrive in the disk queue. Let us understand
this with the help of an example.

First Come First Serve

Example:
Suppose the order of request is- (82,170,43,140,24,16,190)
And current position of Read/Write head is: 50
So, total overhead movement (total distance covered by the disk
arm) =
(82-50)+(170-82)+(170-43)+(140-43)+(140-24)+(24-16)+(190-16)
=642
Advantages of FCFS
Here are some of the advantages of First Come First Serve.
 Every request gets a fair chance
 No indefinite postponement
Disadvantages of FCFS
Here are some of the disadvantages of First Come First Serve.
 Does not try to optimize seek time
 May not provide the best possible service
2. SSTF (Shortest Seek Time First)
In SSTF (Shortest Seek Time First), requests having the shortest seek time
are executed first. So, the seek time of every request is calculated in advance
in the queue and then they are scheduled according to their calculated seek
time. As a result, the request near the disk arm will get executed first. SSTF is
certainly an improvement over FCFS as it decreases the average response
time and increases the throughput of the system. Let us understand this with
the help of an example.
Example:

Shortest Seek Time First

Suppose the order of request is- (82,170,43,140,24,16,190)
And current position of Read/Write head is: 50
So,
total overhead movement (total distance covered by the disk
arm) =
(50-43)+(43-24)+(24-16)+(82-16)+(140-82)+(170-140)+(190-170)
=208
Advantages of Shortest Seek Time First
Here are some of the advantages of Shortest Seek Time First.
 The average Response Time decreases
 Throughput increases
Disadvantages of Shortest Seek Time First
Here are some of the disadvantages of Shortest Seek Time First.
 Overhead to calculate seek time in advance
 Can cause Starvation for a request if it has a higher seek time as
compared to incoming requests
 The high variance of response time as SSTF favors only some requests
3. SCAN
In the SCAN algorithm the disk arm moves in a particular direction and
services the requests coming in its path and after reaching the end of the disk,
it reverses its direction and again services the request arriving in its path. So,
this algorithm works as an elevator and is hence also known as an elevator
algorithm. As a result, the requests at the midrange are serviced more and
those arriving behind the disk arm will have to wait.
Example:
 SCAN Algorithm

Suppose the requests to be addressed are-82,170,43,140,24,16,190. And the

Read/Write arm is at 50, and it is also given that the disk arm should
move “towards the larger value”.
Therefore, the total overhead movement (total distance covered by the disk
arm) is calculated as
= (199-50) + (199-16) = 332
Advantages of SCAN Algorithm
Here are some of the advantages of the SCAN Algorithm.
 High throughput
 Low variance of response time
 Average response time
Disadvantages of SCAN Algorithm
Here are some of the disadvantages of the SCAN Algorithm.
 Long waiting time for requests for locations just visited by disk arm
4. C-SCAN
In the SCAN algorithm, the disk arm again scans the path that has been
scanned, after reversing its direction. So, it may be possible that too many
requests are waiting at the other end or there may be zero or few requests
pending at the scanned area.
These situations are avoided in the CSCAN algorithm in which the disk arm
instead of reversing its direction goes to the other end of the disk and starts
servicing the requests from there. So, the disk arm moves in a circular fashion
and this algorithm is also similar to the SCAN algorithm hence it is known as
C-SCAN (Circular SCAN).
Example:

Circular SCAN

Suppose the requests to be addressed are-82,170,43,140,24,16,190. And the

Read/Write arm is at 50, and it is also given that the disk arm should
move “towards the larger value”.
So, the total overhead movement (total distance covered by the disk arm) is
calculated as:
=(199-50) + (199-0) + (43-0) = 391
Advantages of C-SCAN Algorithm
Here are some of the advantages of C-SCAN.
 Provides more uniform wait time compared to SCAN.
5. LOOK
LOOK Algorithm is similar to the SCAN disk scheduling algorithm except for
the difference that the disk arm in spite of going to the end of the disk goes
only to the last request to be serviced in front of the head and then reverses
its direction from there only. Thus it prevents the extra delay which occurred
due to unnecessary traversal to the end of the disk.
Example:

LOOK Algorithm

Suppose the requests to be addressed are-82,170,43,140,24,16,190. And the

Read/Write arm is at 50, and it is also given that the disk arm should
move “towards the larger value”.
So, the total overhead movement (total distance covered by the disk arm) is
calculated as:
= (190-50) + (190-16) = 314
6. C-LOOK
As LOOK is similar to the SCAN algorithm, in a similar way, C-LOOK is similar
to the CSCAN disk scheduling algorithm. In CLOOK, the disk arm in spite of
going to the end goes only to the last request to be serviced in front of the
head and then from there goes to the other end’s last request. Thus, it also
prevents the extra delay which occurred due to unnecessary traversal to the
end of the disk.
Example:
1. Suppose the requests to be addressed are-82,170,43,140,24,16,190. And
the Read/Write arm is at 50, and it is also given that the disk arm should
move “towards the larger value”

C-LOOK

So, the total overhead movement (total distance covered by the disk arm) is
calculated as
= (190-50) + (190-16) + (43-16) = 341
7. RSS (Random Scheduling)
It stands for Random Scheduling and just like its name it is natural. It is used
in situations where scheduling involves random attributes such as random
processing time, random due dates, random weights, and stochastic machine
breakdowns this algorithm sits perfectly. Which is why it is usually used for
analysis and simulation.
8. LIFO (Last-In First-Out)
In LIFO (Last In, First Out) algorithm, the newest jobs are serviced before the
existing ones i.e. in order of requests that get serviced the job that is newest
or last entered is serviced first, and then the rest in the same order.
Advantages of LIFO (Last-In First-Out)
Here are some of the advantages of the Last In First Out Algorithm.
 Maximizes locality and resource utilization
 Can seem a little unfair to other requests and if new requests keep coming
in, it cause starvation to the old and existing ones.
9. N-STEP SCAN
It is also known as the N-STEP LOOK algorithm. In this, a buffer is created for
N requests. All requests belonging to a buffer will be serviced in one go. Also
once the buffer is full no new requests are kept in this buffer and are sent to
another one. Now, when these N requests are serviced, the time comes for
another top N request and this way all get requests to get a guaranteed
service
Advantages of N-STEP SCAN
Here are some of the advantages of the N-Step Algorithm.
 It eliminates the starvation of requests completely
10. F-SCAN
This algorithm uses two sub-queues. During the scan, all requests in the first
queue are serviced and the new incoming requests are added to the second
queue. All new requests are kept on halt until the existing requests in the first
queue are serviced.
Advantages of F-SCAN
Here are some of the advantages of the F-SCAN Algorithm.
 F-SCAN along with N-Step-SCAN prevents “arm stickiness” (phenomena
in I/O scheduling where the scheduling algorithm continues to service
requests at or near the current sector and thus prevents any seeking)