Operating Systems

Questions:

1. What is an operating system and what is its purpose?
software that controls the execution of computer programs.

2. What operating system do most computers come preloaded with?
Usually windows 7, and leopard on macs.

3. Besides personal computers, what other devices have operating systems?
Cell phones, ipods, and many other mobile systems.

4. Do all computers have operating systems? Explain
an os usually comes preloaded with an OS, however, a computer can exist without an os, take a calculator for example.

5. What are the three most common operating systems? Are there other operating systems? Explain.

Windows
Linux
Mac OS X

there are many others that are usually variations of Linux. Also, Google chrome OS just came out, so the battle for OSes has just begun.

6. What is one reason why operating systems are coded rather than physical circuits?
so that it can be easily upgraded and fixed.

7. What are the two main functions of an operating system?
controls the allocation of hardware resources, and controls the execution of programs.


8. What are the four types of operating systems?
Real time
Single User, Single task
Single User, Multi task
Multi User


9. What are the first actions the computer takes when you power it on?
"Boots Up", starting the OS.

10. What is the bootstrap loader? What is its function?
to load the Operating system.

11. How does the OS manage the processor?
the OS uses the system kernel that helps bridge connections with software and hardware in order to manage the system's resources

12. What does an operating system do when two processes are multi-tasking?
It manages system resources for both of them to run at the same time. However, the OS keeps running the tasks until the processes are "waiting"

13. What is thrashing?
A term used when more and more computer resources are being used in order to do less and less tasks.

14. What is virtual memory management?
"Tricks" the program into thinking that there is additional memory. However, this memory is physically allocated and could result in an overflow on the hard drive.


15. What is a driver?
A program the tells the computer how to interact with a peripheral device.

16. How can input/output capabilities of a system be enhanced?
getting a better more efficient central processing unit.

17. How do application program interfaces make it easier for programmers?
Helps the user easily interpret how to use the program visually.


18. What is a UI and GUI?
UI = user interface
GUI = graphical user interface

19. Why is Linux being open source significant?
Can be modified to will. Also, allows many bug fixes to occur faster.


20. What are some other devices that run on Linux?
Tivo, Linksys routers, and some mobile devices.


21. What are 3 things you found interesting about operating systems that you did not know before?

I did not know that many other devices such as Tivo and linksys routers run on Linux.

I also didn't know there were 4 different types of Operating Systems.

I also found it interesting that there are only 4 main operating systems that people use.


22. What is a question that you still have about operating systems?

With the emerging operating systems, how will program functionality and technological advances hinder the development of operating systems?

Networking

LAN - Local Area Network:
a network that is confined to a relatively small area.

Examples: Home networks, LAN Parties, etc.

WAN - Wide Area Network:
a network that connects major businesses, corporations or organizations in a relatively large area.'

Examples: Government networks, School network, etc.

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Unshielded Twisted Pair Cable - about 100 meters
Coaxial Cable - about 1000 feet for SD broadcasts. 300 feet for HD
Fiber Optic Cable - about 2000 meters.

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Router - Bridges connections within a network. "Translates" information into a usable network connection.

Bridge - Enables communication between devices on a network, and combines them to other networks

Switch - Allows peer to peer connections with devices on a network.

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Peer to Peer : it enables users to share files with each others computers. Limewire or any other peer to peer downloading client is an example.

usually cheaper, but relies on the security and speed of each others computer. Can have latency issues.


Client / Server : Uses a dedicated file server for functions in a network.
Download sites such as megaupload, mediafire are examples.

Usually more reliable, and faster, however it's pretty expensive and needs to be maintained.