Chapter 8

Operating Systems

ObjectivesIdentify the types of system software

Summarize the startup process on a personal computer

Describe the functions of an operating system

Discuss ways that some operating systems help administrators control a network and administer security

Summarize the features of several stand-alone operating systems

Identify various network operating systems

Identify devices that use several embedded operating systems

System Software

Programs that control operation of computer

Two types are Systems Software Utility Programs

Operating SystemsThe functions of an operating system are;

start up the computer

provide user interface

manage programs

manage memory

schedule jobs andconfigure devices

monitor performanceand provide housekeepingservices

control a networkadminister security

access the Web

Operating SystemsOperating systems are located either on the hard drive of most PC and laptopsor on ROM chips in most hand held devices

Operating Systems FunctionsStarting or restarting a computer is called Booting There are two ways of booting a computer

cold bootProcess of turning on a computer after it has been powered off completely

warm bootProcess of restarting a

computer that is already powered on

Operating Systems FunctionsUser InterfaceControls how you enter data and instructions and how information displays on screenThree types of Interfaces

Operating Systems FunctionsCommand Line

Operating Systems Functionsmenu-driven interface

Operating Systems Functionsgraphical user interface (GUI)

Operating Systems FunctionsMost GUI’s allow for multitasking This allows a single user to work on two or more applications that reside in memory at same time

Foreground contains active application - the one you currently are using

Background contains inactive programs that are running but are not in use

Operating Systems FunctionsVirtual memory (VM)

Virtual memory (VM) management allocates portion of hard disk to function like RAM

This occurs when the amount of information that needs to be accessed by the CPU exceeds the amount of memory the PC contains.

Operating Systems FunctionsSpooling

Spooling is used to control the process of printing.

Print jobs are sent to a buffer instead of directly to printer, where print jobs wait their turn

print job

print spooler application

print queue

Operating Systems FunctionsDevice Driver

Each device requires its own specific driver

device driver

Are found in the OS or in the disk that comes with the device

A Small program that tells operating system how to communicate with a device

Types of Operating SystemsThree categories of operating systems

Stand-alone

EmbeddedNetwork

Stand-Alone Operating SystemsMicrosoft Vista

Available in five editions: HomeHome PremiumBusinessUltimate

Stand-Alone Operating SystemsMac OS X

Available only for computers manufactured by Apple

Macintosh operating system has been model for most GUIs

Stand-Alone Operating SystemsUNIX

Used by power users because of its flexibility and power

Most versions offer GUI

Both a stand-alone and a network operating system

Embedded Operating SystemsOperating systems for PDAs

Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC

Palm OS for Palm, Visor, and CLIE