Technical Support (420-1N6-AB)

Software: Operating Systems

Fall 2020
Outline

• Introduction
• History of Operating Systems
• Available Operating Systems
• Choosing an Operating System
• Installing an Operating System
• Running Multiple Operating Systems
Introduction
What is an Operating System?

• An Operating Systems or OS, is a software that controls almost

all functions on a computer.

• OS is also known as the System Software.

• Provides the interface for the interaction between users,

applications and hardware.
Brainstorm
How many OS can you think of?
How many have you used? Where, Why?
OS Parts

• Shell
• The outer part of an operating system.
• Acts as an interface between the user and the kernel.
• Kernel
• Responsible for managing and controlling the computer hardware
components.
• Such as the processor, main memory, storage devices, input devices, output
devices and communication devices.
OS Basic Functions

• Control Hardware Access

• Manage Files and Folders.

• Provide a User Interface.

• Manage Applications
Hardware Access

• OS uses a program called a device driver to communicate with

each hardware component.
• When a new hardware device is installed:
• OS locates and installs the device driver for that component.
• System resources are assigned and drivers are installed.
• OS then configures the device and updates the registry.
• If the OS cannot locate the driver, the user must install it
manually from the media that came with the decide or by
downloading it from the manufacturer’s website.
File and Folder Management

• The OS creates a file structure on the hard drive to store data.

• File: a block of related data that is given a single name and is treated
as a single unit.
• Example: word document “Assignment.docx”
• Directory: a container to organize files and programs.
• Directories can be nested (kept inside other directories) and are then called
subdirectories.
• The organization hierarchy facilitates the retrieval and use of files and other
directories.
User Interface

• The OS user interface enables the user to:

• Interact with the software.
• Control hardware.

• OS include two types of user interfaces:

• Command-line interface (CLI)
• The user types commands at a prompt.
• Graphical user interface (GUI)
• The user interacts with menus and icons.
Application management

• The OS locates an application and loads it into the RAM of

the computer.
• Applications are software programs such as word processors,
databases, spreadsheets and games.
• The OS allocates available system resources to running
applications.
• OS organizes usages of CPU among different applications.
• Closed application processes will be removed from the RAM.
Operating System History
1940s & 1950s

1940s
• Early computers did not include operating systems.
1950s
• OS executed one job at a time.
• Included technologies to smooth job-to-job transitions.
• Single-stream batch-processing systems.
• Programs and data submitted consecutively on tape.
1960s & 1970s

• Multitasking introduced: process multiple jobs at once.

• One job could use the CPU while other jobs used peripheral devices.
• Advanced operating systems developed to service multiple interactive users.
• Timesharing systems
• Developed to support many simultaneous interactive users.
• Turnaround time was reduced to minutes or seconds.
• Time between submission of job and the return of its results.
• Introduced virtual memory.
• More memory allocations than actually exist.
• Personal computing only in incipient stages.
• Fostered by early developments in microprocessor technology.
1980s

• Decade of personal computers and workstations.

• Personal computers proved relatively easy to learn and use.
• Graphical user interfaces (GUI).
• Transferring information between computers via networks
became more economical and practical.
• Client/server computing model spread widely:
• Clients request various services.
• Servers perform requested services.
1990s

• Operating system support for networking tasks became

standard.
• Increased productivity and communication.
• Operating systems became increasingly user friendly
• GUI features improved and widely used.
• “Plug-and-play” capabilities built into operating systems.
• Enable users to add and remove hardware components dynamically.
• No need to manually reconfigure operating system .
• Enabled users to navigate multiple concurrent applications.
2000s & Beyond

• OS with middleware
• Links two separate applications
• Provides services to software applications beyond those available from the operating
system.
• Particularly important for Web services
• Simplifies communication across multiple architectures.
• Enable any two applications to communicate and exchange data over the web.
• Web-Oriented
• Depends on web-applications
• Software application that runs in the web browser.
• Server process the data based on client request and provide response.
Available Operating System
Microsoft DOS (Disk Operating System)

• Single-user operating system developed by Microsoft.

• First widely-installed operating system for personal

computers.

• Command based.
• MS Windows still uses some of the commands.

• Underlying control program for later operating systems:

Windows 3.1, 95, 98 and ME.
Microsoft Windows

• Standard operating system in homes and most corporations.

• Client version (Desktop) and Server version.
• Graphical based operating system.
• Window Server 2012 & 2016 have command line based versions only.

Windows evolution: https://onthehub.com/evolution-of-windows/

UNIX

• UNIX was one of the first operating systems to be

developed by AT&T in 1971.
• Has been under constant development.
• Closed-source OS.
• Some Unix projects are open-source.
• Used in mission critical applications for client/server and
transaction processing.
• Several different variants, of which Linux is currently the
most popular.
Linux

• Linux is free and open source.

• The name “Linux” comes from the Linux kernel, started in

1991 by Linus Torvalds.

• Known for its use in servers.

• Widely used in a variety of computer hardware, including desktop
computers, supercomputers, video game systems, and embedded
devices such as mobile phones and routers.
Apple: Macintosh, OS x, macOS

• Apple produced the first widely-sold computer with GUI,

Mac computer, in 1984 with its own operating system.

• Has many significant OS X releases.

• Know known as macOS: most recent " Mojave".

• Evolution: https://www.versionmuseum.com/history-of/mac-os-x
Chrome OS

• Designed by Google in 2011.

• A Linux kernel-based operating system.

• Derived from the free software Chromium OS.
• Uses the Google Chrome web browser as its
principal user interface.
• All its applications are web-centric.
PC Desktop OS Market Share Worldwide

MS Windows OS X Unknown Linux Chrome OS Other

Source: https://gs.statcounter.com/os-market-share/desktop/worldwide/#monthly-201808-201908-bar (Captured 12 September 2019)

Choosing An Operating System
Which OS Should I install?

• Choosing an OS is a significant decision.

• Major decision factors include:
• The intended use of the computer and its role in the network.
• The applications and environments that will need to run.
• The minimum hardware requirements of the operating systems.
Intended Use Of Computer

• Desktop OS
• Intended for home or small office environments with a limited number of
users.
• Runs single-user applications, shares files and folders with limited security.
• Network OS
• Designed for corporate environment serving multiple users with a wide range
of needs.
• Generally provide network resources including server applications, centralized
data storage, network print queues, RAID and backup systems.
Compatible Applications and Environments

• The OS you choose must be compatible with the existing

hardware and the required applications.

• Commercial applications usually specify a list of compatible

operating systems on website or sold product.

• For customized applications, the programmer should

specify which operating systems can be used with.
Minimum Hardware Requirements

• Operating systems (like all other software applications) have

minimum hardware requirements that must be met.
• Why?
• To be able to install the OS.
• For the OS to function correctly.
• For the OS to run smoothly (no lagging or freezing).
• To examine OS requirements it is best to visit the
developer’s website.
• Example: Microsoft’s online compatibility center (Windows 10).
Installing an Operating System
Clean Installation

• A clean installation is an installation where the target disk

partition is erased prior to actual installation.
• A clean installation should be carried out:
• When a computer is passed from one person to another.
• When the OS that was installed is corrupt.
• When the primary hard drive has been replaced.

• A clean installation often succeeds where an unclean

installation may fail. WHY?
How to Install an OS

• OS installation can start by booting from a media that holds the operating
system files. (The media has to be bootable ready)

• Bootable media include:

• CD or DVD operating system disk (used to be most common method)
• Bootable USB flash drive.
• Network boot: operating system file will be placed in on a server. Installation will
happen over the network.
• Prior to installation, you have to setup the computer BIOS/UIEF to boot from
the proper device. (e.g. USB or DVD)
After booting from Media

• The first phase of the installation process will partition and

format the hard drive.
• This step prepares the disk to accept the new file system
(the directory structure).
• Different operating systems use different file systems.
Partitioning
• The process of subdividing the physical hard drive into smaller units each
known as a partition.
• A hard drive must have at least one partition.

• Windows:
Each partition is
assigned a drive
letter such as
C: or D:
Partitioning Advantages

• Partitions provide flexibility for hard drive organization.

• Isolating OS files:
• Keeping the OS, applications and data on the same partition is risky because
if something happens to the partition's index file, you won't be able to boot
up or even access the rest of the data on that partition.
• If you keep your operating system and applications in a different partition to
your data (documents, photos, music, etc.) the data will be easier to back up.
• The OS partition can be formatted without affecting any data.
• Partitioning allows users to install multiple OSs.
• Each OS will be installed on a partition.
Formatting

• Formatting is the process of creating a file system and

making the root directory in that file system.
• It organizes the partition so the OS can store files and folders on it.
• Each partition on the disk must be formatted before it can hold
data.
File System: Windows

• NTFS (New Technology File System)

• Support partition sizes up to 16 exabytes (in theory).
• More file system security features and extended attributes than
the FAT file system.

• FAT32 (File Allocation Table 32-bit)

• Support partition sizes up to 2 terabytes.
• Limits data file size to 4 GB.
• Used by Windows XP and older OS versions.
Data Migration

• When a new installation is required, user data might need to be

migrated from the old OS to the new one.
• There are various tools available to transfer data and settings:
• Windows User State Migration Tool (USMT)
• Includes user accounts, user files, operating system settings, and application settings.
• Cloud Solutions.
• Physical Solutions:
• External Drive.
• Transfer cables.
• Windows Easy Transfer
• Old tool by Microsoft for transferring from Windows XP (32 bit) to Windows 7.
Upgrading An Operating System

• Microsoft provides a free utility which scans the system for

hardware and software incompatibility issues before
allowing you to upgrade to newer versions of Windows
operating systems.
Running Multiple Operating Systems
Multiple Operating Systems

• Commercial computers usually come an OS pre-loaded on

the disk.
• Most users use the operating system that comes with their
computer.
• It is possible to upgrade, change or add an another operating
system.
• The three most common operating systems for personal
computers are Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Why Multiple Operating Systems?
• Learn about another operating systems.
• Users can experiment with Linux, but will retain access to Windows OS.
• More application software
• Some application are developed for special platforms.
• Testing software
• Applications developed for multiple OSs can be natively tested.
• Web designers test sites in various OSs using native browsers.
• Running older/multiple versions of an operating system.
• Drivers for legacy hardware are unavailable (e.g. scanners).
• IT staff may need to be able to work with several versions of Windows.
• Reduce space dedicated for computer hardware in a working environments.
• Gamers don't want to endanger their business installation. ☺
Issues with Running Multiple Operating Systems

• Disk space
• Perhaps the biggest factor when setting up multiple operating
systems on a personal computer is the available disk space.
• Running multiple operating systems means the need to allocate
space for each operating system and each systems file storage.
• Switching between operating systems
• User tend to find hard to move the work environment between
multiple OSs (running application and files).
Running Multiple Operating Systems

• There are two different ways to run multiple operating

systems on the same computer:
1. Dual boot
2. Virtualization
Dual Booting

• Dual booting indicates installing a second operating system

on a separate partition of a hard drive.
• On boot, a prompt will allow the user to choose the OS.
• To switch the OS, a reboot is required.
Dual Booting (cont.)

• Dual booting has the advantage that OSs will be running

natively.
• The loaded OS will be the only OS running.
• Uses all available CPU and memory.
• Results in a better performance and smoother operation.
• Accessing files can be problematic due to different file
systems.
Virtualization

• Virtualization allows to run multiple instances of different operating

systems concurrently.
• The host OS will run an virtualization software that provides
functionality to run other operating systems virtually.
• Known as virtual machines or virtual boxes.
• A virtual machine runs to emulate an operating system in a window.
• Operating systems do not interfere with each other or the various
applications.
• Virtual machines share CPU, memory, disk space and other hardware
components with host OS and other virtual machines.
Virtualization (cont.)

• Virtualization provides easier access to files

and programs in the host OS.

• Commonly used by businesses as switching

between OSs is easy.

• With high specs servers, business are

moving towards having different virtual
machines for different tasks.
Q&A