Modern Operating Systems
An operating system (OS) is a software program or set of programs that serves as an
intermediary between computer hardware and user applications.
Operating systems provide:
Abstraction
Resource management
Application Support
User Interaction
Security
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Primary functions of an OS
Kernel: The core of the OS that manages hardware resources, scheduling processes,
and handling system calls
●Hardware Management
●Process Management
●Memory Management
●File System Management
●Device Management
●User Interface
●Security & Access Control
●Networking
●Error Handling
●Resource Allocation
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The historical evolution of operating systems spans over several decades
1940s - 1950s: Early Computers and Batch Processing - The first electronic computers.
1950s - 1960s: Single-User, Single-Tasking Systems. Introduction of early OS.
1960s - 1970s: Multiprogramming and Time-Sharing. Concurrent Programs, users.
1970s: Rise of Unix and Minicomputers. Introduced file system trees, pipes...
1970s - 1980s: Microcomputers and Personal Computers. First windows,apple OS
1980s - 1990s: Client-Server Architecture and Networking,local area networks(LAN)
1990s - 2000s: Internet and Mobile Computing,The internet revolution, rise of LINUX
2010s - Present: Modern desktop OS like Windows 10/11, macOS, LINUX distros
Emerging Trends: Edge Computing, AI Integration
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There are several types of OS, each designed to serve specific purposes and targeted to different
computing environments
●Single-User, Single-Tasking OS
●Single-User, Multi-Tasking OS
●Multi-User OS
●Real-Time OS (RTOS)
●Network OS
●Distributed OS
●Mobile OS
●Hypervisor/Virtualization OS
●Batch Processing OS
●Mainframe OS
●Clustered OS
Linux and Windows OS(or variants) can incorporate almost all of features from above list
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Operating systems (OS) have various versions and editions over time, each with its own
features, improvements,specialized editions for specific use cases.
Windows Editions often cater to
different user needs, such as home users,
professionals, and enterprise users.
Windows editions:
●Home - Home users and consumers
●Pro - Small businesses, professionals, power users
●Enterprise - Large organizations and enterprises
●Education - Educational institutions, schools
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availability and support for specific versions and editions may change over time as new
versions are released and old ones are retired or replaced
There are numerous Linux distributions (distros)
.
available. This diversity is the product of the
open-source nature of the Linux kernel and the
philosophy of flexibility and freedom of choice
within the Linux community.
This abundance means that there's likely a
Linux distribution tailored to almost any need
or preference, contributing to the popularity
and adaptability of Linux in the computing
world.
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Virtualization is the process of creating a virtual version of something, such as a server, storage
device, network, or even an operating system.
It involves using software to simulate hardware functionality or create multiple instances of
something on a single physical hardware resource.
Types of Virtualization: Benefits of Virtualization:
●Server Virtualization ●Resource Utilization
●Desktop Virtualization ●Isolation
●Network Virtualization ●Flexibility
●Storage Virtualization ●Testing environment
●Disaster Recovery
●Live Migration
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Virtual Machines(VM) is a software emulation of a physical computer. It allows you to run multiple
OS and applications on a single physical server or computer, creating a virtualized environment
Usefulness of Virtual Machines:
●Resource Utilization
●Isolation
●Compatibility
●Snapshot and Cloning
hypervisor is a program that allows for virtualization
on physical machine. Popular desktop hypervisors:
Oracle VirtualBox, VMware Workstation Player
All Virtual Machines think that
they are physical machines 9
Hypervisor is specialized software layer that abstracts and controls the underlying physical
hardware, enabling multiple operating systems and applications to run independently
and concurrently on the same hardware
Hypervisor types:
●Type 1 Hypervisor(Bare-Metal) -
Runs directly on hardware
●Type 2 Hypervisor (Hosted) -
Runs on top of a Host OS
Hypervisor Components:
●Virtual Machine Monitor (VMM)
●Management Interface
●Configuration Files
●Integration Tools
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Containers - virtualization technology to package and isolate applications and their
dependencies, including libraries and configuration files,into a single, portable unit
called a container. Docker is contained platform for using containerized applications
Containers or Virtual Machines?
*Containers operate at the application
level, sharing the host OS kernel, VMs run
full OS instances.
*Containers are typically more lightweight
and efficient but may lack level of isolation
we have in VMs.
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Cloud computing is a technology model that provides on-demand access to a
shared pool of computing resources: servers, storage, networking, applications,services over
the internet. Heavily relies on the technology of virtualization.
Cloud Service Models:
●Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
●Platform as a Service (PaaS)
Software as a Service (SaaS)
Cloud Deployment Models:
●Public Cloud
●Private Cloud
●Hybrid Cloud
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