Guide to Operating Systems,
4th ed.
Chapter 2: Popular Operating Systems
Objectives
• Describe operating systems that laid the
groundwork for current desktop and server
operating systems
• Identify the basic features and characteristics of
popular desktop and server operating systems
• Understand when to use certain operating systems
Guide to Operating Systems, 4th ed.
2
An Introduction to Operating Systems
• An operating system (OS) is a set of basic
programming instructions to computer hardware,
forming a layer of programming code on which
most other functions of the computer are built.
• The kernel is the programming code that is the
core of the operating system.
– Code is a general term that refers to instructions written in a
computer programming language.
• Computer hardware consists of physical devices
such as the central processing unit (CPU), circuit
boards, the monitor and keyboard, and disk drives.
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Early Microsoft Operating Systems
• MS-DOS and PC DOS
– MS-DOS was Microsoft’s original OS for the IBM PC
– PC DOS was customized and marketed by IBM – ran on early
IBM computers
• Windows 3.x
– First version of Windows using a graphical user interface (GUI)
– Ran slow and not well accepted at first
– Windows 3.1 was the first popular, usable Microsoft GUI and
paved the way for Windows to become the dominant PC OS
• Windows 95
– Microsoft’s first true 32-bit OS
– Eliminated the 640 KB memory limit
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Windows 95
• Introduced the GUI now called the “desktop”
• Introduced Plug and Play (PnP)
– enables the OS to automatically detect newly installed
hardware
• Introduced ActiveX and the Component Object
Model (COM)
– standardized way for objects, such as programs, files,
computers, printers, etc… to communicate with each other
• Introduced “The Registry” – a database that stores
OS information about hardware and software
configuration
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Windows 95
• The Registry provides the following:
–
–
–
–
–
–
OS configuration
Service and device driver information and configuration
Software and application parameters
Hardware configuration
Performance information
Desktop configuration
• Multitasking – introduced a task supervisor that detects
tasks that appear stuck and offers option to close those
tasks without restarting
• Networking functionality was extended and Internet
Explorer web browser was integrated
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Windows 98/Me
• Windows 98 was similar to Windows 95 but
included the following changes:
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Expanded PnP support
Automatic registry checks and repairs
Advanced power management features
Support for new hardware standards such as USB
Improved cooperative multitasking for 16-bit applications
Greater integration of Internet and networking features
Extended multimedia support
Expanded support for high-speed networking
Ability to perform upgrades over the Internet
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Windows 98/Me
• Windows Millennium Edition (Me)
– Developed for home computer users
– Implemented applications that appealed to home users
•
•
•
•
Playing music
Storing family photos
Playing games
Accessing the Internet
– Provided better support for infrared devices
– Implemented the enhanced PnP standard called Universal
Plug and Play (UPnP)
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Windows NT
• Windows New Technology (NT) – high-end
operating system to be used on very powerful
computers
– OS kernel ran in privileged mode – protected it from problems
created by a malfunctioning program or process
• Offered in two versions: Windows NT Workstation
and Windows NT Server
• Supported high-speed network connectivity and
remote access over telephone lines or Internet
• Had a C2 top-secret security rating from the US
government
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Windows 2000
• Windows 2000 was built on the Windows NT
technology with a significant rewrite of the NT kernel
and ran about 30% faster than NT
• Some new features:
– Supported VPNs – private network that is like a tunnel through
a larger network
– Active Directory – database that is used to store information
about resources such as user accounts, computers, and
printers
– Kerberos security – Kerberos is a security system that enables
two parties on an open network to communicate without
interception by an intruder
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Windows 2000 Server and Windows
2000 Professional
• Microsoft developed this basic server and workstation
(Professional) version to be used together on a serverbased network
• Windows 2000 Server supports up to 4 processors and
offers more services (than Professional) such as:
–
–
–
–
–
–
Handle unlimited numbers of users simultaneously
Active Directory management
Network management
Web-based management services
Network-wide security management
Remote network access, network-wide communications services, and
high-speed network connectivity
– Application services and network printer management
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Windows 2000 Server, Advanced Server,
and Datacenter Server
• Windows 2000 Server was divided into three
different products
– Windows 2000 Server – provided a comprehensive set of
server and Web services for up to 4 processor systems
– Windows 2000 Advanced Server – intended for high-end
enterprise networks that require up to 8 processor servers,
clustered serves, or both
• Clustering – technique in which two or more servers are linked to
equally share the server processor load, storage, and other server
resources
– Windows 2000 Datacenter – targeted for large database and
data manipulation servcies
• Supports 64 GB of RAM, clustering, and servers with up to 32
processors
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Windows 2000 Server, Advanced
Server, and Datacenter Server
Server clustering
Guide to Operating Systems, 4th ed.
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Current Desktop and Server Operating
Systems
• The rest of this chapter will focus on current
operating systems such as:
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Windows XP
Windows Server 2003/R2
Windows Vista
Windows Server 2008/R2
Windows 7
UNIX System V Release 4
Mac OS
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Windows XP
• Windows XP (Windows Experience) – new desktop
version with core elements of Windows 2000
• Features:
– More capabilities for multimedia applications
– Better Internet security through a built-in firewall
– Remote Desktop – ability to control the computer over an Internet
connection
– Requires an activation code that must be obtained by contacting
Microsoft (ensures that software is not pirated)
• Several versions include: Windows XP Home, XP
Professional, XP Tablet PC, XP Media Center, and XP
62-Bit
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Windows XP
• Windows XP Professional – intended for office use
– Can be used as a small server for up to 10 users
– Can run on computers using up to 2 processors
• Windows XP Home – meant as the next upgrade
from Windows Me and is a scaled down version of
Windows XP Professional
– Runs only on 32-bit single-processor computers
• Both XP versions offer improved help and support
documentation
• Program Compatibility Wizard – allows programs
written for Windows 95 and earlier to run
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Windows XP
• Windows XP Tablet PC Edition – OS for tablet PCs
(pen-based personal computing) offers the
following new features:
– Customization – setup Tablet for left- or right-handed use and
program buttons for a specific task
– Tablet PC Input Panel – allows user to write notes and save
them in either their own handwriting or change to text
– Microsoft Windows Journal – organize notes and even search
through them to find a reference in the document
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Windows XP
• Windows XP Media Center Edition – allows the
user to control all digital media with a single remote
control
• Features:
– Set-top box Learning Mode – Configure the system to work with
your set-top box
– Build and play your digital music library – copy music from CDs
to your PC hard drive
– View and share your digital pictures
– Internet and FM radio – skip forward, pause, and replay
– Display Calibration Wizard – setup best picture
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Windows XP
• Windows XP 64-Bit Edition – runs on the Intel
Itanium and AMD x64 processors
– Targeted for users who need large amounts of memory and
superior mathematical calculation capabilities
• Microsoft ended the sale of Windows XP in
October 2010, but will provide support until April
2014
Guide to Operating Systems, 4th ed.
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Windows Server 2003
• Windows Server 2003 comes in four versions:
–
–
–
–
Standard Edition
Enterprise Edition
Datacenter Edition
Web Edition
• Some of the new features include:
–
–
–
–
–
–
GUI interface used with Windows XP
Faster network logon authentication through Active Directory
New tools for managing server resources
Ability to run on 64-bit Itanium processors
Remote server management through the Remote Desktop tool
Enhanced ability for users to run programs on the server
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Windows Server 2003
• Offers the following new features:
– Windows Rights Management Services (RMS) – allows
companies to secure their documents from copying, forwarding,
and printing
– Common language runtime (CLR) – verifies code before it is
run and monitors memory
– Configure Your Server Wizard – allows the server to be
configured to defined roles, such as file server, printer server,
application server, and mail server
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Windows Server 2003 R2
• Windows Server 2003 Release 2 (R2) is an
upgrade to Server 2003 with many new features
• Targeted for medium- to large-sized organizations
who wish to have more reliable, heavy-duty, and
uninterrupted computing
• Desktop looks the same as Windows Server 2003
• The new features in Windows Server 2003 R2 are
discussed on the following slides
Guide to Operating Systems, 4th ed.
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Windows Server 2003 R2
• Better performance – Active Directory is able to
communicate faster over WAN links (affects
communication with branch offices)
– Also performance enhancements have been made to
SharePoint Services (enable users to collaborate on Word
documents)
• Improved Group Policy Management – enable
organizations to manage how users employ
Windows-based computers
– Can standardize how applications are access by users
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Windows Server 2003 R2
• Microsoft Management Console 3.0 (MMC 3.0) and
the Print Management Console
– MMC 3.0 enables a network administrator to manage server
functions across an enterprise of Windows servers
• Print Management Console new features:
– Installation of network printers remotely in a branch (off-site)
office
– Instant views of printers and of print jobs so you can manage
printer resources and troubleshoot problems
– Ability to view printer driver information, forms, printer port use,
and other general printer information
– Ability to setup Web features to remotely diagnose a problem
Guide to Operating Systems, 4th ed.
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Windows Server 2003 R2
• Server Clustering Capabilities – Cluster Service
(CS) is available on the Enterprise and Datacenter
Editions
– Enterprise Edition allows up to 8 computers to be clustered
– Better integrated with Active Directory
• Virtual Server Options – enables you to run more
than one operating system on your server
– Requires a computer that has two or more processors (one for
each OS you load)
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Windows Server 2003 R2
• Dynamic Systems Initiative – a joint venture with
Hewlett-Packard, Dell, IBM, Fujitsu Limited, and
Fujitsu Siemens to make computers simpler to use
and more self-managing
– DSI technology is implemented through enhancements to
Microsoft Operations Manager (MOM) 2005
– Can automatically take action on an alert
– Enables dynamic software patching while a server is running
– Automates the process of distributing software to clients
– Can inventory systems on a network for pre-deployment patch
planning
– Uses SQL Server for database management of alerts, security,
and other information
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Windows Server 2003 R2
• Better Identity and Access Management – easier
identification of authorized users and to ensure users
can access the right resources
– Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS) – enables one
sign-on for both network and Web-based resources
– Active Directory Application Mode (ADAM) – allows Active
Directory and software applications to communicate
• Provides coordination and authentication of users and user
information through the Active Directory database
– UNIX Identity Management – allows information about users to
be shared between UNIX/Linux and Windows Server 2003 R2
Guide to Operating Systems, 4th ed.
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Windows Server 2003 R2
• Better Options for Branch Office Users
– Windows Server 2003 R2 offers several enhancements for
communications branch offices:
• Remote Differential Compression (RDC) – optimizes transfers
over data networks so that less bandwidth is used
• File replication – easier to back up files from one location to
another
• Files published at one location can be made available in another
location
• Distributed File System Enhancements (DFS)
– Enables you to simplify access to shared folders on a network
by setting up shares on multiple servers to appear as though
they are accessed from a single server
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Windows Server 2003 R2
• Subsystem for UNIX-based Applications
– You can compile and run UNIX/Linux applications on a
Windows server
• Improved Storage Management – Two new tools to
help manage data
– File Server Resource Manager – help server managers
determine how storage is used on a server and to better
manage storage
• 3 options: Quota Management, File Screening Management,
Storage Reports
– Storage Manager for SANs – tool for managing storage area
networks (SAN)
• A SAN is a fast network that contains components that can be
shared for storage and access to storage
Guide to Operating Systems, 4th ed.
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Windows Vista
• Microsoft Windows Vista (released Jan. ’09) –
workstation operating system that followed XP
– Geared to make desktop computing more intuitive and reliable
– Has more built-in security features and requires less rebooting
• Example: when installing a software patch, no need to reboot right
away
– One-third faster than Windows XP and Windows 2000
– New desktop presentation called Aero (Authentic, Energetic,
Reflective, and Open)
– Reasons to upgrade: for greater speed, more productivity
through the use of intuitive features, uniformity of the desktop,
and greater security and reliability
Guide to Operating Systems, 4th ed.
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Windows Vista
• Vista implements many new features:
–
–
–
–
–
–
Desktop and windows interface
Virtual folders
Folder resource sharing options
Reliability features
Security features
Management options
• Each of these are explained on the following slides
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Windows Vista
• Desktop and Windows Interface
– Introduces desktop “gadgets” – small applications for readily
accessing information and tools (clock, calendar, etc…)
– Search box at the bottom of the Start menu enables fast
searching for a specific document or file
– Renamed and reorganized Start Button options
– A new category was added in the Control Panel categories:
• Security – to configure Internet, User Account, and Firewall
security, check for security updates, and to assess the security
status of a computer
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Windows Vista
• Virtual Folders – organizing files on the basis of
information associated with those files, such as
author, rating, date, and so on
– Not a physical folder, but a dynamic folder housing files from
one or more different physical locations
• Folder Resource Sharing Options
– Sharing Wizard enables you to specify which users can access
a folder
– Users can specify the use of a file on the basis of a personal or
public profile
• Files not to be shared can be saved into a personal profile and
files to be shared can be saved into a public profile
Guide to Operating Systems, 4th ed.
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Windows Vista
• Reliability Features:
– Startup Repair Tool – When a boot problem is detected,
Windows Vista automatically launches this tool which is
designed to assess the problem and fix it
– Code to Prevent Interruptions – Microsoft has strengthened OS
code to prevent “crashes and hangs”
– Self-Diagnosis for Problems – built-in diagnostics for common
hardware problems and memory problems
– Restart Manager – has the ability to determine which running
processes are affected by an update or patch and can restart
an affected service without rebooting the computer
– Service Failure Recovery – OS can detect when a service has
failed and attempt to restart it
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Windows Vista
• Security Features:
– A more comprehensive firewall – group policies can be used to
ensure that all users have enabled the firewall and are using
the exact same security settings within the firewall
– User Account Protection (UAP) – intended to make user
accounts more secure by controlling permissions and limiting
the applications that can be run from an account
– Built-in security software to find and eliminate malicious
software – includes Windows Server Hardening which limits the
effect a service can have in Windows Vista (attacks are limited
or thwarted)
– Status information – to show whether recent patches and
updates have been installed
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Windows Vista
• Vista Management Options – Windows Vista
comes with more group policy settings which
means computers can be standardized for easier
use
– Windows Resource Protection (WRP) – used to make it more
difficult to change system settings and files, such as the registry
– Vista brings back the Administrative Tools menu first
introduced in Windows NT. Some of the tools include:
•
•
•
•
Computer Management
Reliability and Performance Monitor
Task Scheduler
Event Viewer
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Windows Server 2008
• Windows Server 2008 was released in Feb. ‘08
– Shares the same code base and same new features as
Windows Vista
• The following additional features of Windows Server
2008 will be covered on the following slides:
–
–
–
–
–
–
Active Directory
Failover Clustering
Hyper-V
Self-Healing NTFS
Server Core
Server Manager
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Windows Server 2008
• Active Directory – Read-only domain controller
(RODC) was implemented so that hackers cannot
make changes at remote locations to be replicated
to the main domain controller at corporate
headquarters
• Failover Clustering – Windows Server 2008
Enterprise and Datacenter editions have a cluster
validation wizard that runs validation tests on the
servers to be clustered
• Hyper-V – allows the server to run multiple
independent operating systems at the same time
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Windows Server 2008
• Self-Healing NTFS – Chkdsk.exe utility runs in the
background to correct hard disk problems
– In the past, the volume (system) had to be taken down in order
to run chkdsk.exe
• Server Core – bare-bones installation that is meant
to reduce hacker attacks to the OS
• Server Manager – combines and replaces the
Manage Your Server, Configure Your Server, and
the Security Configuration Wizard tools found in
Windows Server 2003
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Windows Server 2008 R2
• Windows Server 2008 R2 – released in Oct ‘09
along with Windows 7 (desktop OS)
– Released only in a 64-bit version
– Microsoft announced that support for Itanium architecture
would end with Server 2008 R2
• Enhancements include:
–
–
–
–
–
Release of IIS 7.5
New virtualization capabilities
Updates to Active Directory
Additional management tools
Performance improvements such as shortening boot time and
improved access time to storage devices
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Windows Server 2008 R2
• Available in seven versions:
– Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard
– Windows Server 2008 R2 Foundation – entry-level operating
system for small businesses
– Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise – designed for missioncritical setups and allows easy access for mobile workers
– Windows Server 2008 R2 Datacenter – provides unlimited
virtualization licensing to reduce infrastructure costs
– Windows Web Server 2008 R2 – ships with IIS 7.5, Web
Server, and DNS Server roles
– Windows HPC Server 2008 R2 – high-performance computing
(HPC) provides a management console
– Windows Server 2008 R2 for Itanium-Based Systems
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Windows Server 2008 R2
• Integration with Windows 7 (for client computers
running Windows 7 OS)
– Microsoft introduced DirectAccess to provide the functionality of
a VPN
– BranchCache – feature that allows the remote network to cache
frequently accessed applications and information to reduce the
traffic over the network link
• File Services Management
– Windows File Classification Infrastructure (FCI) provides
the information needed to manage data
• If data contains sensitive information, FCI may move this
information to a more secure server and even encrypt it
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Windows Server 2008 R2
• Scalability – includes components to help reduce
the number of physical servers
• Reliability – Windows Hardware Error Architecture
(WHEA) now supports memory and cache error
recovery
– Administrators can add additional memory, processors, and I/O
resources to a server without taking the server down
• Virtualization – provides Hyper-V for server
virtualization
– Hyper-V Management Console and System Center Virtual
Machine Manager 2008 are two new enhancements
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Windows Server 2008 R2
• Web Platform Updates
– IIS 7.5 provides centralized Web management, more reliability,
and improved security
– New administration console called IIS 7.5 Manager – allows for
both local and remote administration
– IIS 7.5 has a modular architecture so that the server
administrator can load just the modules needed for the specific
type of Web services being offered
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Windows 7
• Windows 7 is an enhanced version of Windows
Vista and not a complete rewrite
• Six version of Windows 7:
–
–
–
–
–
–
Windows 7 Starter
Windows 7 Home Basic
Windows 7 Home Premium
Windows 7 Professional
Windows 7 Ultimate
Windows 7 Enterprise
• The new features and enhancements of Windows 7
will be listed on the following slides
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Windows 7
• Windows Taskbar – Icons are larger and you can
rearrange them in any order (click and drag)
• HomeGroups – Multiple computers running
Windows 7 can be connected to a home network to
share resources
• Windows Media Center – Watch TV and turn your
PC into a digital video recorder
• Windows Touch – supports touch-screen monitors
with multitouch technology
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Windows 7
• Performance Improvements – Designed to use less
memory and to run background services only when
needed
– Uses ReadyBoost to speed up your computer if run low on
memory
• Allows the use of USB flash drives and memory cards as an
extension of operating system memory
• Windows Live Essentials – includes Messenger
(chat), Photo Gallery Mail, Writer, Movie Maker,
Windows Live Mesh, and Family Safety
• Microsoft Security Essentials – includes antivirus
software that can be downloaded for free
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Windows 7
• Play To – easy and efficient way to listen to music,
watch videos, and review pictures on your TV or
other computer on your home network
• Jump Lists – associated with the programs you use
each day
• Peek, Shake, and Snap:
– Peek allows you to view through open windows to the desktop
– Shake minimizes all Windows except the one being viewed
– Snap allows you to resize or reposition a window by dragging it
to the edge of your screen
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Windows 7
• Libraries – A Windows 7 library is a convenient way
to access different folders in different locations
from one central location
– Windows 7 installs four libraries by default: Documents, Music,
Pictures, and Videos
• Windows XP Mode – allows you to run older
applications that aren’t compatible with Windows 7
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UNIX System V Release 4
• The UNIX operating system comes in many
different formats
– Of all OSs covered in this book, it is the oldest, most diverse,
and most complicated
• AT&T developed UNIX but never licensed the
kernel
– This is why there are many versions with many diverse utilities
• Two main design standards:
– Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD)
– System V Release 4 (SVR4) – Linux is an example
• This book uses Linux for its UNIX examples
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UNIX System V Release 4
• Runs on almost any hardware
• UNIX is a true multitasking, multiuser operating
system
• Most UNIX versions come with different “shells” or
user interfaces and it is up to the user to pick the
shell they wish to use
– Most shells function in the same way
• Some UNIX versions provide you with a GUI
– X Window is the most popular
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UNIX System V Release 4
Linux (Fedora) GUI desktop
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UNIX System V Release 4
• Standard UNIX operating system does not provide
many network functions
– Most of these functions are provided by add-ons
• UNIX security model made it the early system of
choice for Internet server and firewall services
• UNIX computers are often used as database or
applications servers and for industrial control
applications
• Most versions come with a line editor that is used
to create text one line at a time
– A text editor enables you to edit text in a full-screen mode
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Mac OS
• Macintosh computers revolutionized the world of
OSs with an all-graphical user interface and shell
• Mac OS X is built on Darwin UNIX, which is a
distribution of the BSD UNIX version
• Mac OS X comes bundled with Mac OS 9 in order
to support older applications
• The hardware architecture needed to run Mac OS
is very dependent on the version of the OS
– If you are running the newest generation of hardware, you are
required to run Mac OS X
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Mac OS
• Peer-to-peer networking has always been a
standard feature of MAC OS
– Uses the AppleTalk protocol
• MAC OS was always meant to be a desktop
operating system
– No extended security features to keep users from getting
access to files on local computers
• MAC OS has been known for its support of
graphics, video, and sound capabilities
– Graphical artists prefer MAC font management and Color Sync
color matching technologies
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Mac OS
• Mac OS X (version 10) – introduced the “Aqua”
interface
– Some previous programs and utilities were replaced
– Many windows in Mac OS X now can be customized so their
contents appear in columns
– Internet connectivity is enhanced in Mac OS X through the
Internet Connect tool
• Mac OS X Version 10.3 Panther – includes a new
Finder, new mail application, and faster user
switching
– Safari is the default Web browser
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Mac OS
• Mac OS X Version 10.4 Tiger – longest available
version of the Mac OS X operating system
– Features the Dashboard which contains desktop accessories
referred to as “widgets”
– Enhanced 64-bit addressing
– New search engine called Spotlight and a new version of the
Safari Web browser
• Mac OS X Version 10.5 Leopard
– offered a greatly enhanced desktop, a new backup utility called
Time Machine, an updated Finder, and a virtual desktop called
Spaces
– Boot Camp – allows for other OSs to be installed on a separate
partition
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Mac OS
• Mac OS X Version 10.6 Snow Leopard
– Works only on Intel-based computers
– Required less memory usage and improved performance
– Included mail and calendar support for Microsoft Exchange
2007
• Mac OS X Version 10.7 Lion
– Release is anticipated in summer of 2011
– Apple is likely to implement some iPad features
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Mac OS X
Snow Leopard desktop with Safari Web browser
Guide to Operating Systems, 4th ed.
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Chapter Summary
• Early computer operating systems were primitive compared to
current computer operating systems but were significant during
their time and moved us toward a desktop computing environment
• The Windows, Macintosh, and UNIX operating systems are
popular current operating systems, with new releases being
announced on a regular basis
• Server operating systems have evolved to allow clustering, virtual
servers, self-healing NTFS, storage manager for SANS, single
sign-on, network management, and security features
• Mac OS X is built on Darwin UNIX, which is a distribution of the
BSD UNIX version. With the release of Snow Leopard, the
operating system runs only on Intel-based chips.
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