Chapter 2: Operating Systems

61 flashcards · Other · by Ian Christensen

1. What is a Kernel?

   The nucleus of an operating system. It is the closest part to the machine level and may activate the hardware directly or interface to another software layer that drives the hardware. The kernel orchestrates the entire operation of the computer by slicing time for each system function and each application as well as managing all the computer's resources. It typically resides in memory at all times.

2. What is a PID?

   Process identifier, also known as process ID or PID, is a unique number to identify each process running in an operating system such as Linux, Windows, and Unix. PIDs are reused over time and can only identify a process during the lifetime of the process, so it does not identify processes that are no longer running. This number can be used as a framework for various function calls, meaning processes can be manipulated and adjusted.

3. How do you display PIDs in Windows?

   Open the application called Resource Monitor

4. How do you display PIDs in Mac?

   Open the application called Activity Monitor

5. How do you display PIDs in Unix?

   Type ps or pidof followed by the application name into a terminal

6. What is a device driver?

   Also called a "device driver," it is a program routine that links the operating system to a peripheral device. Written by programmers who understand the peripheral hardware's command language and characteristics, the driver contains the precise machine language necessary to perform the functions requested by the application.

7. How do you display device drivers in Windows?

   Open the application called Device Manager

8. How do you display device drivers in Mac?

   Open the application called System Report

9. How do you display device drivers in Unix?

   Type lsmod into a terminal (lsmod stands for List Modules)

10. What are the five primary components of an OS?

    Kernel Process ID Hardware Storage Networking

11. What is an OS?

    The computer's master control program. When a computer is turned on, a small "boot program" loads the operating system. Although additional system modules may be loaded as needed, the main part, known as the "kernel" resides in memory (RAM) at all times. The operating system (OS) sets the standards for all application programs that run in the computer. Applications "talk to" the operating system for all user interface and file management operations. Also called an "executive" or "supervisor," a…

12. What is a user account?

    An established relationship between a user and a computer, network or information service. User accounts are assigned a username. Passwords are optional for computers and networks, but mandatory for registrations and subscriptions to online services. For personal computers, there are typically two types of user accounts: standard and administrator. A standard user is prevented from performing tasks such as installing applications, while administrators have the complete run of the computer.

13. What is a superuser, root user, or administrator?

    A person with unlimited access privileges who can perform any and all operations within the computer or the person with the highest privilege level on a Unix/Linux computer. The root user, or just plain "root" is the "superuser" in the Unix world just as an "administrator" is the "superuser" for Windows computers.

14. What command is used in Unix to run a command as the superuser?

    Sudo (SuperUser DO), the command in Unix/Linux that allows a user to operate with the security privileges of another user. However, it is often used to execute commands at the highest level as long as the user's ID is in the "sudoers" (superuser do users) file.

15. What is a PDC in a Windows server?

    Primary Domain Controller is a service in a Windows server that manages security for its local domain. Every domain has one PDC, which contains a database of usernames, passwords and permissions. The PDC also provides a time service for the network and typically obtains the time from an edge router, which gets its time from the Internet.

16. What is a BDC in a Windows server?

    Backup Domain Controllers is a copy of the Primary Domain Controller. The BDC is periodically synchronized with the PDC.

17. What is AD?

    Active Directory is an advanced, hierarchical network directory service that comes with Windows servers and used for managing permissions and user access to network resources. Introduced in Windows 2000, Active Directory is a domain-based network that is structured like the Internet's Domain Naming System (DNS). Using the LDAP directory access protocol, a company's workgroups (departments, sections, offices, etc.) are assigned domain names similar to Web addresses, and any LDAP-compliant Window…

18. What is an SSO?

    Single Sign-On is an identification system that lets users log in to multiple websites on the Internet with one username and password. Single Sign-On systems are also used within an enterprise, enabling users to access all authorized resources in the local network using the same username and password.

19. What is SSO called on MacOS?

    File Sharing and Printer Sharing

20. What is SSO called on Unix?

    Samba

21. What is a domain in a LAN?

    A subnetwork made up of a group of clients and servers under the control of one security database. Dividing LANs into domains improves performance and security.

22. What is a workgroup in a LAN?

    Two or more individuals who share data and resources. Local networks (LANs) are designed to provide electronic sharing of data within workgroups. In general, products designed for workgroups support approximately 50 people, whereas departmental devices support several hundred, and enterprise devices serve several thousand.

23. What is a workgroup-based network?

    A relatively simple system of network administration that is widely used in small Windows networks. Computers and printers are each assigned to a workgroup name, which allows them to communicate with each other and share resources. There is no central administration. Each file or folder to be shared must be configured as such on that very machine. In home networks that allow everyone access to every resource in the network, the default name of WORKGROUP is typically assigned to every computer a…

24. What is a domain-based network?

    A system of centralized network administration, in which the permissions that grant access to resources in the network are maintained in one or more servers called "domain controllers" (see PDC). Domain-based networks use a hierarchical structure that enables assigning permissions to users who collaborate with different departments in an organization. Microsoft's Active Directory is based on the domain system. Domain Based vs. Workgroup Based Domain-based networks are used in large companies du…

25. What are the different Windows editions?

    Home edition Professional edition Enterprise edition

26. What are the different Windows versions?

    Windows 7 (2009) Windows 8 (2012) Windows 8.1 (2013) Windows 10 (2015)

27. Which version of Windows came with Windows Media Center?

    Windows 7

28. Which version of Windows supported Windows Media Center?

    Windows 7, 8, and 8.1

29. Which version of Windows removed the start button and created a MetroView or TileView menu?

    Windows 8

30. Which version of Windows introduced the Microsoft Store?

    Windows 8

31. Which version of Windows introduced the Charms Bar?

    Windows 8

32. Which version of Windows introduced the Settings application as an alternative to the Control Panel?

    Windows 8

33. Which version of Windows introduced the OneDrive?

    Windows 8

34. What version of Windows re-introduced the start button?

    Windows 8.1

35. What versions of Windows were infamously disliked?

    Windows 8 and 8.1

36. What version of Windows removed the Charms bar?

    Windows 10

37. What version of Windows merged the start button and the MetroView or TileView?

    Windows 10

38. What version of Windows transferred the majority of Control Panel functions to the Settings application?

    Windows 10

39. What version of Windows removed support for Windows Media Center?

    Windows 10

40. What is the control key on MacOS?

    The command key, ⌘

41. What is the file explorer called on MacOS?

    Finder

42. Where can you uninstall programs on MacOS?

    Applications

43. What is the control panel or settings called on MacOS?

    System Preferences

44. What is the taskbar called on MacOS?

    Dock

45. When did MacOS introduce the terminal?

    Cheetah (2001) or v10

46. What kernel is used by MacOS?

    XNU or Darwin Kernel, a Unix-based kernel

47. What kernel is used by Windows?

    The Windows NT kernel

48. What kernel is used by ChromeOS?

    Linux kernel

49. What kernel is used by Android?

    Linux kernel

50. What kernel is used by Ubuntu?

    Linux kernel

51. What is GNU?

    GNU's Not Unix is a Unix-like operating system developed by the free software movement starting in 1984. In 1992, the almost-complete GNU system was combined with the Linux kernel, producing the GNU/Linux system. The GNU Project developed many of the core programs in GNU, but also included available free software such as the X Window System and TeX.

52. What is Ubuntu?

    A popular Linux distribution that is noted for its ease of installation and use. Based on Debian Linux and introduced in 2004, Ubuntu is sponsored by Canonical Ltd., (www.canonical.com). Packaged with a variety of open source applications, including Firefox and LibreOffice, Ubuntu also comes pre-installed on laptops, desktops and servers. For example, System76 (www.system76.com) has been selling Ubuntu machines since 2005, and Dell introduced Ubuntu laptops in 2007.

53. What is Fedora?

    A free distribution of the Linux kernel from Red Hat along with a variety of open source utilities. Technical support is not provided for any of the Fedora distribution, only for Red Hat's full fee-based subscription of Linux. The SELinux security subsystem is also included, starting with Fedora Core 2. Fedora is offered by Red Hat as a community-based project to encourage development of new features.

54. What is KDE?

    K Desktop Environment is a GUI-based user interface primarily for Unix and Linux machines, but also available for Windows and Mac. The source code is freely distributed and is maintained by developers around the world. Lindows uses KDE for its Linspire (Linux) desktop and has changed many of the defaults to make it look more like Microsoft Windows, which most everyone is familiar with. When KDE is used with Ubuntu (Linux), the combination is called "Kubuntu" (see Ubuntu).

55. What is GNOME?

    GNU Network Object Modeling Environment is a GUI-based user interface for Linux and other Unix environments that grew out of the GNU Project. Providing an alternative to the KDE interface, GNOME is either pronounced "guh-nome" or "nome." Companies such as Red Hat, Inc. (www.redhat.com) and Ximian (www.ximian.com), formerly Helix Code, Inc. and acquired by Novell, support the GNOME environment.

56. What is Cinnamon?

    A desktop environment

57. What are the major Linux Distributions?

    Ubuntu Fedora Mint Debian Manjaro Arch Elementary OpenSUSE Solus Cent

58. What are the major Linux desktop environments?

    KDE GNOME Cinnamon

59. What is a terminal, shell, or command line?

    A command line interface on a Unix-based computer. The following Mac example shows two commands; one that switches the current folder (directory) to the desktop and another that lists the files that begin with "X."

60. What is a distribution?

    Software ready to install. It often refers to a "Linux distribution," which is the Linux OS combined with installation programs, documentation and various utilities in one package.

61. What is a desktop environment?

    The terms desktop environment, UI (user interface) and GUI (graphical user interface) are synonymous and all refer to how people interact with the computer using the mouse and on-screen icons and movable windows.