COMPUTER SYSTEM

As an aspiring computer technician, it is very important to know the system that

runs your computer and different devices attached to it. Each device plays an
important role, without each other computer system will not work properly.
What is an Operating System?
The operating system is the most important program
that runs on a computer. Every general-purpose
computer must have an operating system to run other
programs. Operating systems perform basic tasks, such
as recognizing input from the keyboard, sending output
to the display screen, keeping track of files and
directories on the disk, and controlling peripheral
devices such as disk drives and printers.
For large systems, the operating system has even
greater responsibilities and powers. It is like a traffic cop
-- it makes sure that different program and users
running at the same time do not interfere with each
other. The operating system is also responsible for
security, ensuring that unauthorized users do not
access the system.
Operating systems can be classified as follows:
Multi-user: Allows two or more users to run programs at the same time. Some
operating systems permit hundreds or even thousands of concurrent users.
Ex. Linux, Unix, & Windows

Multiprocessing: Supports running a program on more than one CPU.

Ex. Linux, Unix, Windows

Multitasking: Allows more than one program to run concurrently.

Ex. Unix & Windows

Multithreading: Allows different parts of a single program to run concurrently.

Ex. Linux, Unix, & Windows
Real time: Responds to input instantly. General-purpose operating systems, such as
DOS and UNIX, are not real-time.

Operating systems provide a software platform on which other application programs

can run. The application programs must be written to run on top of a particular
operating system. Your choice of operating system, therefore, determines to a great
extent the applications you can run. For PCs, the most popular operating systems are
DOS, OS/2, and Windows, but others are available, such as Linux.

OPERATING SYSTEM / NETWORK OPERATING SYSTEM

is an enhanced OS that allows computer connectivity and let utilize the network
services.

Specialization or function = special machine, a server, to manage resources and

provide services.

Network OS Platforms
1. Windows
 Known for its Graphical User Interface (GUI) environment wherein users
utilize the “point-and-click” mechanism of navigating the computer
software.
 User-friendly
 Hardware peripherals are easily attached
 More applications are available
 Support is highly available
 Hardware is affordable
 Application software is expensive as license fees are required
 Frequent system crashes and restarts
 Difficult to manage tasks or processes
 Windows 98
 Windows NT
 Windows 2000
 Windows XP
 Windows Vista
 Windows 7
 Windows 10
 Windows 11
Server:
 Windows NT
 Windows 2000
 Windows 2003
 Windows 2012

2. UNIX (Branded)
Known for its Command Line Interface (CLI) wherein users are expected to
remember the “commands” that allows them to navigate the computer
software.
 With GUI option, it is user-friendly
 Difficult to attached non-standard peripherals
 Application are difficult to find
 Support is limited
 Hardware is expensive
 OS license is free for servers and clients
 Systems are stable
 Secure and processes are easily identified and managed
 Sun Solaris
 Hewlett-Packard HP-AUX
 IBM AIX

3. Linux (the same with UNIX characteristics)

Slowly becoming popular among computer users because it is inexpensive
and provides a GUI option for users. It runs mainly on Intel Platform.
 Redhat
 Mandrake
 Bayanihan
 CentOS
 Fedora
 Ubuntu

4. Novell
Was the first LAN software based on file-server technology.
  Very full featured, ability to add users, assign right to users, easy
to setup printer sharing
 Very fast and efficient even on low-end equipment
 Very high performance

5. Macintosh OS (MAC OS)

Is considered to be the easiest to use of all GUIs.
Apple Macintosh latest release of their OS is MAC OS 10.3.
 For Apple Macintosh computers only
 User friendly
 Hardware is expensive
 Software is expensive
Multiple Choice Questions on Computer Systems
1. What is the primary role of an operating system in a computer?
a) To perform arithmetic operations
b) To run application programs
c) To manage hardware and software resources
d) To design software interfaces
Answer: c) To manage hardware and software resources
2. Which of the following is NOT a task performed by an operating system?
a) Recognizing input from the keyboard
b) Sending output to the display screen
c) Managing network connections between computers
d) Controlling peripheral devices like printers
Answer: c) Managing network connections between computers
3. How can operating systems be classified when they allow multiple users
to run programs simultaneously?
a) Multitasking
b) Multi-user
c) Multiprocessing
d) Multithreading
Answer: b) Multi-user
4. Which operating system type supports running a program on more than
one CPU?
a) Multi-user
b) Multiprocessing
c) Multitasking
d) Real-time
Answer: b) Multiprocessing
5. What type of operating system allows different parts of a single program
to run concurrently?
a) Multithreading
b) Multitasking
c) Multiprocessing
d) Multi-user
Answer: a) Multithreading
6. Which of the following is an example of a multitasking operating system?
a) MS-DOS
b) Unix
c) OS/2
d) Real-time
Answer: b) Unix
7. What is a real-time operating system designed to do?
a) Allow multiple programs to run concurrently
b) Support multiple CPUs
c) Respond to input instantly
d) Manage memory usage
Answer: c) Respond to input instantly
8. Which operating system is NOT commonly used on PCs?
a) DOS
b) OS/2
c) Linux
d) Solaris
Answer: d) Solaris
9. Why is the choice of an operating system important when choosing
application programs?
a) It determines the security features of the application
b) It influences the types of hardware peripherals supported
c) It dictates the applications that can run on the system
d) It controls the CPU speed
Answer: c) It dictates the applications that can run on the system
10. Which of the following operating systems can be classified as multi-user,
multiprocessing, and multithreading?
a) Windows
b) DOS
c) OS/2
d) Real-time
Answer: a) Windows

Multiple Choice Questions on Network Operating Systems

1. What is a key characteristic of a Network Operating System (NOS)?
a) It only supports single-user environments
b) It enables computer connectivity and network services
c) It lacks support for peripheral devices
d) It is primarily used for gaming purposes
Answer: b) It enables computer connectivity and network services
2. Which operating system is known for its Graphical User Interface (GUI)
that uses a "point-and-click" mechanism?
a) UNIX
b) Linux
c) Windows
d) Novell
Answer: c) Windows
3. What is a disadvantage of the Windows Network Operating System?
a) Lack of available support
b) Expensive hardware
c) Frequent system crashes and restarts
d) Inexpensive application software
Answer: c) Frequent system crashes and restarts
4. Which UNIX-based operating system is known for its stability and
security, but has limited hardware support?
a) Windows XP
b) Sun Solaris
c) Redhat
d) Novell
Answer: b) Sun Solaris
5. Which operating system is becoming popular due to its low cost and
provides a GUI option?
a) UNIX
b) Linux
c) Windows
d) Macintosh OS
Answer: b) Linux
6. What was the first LAN software based on file-server technology?
a) Windows
b) UNIX
c) Novell
d) Linux
Answer: c) Novell
7. Which operating system is considered the easiest to use of all GUIs, but is
only available for Apple computers?
a) Windows
b) Linux
c) UNIX
d) Macintosh OS
Answer: d) Macintosh OS
8. Which of the following is a server version of the Windows operating
system?
a) Windows 10
b) Windows 7
c) Windows NT
d) Windows XP
Answer: c) Windows NT
9. Which of the following is NOT a branded UNIX operating system?
a) IBM AIX
b) Hewlett-Packard HP-AUX
c) Ubuntu
d) Sun Solaris
Answer: c) Ubuntu
10. Which operating system was designed to be very fast and efficient, even
on low-end equipment?
a) UNIX
b) Novell
c) Linux
d) Windows
Answer: b) Novell

What is the most commonly used operating system nowadays? Why?

What is the best operating system for client? Why?
What is the best operating system for server? Why?

Analyze how the role of an operating system in managing hardware

resources might differ between a personal computer and a large enterprise
system. Provide examples to support your analysis.
Answer:
On a personal computer, the operating system primarily manages basic hardware
resources like the CPU, memory, and peripheral devices (e.g., keyboard, mouse,
printer). It ensures smooth execution of applications, handles user inputs, and
manages files. For example, when a user opens multiple applications simultaneously,
the operating system allocates CPU time to each application and manages memory
usage to prevent crashes.
In a large enterprise system, the operating system's role expands significantly due to
the scale and complexity of the environment. It not only manages more extensive
hardware resources, such as multiple processors, large memory banks, and numerous
storage devices, but it also coordinates the operations of various servers, handles
concurrent access from multiple users, and ensures that network resources are
efficiently allocated. Additionally, enterprise operating systems must enforce stricter
security protocols, manage databases, and support high availability and fault
tolerance to ensure uninterrupted service. For instance, in a data center, the
operating system must balance loads across multiple servers to optimize performance
and maintain system stability.

Question 2:
Evaluate the importance of an operating system's role in maintaining
security, particularly in a multi-user environment. How might the absence of
robust security features impact the system?
Answer:
The operating system plays a crucial role in maintaining security, especially in a
multi-user environment where multiple individuals access the system simultaneously.
It manages user authentication, ensuring that only authorized users can access the
system. Additionally, the operating system controls access to files, directories, and
resources, implementing permissions and encryption to protect sensitive data.
Without robust security features, a multi-user environment would be highly vulnerable
to unauthorized access, data breaches, and malicious attacks. For example, if the
operating system does not properly isolate user processes, one user's actions could
potentially interfere with another's, leading to data corruption or loss. Furthermore,
without strong authentication and access controls, an unauthorized user could gain
access to confidential information or disrupt system operations, causing significant
damage to the organization. The absence of security measures in the operating
system could also expose the system to malware and other cyber threats,
compromising the integrity, availability, and confidentiality of the system and its data.