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Operating Systems

An operating system (OS) is a software layer that manages hardware resources and facilitates user interaction with applications. It initializes through BIOS/UEFI, a bootloader, and then loads the OS kernel, preparing the environment for user interaction. Linux is a popular open-source OS known for its stability, scalability, and cost-effectiveness, particularly in server hosting and automation.

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2 views12 pages

Operating Systems

An operating system (OS) is a software layer that manages hardware resources and facilitates user interaction with applications. It initializes through BIOS/UEFI, a bootloader, and then loads the OS kernel, preparing the environment for user interaction. Linux is a popular open-source OS known for its stability, scalability, and cost-effectiveness, particularly in server hosting and automation.

Uploaded by

asadumar6000
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Let's Discuss

Operating Systems
What is an Operating System(O.S)
An operating system is a software layer that manages hardware resources and
provides an environment for users and applications to interact with the
system. In other words, It is a a medium through which we can communicate
with our hardware system's resources efficiently.

It is stored on a persistent storage device such as an SSD or HDD and is


loaded into memory by a bootloader during system startup. The OS facilitates
the installation, execution, and management of software, and it enables users
to interact with the system through commands and interfaces.

Some commonly used O.S are Windows, RHEL, Ubuntu, iOS, MacOS etc.
But How does an OS sitting in my HDD initiates?
An OS is Initialized in the following manner:

BIOS Bootloader OS
BIOS/UEIF Initialization
The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) or UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware
Interface) initializes when the system is powered on.

It performs the Power-On Self-Test (POST) to check hardware components


(CPU, RAM, etc.) and ensure they're functioning correctly.

It locates and loads the bootloader from a designated boot device (HDD, SSD,
USB).
Bootloader Execution
The bootloader (e.g., GRUB, LILO, or Windows Boot Manager) is a small
program responsible for loading the operating system.
It provides a user interface for selecting the OS (in dual/multi-boot setups) and
passes control to the OS kernel.
Kernel Loading
The bootloader loads the OS kernel into memory (RAM) and starts it.
The kernel initializes the core system resources (CPU, memory, storage) and
hardware drivers.
OS Initialization
The operating system starts essential processes and services.

It mounts the root filesystem, initializes user-space programs, and prepares


the environment for user interaction.

Finally, it launches a login screen or command prompt, completing the boot


process.
Ways to use an OS
> There are 4 ways in which you can use an OS as per your usage:

1. Bare Metal --> This is the default OS on your system (eg. Windows 11 on a laptop, MacOS on Mac). This one is
capable of using all the hardware and compute and other resources to the fullest.

2. Virtualization --> VMware or VirtualBox are some software which use Hyper Virtualizer or HyperV from your
system and allows you to run and install multiple/different OS as Virtual Machines.

3. Cloud Service Providers --> Public Clouds like AWS, GCP, Azure are some known CSP, which provide IaaS and
you can access the VMs there.

4. Containerization --> Containers are lightweight, portable, and solve the "It works on my system" problem by
running as isolated, resource-efficient, plug-and-play servers.

An OS provides a GUI or a CLI way to interact with the applications and use the resources.
Why Linux is so popular?
Linux is an Open Source O.S, Open Source means that You can view the
source code of this OS and the softwares which are open source, their code
can be opened and viewed. This is the reason developers can contribute to
the code and create their personal OS or any application like firefox.

Linux is the most used Operating System across the globe. All the applications
we use eg. Netflix, Youtube etc... are hosted on linux only.

It is available in both Free (CentOS) and Enterprise versions(RHEL).


Linux for Server Hosting
Highly stable, scalable, and cost-effective for server hosting.

Supports popular web servers (Apache, Nginx) and databases (MySQL,


PostgreSQL).

Integral to cloud platforms like AWS, GCP, and Azure.

Robust security features make it ideal for handling critical workloads.


Linux for Automation
Provides tools like cron, shell scripting, and powerful command-line utilities.

Integrates seamlessly with CI/CD pipelines and DevOps workflows.

Supports automation frameworks like Ansible, Chef, and Puppet.

Open-source nature allows complete customization for any automation need.


Linux Pros & Cons
Pros:

● Free, open-source, secure, and highly customizable.


● Supports diverse hardware and is a top choice for servers and development.

Cons:

● Steep learning curve for beginners.


● Limited gaming support and compatibility issues with some proprietary
software.
Thank you for your time and
attention. Looking forward to
continuing this journey with you
tomorrow!

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