CHAPTER-THREE
OPERATING SYSTEM
An operating system is a software component of a computer system that is
responsible for the management of various activities of the computer and
the sharing of computer resources. It hosts several applications that run on
a computer and handles the operations of computer hardware. Users and
application programs access the services offered by the operating systems,
by means of system calls and application programming interfaces. Users
interact with a computer operating system through Command Line
Interfaces (CLIs) or Graphical User Interfaces known as GUIs. In short, an
operating system enables user interaction with computer systems by acting
as an interface between users or application programs and the computer
hardware. Some of the common operating systems are LINUX, Windows,
etc.
Computer network, often simply referred to as a network, is a collection
of hardware components and computers interconnected by communication
channels that allow sharing of resources and information. Networks may be
classified according to a wide variety of characteristics such as the medium
used to transport the data, communications protocol used, scale, topology,
and organizational scope. The rules and data formats for exchanging
information in a computer network are defined by communications
protocols.
Uses of Network
If ten people are working together within an office it makes sense for them
all to be connected.
o In this way the office can have a single printer and all ten people can
print to it.
o In a similar way other devices such as modems or scanners can be
shared.
o Even more useful is the ability to share information when connected to a
network.
1
Types of Network
There are many different types of networks. However, from an end user’s
point of view there are three basic types:
1. Local Area Network
2. Wide Area Network3.
3. Metropolitan Area Network
1. A local Area Network (LAN):- supplies networking capability to a
group of computers in close proximity to each other such as in an office
building, a school, or a home. A LAN is useful for sharing resources like
files, printers, games or other applications. A LAN in turn often connects
to other LANs, and to the Internet or other WAN.
2. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN):- is one of a number of types of
networks (see also LAN and WAN). A MAN is a relatively new class of
network, it serves a role similar to an ISP, but for corporate users with
large LANs.
Examples: - campus-wide network
3. Wide Area Network (WAN):- The term Wide Area Network (WAN)
usually refers to a network which covers a large geographical area, and
use communications circuits to connect the intermediate nodes. A major
factor impacting WAN design and performance is a requirement that
they lease communications circuits from telephone companies or other
communications carriers. Transmission rates are typically 2 Mbps, 34
Mbps, and 45 Mbps, 155 Mbps, 625 Mbps (or sometimes considerably
more).
Modem
Short for “Modulate/Demodulate”. The modem sends information
from your computer across the telephone system.
The modem at the other end of the phone line, converts the signal
back into a format that can be used by the receiving computer.
Back-up
2
The most important thing that you store on your computer is information.
Often the contents of a hard disk can represent years of work.
If the hard disk stops working one day you could lose all those years of
work.
For this reason it is VITAL that you take regular backups of the
information that is stored on the computer.
Organize your computer for more efficient backups
Complete vs. incremental backups
Use 'off-site' storage
Use passwords
Understand the Importance of shutting down your computer
properly
Use a UPS (Un-interruptible Power Supply)
The things Computer like
o Things computer like:
o Good ventilation
o Clean environment
o Stable, vibration free surface
o Things computer don’t like:
o Dust
o Drinking and eating over the keyboard
o Heat, Cold or Moisture
o Don’t place objects on top of monitors.
o Don’t place floppy disks near monitors.
Computer Virus
What are computer viruses?
Viruses are small programs that hide themselves on your disks (both
diskettes and your hard disk).
Unless you use virus detection software the first time that you know
that you have a virus is when it activates.
Different viruses are activated in different ways.
There are three main types of viruses:
3
1. Boot sector viruses which infect the boot sector in the hard disk
and affect the partition table,
2. File viruses attach with executable files. The commonly infected
files are those with COM or EXE extensions.
3. System viruses infect specific system files such as [Link].
Computer viruses can be grouped into Time Bomb, Trojan horse,
Worm etc. Time Bomb will start on a particular date, at a particular
time. The computer will loose its ability to function properly. The virus
known as Trojan Horse will enter into a computer through an e-mail
or free programs that have been down loaded from the internet and
cause plenty of damage. Viruses known as Worms are constructed to
infiltrate on the legitimate data processing programs and alter or
destroy the data. Worm programs often use network connections to
spread from one computer system to another system, thus, worms
attach system that are linked through communication lines.
How do viruses infect PCs?
Viruses hide on a disk and when you access the disk (either a
diskette or another hard disk over a network) the virus program
will start and infect your computer.
The worst thing about a computer virus is that they can spread
from one computer to another, either via use of infected floppy
disk, or over a
Computer network, including the Internet.
How to prevent virus damage
There are a number of third party antivirus products available.
Most of these are better than the rather rudimentary products
available within DOS and Windows, but of course you do have to pay
for them!
The main thing about your virus checker is that it should be kept up to
date.
4
Many companies supply updated disks on a regular basis or allow you
to receive updates through an electronic, on-line bulletin board.
Precautions to be taken against viruses
Install a memory-resident program in RAM that will detect and
warn if a virus is present.
Do not allow hardware engineers or sales persons to put a write
enabled floppy into your computer unless they can guarantee that
it is not infected.
Backup copies of all programs and data files should be kept.
Backup copies of programs should be held as read-only disks to
prevent infection.
At least 2 copies of the backup must be kept.
Never boot your machine with a floppy from an unknown source.
Always write-protect your disk when you use it in another
machine.