Operating Systems Concepts (6th edn)

24 Sep 2005 15257 explain the role and function of an operating system show how resource management is done in an OS examine the additional complexities of distributed OS evaluate security mechanisms in OS describe the role of an operating systemExamination for a given set of programs, construct a suitable decomposition into processes and threadsExamination analyse known scheduling algorithms and adapt them for new situationsExamination suggest appropriate memory management algorithms for a variety of situationsExamination find the additional problems when transferring a concrete situation from a monoprocessor system to a distributed environment and solve the arising co-ordination problemsExamination devise appropriate security mechanisms in a given situation and understand the role operating system can and should play in establishing securityExamination

None

2 hrs lectures per week, 1 tutorial per fortnight

1.5 hr examination (100%).

This module gives an introduction into the basic concepts of operating systems like memory management, file systems, threading etc. The module also covers the additional complexities in distributed operating systems.

Function of Operating Systems (2 lectures) _{I start the module by explaining the function of an
operating system in general terms and list necessary
prerequisites of the hardware.} Processes (4 lectures) _{The concept of a process is fundamental for an operating
system. I will discuss the states of a process and
discuss process scheduling in some detail because it is
paradigmatic for many other resource allocation problems
in operating systems. Afterwards I will discuss threads
(lightweight processes). They are introduced to reduce the
time necessary for context switches.} Memory Management (4 lectures) _{An absolutely crucial aspect of every operating system is
memory management. It arises because main memory is a limited
resource, which has to be used as efficiently as possible.
This part discusses memory management strategies and their
dependence on the behaviour of programs
on one side and on properties of the hardware on the other side.
I will discuss virtual memory in detail.} File Systems (3 lectures) _{Again, the physical constraints of a disk have a great impact on the
design of a file system. This part of the module shows how the
principles discussed for process scheduling and memory management
apply to file systems.} Distributed Systems (4 lectures) _{A whole series of new problems arise when one considers distributed
operating systems. I will present the various models that have been
proposed (shared memory, loosely coupled etc.) and discuss their
relative merits.
I will stress co-ordination problems which are at the heart of
distributed systems.} Security (3 lectures) _{I will discuss various meanings of the term "security": data
integrity, protection against user errors and protection against
malicious users.
I will use access control as an example to illustrate common problems
in this area.} Operating Systems Concepts (6th edn) Silberschatz A & Galvin P B & Gagne G 2001 Distributed Modern Operating Systems Tanenbaum A S 1992

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