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Module Specifications

Archived Version 2008 - 2009

Module Title	Introduction to Operating Systems
Module Code	CA170
School	School of Computing
Online Module Resources
Module Co-ordinator	Dr. Monica Ward	Office Number	L1.09
Level	1	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None

Module Aims

This modules aims to introduce students to:Operating systems history and changing rolesOperating systems types and designsOperating systems management and system administration

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module, the student will be able to:- Interpret an operating system as a resource manager- Interpret an operating system as an extended machine- Relate the operating system to users, applications and hardware- Describe the major functional requirements of an operating system- Compare and classify operating system types- Explain how and why host capabilities influence operating system design- Discuss the merits of virtualisation and virtual machines- Demonstrate basic system administration skills- Write script to automate basic system administration skills

Indicative Time Allowances
	Hours
Lectures	24
Tutorials	0
Laboratories	12
Seminars	0
Independent Learning Time	39

Total	75
Placements
Assignments

NOTE

Assume that a 5 credit module load represents approximately 75 hours' work, which includes all teaching, in-course assignments, laboratory work or other specialised training and an estimated private learning time associated with the module.

Indicative Syllabus

- Operating systems history: vacuum tubes, batch systems, multiprogramming and PC''s- The operating system as a resource manager and as an extended machine- Operating systems concepts including: process management, scheduling, memory management and address spaces, input/output, file systems, networking and security- Operating systems types: Mainframe, server, multiprocessor, embedded, handheld, distributed, network, real-time- Operating systems examples: MS-DOS, Windows 95, Windows NT, Windows ME, Vista, Windows Mobile, Unix, Linux, Minix, TinyOS, PalmOS and Symbian- Operating systems hosts: Computers, mobile phones, games consoles, home appliances and automobiles- Operating systems structures: monolithic, layered, microkernels- Virtualisation and virtual machines (the JVM, VMWare, hypervisors)- System administration: Installing an operating system and tuning its performance, adding/removing software, adding/removing users, system backup and recovery, patch management, encryption, partitioning and file system management- Scripting for system administration (e.g. bash scripting on Linux)