Advanced Operating System

Question: Identify three operating systems for Acme Toys Inc. Answer: Introduction: The report identifies three operating systems for Acme Toys Inc, (a leading manufacturer) for its expansion plan with usual departments. Moreover, conducting market research, the report finds out the most suitable operating system for the company. Considering the server should support certain criteria (multiuser environment, multiple processors, types of application as well as high security and memory) the report choose the OS with rules and reasons. Apart from this, it also considers the R D and network departments' requirements. Suitable OS for Acme Toys: According to the company and its expansion plan, the company needs an operating system, which is suitable for all the departments of the enterprise. The OS creates an interface between hardware and software such that internal hardware structure may not be the end-user concern (Stallings, 2016). Os works as program development tool and executor, I/O, system and file accessory as well as error detector and resource. For a vast and expanding network, choice of OS depends on the factors like multi-user environment, multiprocessor, various types of applications, high security and large memory for data files and information. 1. Windows: Windows is a multitasking Os with compatibility to work with multiple 32 and 64 bit CPUs as well as GPU. The easy way to learn the mode (GUI) as well as its availability has made the OS a popular choice. Selection of an OS depends on four factors Stability, functionality, security and workload (Stallings, 2016). Windows has versions for enterprise need. Windows with its modular approach differentiate between application-oriented software and core OS software. Due to its modular approach, error correction in the certain module does not affect other modules or the entire API. Again, it supports four user mode processes like service process, environment subsystems, etc. Windows has client server model that can quickly add new API, reliable and protected partitioned memory, open remote procedure call as well as distributed computing where the local server can pass the message to the remote server (Carpenter, 2016). Flexible OS routines run multiple thread single process execution, as wel l as inter-process communication with OOP features (encapsulation, inheritance), gives flexibility and protection to the process and resources. Windows is an all purpose OS with high-security measures, interoperability with another server like Unix, Macintosh, authentication support Kerberos v5 as well as application support (HTTP, SMTP, Pop, Mac CGI ). Windows Server is a stable OS with cloud readiness on MS Azure and Hyper-V (if cloud platform required). 2. UNIX: UNIX was originated in the BELL lab and gain popularity for high-security systems like research labs, military systems, etc. Its system kernel is isolated from the user application. The OS is known as ideal for utility servers like DNS, DHCP, etc. It has features like high efficiency, different machine compatibility as well as diverse configuration for complex tasks (Silberschatz, Galvin Gagne, 2016). UNIX has command line interface, and that is too difficult to learn for users. However, the new versions of SVR4, BSD as well as Solaris 10 have some new features like a multithreaded kernel, support for SMP, Internet-based server, and firewalls, real time processing support, virtual memory management, etc. but it is still difficult for end users. 3. LINUX: LINUX is a variation of UNIX and has a monolithic structure. The inflexibility of Linux can be compensated with its free package availability in the market. The loadable module feature of the OS gives the advantage over the UNIX. LINUX has some unique features like dynamic linking the kernel in its executing mode and hierarchical module structure. Again, the OS supports global namespace for file systems, TCP/IP protocol suite as well as interrupt handling from devices (Ramachandran Ramachandan, 2016). For the network, LINUX server offers single service with data center charges. Cloud framework like OpenStack supports LINUX. However, finding and fixing bugs in open source like LINUX is easier, but the same feature is taken as a disadvantage for corporate security. The Vserver of LINUX supports many virtual servers yet SELinux is incomparable for Windows server. Recommendation of OS for Acme Toys: According to the market research and comparison with other OS, the report identifies Windows as the most suitable for Acme Toys. However, the RD department requires a secure VPN; they should use UNIX /versions for the VPN. The UNIX-based server can be hosted easily on Windows server. For the rest of the departments, Windows is the best choice as an OS (Carpenter, 2016). 1. Client support and Interoperability: Windows supports NT workstation 4.0, 2000 Professional, XP Pro, Vista business as well as operates on Novel Netware, UNIX, Macintosh, sever 4.0 (Stallings, 2016). 2. Directory and File Services: Windows supports directories for network administrator as well as device addition, file sharing tools, distributed file services, etc (Bassil,2011). 3. Authentication Security: Windows support User level, server level security as well as authentication like interactive login, network authentication, and active directory. 4. Windows versions: Windows for Workgroup supports protocols like NetBEUI, TCP/IP as well as IPX/SPX (Carpenter, 2016). The version is used to increase productivity and sharing information. Windows XP Professional supports remote session, EFS, IPSec, recovery console, etc. Windows Vista supports updated GUI (Aero) as well as new multimedia capabilities (Silberschatz, Galvin Gagne, 2016). Windows7 is efficient in managing files, and Windows NT supports large file management, security, compression, encryption and symbolic links (Ramachandran Ramachandan, 2016). 5. VPN and UNIX: UNIX is stable, scalable with high performance, security and efficiency. The OS is also compatible with Windows and may work well with the VPN (Stevens Rago, 2013). Conclusion: The report compares three OS for an expanding manufacturer and finds out the most suitable OS for the firm. The report also discusses the reasons and criteria for the choice of the OS. References: Bassil, Y. (2011). Windows and linux operating systems from a security perspective. Journal of Global Research in Computer Science, 3(2), 17-24. Carpenter, T. (2016).Microsoft Windows Operating System Essentials.miamibeachhigh.schoolwires.com. Retrieved 14 March 2016, from https://miamibeachhigh.schoolwires.com/cms/lib07/FL01000126/Centricity/Domain/163/Sybex%20Microsoft%20Windows%20Operating%20System%20Essentials.pdf Ramachandran, S., Ramachandan, A. (2016).Rapid and Proactive Approach on Exploration of Vulnerabilities in Cloud based Operating Systems.citeseerx.ist.psu.edu. Retrieved 14 March 2016, from https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.259.4330rep=rep1type=pdf Silberschatz, A., Galvin, P., Gagne, G. (2016).Operating Systems Concept.iit.qau.edu.pk. Retrieved 16 March 2016, from https://iit.qau.edu.pk/books/OS_8th_Edition.pdf Stallings, w. (2016). Operating Systems. sist.sysu.edu. Retrieved 13 March 2016, from https://sist.sysu.edu.cn/~isscwli/OSRef/William%20Stallings%20-%20Operating%20Systems%EF%BC%9AInternals%20and%20Design%20Principles(7th%20Edition)-2011.2.28.pdf Stevens, W. R., Rago, S. A. (2013).Advanced programming in the UNIX environment. Addison-Wesley.