Guide to Operating Systems 4th edition5-1
Chapter 5
Installing and Upgrading Operating Systems
Key Terms
alpha software An early development version of software in which there are likely to be bugs, and not all of the anticipated software functionality is present. Alpha software is usually tested only by a select few users to identify major problems and the need for new or different features before the software is tested by a broader audience in the beta stage.
backup A process of copying files from a computer system to another medium, such as a tape, another hard drive, a removable drive, or a DVD/CD-ROM.
beta software During software development, software that has successfully passed the alpha test stage. Beta testing may involve dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of people, and may be conducted in multiple stages: beta 1, beta 2, beta 3, and so on.
clean computer A computer from which all unnecessary software and hardware have been removed. A clean computer is useful during software upgrade testing because a minimum number of other software and hardware elements are in place, making it easier to track down problems with new software.
clean installation An operating system installation on a computer that either has no operating system installed (a new hard drive or one that has been formatted) or that has an operating system already installed, but that is overwritten by the installation.
CompatibilityCenter A Microsoft Web site for finding hardware and software compatibility information for a Windows version, such as for Windows Vista or Windows 7.
Domain Name Service (DNS) An application protocol that resolves domain and computer names to IP addresses, or IP addresses to domain and computer names.
hardware abstraction layer (HAL) A file that works with an operating system’s kernel and that offers code used by device drivers to talk to the computer’s hardware. The file also is needed by some operating systems to establish if there are multiple processors and if they are working.
migration Moving from one operating system to another operating system, which may or may not involve implementing a new computer as well.
netbook computers Small portable or laptop computers that have limited computing capabilities and are designed to be lightweight and portable. Netbook computers are generally used for Web access, e-mail, and basic document creation.
Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) A set of rules and guidelines for accessing databases and providing a standard doorway to database data.
production computer Any computer used to perform real work, which should be protected from problems that might cause an interruption in workflow or loss of data.
release candidate (RC) The final stage of software testing by vendors before cutting an official release that is sold commercially. A release candidate is usually tested by a very large audience of customers. Some vendors may issue more than one release candidate if problems are discovered in the first RC.
release to manufacturing (RTM) A version of a Microsoft operating system that is officially released to be sold and that has gone through the alpha, beta, and release candidate phases prior to official release.
Upgrade Advisor A tool available from Microsoft to check whether an existing Windows operating system and hardware can be upgraded to a higher level Windows operating system.
upgrade installation An operating system installation on a computer that already has an earlier version of the operating system and the upgrade replaces the earlier version with a new version, often with the option to retain some or all of the original settings, user accounts, applications, data files, and other existing user files.
virtual desktop A desktop computer with software that can be configured to run multiple virtual machines, with multiple operating systems (usually desktop OSs). See virtual machine.
virtualization Software that enables one computer to run two or more operating systems that are live at the same time and in which one application running in an operating system does not interfere with an application running in a different operating system. See virtual machine and virtual server.
virtual machine A discrete operating system running inside virtual server or virtual desktop software, such as Hyper-V, on one computer. Multiple virtual machines can run on one virtual server. See virtual desktop and virtual server.
virtual server A server computer that can be configured to run multiple virtual machines, with multiple operating systems (server or desktop OSs). See virtual machine.
Windows Catalog A list that contains brand names and models for hardware and software supported by a Windows operating system.
Windows Deployment Services A role service available in Windows Server 2008/R2 for installing Windows operating systems on server clients on a large scale.
Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM) A newer Windows operating system display driver design that supports new graphics capabilities, virtual graphics memory (so there is enough memory for all kinds of graphics applications), and graphics capabilities to match the demands of sophisticated gaming and other display intense software. WDDM was introduced with Windows Vista and Server 2008.
Windows Update A Web-based function that allows you to download and install product updates for your Windows operating system.
Chapter 6
Configuring Input and Output Devices
Key Terms
3D printers Printers that uses an additive process to create a physical “print” or model one layer at a time.
Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) A bus standard that has been replaced by the PCI Express or PCIe standard.
block special file In UNIX/Linux, a file used to manage random access devices that involve handling blocks of data, including DVD/CD-ROM drives, hard disk drives, tape drives, and other storage devices.
character special file A UNIX/Linux I/O management file used to handle byte-by-byte streams of data, such as through a USB connection, including printers and network communications.
device special file File used in UNIX/Linux for managing I/O devices. Can be one of two types: block special file or character special file.
digital pad An alternative input device frequently used by graphic artists and others who need accurate control over drawing and other data input.
Digital Visual Interface (DVI) A high visual quality standard for connecting flat panel LCD displays and digital projectors.
DisplayPort A digital interface standard that is projected to replace DVI and HDMI for computers.
dot-matrix printer An impact character printer that produces characters by arranging a matrix of dots.
dots per inch (dpi) Used to measure the resolution of a printer, the number of dots contained in an inch.
driver signing A digital signature that Microsoft incorporates into driver and system files as a way to verify the files and to ensure that they are not inappropriately overwritten.
dye sublimation A printer technology that produces high-quality, color output by creating “sublimated” color mists that penetrate paper to form characters or graphic output.
game pad An input device primarily designed for interaction with games. Includes multiple buttons, wheels, or balls to effect movement of a variety of on-screen objects.
High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) A high visual quality standard for connecting digital audio and video devices.
ink-jet printer A printer that forms characters and images by spraying droplets of ink from a nozzle print head onto the paper.
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) An international organization of scientists, engineers, technicians, and educators that plays a leading role in developing standards for computers, network cabling, and data transmissions—as well other electronics areas, such as consumer electronics and electrical power.
interrupt request (IRQ) line A channel within the computer that is used for communications with the CPU.
I/O address range A range of memory addresses that is used to temporarily store data that is transferred between a computer device or component and the CPU.
joystick An input device shaped like a stick that allows for three-dimensional movement of an on-screen cursor or other object, such as a car, airplane, or cartoon character.
label printers Special-purpose printers that produce labels only.
laser printer A high-quality page printer design popular in office and other professional applications.
line printer A printer design that prints a full line of character output at a time. Used for high-speed output requirements.
LPT1 The primary printer port designation on many desktop computers. Also designated line print terminal 1.
multifunction printers Printers that combine printing, scanning, and faxing in one physical device. Can be color ink-jet or laser printers.
named pipe In UNIX/Linux, a device special file for handling internal communications, such as redirecting file output to a monitor.
optical character recognition (OCR) Imaging software that scans each character on the page as a distinct image and is able to recognize the character.
Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) A bus standard that has been replaced by the PCI Express or PCIe standard.
Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) A bus standard that has enabled adapter manufacturers to supply one hardware product to a variety of hardware platforms.
pixel Short for picture element. The small dots that make up a computer screen display.
pixels per inch (ppi) Used to measure the resolution of a display screen, the number of dots (pixels) contained in an inch.
plotter Computer hardware that produces high-quality printed output, often in color, by moving ink pens over the surface of paper. Plotters are often used with computer-aided design (CAD) and other graphics applications.
portable printers Lightweight printers designed to be carried while traveling; usually inkjet printers that may come with a battery.
print queue or print spooler A section of computer memory and hard disk storage set aside to hold information sent by an application to a printer attached to the local computer or to another computer or print server on a network. Operating system or printer drivers and control software manage the information sent to the queue, responding to printer start/stop commands.
scanner A digital image created from a hard copy that is then transmitted to the computer.
tar A UNIX file archive utility.
thermal-wax transfer A printer technology that creates high-quality color printed output by melting colored wax elements and transferring them to the printed page.
Chapter 7
Using and Configuring Storage Devices
Key Terms
advanced intelligent tape (AIT) A tape drive that has an erasable memory chip and has a capacity up to 1.3 TB.
Advanced Technology Attachment (ATA) The name of the ANSI standard for an Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) interface. Standard ATA is also called Parallel ATA (PATA), because it uses a parallel connection. See American National Standards Institute (ANSI), Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE), and Enhanced Integrated Drive Electronics (EIDE).
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) An organization that works to set standards for all types of products, including computer and networking devices.
basic disk A physical hard drive used in Windows that offers essential disk management options. It can contain primary partitions, extended partitions, or logical drives that are known as basic volumes. See dynamic disk.
cloud storage Storage that is used through the Internet or a network via a Web-based interface or software, such as a browser.
compact disc (CD) A disc formed of a polycarbonate (chain of molecules of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen) plastic that has a reflective optical surface that can be read by a laser. CDs are used to store information, such as data or audio and video information that can be accessed, on a DVD/CD-ROM drive. See also compact disc read-only memory, compact disc recordable, and compact disc rewriteable.
compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) A CD that uses a technology in which information, such as data or music is pressed onto the disc one time, so that it can be read or played many times. CD-ROMs are generally used for mass distribution of software or music.
compact disc recordable (CD-R) A CD that is created by burning information onto the disc by a laser. Information on a CD-R is written to the disc one time and can be read time after time. This is the type of disc you use when you burn a disc on your computer.
compact disc rewriteable (CD-RW) A CD medium that enables you to record information from your computer to a CD multiple times. Before rewriting, the disc is blanked so that it can hold new information.
cyclic redundancy check code (CRCC) A data error correction method that uses an algebraic polynomial and error key to detect and overcome errors. This is a method frequently used on storage media as well as in network communications.
digital audio tape (DAT) A tape system that uses 4-mm tape and has a capacity of up to 72 GB.
digital linear tape (DLT) A tape system that uses half-inch magnetic tapes and has a capacity of up to 1.6 TB.
digital video disc (DVD) or digital versatile disc High-capacity removable disc storage that typically uses a disc similar in appearance to CDs and that stores high-quality audio, motion video, and computer data.
digital video (or versatile) disc-recordable (DVD-R) A recordable DVD technology that uses a similar technology to CD-R in that the medium can be burned once and read many times. See digital video disc.
digital video (or versatile) disc+recordable (DVD+R) A recordable DVD technology in which the medium can be burned once and read many times. This is a slightly newer technology than DVD-R with a different tracking method. See digital video disc.
disk geometry Critical information about a hard drive’s hardware configuration. This information is often stored in an area of nonvolatile memory in the computer.
disk mirroring A fault tolerance method in which the contents of one disk are exactly duplicated or “mirrored” on another disk, so that if the main disk fails the second disk can be brought into operation without losing even newly created data.
dynamic disk Used by Windows operating systems to provide the option to create volumes that span multiple disks and to provide more security and management features than basic disks. See basic disk.
Enhanced IDE (EIDE) A more modern, faster version of IDE. Also referred to as the ANSI ATA-2 standard. See Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE).
error concealment An error correction method that uses surrounding data to help calculate approximate data to fill in for the missing data.
error correction code (ECC) A data error correction technique that can replace errors by adding duplicate data or parity data so that missing data can be recovered.
external SATA (eSATA) An interface that enables connectivity for an external SATA drive.
fault tolerance Implementing software or hardware to protect against hardware failures, power interruptions, and lost data.
Fibre Channel A means of transferring data between servers, mass storage devices, workstations, and peripherals at very high speeds. See storage area network.
flash or thumb drive A very portable storage medium that typically plugs into a USB port and has no internal moving parts. Data on a flash drive can be written, deleted, and modified.
Globally Unique Identifier (GUID) Partition Table or GPT A partition table approach that is newer than the MBR approach and theoretically sets no limits to the number of partitions on a disk. Further, it enables the use of larger disks, such as in the exabyte range.
High-bandwidth Definition (or Digital) Content Protection (HDCP) A digital copy protection method that helps ensure digital content cannot be pirated.
InfiniBand A technology designed for ultra-fast communications connectivity in data centers, such as linking one server to another for clustering servers to act as one powerful server. In a storage area network, this technology can be used as an alternative to Fibre Channel for fast access to data. See storage area network and Fibre Channel.
Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) A storage protocol used in older desktop computer systems. IDE simplifies the hardware required inside the computer, placing more of the disk intelligence at the hard drive itself. This is also referred to as the ANSI ATA standard. See Advanced Technology Attachment and Enhanced IDE.
Internet Small Computer System Interface (iSCSI) A network attached storage technology that uses TCP/IP network communications and SCSI drives and commands. See network attached storage (NAS).
LightPeak A computer peripheral device connection technology that uses optical cables instead of copper cables and has faster communications than USB.
linear tape open (LTO) A tape drive used in the high-end server market with a storage capacity of up to 1.6 TB.
network attached storage (NAS) A way to directly attach storage to a network for access by one or more servers or storage clients. See Internet Small Computer System Interface (iSCSI).