1.2 Types of OS

Question 1

What does the BIOS do ? ( 2 points)

Answer 1

Initializes system hardware and loads the operating system.
Communicates hardware errors.

Question 2

What is a Multi Tasking System ?

Answer 2

Runs on a standalone computer.
Performs multiple tasks at the same time. e.g. Win 10

Question 3

What is a Multi-user multi tasking system ?

Answer 3

A single powerful computer connected to multiple terminals.
Each user gets a slice of CPU time.

Question 4

What is a Distributed Operating System.

Answer 4

A parallel processing system that performs tasks
across multiple computers and servers, but
appears to the user as a single interface.

Allow each device to do what it does best.

Question 5

What is a Real-time Operating System.

Answer 5

• An OS that responds very quickly to inputs.
• Deals with many inputs simultaneously.
• Incorporates redundancy.
• Real Time OS must not stop.

Question 6

What is a Embedded Operating Systems.

Answer 6

An OS built into another device.

Question 7

What are some features of Embedded Operating Systems ?

Answer 7

Usually very simple.
Limited RAM, little if any secondary storage.
Few inputs / outputs.

Question 8

What is a Virtual machine ?

Answer 8

Software that imitates an operating system on another machine.

Question 9

What are some features of a Virtual machine ?

Answer 9

Use a portion of the real operating system’s
resources.
Test suspicious software / files.
Test software in specific environments.

Question 10

What is Virtual Memory ?

Answer 10

An area of secondary memory used to expand
primary memory.

Question 11

How does Virtual Memory work ? (3 points)

Answer 11

• When primary memory is full…
• …pages from primary memory are moved to
  secondary memory to create space…
• …when they are needed, they are copied back
  to primary memory, possibly requiring other
  pages to be moved.