4. Managing an OS Flashcards
3.1 Manage applications and software. Disk management • Process management/scheduling (Kill process/end task) • Memory management • Access control/protection 3.2 Compare and contrast components of an operating system. Services • Processes • Utilities (Task scheduling) • Interfaces (Console/command line, GUI)
What are management interfaces used for?
They can be a graphical or command-line tool
System configuration
i.e. Control panel, management consoles, Registry Editor (regedit), Command Prompt/PowerShell
How to access sysadmin tools in Windows 10?
sysadmin = System administration
- Right-clicking Start button
- Pressing Windows+X
What is a process?
Main unit controlling a program and managing its memory from the OS
What are threads?
Parts of a program scheduled for execution by the CPU
A process may contain one or more threads
What does the Task Manager allow you to do?
- Shut down processes
- Monitor PC resources
4 ways to run Task Manager in Windows?
- Right-click taskbar
- Right-click Start button
- Click Windows+X
- Click CTRL+SHIFT+ESC
What does it mean to “kill” a process?
Terminating a process via task manager
Always try to close or end a task normally before “killing” it
How to kill a process on the command line?
taskkill
What is are Windows services?
Background process that run without user interation or visible window
Windows Services handle key functions like sign-in, network browsing, and file indexing for faster searches. They’re installed by both Windows and third-party apps like antivirus, databases, or backup tools.
What does Task Scheduler do in Windows?
Sets tasks to run at a particular time
Tasks in Task Scheduler can run once in the future or on a recurring schedule. They can execute simple applications or batch files. Access Task Scheduler via its console or through Computer Management.
What is the Windows’ Task Scheduler equivalent for Linux?
cron
What is a memory leak?
When a process keeps claiming memory addresses without releasing them
Badly written programs & malware can cause memory leaks
What is virtual memory aka?
Pagefile
What is virtual memory (pagefile)
Portion of storage used as an extension of RAM when the physical RAM is full
Downside to virtual RAM?
Hard drives are slower than RAM
But using an SSD will greatly improve performance
What is Windows’ Disk Management used for?
Formatting storage devices & managing partitions
What does partitioning mean?
Logically dividing a disk into separate areas, each accessible by the OS as its own drive
What should you do before using Disk Management?
Back up data
What does reformatting or partitioning a disk do?
Delets data stored on it
What does the term “console” refer to?
command line or command prompt
But they have different technical meanings in Windows & UNIX/Linux
What does access control mean?
System/data can only be used by an authorized person
What account is created/used when an OS is first installed?
Local administrator account
When should the local administrator account be used?
To manage the computer
i.e. install apps/devices, troubleshooting, etc.
How do Standard user accounts differ from the admin account?
Unable to alter system settings and can only save files within their user/public profile
i.e. a user named David could only save files within C:\Users\David or C:\Users\Public. Administrators can access any folder on the computer.
