Tutorial - Operating System January 2025

Chapter 1 - Overview Operating System

1. What is an “Operating System”?
2. Give (a maximum of 6) examples of popular Operating Systems (OS).
3. Give a diagram showing where Operating System (OS) fits in relation with hardware,
system software, application software and users.
4. List (a Max. of 9) important functions of an Operating System (OS).
5. Elaborate in depth on each of the following function of an Operating System (OS):
i. Memory Management. iii. Device Management.
ii. Processor Management. iv. File Management.
6. Give (a Max. of 4) activities performed by the Operating System (OS) for memory
management.
7. What is meant by process scheduling in Operating System (OS) terminology?
8. Give (a Max. of 3) activities performed by the Operating System (OS) for processor
management.
9. What is the purpose of the device controller in Operating System (OS)?
10. How does Operating System (OS) manage device communication?
11. Give (a Max. of 4) activities performed by the Operating System (OS) for device
management.
12. What is the purpose of the Input/Output (I/O) Controller in Operating Systems (OS)?
13. Give (a Max. of 4) activities performed by the Operating System (OS) for file
management.
14. What is the file system of an Operating System (OS)?
15. Elaborate briefly on the following functions of an Operating System (OS):
i. Security.
ii. Control over system performance.
iii. Job accounting.
iv. Error detecting aids.
v. Coordination between other software & users.

Chapter 2 - Types of Operating Systems

1. Elaborate on each of the following types of Operating Systems (OS):
i. Batch Operating System. iv. Network Operating System.
ii. Time Sharing Operating System. v. Real Time Operating System.
iii. Distributed Operating System.
2. Give (a Max. of 3) problems with batch Operating System (OS).
3. How do users prepare their jobs in Batch Operating System (OS)?
4. Give examples of offline devices used in Batch Operating System (OS).
5. What is the main method of speeding work in a Batch Operating System (OS)?
6. In Batch Operating System (OS), what is the role of the following:
i. The Programmer. ii. The Operator.
7. Why is the Central Processing Unit (CPU) often idle when using Batch Operating
System (OS)?
8. What can be said about “priority” when using Batch Operating System (OS)?

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9. What is the main difference between multi programmed Batch Systems and Time-
Sharing Systems?
10. What is “Time-Sharing” in Operating System (OS)?
11. Give another term to refer to “Time-Sharing” in Operating System (OS).
12. What is the main objective of each of the following?
i. Multi Programmed Batch Systems. ii. Time-Sharing Systems.
13. In Time-Sharing Systems, how does the Central Processing Unit (CPU) handle multiple
jobs to give appearance of immediate response?
14. Give (a Max. of 3) advantages of Time-Sharing Operating System (OS).
15. Give (a Max. of 3) disadvantages of Time-Sharing Operating System (OS).
16. How do multiple processors communicate in Distributed Systems?
17. What is meant by loosely coupled systems?
18. Give (a Max. of 6) advantages of distributed systems.
19. Give some disadvantages of distributed systems. (Internet Search Oriented)
20. How does Distributed Systems help to achieve “fault tolerance”?
21. Where does a Network Operating System (NOS) usually operate?
22. Give (a maximum of 6) capabilities that the Network Operating System (NOS) provides
to a server.
23. What is the primary purpose of the Network Operating Systems (NOS)?
24. Give (a maximum of 7) examples of Network Operating Systems (NOS).
25. Give (a Max. of 4) advantages of Network Operating Systems (NOS).
26. Give (a Max. of 3) disadvantages of Network Operating Systems (NOS).
27. What is the main characteristic of centralised servers when using Network Operating
Systems (NOS)?
28. Give (a maximum of 2) main constituents of cost when using Network Operating
Systems (NOS), i.e. servers?
29. Define the term “response time” in Operating System (OS) terminology.
30. How do Real-Time Systems achieve control of the environment?
31. Give a difference between Real-Time System and online processing.
32. For what situations/purposes are Real-Time Systems used?
33. Which feature is the key in succeeding or failing Real-Time Systems?
34. Give (a maximum of 6) uses of Real-Time Systems.
35. (i) List 2 types of Real-Time Operating System (OS). Elaborate on each.
OR
(ii) Elaborate on each of the following real-time systems:
a. Hard Real-Time Systems. b. Soft Real-Time Systems.
OR
(iii) Differentiate between Hard Real-Time Systems and Soft Real-Time Systems.
36. What type of real time system guarantee that critical tasks complete on time?
37. What can be said about secondary storage in Hard Real-Time Systems?
38. Where is data usually stored in Hard Real-Time Systems?
39. What can be said about “Virtual Memory” in Hard Real-Time Systems?
40. What could be the purpose of “Virtual Memory” in Hard Real-Time Systems? (Internet
search or deep thinking oriented)
41. Which type of real-time system is mostly used? Why?
42. Give (a maximum of 4) main uses of Soft Real-Time Systems.
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Chapter 3 - Operating System Services

1. What is the main category of service provided by Operating System (OS) to program?
2. What is the main category of service provided by Operating System (OS) to users?
3. (i) List (a maximum of 7) common services provided by Operating System (OS).
OR
(ii) Elaborate on each of the following common services provided by the Operating
System (OS):
i. Program execution. v. Error Detection.
ii. Input/Output (I/O) operations. vi. Resource Allocation.
iii. File systems manipulation. vii. Protection.
iv. Communication.
4. What is a “process” in Operating System (OS) terminology?
5. List (max of 6) major activities of an Operating System (OS) with respect to program
management.
6. What is an Input/Output (I/O) Subsystem in Operating System (OS)?
7. What is the importance of device drivers in Operating System (OS)?
8. List (max of 3) major activities of an Operating System (OS) with respect to
Input/Output (I/O) operation.
9. Give examples of storage media accessible by Operating Systems (OS).
10. Give the four properties mostly used to qualify storage media accessible by Operating
Systems (OS).
11. Give two reasons why is a file system in Operating System (OS), usually organised into
directories?
12. List (a max of 6) major activities of an Operating System (OS) with respect to file
management.
13. List the common types of permission used in file system manipulation by Operating
Systems (OS).
14. What are the common three interfaces provided by an Operating System (OS) for file
system manipulation?
15. List (a max of 3) major activities of Operating System (OS) with respect to
communication.
16. How do multiple processes communicate in a distributed system?
17. Give (a maximum of 3) network issues handled by the Operating System (OS) with
respect to communication.
18. List the two methods of communication performed by the Operating System (OS).
19. Give (a maximum of 3) places that errors can occur in a computerised system.
20. List (a max of 2) major activities of an Operating System (OS) with respect to error
handling.
21. List (a max of 2) major activities of an Operating System (OS) with respect to resource
management.
22. Explain the need for protection to be supplied as a service by the Operating System (OS).
23. What does the term “protection” refer to when considering it as a service provided by the
Operating System (OS)?
24. List (a max of 3) major activities of an Operating System (OS) with respect to protection.
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25. How does the Operating System (OS) usually provide for authentication of users? (partly
Internet Search Oriented)

Chapter 4 - Operating System Properties

1. Elaborate about batch processing which is a task that Operating System (OS) handles.
2. Give (a max of 4) activities related to batch processing.
3. Give 2 advantages of batch processing.
4. Give (a max of 3) disadvantages of batch processing.
5. How is a job defined in batch processing?
6. Where does the Operating System (OS) keep the jobs to service when considering batch
processing?
7. In what fashion are jobs served in batch processing?
8. In batch processing, what happens when a job completes its execution?
9. How is performance considered as improved in batch processing?
10. What is the main reason why a batch job can affect other pending jobs?
11. Elaborate about “multi-tasking” which is a task handled by the Operating System (OS).
12. Give (a max of 11) activities related to multi-tasking.
13. Give another name for “Multi-Tasking System”.
14. Give a suitable labelled diagram representing Multi-Tasking System for Operating
Systems (OS).
15. How is slower hardware speed catered for in Multi-Tasking System by Operating
Systems (OS)?
16. Define the term “Multiprogramming” used in Operating System (OS).
17. Elaborate about “multi-programming” which is a task handled by the Operating System
(OS).
18. Give (a max of 4) activities related to multi-programming.
19. Give (a max of 2) advantages of multi-programming.
20. Give (a max of 2) disadvantages of multi-programming.
21. How does “multi-programming” increase Central Processing Unit (CPU) utilisation?
22. Give a suitable labelled diagram of memory layout for a multiprogramming system.
23. How do Multi-Programming Operating System (OS) monitor the state of all active
programs and systems resources?
24. How do Multi-Programming Operating System (OS) ensure that the Central Processing
Unit (CPU) is never idle?
25. What is the only situation where a processor can be idle in a Multi-Programming
Operating System (OS)?
26. What is the core importance of memory management when considering Multi-
Programming Operating System (OS)?
27. Elaborate about “Real time systems” which represents a task to be handled by the
Operating System (OS).
28. Give (a max of 2) activities related to real time system.
29. Elaborate about “Interactivity” which is a task handled by the Operating System (OS).
30. Give (a max of 3) activities related to “Interactivity” in Operating System (OS)
terminology.

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31. Elaborate about “Distributed Environment” which is a task handled by the Operating
System (OS).
32. Give (a max of 3) activities related to distributed environment in Operating System (OS)
terminology.
33. Elaborate about “spooling” which is a task handled by the Operating System (OS).
34. What does the acronym “SPOOL” stand for?
35. Give (a max of 3) activities related to spooling.
36. Give (a max of 2) advantages of spooling.
37. Why is it important to maintain parallel communication in spooling operations?
38. Which storage device is usually as buffer in spooling?
39. Give some disadvantages of spooling. (Internet Search Oriented)

Chapter 5 - Operating System Processes

1. What is a “process” in Operating System (OS) terminology?
2. When does a program become a process in Operating System (OS) terminology?
3. (i) List and describe (a maximum of 4) components of a process in Operating System
(OS) terminology.
OR
(ii) Describe each of the following components of a process in Operating System (OS)
terminology:
i. Stack. ii. Heap. iii. Text. iv. Data.
4. What is a program?
5. What can be concluded when a program is compared with a process?
6. Define the following terms:
i. Algorithm. ii. Software.
7. Define the term “process state” in Operating System (OS) terminology.
8. (i) How many states can a process have in Operating System (OS)? List and describe
each of them.
(ii) How many states can a process have at a time in an Operating System (OS)?
9. Describe each of the following possible states of an Operating System (OS) process:
i. New. ii. Ready. iii. Running. iv. Waiting. v. Terminated.
10. (i) Illustrate diagrammatically the different possible states of an Operating System (OS)
process and their relationship in terms of sequence of flow.
OR
(ii) Illustrate diagrammatically the process life cycle in Operating System (OS)
terminology.
11. Describe the term “Process Control Block” (PCB) used in Operating System (OS).
12. How is a “Process Control Block” (PCB) identified in an Operating System (OS)?
13. (i) How many pieces of information of a “Process Control Block” (PCB) is associated
with a specific process in an Operating System (OS)? List and describe each of them.
OR
(ii) Describe each of the following pieces of information of a “Process Control Block”
(PCB), used in Operating System (OS), associated with a specific process:
1) Process state. 2) Process Privileges.

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3) Process ID. 7) CPU Scheduling Information.
4) Pointer. 8) Memory management information.
5) Program counter. 9) Accounting. information.
6) CPU registers. 10) IO Status information.
14. Explain how a process can be restored if it has been suspended in an Operating System
(OS).
15. What can you say about the architecture of a “Process Control Block” (PCB) used in
Operating Systems (OS)?
16. How long is a “Process Control Block” (PCB) maintained in an Operating System (OS)?
17. When is a “Process Control Block” (PCB) deleted in an Operating System (OS)?

Chapter 6 - Operating System Process Scheduling

1. Define the term “process scheduling” in Operating System (OS) terminology.
2. Why is “process scheduling” important in new Operating System (OS)?
3. Elaborate on “Scheduling Queues” in Operating System (OS) terminology.
4. Where does the Operating System (OS) maintain all “Process Control Blocks” (PCBs)?
5. What happens when the state of a process is changed in an Operating System (OS)?
6. (i) How many types of queues exist in Operating System (OS) terminology? List them.
OR
(ii) Elaborate on each of the following process scheduling queues in Operating System
(OS) terminology:
a. Job queue. b. Ready Queue. c. Device Queue.
7. Explain clearly what happens when a newly arrived process is put in the ready queue of
the Operating System (OS).
8. What happens to processes which get blocked due to device unavailability in Operating
System (OS)?
9. Give a suitable diagram representing the flow concerned with process scheduling queues
in Operating Systems (OS).
10. List the different policies that the Operating System (OS) can use to manage each queue.
11. (i) Elaborate on the Two State Process Model of Operating System (OS).
OR
(ii) Elaborate on each of the following states in the Two State Process Model of
Operating System (OS):
a. Running. b. Not Running.
12. What is the role of the dispatcher when considering the non-running state of the Two
State Process Model of Operating System (OS)?
13. Describe the term “Schedulers” in Operating System (OS) terminology.
14. What is the main task of schedulers in Operating System (OS) terminology?
15. (i) List the three types of schedulers in Operating System (OS) terminology. Elaborate on
each.
OR
(ii) Elaborate on each of the following schedulers in Operating System (OS):
i. Long Term. ii. Short Term. iii. Medium Term.
16. Give another name of the long Term Scheduler used in Operating Systems (OS).

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17. What is the primary objective of the Long Term Scheduler used in Operating System
(OS)?
18. What is meant by the degree of multiprogramming being stable in Long Term Schedulers
in Operating Systems (OS)?
19. What type of Operating system (OS) does not have Long Term Scheduler?
20. Give two other names for Short Term Scheduler in Operating Systems (OS).
21. What is the primary objective of the Short Term Scheduler in Operating Systems (OS)?
22. Compare long Term Schedulers with Short Term Schedulers in Operating Systems (OS).
23. Compare Short Term Schedulers with Medium Term Schedulers in Operating Systems
(OS).
24. Compare Long Term Schedulers with Medium Term Schedulers in Operating Systems
(OS).
25. Describe the mechanism of “context switch” in Operating System (OS).
26. Give a suitable labelled diagram depicting “context switch” in an Operating System
(OS).
27. Why are context switches considered as computationally intensive in Operating Systems
(OS)?
28. Give a method by which some systems reduce on context switching time in Operating
Systems (OS).
29. Give (a maximum of 7) information of that is stored when a process is switched in
Operating System (OS).

Chapter 7 - Process Scheduling Algorithms

1. List the six most popular Process Scheduling Algorithms in Operating Systems (OS).
2. Give a least popular Process Scheduling Algorithm in Operating Systems (OS).
3. (i) Explain the following terms in Process Scheduling Algorithms in Operating Systems
(OS):
a. Preemptive. b. Non-Premptive.
(ii) Differentiate between “Preemptive” and “Non-Preemptive” Process Scheduling
Algorithms in Operating Systems (OS).
4. Describe each of the following Process Scheduling Algorithms in Operating Systems
(OS):
i. First come first serve (FCFS). iv. Round robin.
ii. Shortest-Job-First (SJF). v. Multilevel Queue Scheduling.
iii. Priority scheduling. vi. Largest-Job-First (LJF).
5. Calculate the average wait times using each of the following Process Scheduling
Algorithms applied over each of the following scenarios in Operating Systems (OS):
Process Scheduling Algorithms:
i. First come first serve (FCFS). iv. Round robin (Quantum 3 units).
ii. Shortest-Job-First (SJF). v. Largest-Job-First (LJF).
iii. Priority scheduling. (l: highest)
Scenario 1:
Process Arrival Time Execute Time Priority (where
applicable)
P0 0 5 1
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P1 1 3 2
P2 2 8 1
P3 3 6 3

Scenario 2:
Process Arrival Time Execute Time Priority (where
applicable)
P0 10 5 1
P1 11 3 2
P2 12 8 1
P3 13 6 3

Scenario 3:
Process Arrival Time Execute Time Priority (where
applicable)
P0 0 8 1
P1 3 7 2
P2 5 11 1
P3 6 9 3
P4 7 11 2
P5 9 13 1

Scenario 4:
Process Arrival Time Execute Time Priority (where
applicable)
P0 20 8 1
P1 23 7 2
P2 25 11 1
P3 26 9 3
P4 27 11 2
P5 29 13 1

Scenario 5:
Process Arrival Time Execute Time Priority (where
applicable)
P0 0 15 3
P1 4 17 1
P2 6 21 2
P3 7 19 3
P4 9 22 2
P5 11 23 1

Scenario 5:
Process Arrival Time Execute Time Priority (where
applicable)
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P0 10 15 3
P1 14 17 1
P2 16 21 2
P3 17 19 3
P4 19 22 2
P5 21 23 1

6. What happens when multiple processes have same priority in priority scheduling in an
Operating System (OS)?
7. Give (a maximum of 3) criteria which are used to assign priorities in priority scheduling
in an Operating System (OS).
8. Describe the Shortest Remaining Time (SRT) version of Process Scheduling Algorithm
used in Operating Systems (OS).
9. Why is the Shortest Remaining Time (SRT) version of Process Scheduling Algorithm
impossible to implement in interactive systems in Operating Systems (OS)?
10. In which situation is the Shortest Remaining Time (SRT)version of Process Scheduling
Algorithm best suited in Operating Systems (OS)?

Chapter 8 - Operating System Multi-Threading

1. What is a “thread” in Operating System (OS) terminology?
2. In the concept of threading in Operating System (OS), what is the purpose of each of the
following?
i. The program counter. ii. The system registers. iii. The stack.
3. List the three information that a thread shares with its peer threads in an Operating
System (OS).
4. When a thread alters a code segment memory item in an Operating System (OS), what
happens to its peer threads?
5. Why are threads also referred to as “Lightweight Processes” in Operating Systems (OS)?
6. What are the two main ways that threads provide to improve application performance in
Operating Systems (OS)?
7. State 5 characteristics of threads in Operating System (OS) terminology.
8. Give a diagrammatic representation of each of the following in Operating System (OS):
i. a process with a single thread.
ii. a process with multiple (typically 3 for academic purposes) threads.
9. Give (a maximum of 6) differences between process and thread in Operating System
(OS) terminology.
10. Give (a maximum of 5) advantages of thread in Operating System (OS) terminology.
11. (i) In how many ways can a thread be implemented in Operating Systems (OS)? List and
elaborate on each.
Or
(ii) Elaborate on each of following types of threads used in Operating Systems (OS):
a. User level threads. b. Kernel level threads.
12. Give (a maximum of 4) advantages of user level threads in Operating System (OS).
13. Give (a maximum of 2) disadvantages of user level threads in Operating System (OS).
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14. Give (a maximum of 3) advantages of kernel level threads in Operating System (OS).
15. Give (a maximum of 2) disadvantages of kernel level threads in Operating System (OS).
16. Compare and contrast user level threads and kernel level threads in Operating System
(OS).
17. Elaborate briefly on multithreading models in Operating System (OS).
18. (i) List the three types of multithreading models in Operating System (OS).
OR
(ii) Elaborate on each of the following types of multithreading models in Operating
System (OS).
a. Many-to-many. b. Many-to-one. c. One-to-one.
19. Give (a maximum of 7) functions provided by the codes in the thread library of an
Operating System (OS).
20. Give (a maximum of 2) information that the kernel maintains to manage kernel level
threads in Operating Systems (OS).
21. Give (a maximum of 3) functions that the kernel space can perform for kernel thread
management in Operating Systems (OS).
22. Elaborate on the multi-threading model in Operating System (OS) terminology.
23. (i) List the three types of multi-threading models in Operating System (OS) terminology.
OR
(ii) Elaborate on each of the following type of multi-threading model in Operating
System (OS) terminology:
a. Many-to-many relationship.
b. Many-to-one relationship.
c. One-to-one relationship.
24. Give a suitable diagram depicting each of the following type of multi-threading model in
Operating System (OS) terminology:
i. Many-to-many relationship.
ii. Many-to-one relationship.
iii. One-to-one relationship.
25. Give (a maximum of 2) main advantages of many-to-many relationship multi-threading
model in Operating System (OS) terminology.
26. Give (a maximum of 3) main advantages of the one-to-one relationship multi-threading
model in Operating System (OS) terminology.
27. Give one disadvantage of the one-to-one relationship multi-threading model in Operating
System (OS) terminology.
28. Give (a maximum of 3) examples of Operating System (OS) which use the one-to-one
relationship multi-threading model.
29. Differentiate between user level and kernel level threads in Operating Systems (OS).

Chapter 9 - Memory Management

1. Explain the functionality of memory management in Operating System (OS).
2. Elaborate on the term “Process Address Space” in memory management in Operating
System (OS).
3. (i) List the three types of addresses used in a program before and after memory is
allocated in Operating Systems (OS).
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OR
(ii) Briefly elaborate on each of the following types of addresses used in a program
before and after memory is allocated in Operating System (OS):
a. Symbolic. b. Relative. c. Physical.
4. When are virtual and physical addresses considered to be the same, and when do they
differ in Operating Systems (OS)?
5. (i) In how many ways can instructions and data to memory addresses be done in
Operating Systems (OS). List and briefly elaborate on each.
OR
(ii) Elaborate on each of the following ways that instructions and data to memory
addresses can be done in Operating System (OS):
a. Compile time. b. Load time. c. Execution time.
6. What are features of each of the following Operating System (OS) terminologies:
i. Static Loading. ii. Dynamic Loading.
7. Describe the term “Dynamic Loading” in Operating System (OS) terminology.
8. What is the advantage of “Dynamic Loading” in Operating System (OS) terminology?
9. Describe the following Operating System (OS) terminologies:
i. Linking. ii. Static Linking. iii. Dynamic Linking.
10. What is the primary advantage of “Dynamic Linking” over “Static Linking” in Operating
System (OS) terminology?
11. Define the following Operating System (OS) terminologies:
i. Logical address. iii. Logical address space.
ii. Physical address. iv. Physical address space.
12. Explain the purpose of the Memory Management Unit (MMU) in Operating System
(OS).
13. Explain the mechanism used by Memory Management Unit (MMU) to convert virtual
address to physical address in Operating Systems (OS).
14. Explain the term “Swapping” in Operating System (OS) terminology.
15. Give a suitable labelled diagram depicting “swapping” in memory management in
Operating System (OS) terminology.
16. (i) What can you say about the total time taken for swapping processes in Operating
Systems (OS)?
OR
(ii) How is the total time taken for swapping processes computed in memory
management in Operating Systems (OS)?
17. (i) How many partitions does the main memory have? List and state what is held in each
of them?
OR
(ii) State what is held in each of the following partitions of main memory:
a. Low memory. b. High memory.
18. (i) How many memory allocation mechanisms can be used by the Operating System
(OS)? List and describe each of them.
OR
(ii) Describe each of the following memory allocation mechanisms in Operating System
(OS) terminologies:
a. Single-partition allocation. b. Multiple-partition allocation.
OR
(iii) Differentiate between “Single-partition allocation” and “Multiple-partition
allocation” in Operating Systems (OS).

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19. Describe the term “Fragmentation” in Operating System (OS) terminology.
20. (i) How many types of fragmentation exist in Operating System (OS) terminologies? List
and describe each of them.
OR
(ii) Describe each of the following type of fragmentation in Operating System (OS)
terminologies:
a. External fragmentation. b. Internal fragmentation.
(iii) Differentiate between “External fragmentation” and “Internal fragmentation” in
Operating System (OS) terminologies.
21. (i) How can the problem of External fragmentation be solved in Operating Systems
(OS)?
(ii) How can the problem of internal fragmentation be solved in Operating Systems
(OS)?
22. Give a criterion for compaction to be feasible in external fragmentation in Operating
System (OS).
23. Explain the technique of paging in memory management in Operating System (OS).
24. Explain how Address Translation is performed in paging as a technique for memory
management in Operating System (OS).
25. What is the purpose of the page map table in Operating Systems (OS)?
26. Give (a maximum of 3) advantage of paging as a technique for memory management in
Operating Systems (OS).
27. Give one disadvantage of paging as a technique for memory management in Operating
Systems (OS).
28. Explain the technique of segmentation as a technique for memory management in
Operating Systems (OS).
29. How does segmentation eliminate internal fragmentation in Operating Systems (OS)?
30. How is the address generated by Central Processing Unit (CPU) divided in?
i. Paging? ii. Segmentation?
31. Give a difference between segmentation and paging as techniques for memory
management in Operating Systems (OS).
32. Give (a maximum of 3) elements contained in a program segmentation when considering
segmentation as a technique for memory management in Operating Systems (OS).
33. Explain the purpose of the “Segment Map Table” in Operating Systems (OS).
34. Give a suitable diagram representing the use of the “Segment Map Table” in Operating
System (OS).
35. List the two information that the “Segment Map Table” stores for each segment in
Operating System (OS).

Chapter 10 - Virtual Memory

1. Explain the concept of “Virtual Memory” in Operating Systems (OS).
2. What is the main visible advantage of using “Virtual Memory” in Operating Systems
(OS)?
3. What are the two main purposes of the Virtual Memory in Operating Systems (OS)?
4. Give (a maximum of 7) situations where an entire program is not required to be loaded
fully in main memory.
5. List the three ways that Virtual Memory can be built in Operating Systems (OS).
6. Elaborate on the Demand Paging system in Operating Systems (OS).
7. What is a page-fault trap in Operating System (OS) terminology?

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8. Describe the 6 steps of handling page faults in Operating Systems (OS).
9. Give (a maximum of 3) advantages of Demand Paging in Operating Systems (OS).
10. Give (a maximum of 2) disadvantages of Demand Paging in Operating Systems (OS).
11. Elaborate about Page Replacement Algorithm and its purpose in Operating Systems
(OS).
12. Give (a maximum of 3) criteria that Page Replacement Algorithms in Operating Systems
(OS) aim to meet.
13. How is a Page Replacement Algorithm evaluated in Operating Systems (OS)?
14. Elaborate about reference strings in Operating System (OS) terminology.
15. Elaborate on each of the following Page Replacement Algorithm in Operating System
(OS) terminologies:
i. First-In-First-Out algorithms.
ii. Optimal Page algorithms.
iii. Least Recently used algorithms.
iv. Page Buffering algorithms.
v. Least Frequently Used (LFU) algorithms.
vi. Most Frequently Used (MFU) algorithms.
16. Calculate the corresponding fault rate for the following Page Replacement Algorithms,
using the following scenarios of reference strings assuming the following memory sizes:
Page Replacement Algorithms:
i. First-In-First-Out algorithms.
ii. Optimal Page algorithms.
iii. Least Recently used algorithms.
Reference Strings:
i. 0, 2, 1, 6, 4, 0, 1, 0, 3, 1, 2, 1.
ii. 2, 6, 1, 0, 3, 6, 4, 2, 1, 0, 5, 3.
iii. 1, 2, 5, 4, 3, 6, 4, 2, 1, 0, 2, 3.
iv. 3, 4, 3, 5, 2, 1, 3, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4.
v. 5, 7, 4, 3, 2, 1, 1, 0, 2, 3, 4, 2.
vi. 4, 3, 2, 1, 0, 1, 3, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7.
vii. 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 2, 5.
Memory Sizes:
i. 4 pages.
ii. 5 pages.
iii. 6 pages.

Chapter 11 – Input/Output (I/O) Hardware

1. List (a maximum of 13) Input/Output (I/O) devices managed by Operating System (OS).
2. Explain the purpose of an Input/Output (I/O) system in Operating Systems (OS).
3. (i) List the two categories of Input/Output (I/O) devices in Operating Systems (OS).
(ii) Elaborate on each of the following categories of Input/Output (I/O) devices in
Operating System (OS) terminologies:
a. Block Devices. b. Character Devices.
(iii) Differentiate between “Block Devices” and “Character Devices” as categories of
Input/Output (I/O) devices in Operating System (OS) terminologies.
4. (i) Elaborate fully on “Device Controllers” of Operating Systems (OS).
(ii) What is a “device driver” in Operating System (OS) terminology?

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(iii) How does a “Device Controller” work in Operating Systems (OS)?
(iv) What are the two components that an Input/Output (I/O) unit of an Operating System
(OS) typically consist of?
(v) Give another name for electronic component of an Input/Output (I/O) unit.
(vi) Brief out how a “Device Controller” cooperates with a “Device Driver” to work in
Operating Systems (OS).
(vii) How are devices usually connected to a computer?
(viii) What is the work of the device controller as an interface of communication used in
Operating Systems (OS)?
(ix) Provide a diagrammatic model of how devices are connected to the computer.
5. (i) What is the main characteristic of each of the following Operating System (OS)
terminologies:
a. Synchronous Input/Output (I/O). b. Asynchronous Input/Output (I/O).
(ii) Differentiate between synchronous v/s asynchronous Input/Output (I/O).
6. (i) List the three approaches available in Operating Systems (OS), to communicate with
the Central Processing Unit (CPU) and Device.
(ii) Elaborate on each of the following approaches available in Operating System (OS),
to communicate with the Central Processing Unit (CPU) and Device:
a. Special Instruction Input/Output (I/O).
b. Memory-mapped Input/Output (I/O).
c. Direct Memory Access (DMA).
(iii) In memory-mapped Input/Output (I/O), why is the device connected directly to
certain main memory locations?
(iv) Give a suitable labelled diagram representing memory-mapped Input/Output (I/O)
functionality in Operating Systems (OS).
(v) In memory-mapped Input/Output (I/O) of Operating Systems (OS), what is the
purpose of the buffer in memory?
(vi) Give a main advantage of memory-mapped Input/Output (I/O) in Operating Systems
(OS) terminology.
(vii) For what main purpose are memory-mapped Input/Output (I/O) used in Operating
Systems (OS)?
(vii) Give (a maximum of 2) devices which use memory-mapped Input/Output (I/O) in
Operating Systems (OS).
(viii) Give the main advantage of Direct Memory Access (DMA) used in Operating
Systems (OS).
(ix) What is the purpose of the Direct Memory Access (DMA) Module used in Operating
Systems (OS)?
(x) State the involvement of the Central Processing Unit (CPU) in the use of Direct
Memory Access (DMA) from the perspective of the Operating System (OS).
(ix) Explain the functioning of Direct Memory Access (DMA) controller in Operating
Systems (OS).
(x) List (a maximum of 7) components that the Direct Memory Access (DMA)
Controller in Operating Systems (OS), is programmed with.
(xi) Give a diagrammatic representation of the functioning of the Direct Memory Access
(DMA) controller in Operating Systems (OS).
(xii) Describe the step-wise approach by which the Operating System (OS) uses the
Direct Memory Access (DMA) hardware.
7. (i) List the two ways the computer has for detecting the arrival of any type of input.

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(ii) List (a maximum of 2) common features of the techniques of “Polling Input/Output
(I/O)” and “Interrupts Input/Output (I/O)” used in Operating Systems (OS).
(iii) Elaborate on each of the following techniques that a computer has for detecting the
arrival of any type of input:
a. Polling Input/Output (I/O). b. Interrupts Input/Output (I/O).
(iv) State the common feature between Polling Input/Output (I/O) and Interrupt
Input/Output (I/O) in Operating Systems (OS).
(v) Explain the inefficiency of Polling Input/Output (I/O) in Operating Systems (OS).
(vi) Explain the efficiency of Interrupt Input/Output (I/O) in Operating Systems (OS).

Chapter 12 – Input/Output (I/O) Software

1. (i) List the three layers that Input/Output (I/O) software is often organised from the
perspective of the Operating System (OS).
(ii) Elaborate on each of the following three layers that Input/Output (I/O) software is
often organised from the perspective of the Operating System (OS):
a. User Level Libraries. c. Hardware.
b. Kernel Level Modules.
(iii) Give some suitable examples of User Level Libraries applicable in Operating
System (OS). (Internet Search Oriented)
(iv) Explain a key concept in the design of Input/Output (I/O) software working over
Operating Systems (OS).
(v) Give a diagrammatic representation of the three layer organisation of Input/Output
(I/O) software in Operating Systems (OS).
2. (i) Elaborate on “Device Drivers” used in Operating Systems (OS).
(ii) Who usually prepare “Device Drivers” for Operating Systems (OS)?
(iii) What are the current methods of delivery of “Device Drivers” to customers?
(iv) List (a maximum of 3) jobs performed by device drivers working over Operating
Systems (OS).
(v) Explain the step-wise approach how a device driver handles a request in Operating
Systems (OS).
3. (i) Elaborate on “Interrupt Handlers” of Operating Systems (OS).
(ii) Give another name for “Interrupt Handlers” in Operating System (OS) terminologies.
(iii) What is an “Interrupt Handler” in Operating System (OS) terminology.?
(iv) List (a maximum of 3) tasks that an “Interrupt Handler” must undertake when an
interrupt happens in an Operating System (OS).
(v) Explain the “interrupt mechanism” of Operating Systems (OS).
4. (i) Elaborate on “Device-Independent Input/Output (I/O) Software” working over the
Operating System (OS).
(ii) What is the basic function of the “Device-Independent Input/Output (I/O) Software”
working over the Operating System (OS)?
(iii) List (a maximum of 8) functions of device-independent Input/Output (I/O) software
working over the Operating System (OS).
5. (i) Elaborate on “User-space Input/Output (I/O) Software” working over the Operating
System (OS).
(ii) Why are Input/Output (I/O) libraries situated in user-space of Operating Systems
(OS)?

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6. (i) List (a maximum of 5) services provided by the kernel Input/Output (I/O) subsystem
of Operating Systems (OS).
(ii) Elaborate on each of the following services provided by the kernel Input/Output (I/O)
subsystem of Operating Systems (OS):
a. scheduling. d. Spooling & Device Reservation.
b. Buffering. e. Error Handling.
c. Caching.
(iii) In Operating Systems (OS), what is the purpose of a:
a. Buffer? b. Spooler?
7. Give (a maximum of 2) reasons why the kernel Input/Output (I/O) scheduler rearranges
the order of the queue for the device, in “scheduling” as a service provided by the kernel
Input/Output (I/O) subsystem of Operating Systems (OS).
8. Why is buffering needed in the kernel Input/Output (I/O) subsystem services of
Operating Systems (OS)?
9. What is the importance of caching in kernel Input/Output (I/O) subsystem services of
Operating Systems (OS)?

Chapter 13 - File System

1. What is a “File” in Operating System (OS) terminology?
2. Elaborate about “File Structure” in Operating System (OS) terminology.
3. Define each of the following file structures:
i. Text file. ii. Source file. iii. Object file.
4. Elaborate about “File Type” in Operating System (OS) terminology.
5. Elaborate about each of the following file type in Operating System (OS) terminology:
i. Ordinary Files. ii. Directory Files. iii. Special Files.
6. (i) Special Files in Operating System (OS) terminology are of 2 types list and describe
them.
(ii) What is the main characteristic of each of the following special file in Operating
System (OS) terminology?
a. Character Special File. b. Block Special File.
7. Elaborate about “File Access Mechanisms” in Operating System (OS)terminology.
8. (i) List (a maximum of 3) ways to access files in Operating System (OS) terminology.
Describe each of them.
OR
(ii) Describe each of the following ways to access files in Operating System (OS)
terminology.
a. Sequential Access.
b. Direct/Random Access.
c. Indexed sequential Access.
9. Give an example of a Sequential Access for file access mechanisms.
10. (i) List (a maximum of 3) main ways to allocate disk space by an Operating System
(OS). Elaborate on each.
OR
(ii) Elaborate on each of the following main ways of disk allocation by Operating
Systems (OS):
i. Contiguous Allocation. iii. Indexed Allocation.
ii. Linked Allocation.
11. (i) Give one advantage of Contiguous Allocation in Operating Systems (OS).
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(ii) Give one disadvantage of Contiguous Allocation in Operating Systems (OS).
12. (i) Give two advantages of linked Allocation in Operating Systems (OS).
(ii) Give two disadvantages of linked allocation in Operating Systems (OS).
13. What is the main advantage of Indexed Allocation in Operating System (OS)?

Chapter 14 - Operating System Security

1. What does the term “security” refers to in Operating System (OS) terminology?
2. What is the most important amenity which needs security when considering
computerised resources?
3. Give (a maximum of 4) examples of threats to security of computer resources.
4. Define the term “authentication”.
5. (i) List (a maximum of 3) authenticating applied by Operating System (OS). Elaborate an
each of them.
OR
(ii) Elaborate on each of the following ways that authenticates users in Operating
Systems (OS):
a. Username/Password. c. User attributes.
b. User card/Key.
6. Give (a maximum of 3) examples of user attributes that can be used to authenticate users
in Operating Systems (OS). (perform Internet search to discover more such attributes).
7. Elaborate on “one time passwords” as a measure security for Operating Systems (OS).
8. (i) List (a maximum of 3) ways that one-time password can be implemented in Operating
Systems (OS). Describe each of them.
OR
(ii) Describe each of the following ways of implementing “one time passwords” for
security in Operating System (OS).
a. Random numbers. c. Network password.
b. Secret key.
9. Elaborate on “Program threats” in Operating System (OS) terminology.
10. (i) List (a maximum of 4) well-known program threats for Operating System (OS).
Elaborate on each.
OR
(ii) Elaborate on each of the following well-known program threats for Operating System
(OS).
a. Trojan horse. c. Logic Bomb.
b. Trap door. d. Virus.
11. Give a common example of program threat in Operating System (OS).
12. Elaborate on “System threats” in Operating System (OS) terminology.
13. What is a “program attack”?
14. (i) List (a maximum of 3) well-known system threats for Operating Systems (OS).
Elaborate on each.
OR
(ii) Elaborate on each of the following well-known system threats in Operating System
(OS) terminology.
a. Worm. b. Port Scanning. c. Denial of service.
15. Explain how a worm can choke down system performance of Operating Systems (OS).
16. Give an example of a “Denial of Service” attack in Operating System (OS).

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17. List the four security classifications as per the United States (US) Department of Defense
Trusted Computer Systems Evaluation criteria.
18. Elaborate on each of the following security classifications as per the United States (U.S)
Department of Defence Trusted Computer System’s Evaluation criteria.
i. Type A. ii. Type B. iii. Type C. iv. Type D.
19. (i) Type B security classifications as per the United States (U.S) Department of Defence
Trusted Computer System’s Evaluation criteria, involves three types of sensitivity label.
List and describe each of them.
OR
(ii) Describe each of the following types of sensitivity label related to Type B security
classification, as per the United States (U.S) Department of Defence Trusted Computer
System’s Evaluation criteria:
a. B1. b. B2. c. B3.
20. (i) Type C security classification, as per the United States (U.S) Department of Defence
Trusted Computer System’s Evaluation criteria, involves two ways of protection. List
and elaborate on each of them.
OR
(ii) Describe each of the following types of protection related to type C security
classification, as per the United States (U.S) Department of Defence Trusted Computer
System’s Evaluation criteria:
a. C1. b. C2.

Chapter 15 - Linux Operating System

1. What is meant by an open source Operating System (OS)?
2. Give (a maximum of 2) features of open source Operating System (OS).
3. (i) List (a maximum of 3) primary components of Linux Operating System (OS).
Describe each of them. OR
(ii) Describe each of the following 3 components of Linux Operating System (OS)
a. Kernel. b. System Library. c. System Utility.
4. Elaborate on each of the following Linux Operating System (OS) terminologies:
i. Kernel mode. ii. User mode.
5. Give (a maximum of 3) advantages of the “Kernel Mode” in Operating System (OS)
terminologies.
6. Why is the “Kernel mode” considered as very efficient for Operating Systems (OS)?
7. (i) List (a maximum of 7) important Basic features of Linux Operating System (OS).
Describe each of them. OR
(ii) Describe each of the following important features of Linux Operating System (OS):
a. Portable. d. Multi-Programming. g. Security.
b. Open-Source. e. Hierarchical File System.
c. Multi-User. f. Shell.
5. Elaborate on “Linux System Architecture”.
6. (i) List (a maximum of 4) layers of “Linux System Architecture”. Describe each of them.
OR
(ii) Elaborate on the following layers of Linux System Architecture:
a. Hardware layer. c. Shell.
b. Kernel. d. Utility.

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