Department of Applied Computational Science & Engineering

Course Code: BCS401

Course Name: Operating System
 Topics to be Covered

⮚ Introduction to the operating system :

1. Operating System Structure- Layered structure, System Components,

2. Operating System services,

3. Reentrant Kernels, Monolithic, and Microkernel Systems.

 Department of Applied Computational Science & Engineering

Operating System
Structure
The operating system is the foundation of a computer system, providing a
structure that manages hardware resources and facilitates interaction between
software and hardware. This layered architecture ensures stability, security, and
efficient use of system components.
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Layered Structure
Abstraction Kernel and User Hardware Interoperability
Layers Mode Abstraction
The layered structure
The operating system The kernel layer, the Lower layers of the facilitates
employs a layered core of the OS, OS abstract away the interoperability, as
architecture, where operates in a complexities of the each layer can be
each layer provides a privileged 'kernel underlying hardware, independently updated
specific set of services mode', handling presenting a consistent or replaced without
and abstractions to the critical system tasks. and standardized affecting the overall
layers above it. This The user applications interface to the upper system functionality,
modular design run in a less privileged layers. This allows enabling the OS to
promotes isolation, 'user mode', accessing applications to run evolve and adapt to
flexibility, and system resources seamlessly across changing
efficient resource through well-defined diverse hardware requirements.
management. interfaces. platforms.
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System Components
Hardware Software
The physical components of a computer system, The programs and data that control the hardware,
such as the processor, memory, storage devices, including the operating system, applications, and
and input/output devices. system utilities.

Firmware Drivers
Low-level software that is embedded in the Software that enables the operating system to
hardware, providing basic control and communicate with and control the various
functionality for the system. hardware components.
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Operating System Services

Operating systems provide a variety of essential services to users and

applications. These include process management, memory management, file
management, I/O management, and security and protection services.

1. Process Management: Handles the creation, execution, and

termination of processes, ensuring efficient resource allocation and
2. Memory Management: Manages the allocation and deallocation of
scheduling.
memory, providing isolation and protection for running processes.
3. File Management: Provides a hierarchical file system for storing and
retrieving data, with access control and metadata management.
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Process Management
1 Process Creation
The operating system creates and manages processes, allocating resources like CPU
time, memory, and I/O to enable multiple programs to run concurrently.

2 Process Scheduling
The OS uses various scheduling algorithms to determine which processes get CPU
time, ensuring fair and efficient use of system resources.

Inter-Process Communication
3
Processes can communicate with each other through mechanisms like shared
memory, message queues, and sockets, allowing them to coordinate and collaborate.
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Memory Management

Memory management is a critical component of operating systems, responsible

for efficiently allocating and controlling the use of computer memory. It ensures
programs have the required memory resources while preventing conflicts and
optimizing performance.
Key functions include virtual memory, paging, segmentation, and memory
protection, allowing the OS to provide each process with its own secure, isolated
memory space.
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File Management
The file management system is a crucial component of an operating system. It
provides services for creating, storing, retrieving, and organizing files in a
hierarchical directory structure. This allows users and applications to efficiently
manage their data, ensuring reliable and secure access to information.

Key file management functions include file creation, deletion, renaming, and
permissions control. The file system also handles tasks like storage allocation,
access control, and file backup and recovery, ensuring the integrity and
availability of user data.
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I/O Management
The operating system manages a wide range of input and output (I/O) devices,
including keyboards, mice, displays, printers, storage devices, and network
interfaces. It provides a consistent interface for applications to access these
devices.
I/O management involves controlling data flow, scheduling requests, handling
interrupts, and providing device drivers to abstract the underlying hardware. This
ensures efficient and reliable I/O operations for the entire system.
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Security and Protection

Robust security measures are critical to safeguarding the integrity and

confidentiality of the operating system. This includes access control, encryption,
and monitoring mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access, data breaches, and
system disruptions.
Comprehensive protection also encompasses defensive strategies against
malware, intrusion attempts, and other cyber threats, ensuring the overall
resilience and trustworthiness of the operating environment.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, the operating system is the foundation of a computer system,
providing essential services and managing critical resources to enable
applications and users to function efficiently. By understanding the layered
structure, core components, and key services of an operating system, we can
appreciate the complexity and importance of this vital software layer.
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Introduction to Kernel
Architectures
Explore the different architectural approaches used in operating system
kernels. From monolithic designs to modular microkernel systems,
understanding the trade-offs is crucial for building robust and efficient
systems.
A
a
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What is a Reentrant
Kernel?
Concurrency Interruptibility Thread-Safe
Handling
A reentrant kernel is able The reentrant design Reentrant kernels are
to handle multiple enables the kernel to be designed to be thread-
threads or processes interrupted and resumed safe, meaning they can
concurrently, allowing the without corrupting its safely execute multiple
operating system to internal data structures threads of control within
efficiently utilize system or states. the same address space.
resources.
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Benefits of Reentrant
Kernels
1 Improved 2 Enhanced
Efficiency
Reentrant kernels can efficiently handle Reliability
Reentrant kernels are designed to be
multiple concurrent processes by interruptible and able to resume
allowing the kernel code to be shared, execution after an interrupt without
reducing memory usage and improving corrupting data or system state,
overall system performance. improving the overall reliability of the
operating system.
3 Scalability and 4 Optimized Memory
Flexibility
Reentrant kernels can scale to support Usage
By allowing multiple processes to share
more processors and handle increased the same kernel code, reentrant kernels
workloads without significant can reduce the overall memory footprint
performance degradation, making them of the operating system, leading to
suitable for a wide range of computing more efficient use of system resources.
environments.
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Challenges of Reentrant
Kernel Design
Designing a reentrant kernel poses several key challenges. Ensuring
thread-safe access to shared resources, such as data structures and
device drivers, is crucial but complex. Managing concurrency and
avoiding race conditions requires advanced synchronization mechanisms.
Additionally, the kernel must maintain a consistent state even when
multiple threads are executing simultaneously. This can lead to increased
code complexity and potential vulnerabilities if not implemented carefully.
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Monolithic Kernel
Architecture
A monolithic kernel is a traditional operating system architecture where all
core system components are tightly integrated within a single, large
program. This includes the file system, device drivers, memory
management, and other critical functionality.
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Advantages of Monolithic
Kernels
1. High Performance: Monolithic kernels have a tightly integrated
architecture, allowing for efficient data exchange and fast response
2. Easier
times. Debugging: Since all kernel components are in a single
address space, debugging and troubleshooting issues is generally
3. Mature
simpler. and Stable: Monolithic kernels like Linux and Windows
have been actively developed and refined for decades, making
them robust and reliable.
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Disadvantages of
Monolithic Kernels
1. Lack of Modularity: Monolithic kernels are tightly-coupled, making
it difficult to isolate and modify individual components without
affecting the entire system.

2. Limited Scalability: As the system grows in complexity, the

monolithic design can become unwieldy, leading to performance
bottlenecks and increased maintenance overhead.

3. Security Risks: A vulnerability in one part of the monolithic kernel

can potentially compromise the entire system, exposing the entire
system to security threats.
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Microkernel
Architecture
The microkernel architecture is a design approach where the kernel is
minimized to only the essential functions, with most operating system
services running in user-mode processes. This modular design offers
increased security and reliability.
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Advantages of
Microkernels
1. Improved reliability and stability since core OS components are
isolated and more easily debugged
2. Increased modularity and flexibility allowing for easy
customization and updates to specific OS components
3. Better security by containing damage from vulnerabilities to
specific modules rather than the entire OS
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Comparison and
Tradeoffs
Performance Complexity Flexibility Reliability

Monolithic kernels Monolithic kernels Microkernels Due to their

generally offer have a higher provide greater isolation,
better performance degree of flexibility, as microkernels can
due to their tight complexity as they individual be more reliable,
integration and contain all core components can as a failure in one
reduced overhead. system be swapped or component does
Microkernels, components. upgraded without not bring down the
however, can be Microkernels, with affecting the entire entire system.
optimized for their modular system. Monolithic Monolithic kernels,
specific tasks, design, are kernels have a however, can be
trading off some generally simpler more rigid more robust if
overall and easier to structure. properly designed.