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Masters Programme in Advanced Computer Science

Contemporary Operating Systems: Inside Microsoft Windows and Linux

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Masters programme information

Week Commencing 3rd March 2008
This module is designed to develop both a practical and theoretical knowledge of the latest Microsoft operating system, Windows XP, and its associated technologies. As well as providing a detailed insight into the core functionality of the operating system, in keeping with the overall context of the MSc course the module provides an understanding from a distributed systems perspective, looking at areas such as the Windows programming model and associated multimedia and networking architectures. The course is intended to allow students to develop their skills through practical-based workshops.


Microsoft
Formed in partnership with Microsoft

Course objectives

The course has the following objectives:
  • Students will develop a broad understanding of Microsoft's principal enterprise level operating system, Windows XP.
  • Students will gain practical skills in the use of the Windows XP operating system and its periphery technologies.
  • Students will be conversant with the underlying principles and architecture of Windows XP and its periphery technologies.
  • Students will become familiar with Microsoft development tools and models
It is worth mentioning what the module is not about - it is not about being proficient in the art of installing or configuring the operating system, or any associated applications / services. Nor is it about gaining any type of official Microsoft Training or Microsoft Certification.

As the leader in the enterprise and desktop operating systems market, students completing the course will gain skills that are currently considered invaluable to many IT employers. The course focuses on giving the student both a theoretical and practical view of the inner workings of the operating system and associated technologies. To the best of our knowledge, Lancaster University is the only institution offering such a course, certainly within the UK, probably within Europe

Syllabus

The course covers a range of topics including:

Introduction:

  • History of Windows
  • Overview of Windows XP and product variations
  • Key Windows XP concepts
  1. The Windows XP Operating System
    • System Architecture
    • Processes, Threads and Scheduling
    • Memory Management
    • An Overview of the I/O System, Cache Manager and File Systems
    • Management Mechanisms
  2. Windows Networking:
    • From the top to the bottom of the Windows 2000 networking stack
    • Services - Active Directory, Network Load Balancing etc.
    • Networking APIs - Winsock, RPC, CIFS
    • Protocol Drivers - NetBEUI, TCP/IP
    • NDIS Drivers
    • Focus on Winsock2 API and SPI
  3. Windows Programming Model: .NET
    • What is it?
    • The basic elements
    • XML web services etc.
  4. The WinCE Operating System:
    • Why the need for a new OS?
    • History and Overview of CE
    • CE System Architecture
    • Kernel Design
    • Memory Architecture
    • Graphics, Windowing and Event Subsystem (GWES)
    • CE System Features
    • Limitations of Windows CE
  5. Round-up and Review
The course will also consist of a number of workshop / practical classes. An example practical element is as follows: Windows Resource Kit Tools:
  • Practical class, with the aim develop familiarity with Windows Resource Kit and Platform SDK tools
  • Example tools: Task Manager, Perfmon, Pviewer, CPUstress, Depends, Spy++.

Assessment

Marks for the course are awarded based on coursework and the module examination as follows:

  • Examination 50%
  • Individual coursework 35%
  • Group coursework 15%

Recommended Reading

Solomon, D. A., Russinovich, M. E., “Inside Windows 2000”, Third Edition, Microsoft Programming Series, Microsoft Press, ISBN 0-7356-1021-5, 2000.

2007/08 course information

Date: Week commencing 3rd March 2008
Lecturers: Dr Nick Race / Dr Chris Edwards

Available as an 1 week intensive short course. Please see the short courses information page.