Contemporary Operating Systems: Inside Microsoft Windows and Linux

This module is designed to develop both a practical and theoretical knowledge of two of the principal enterprise level operating systems, Windows and Linux. As well as providing a detailed insight into the core functionality of both operating systems, the module provides hands-on analysis of operating system behaviour using a range of practical tools and technologies. The course is intended to allow students to develop their skills through practical-based workshops.

The course has the following objectives:

• Students will develop a broad understanding of two enterprise level operating systems, Windows and Linux.
• Students will gain practical skills in the use of both operating systems and their periphery technologies.
• Students will be conversant with the underlying principles and architecture of Windows and Linux and their periphery technologies.
  
• Students will become familiar with Windows and Linux 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/Linux Training or Certification.

As the leaders 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 systems 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.

1. Introduction
   • History of Windows & Linux
   • OS and product variations (e.g. Windows XP vs. Windows 98)
     
   • Key Concepts
2. Operating System Architectures
   
   • System architecture and architecture components
   • Environment subsystems
   • System / kernel-model functions
3. Processes, Threads and Scheduling
   
   • Viewing process and thread information
     
   • Thread scheduling and multiprocessor issues
     
   • Watching the scheduler
     
   • Priority adjustments and boosting
4. Memory Management
   • Virtual Memory
   • Mapping virtual memory to physical pages
   • Memory managements
   • Virtual address translation
   • Page files, faults, etc.
     
5. Networking
   • Relation to the OSI Reference Model
   • From the top to the bottom of the Windows and Linux networks stacks
   • Winsock2
     

The course will also consist of a number of workshop / practical classes. An example practical element is as follows:

• Practical class, with the aim of developing familiarity with Windows Resource Kit and Platform SDK tools
• Example tools: Task Manager, Perfmon, Pviewer, CPUstress, Depends, Spy++.

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

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

Solomon, D. A., Russinovich, M. E., “Microsoft Windows Internals”, Fourth Edition, Microsoft Press, ISBN 0735619174, 2004.

Lecturers: Dr Nick Race and Dr Chris Edwards.