• Define and list the functions of an operating system
• List and explain common features of operating systems
• Explain the historical reasons why different features of operating systems were developed
• Contrast batch, on-line (interactive) and real-time processing
• Contrast real-time transaction processing and process-control operating systems
• Differentiate between multiprocessing, multiprogramming, and multitasking
• Explain the purpose and examples of spooling of input and output
• Explain the developments of different versions of popular operating systems, including DOS/Windows and UNIX/Linux
• Compare a monolithic kernel with a microkernel
• Justify the use of layers of abstraction and explain the concept of hardware-OS boundary transparency
• Explain benefits of object-oriented design in operating systems

• Describe different types of operating system users (end users, programmers, operators/administrators) and compare their uses
• Describe and compare the function of different types of user interfaces provided by the operating system, including:
• system calls
• command languages
• job control languages
• graphical user interfaces
• Explain the use of different types of DOS and Windows system files and contents of system folders
• Explain the function of common UNIX system calls

• Connect and log on to and off of UNIX and Windows systems
• Start up and shut down UNIX and Windows systems
• Use Graphical User Interface features of Windows and Linux (Gnome, KDE)
• Type DOS and UNIX commands at the prompt
• Write DOS batch files and UNIX shell scripts
• View contents of system folders
• View and change system settings (Windows and Linux control panels)
• View environmental variables (env, set, System Information environmental variables)
• View and edit autoexec.bat, config.sys, .ini files
• Use Windows Registry Editor to view registry keys
• View help and on-line documentation for commands and tasks (help switch, man pages, DOS/Windows help)

• Differentiate between programs, processes and threads
• List resources involved in process creation and management
• Explain how interrupt requests are handled
• Describe the process life cycle using a state diagram
• List and explain scheduling criteria

• View process status 
• in Windows (task manager; System Information running tasks, loaded modules, startup programs, print jobs)
• in UNIX (ps, top) 
• Start and stop programs, processes and batch jobs 
• in Windows (DOS prompt, run dialog box, shortcuts, Alt-F4, Ctrl-Alt-Del)
• in UNIX (run, at, nice, &, kill, sleep)

Memory Management

• Describe how processes are loaded and swapped
• Explain how memory is partitioned to run multiple programs
• Explain the use of paging and segmentation
• Explain DOS expanded and extended memory
• Explain advantages of Windows memory management over DOS

• View usage of physical and virtual memory 
• in DOS/Windows (mem, system monitor, win386.swp)
• in UNIX/Linux (swap partition and related commands)

• Explain the function and structure of the I/O system
• Compare the use of device drivers in UNIX, DOS and Windows
• Contrast block and character devices
• Explain the use of direct memory access, buffering and virtual devices

• View hardware devices through the file system (a:-z:, /dev)
• View hardware resources (System control panel device manager, System Information hardware resources and components)
• Add New Hardware control panel
• Install drivers for an I/O device 
• Configure IRQs and I/O and DMA addresses

• Explain how a disk's physical structure affects its performance and disk scheduling algorithms
• Differentiate between disks, drives and volumes
• Describe methods of file allocation
• Explain the use of blocking, disk caching and RAM disks

• View disk structure (platters, tracks, sectors, cluster size) and disk usage
• Format and partition disks
• Mount and unmount volumes

• Describe path names and directory structure visible to end users
• Describe the related structure of files, inodes and directories
• Differentiate between hard and symbolic links
• Compare file naming in UNIX, DOS and Windows

• Manipulate files and directories, links and shortcuts: list, view, create, delete, move, rename
• View and change access permissions and other file and directory attributes 
• Use file system utilities such as Windows: chkdsk, scandisk, defrag and disk cleanup; UNIX: fsck

• Explain how processes compete for resources
• Explain the use of semaphores for file and record locking
• Explain the implementation of semaphores in UNIX
• Describe methods of deadlock prevention, avoidance and detection
• Describe the use of signals, pipes and shared memory
• Describe Windows DDE and OLE

• Pipe the output of one command to the input of another
• Send signals to processes

• Describe the features of network operating systems
• Describe the features of popular distributed systems (e.g. CORBA, DCE, DCOM, DSOM, DAIS)

• Mount a remote volume using NFS
• Use tools for network file access and monitoring (e.g. Network Neighborhood, NetWatcher)

• List and describe different types of security threats
• Explain the working of different types of viruses and anti-virus software
• Describe procedures to minimise security threats, including hardware access restrictions, file protection and backups
• Describe operating system security features, including access control, audit controls and memory protection
• Explain the use of encryption and common encryption algorithms

• Use anti-virus software
• Use backup software
• View, change, create and delete user accounts
• Use Windows Policy Editor

• List and describe system performance indicators

• Create a plan for systems administration and maintenance
• Install operating systems and their components
• Use tools to monitor and evaluate system performance