Operating Systems

Summary

What is an operating system? The basic definition by Oxford Languages is “the software that supports a computer’s basic functions, such as scheduling tasks, executing applications, and controlling peripherals.” But what does that really mean? An operating system performs all of the low-level functions of a computer, so your apps don’t have to. It allows your computer to perform tasks quickly and efficiently, and saves storage space.

Low Level Functions

What low-level functions does an operating system perform? Low-level functions refer to tasks such as sending and receiving network packets, or sometimes displaying text on a screen. They connect the hardware with the apps and interfaces you use and see; it acts as the middleman between the 2.

Examples of Linux Operating Systems

Debian GNU

First linux OS that had a system to easily install and remove software
Used in both software and hardware professions
Uses:

Edit documents
Develop software
Administer systems
Connect to networks
Debugging
Mix sound
Email
Play games

Contains:

Many “architectures and devices”
Public bug tracker
LTS versions
Cloud images

Ubuntu

Uses:

Run your org, school, home, enterprise

Contains:

Office suite, browsers, email, media - pre-installed
More games and apps available to download

Arch Linux

For advanced users
Uses:

Control your system

Contains:

Pacman, a package manager - allows you to download what software you want

Examples of Unix Operating Systems

SunOS

Old version of solaris, w/ less GUI
Uses:

Sun Microsystems - Server and workstation computers

Solaris

Newer version of SunOS, more widely used
Uses:

Advanced virtualization technology
Scalability
Multiple OS and applications running on the same server

Contains:

IPsec
IPv6
Multicast routing

SCO UNIX

Developed by the Santa Cruz Operation (SCO). Known for its stability and compatibility with various hardware platforms
Uses:

Small to medium-sized businesses for database applications, email servers, and web servers
Legacy applications support in various industries

Contains:

SCO UNIX System V Release – Offering a blend of features from older UNIX versions, including networking capabilities
SCO OpenServer – A reliable platform for critical business applications, supporting various networking protocols and file systems
Compatibility layers for running applications designed for other Unix-like systems

AIX

Advanced Interactive eXecutive (AIX) is IBM's proprietary Unix operating system, designed for enterprise-level computing. It boasts robustness, excellent scalability, and advanced security features
Uses:

High-performance computing environments
Enterprise servers and cloud infrastructure
Running large databases and mission-critical applications

Contains:

Workload Partitions (WPARs) – For virtualization and resource management
Advanced Power Virtualization (APV) – Offering virtualization capabilities for IBM Power Systems
Enhanced security features, including Trusted AIX to enforce security policies and protect against unauthorized access

HP/UX

HP-UX is Hewlett Packard Enterprise's proprietary Unix operating system, tailored for robustness, reliability, and scalability on HP's precision-engineered server hardware
Uses:

Business-critical computing environments
Running large-scale databases, ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), and CRM (Customer Relationship Management) systems
Complex, mission-critical applications requiring high uptime and performance

Contains:

Strong virtualization support with HP Integrity Virtual Machines (IVMs) and HP Virtual Partitions (vPars)
Security enhancements through HP-UX Security Containment, Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), and encrypted file systems
Dynamic Root Disk (DRD) technology for simplifying OS patching and upgrades