Installation and Configuration of an Operating System - Report Example

Installation and Configuration of an Operating System Installation and Configuration of an Operating System The operating system is a program that operates on a computer. Operating system does essential tasks such as sending information to the monitor, keeping tracks of information on the disk, recognizing any input to the computer from the keyboard and controlling printers and disk drivers (Skandier, 2007). The operating system can be used to secure the information put into a computer where unauthorized users cannot access. There are various categories of the operating system including multi-user, multiprocessing, multi-reading, real-time and multitasking. Operating systems are usually installed in computers by professions who follow certain procedures as discussed in the paper. Basic operating system monitoring tools are classified into log-based tools and real-time tools. The significance of monitoring tools is to assist the computer in making the decision to the system, fix systems and processes, managing resources in the system and examining systems. Real-time tools measure the present system state and updates about the performance of the operating system. The tools depend on system calls where they extract information concerning performance readings making it significance to the system performance. Changing the real-time tools is very difficult due to unavailability of OS source code. The real-time tools mostly perform in UNIX and Windows systems. Process monitor, process explode, process viewer, performance monitor, and task manager are the real-time tools found in Windows (Morimoto, Lewis & Noel, 2006). UNIX tools comprise of process status, XOS view, treeps and top tools. There are five features in real time performance tools that every tool should exhibit. The graphical user interface is the first feature that shows whether the real-time tool has command-line interface or graphical user interface. The second feature helps in indicating whether the tool is capable of updating its measurements at a certain rate or it should be updated manually. The third characteristic typically shows whether the real-time tool allows controlling of monitored processes and ability to change priorities and exit processes (Morimoto, Lewis & Noel, 2006). Every real time tool should exhibit the measurements of process performance. The final characteristic that every tool should exhibit is showing system performance. Log-based tools record the performance information meant for analyzing, post-processing and finding trends in the operating system. Performance Alerts and Logs are the commonly used in Windows. Performance Alerts and Logs facilitate during logging data, selecting data and showing the sampling rate of logging data. The various log-based tools in Windows include event viewer and Event Log Service, Performance Data Log Service and Performance Alerts and Logs. System activity reporter and CPUstat are the only log-based tools found in UNIX. All the log-based tools should admit the given five features. Every log-based tool should indicate whether it has command-line interface or graphical user interface. The second feature is that every tool should show the adjustments of the rate of logging data. Thirdly, every tool should allow filtering of the logged data or predetermine the data (Skandier, 2007). The fourth feature allows scheduling of Log on when to commence and stop logging. The final characteristic involves producing tools that are compatible with other log-based tools for analyzing data. After discussing the tools used in the operating system, it is necessary to discuss installation and configuration of a new operating system. Determining the operating system to be installed, installation of a new operating system and installation of specific operating system are the three main categories of how to install and configure an OS. The first step is checking the requirements of the system (Andrews, 2014). It is advisable to install a newer performing operating system to older computer machines that can accommodate. For example, most Windows installations occupy a space of 1GB in the hard disk and Linux operating systems only require a smaller space as compared to that of Windows. The second thing is to make wise decisions on whether to download or purchase a new OS. I would prefer purchasing a new OS after researching and getting the best operating system of the office computer. The advantage of buying an operating system is because it is issued with an installation disc together with a product code. It is also flexible because installation can be done at home with no need of downloading or transferring keys that may harm the computer programs in case of viruses. The fifth step is to back up the data to prevent losing the office information previously stored in the computer (Andrews, 2014). It should be done before starting the installation by copying all important files to the external hard drive. There will be reinstallation of all programs since they cannot be easily transferred. The second main step involves starting installing the operating system. The installation will follow a certain order, for example, if Linux has to be installed it is advisable to install Windows first and Linux follows to allow booting. The disk should be installed in the drive and later reboot the computer. Some settings such as BIOS are adjusted for an effective booting. The common keys that should be used are F10, F12, F2, and Del/Delete. After selecting the appropriate drive, the changes are saved and later exit from the setup for the computer to reboot (Skandier, 2007). The setup program is waited to load because it copies some files from the computer before it continues. The keyboard layout and language are selected at this level. The product key of the operating system is entered in which some are put before installation and others after installation. Windows usually provide the option of performing or upgrading a Custom installation. It is preferable to choose performing Customs installation to minimize problems that may arise during installation. The next step is to format the partitions to clear the data and create unallocated space. The unallocated space is selected, and a hard drive partition is created if Windows is being installed (Skandier, 2007). The Linux options have to be set before starting the installation unlike in Windows where the users fill their personal information at the end of the installation. At this stage now the installation is at the end where the installation should be allowed to complete. Once the installation of Windows completes, a Window login is created together with a username where the product has to be put again. In Windows 8, the colors have to be customized first before choosing a Microsoft account or traditional Windows username. Finally, install programs and drivers (Skandier, 2007). The drivers should be modern and install an antivirus program that will secure computer from getting viruses from the internet or any other external source. The specific operating systems include Windows 7, Windows 8, Ubuntu, Mac OS X, Linux Mint and Fedora. Task Manager is a constituent of Microsoft Windows that assist administrators to effectively monitor, troubleshoot and manage Windows operating system tasks. Task manager as a monitoring tool, displays swap-file, the memory usage and performs data and representations of the CPU graphically. Networking details and disk are the modern Task Managers. The Task Manager helps the IT professionals in identifying bottlenecks in the system in case of a performance problem, therefore, playing the role of comprehensive troubleshooting tool. Task Manager performs as a management tool where it reports all Task Manager Processes and applications running in the windows system (Mueller, 2006). The data can be essential in identifying the malware software that could be found in the system. The administrators use the Task Manager to terminate processes and applications, set the affinity of the processor and alter processing priorities for preeminent performance. Conclusively, installation of a new operating system is not complicated unless the computer machine has the problem. The various operating systems can be found on the internet and in specific shops prepared by IT professions. The monitoring tools have both pros and cons in the operating system. For example, the process monitor is very simple to use and is the best to those who prefer to use commands. One con is that it is not most configurable. The installation of different operating systems depends on RAM and ROM of the computers and also the crucial tasks meant to perform. For example, the operating systems of computers in various offices differ depending on the task they perform. The Task Manger allows shut down or restarting the computer if unresponsive or busy and gives the lists of currently logged end users. References Andrews, J. (2014). A+ guide to managing and maintaining your PC. Australia: Course Technology. Morimoto, R., Lewis, A., & Noel, M. (2006). Microsoft Windows server 2003: Unleashed. Indianapolis, Indiana: Sams. Mueller, J. P. (2006). Microsoft® Windows® XP Power Optimization. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons. Skandier, T. (2007). Cliffs Testprep Comptia A+. New York: Wiley. Read More