A Study on Linux Operating System

Ying Jiang

ID: 123534

Overview

History Open Source Kernel/Distributions System Features Advantages Disadvantages Linux vs. NT

History

Linux is an UNIX-like operating system originally created by Linus Torvalds (Finland) Linus had an interest in Minix, and decided to

develop a system that exceeded the Minix standards He began his work in 1991 when he released version

0.02 and worked steadily until 1994 when version 1.0 of the Linux Kernel was released

Today Linux is the number one UNIX type operating system used in Germany and the number two UNIX type in the world

Open Source

What is open source?

all of the code for the system can be downloaded and removed or modified by anyone who wishes, or is able to do so

advantages of open source

a large number of software authors and beta testers

no pressure to release

Programs conform to ones needs rather than user to software

Kernel/Distributions

Kernel project is the centralized controlling agent The kernel design is modular, so that the actual OS

code is very small yet able to load whatever functionality it needs, and free the memory afterwards

Various people and firms have gotten together to produce these CD-ROM collections which are known as distributions

Commercial distributors: RedHat, SuSE, Caldera, MandrakeSoft

System Features

Preemptive multitasking Multi-user Fully protected mode (unlike Microsoft Windows) Co-existence File system Networking protocols NFS (network file sharing)

Advantages

Cost Linux is entirely free of cost and license free

Power and Customization Linux can be tailored to your specific hardware and software needs

Security

Very few viruses have hit Linux systems Stability

Linux almost never freezes under normal use

Disadvantages

Technical nature Linux is not for everyone

Support There is no central body to which one can go for support and expect prompt results

Maintenance functions are not always well documented, and can be frustrating to a new administrator

Interface Windows and MacOS have a GUI , Linux have sported a CLI

Accountability Use of the Linux OS is strictly at-your-own-risk

Linux vs. NT

Category Windows NT RedHat Linux 6.2

Platforms 386, 486 and higher, Alpha 386 and higher, Digital Alpha, Sparc, UltraSparc, PPC, StrongARM

CPU 486 or above 386 or above

Max file size 2 GB on FAT partitions,

64 GB on NTFS 16TB (16,000GB)

Pricing pay-ware, client computers accessing an NT server need to buy a separate license called a

"Client Access License".

Free

GUI Viewable on opposing

machine. No Yes

Conclusion

Due to its reliability, ease of personal configuration, and general philosophy, Linux has moved to the forerunner in the market to challenge the giant Microsoft

As computing moves into the future, Linux will continue to gain ground as it continuously is improved and built upon

Soon Linux will not only be for the technically minded individuals, but usable and understandable by the moderately experienced computer user