Monash University Handbook 2011 Undergraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Synopsis

Processes and threads: interprocess communication, scheduling. Deadlock: detection, prevention, avoidance. Memory management: allocation, swapping, virtual memory. Input/output principles and examples: disks, graphical user interfaces, network terminals. File systems: files, directories, disk space management. Security: authentication, cryptography, common attacks, principles of secure system administration. Case studies: Characteristics of major PC operating systems such as Linux and Windows.

Objectives

At the completion of this unit students will:

• know the general purpose and functions of operating systems;
• understand the hardware and software mechanisms used to carry out these functions;
• be familiar with the principal differences between common major operating systems such as Windows and Linux;
• be able to install new operating systems on PC hardware;
• be willing to select operating systems based on their merits rather than their marketing.

Assessment

Examination (3 hours): 60%; In-semester assessment: 40%

Chief examiner(s)

Associate Professor Manzur Murshed

Contact hours

2 hrs lectures/wk, 2 hrs laboratories/wk

Prerequisites

FIT1001

Prohibitions

FIT2022, GCO2814, GCO3818

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:

http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/units/fit3046