2.2 - Tyoes of operating system

• Form of parallel processing which spreads the load over multiple computer servers • A single job is split up into several tasks and each of these is run on a separate computer • The OS coordinates the memory, tasks and provides more power than a single large server, and results in better performamnce

• Can run on standalone computers (such as a PC or laptop)

One powerful mainframe or supercomputer is connected to 100s of terminals all using the mainframe, and get a slice of processor time according to a scheduling algorithm

Combine features of multitasking features with their own which are useful for mobile products (like managing cellular data)

• minimal user interface • accepts input from sensors and sends output to control devices • limited amount of RAM so it does not need a complex memory management is not required no permanent data storage devices to be managed

• responds quickly to any inputs or sensors • able to deal with many inputs simultaneously • “failsafe” mechanisms to detect and take action if hardware fails • incorporate redundancy, and use backup hardware if something fails

• Basic program stored in EPRIN • Initialise PC and test system hardware components • An abstraction layer to configure hardware

• A computer program that provides a software interface to a particular piece of hardware • Drivers are hardware and software specific