Operating System: Core Functions

Which of the following scenarios would most necessitate the use of a Real-Time Operating System (RTOS)?

The primary role of the kernel is to provide a user-friendly interface for interacting with system hardware and software, abstracting away the complexities of underlying operations.

Explain how a Distributed Operating System leverages the resources of multiple machines to present a single, unified system to the user. Include a brief discussion of its benefits and challenges.

In the context of memory management, the ______ algorithm allocates the smallest block of memory that is large enough to satisfy the request, potentially leading to external fragmentation.

Match the following memory management techniques with their primary characteristics:

What is the critical difference between a monolithic kernel and a microkernel architecture?

In process scheduling, a preemptive scheduling algorithm allows a running process to be interrupted and moved to the ready queue by the operating system, whereas a non-preemptive scheduling algorithm does not.

Explain the concept of Inter-Process Communication (IPC) in operating systems. Describe two common IPC mechanisms, detailing their advantages and disadvantages.

The use of ______ provides a secure communication channel between a client and a server, typically used to encrypt data transmitted over the internet.

Match the following process scheduling algorithms with their primary characteristics:

Which of the following is the MOST significant advantage of using virtual machines in a data center environment?

The primary function of a firewall is to accelerate network traffic by caching frequently accessed content, improving overall network performance and reducing latency.

Describe the concept of a system call in operating systems. Provide an example of a system call and explain its purpose.

In the context of file systems, ______ refers to metadata associated with a file, such as its name, size, type, permissions, and timestamps.

Match the following operating systems with their primary use cases:

Which of the following scenarios represents the most appropriate use case for a Network Operating System (NOS)?

The primary advantage of using segmentation over paging for memory management is that segmentation eliminates the possibility of internal fragmentation.

Compare and contrast hardware virtualization, software virtualization and paravirtualization. What are the trade-offs of each?

A ______ provides a secure connection to another network over the internet, often used to protect sensitive data when accessing resources remotely.

Match the following security concepts with their primary functions in operating systems:

Which of the following best describes the 'principle of least privilege' in the context of operating system security?

In the context of file system management, hard links and symbolic links are functionally equivalent, providing alternative paths to access the same file data.

Explain the concept of a 'race condition' in concurrent programming and how it can be prevented using synchronization mechanisms.

The ______ is a software component that manages virtual machines, allocating resources and providing isolation between them.

Match the following file system operations with their primary functions:

Which of the following techniques helps an OS to prevent the problem of thrashing?

Increasing the quantum size in Round Robin scheduling always decreases the average waiting time for all processes.

Describe how an operating system handles deadlock. Include the four conditions necessary for deadlock to occur, and at least two strategies for deadlock prevention or avoidance.

In the context of process synchronization, a ______ is a variable that controls access to a shared resource, allowing multiple processes to access it concurrently up to a certain limit.

Match the following types of virtualization with their key characteristics:

Which of the following is the PRIMARY reason for using memory mapping?

The Shortest Remaining Time First (SRTF) scheduling algorithm is always optimal in minimizing average waiting time, regardless of process arrival times.

Describe the concept of a Translation Lookaside Buffer (TLB) in memory management and explain its role in improving memory access performance.

A ______ attack involves an attacker flooding a system with requests to consume its resources, making it unavailable to legitimate users.

Match the following file system concepts with their primary purpose:

Which of the following is the primary purpose of using Access Control Lists (ACLs) in a file system?

Implementing a security policy mandating frequent password changes is always an effective strategy for improving system security, regardless of password complexity requirements.

Describe the use of asymmetric keys (public/private key pairs) in providing authentication. How does it solve the key exchange problem?

In the context of virtual memory, a ______ occurs when the operating system needs to retrieve a page from secondary storage (disk) because it is not present in physical memory (RAM).