Chapter OneChapter One

Introduction Introduction

to Windows to Windows XPXP

ObjectivesObjectives

Describe the Windows XP product familyDescribe the Windows XP product family Describe the major features of the Windows Describe the major features of the Windows

XP environmentXP environment Understand the Windows XP intelligent user Understand the Windows XP intelligent user

interfaceinterface Define the minimum system requirements for Define the minimum system requirements for

Windows XP ProfessionalWindows XP Professional Understand the two major networking Understand the two major networking

models under which Windows XP can be usedmodels under which Windows XP can be used Understand the architecture of Windows XPUnderstand the architecture of Windows XP

The Microsoft Networking The Microsoft Networking FamilyFamily

A collection of A collection of operating systems operating systems (OS)(OS)

Each OS offers the capability of Each OS offers the capability of participating in a network as either:participating in a network as either: A A serverserver A A clientclient

Windows XP FamilyWindows XP Family

Currently consists of two products:Currently consists of two products: Windows XP ProfessionalWindows XP Professional

Standalone or network client versionStandalone or network client version Windows XP HomeWindows XP Home

Designed for standalone home useDesigned for standalone home use

Some Other Microsoft Some Other Microsoft Client Operating SystemsClient Operating Systems

Windows 2000 ProfessionalWindows 2000 Professional Windows NT 4.0 WorkstationWindows NT 4.0 Workstation Windows MeWindows Me Windows SEWindows SE Windows 98Windows 98 Windows 95Windows 95 Windows for WorkgroupsWindows for Workgroups

The Windows XP The Windows XP EnvironmentEnvironment

Hybrid of:Hybrid of: Windows 2000Windows 2000 Windows MEWindows ME

Combines Windows 2000 core Combines Windows 2000 core reliability and security with Windows reliability and security with Windows Me Me plug and playplug and play capability and capability and connectivityconnectivity

Multiple ProcessorsMultiple Processors

Windows XP Professional supports true Windows XP Professional supports true multiprocessingmultiprocessing Support for up to two CPUs is included in Support for up to two CPUs is included in

every standard versionevery standard version Windows XP Home can support only a Windows XP Home can support only a

single CPUsingle CPU

MultitaskingMultitasking

Mode of CPU operation in which a Mode of CPU operation in which a computer processes more than one task computer processes more than one task at a timeat a time

Windows XP supports two types of Windows XP supports two types of multitasking:multitasking: Preemptive multitaskingPreemptive multitasking Cooperative multitaskingCooperative multitasking

Windows 3.X, which runs on MS-DOS, is one of Windows 3.X, which runs on MS-DOS, is one of the most familiar examples of this type of the most familiar examples of this type of environmentenvironment

MultithreadingMultithreading

Refers to a code design in which individual Refers to a code design in which individual tasks within a single tasks within a single processprocess space can space can operate more or less independently as operate more or less independently as separate, lightweight execution modules separate, lightweight execution modules called called threadsthreads Within a process, all threads share the same Within a process, all threads share the same

memory and system resourcesmemory and system resources Multithreading allows an operating system to Multithreading allows an operating system to

execute multiple threads from a single execute multiple threads from a single application concurrentlyapplication concurrently

File SystemsFile Systems

Windows XP supports three file Windows XP supports three file systems used to format systems used to format volumes/partitions on hard drives:volumes/partitions on hard drives: FAT (File Allocation Table)FAT (File Allocation Table)

Also known as FAT16Also known as FAT16 FAT32FAT32 NTFSNTFS

Preferred files system for Windows XPPreferred files system for Windows XP

Active DirectoryActive Directory

Control and administration mechanism Control and administration mechanism of Windows XPof Windows XP

Supported by Windows 2000 or Supported by Windows 2000 or Windows .NET Server to create, Windows .NET Server to create, sustain, and administer a domain or sustain, and administer a domain or group of related domainsgroup of related domains

Combines the various aspects of a Combines the various aspects of a network into a manageable network into a manageable hierarchical structurehierarchical structure

SecuritySecurity

Windows XP was developed to Windows XP was developed to address the following three security address the following three security needs:needs: Enterprise isolationEnterprise isolation Multilevel securityMultilevel security Auditing and resource trackingAuditing and resource tracking Isolation of hardware-dependent codeIsolation of hardware-dependent code

CompatibilityCompatibility

Windows XP supports the following Windows XP supports the following application types:application types: DOS 16-bitDOS 16-bit Native 32-bit (Native 32-bit (Win 32Win 32)) Windows 3.1 and Windows for Windows 3.1 and Windows for

Workgroups 16-bit (Workgroups 16-bit (Win 16Win 16))

StorageStorage

Windows XP Professional supports Windows XP Professional supports huge amounts of hard disk and huge amounts of hard disk and memory space:memory space: RAMRAM

4 GB4 GB Hard disk spaceHard disk space

2 TB for NTFS volumes, 32 GB for FAT32 2 TB for NTFS volumes, 32 GB for FAT32 volumes, and 4 GB for FAT16 volumesvolumes, and 4 GB for FAT16 volumes

ConnectivityConnectivity

Windows XP core OS supports a Windows XP core OS supports a wide variety of networking wide variety of networking protocols:protocols: NWLinkNWLink

Microsoft’s 32-bit implementation of Microsoft’s 32-bit implementation of Novell’s NetWare native protocol stack, Novell’s NetWare native protocol stack, IPX/SPXIPX/SPX

TCP/IP (Transmission Control TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol)Protocol/Internet Protocol) Set of protocols used on the InternetSet of protocols used on the Internet

ConnectivityConnectivity

Windows XP is compatible with many Windows XP is compatible with many existing network types and environments existing network types and environments and has native support for the following:and has native support for the following: TCP/IP intranets/InternetTCP/IP intranets/Internet Integrated remote access networksIntegrated remote access networks Macintosh networksMacintosh networks Microsoft networksMicrosoft networks Enhanced NetWare ConnectivityEnhanced NetWare Connectivity

Other Characteristics of Other Characteristics of Windows XP Windows XP EnvironmentEnvironment

System recoverySystem recovery Boasts broadest system recovery Boasts broadest system recovery

mechanisms of any Windows OS to datemechanisms of any Windows OS to date Remote capabilitiesRemote capabilities

Builds on networking capabilities of Builds on networking capabilities of Windows product line by introducing Windows product line by introducing more options for remote connectivitymore options for remote connectivity

Help and support servicesHelp and support services Boasts the most comprehensive help Boasts the most comprehensive help

system in a Windows OSsystem in a Windows OS

Intelligent User InterfaceIntelligent User Interface

Figure 1-1: The Windows XP start menu

Windows XP Professional Windows XP Professional Hardware RequirementsHardware Requirements

Microsoft-defined minimum Microsoft-defined minimum requirements:requirements: 233 MHz CPU or higher microprocessor233 MHz CPU or higher microprocessor 64 MB of RAM64 MB of RAM 1.5 GB of free space1.5 GB of free space SVGA or higher resolution monitorSVGA or higher resolution monitor KeyboardKeyboard Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing

devicedevice

Windows XP Professional Windows XP Professional Hardware RequirementsHardware Requirements

Requirements if installing from a CD-ROM:Requirements if installing from a CD-ROM: CD-ROM or DVD driveCD-ROM or DVD drive High-density 3.5 inch disk drive (not required in High-density 3.5 inch disk drive (not required in

all circumstances)all circumstances) Requirements if installing over a network:Requirements if installing over a network:

Windows XP-compatible NIC and related cableWindows XP-compatible NIC and related cable Access to network share that contains setup filesAccess to network share that contains setup files

Hardware Compatibility Hardware Compatibility ListList

Contains all known Windows XP-Contains all known Windows XP-compatible hardware devicescompatible hardware devices

Finding the HCLFinding the HCL Easiest place to look is on Windows XP Easiest place to look is on Windows XP

CD-ROM in the Support folderCD-ROM in the Support folder Keep in mind the HCL is not a static Keep in mind the HCL is not a static

documentdocument

Why the HCL Is Why the HCL Is ImportantImportant

Windows XP controls hardware Windows XP controls hardware directlydirectly Does not require a PC’s BIOSDoes not require a PC’s BIOS Means that Windows XP works only Means that Windows XP works only

with devices and drivers written with devices and drivers written specifically for itspecifically for it

Microsoft’s technical support policy Microsoft’s technical support policy is that any hardware not on the HCL is that any hardware not on the HCL is not supported for Windows XPis not supported for Windows XP

Preparing a Computer to Preparing a Computer to Meet Upgrade Meet Upgrade RequirementsRequirements

Steps to verify components of a computer Steps to verify components of a computer match or exceed minimum system match or exceed minimum system requirements defined by Microsoft:requirements defined by Microsoft: Open computer caseOpen computer case Make a list of all present componentsMake a list of all present components For each of the hardware requirements of For each of the hardware requirements of

Windows XP, verify that the component in Windows XP, verify that the component in your computer meets or exceeds your computer meets or exceeds requirementsrequirements

Preparing a Computer to Preparing a Computer to Meet Upgrade Meet Upgrade RequirementsRequirements

Steps to verify components of a computer Steps to verify components of a computer match or exceed minimum system match or exceed minimum system requirements defined by Microsoft (cont.):requirements defined by Microsoft (cont.): For each additional component, found in the For each additional component, found in the

computer, verify it is listed on the HCLcomputer, verify it is listed on the HCL Remove any non-HCL compliant devices and Remove any non-HCL compliant devices and

replace them with HCL-compliant devicesreplace them with HCL-compliant devices Proceed with your system installationProceed with your system installation

Workgroup ModelsWorkgroup Models

Networking setup in which users are Networking setup in which users are managed jointly through use of managed jointly through use of workgroups to which users are workgroups to which users are assignedassigned Also known as a Also known as a peer-to-peerpeer-to-peer network network

Microsoft’s workgroup model for Microsoft’s workgroup model for networking distributes resources, networking distributes resources, administration, and security administration, and security throughout a networkthroughout a network

Workgroup ModelsWorkgroup Models

Table 1-1: Pros and Cons of Workgroup Networks

Domain ModelDomain Model

Networking setup in which there is Networking setup in which there is centralized administrative and security centralized administrative and security controlcontrol

One or more servers are dedicated to task One or more servers are dedicated to task of controlling the domain by providing of controlling the domain by providing access and authentication for shared access and authentication for shared domain resources to member computersdomain resources to member computers

No matter how many computers it No matter how many computers it contains, any Windows domain requires at contains, any Windows domain requires at least one least one domain controller (DC)domain controller (DC)

Domain ModelDomain Model

Table 1-2: Pros and Cons of Domain Networks

Windows XP ArchitectureWindows XP Architecture

Windows XP internal organization and Windows XP internal organization and architecturearchitecture deeply influence its deeply influence its capabilities and behaviorcapabilities and behavior

Windows XP is a modular operating Windows XP is a modular operating systemsystem Windows XP is not built as a single large Windows XP is not built as a single large

programprogram No two modules share any codeNo two modules share any code

Windows XP ArchitectureWindows XP Architecture

All Windows XP processes operate in one of All Windows XP processes operate in one of two modes:two modes: User modeUser mode Kernel modeKernel mode

A A modemode represents a certain level of system represents a certain level of system and hardware accessand hardware access

Windows XP is an object-oriented operating Windows XP is an object-oriented operating systemsystem In user mode, any request for a system resource In user mode, any request for a system resource

ultimately becomes a request for a particular ultimately becomes a request for a particular objectobject

User ModeUser Mode

Area in which private user applications Area in which private user applications and their respective subsystems lieand their respective subsystems lie

All user interaction with a Windows XP All user interaction with a Windows XP system occurs through one user mode system occurs through one user mode processprocess

In addition to supporting native 32-bit In addition to supporting native 32-bit Windows Windows APIs (application APIs (application programming interfaces)programming interfaces), a variety of , a variety of user mode subsystems enable Windows XP user mode subsystems enable Windows XP to emulate Win16 and DOS environmentsto emulate Win16 and DOS environments

Kernel ModeKernel Mode

Level where objects can be Level where objects can be manipulated only by threads directly manipulated only by threads directly from an application subsystemfrom an application subsystem

KernelKernel Core of the Microsoft Windows XP Core of the Microsoft Windows XP

operating systemoperating system Designed to facilitate all activity within Designed to facilitate all activity within

the Executive Servicesthe Executive Services

Executive ServicesExecutive Services

Interfaces that permit kernel and user Interfaces that permit kernel and user mode subsystems to communicatemode subsystems to communicate

Windows XP Executive Services consist Windows XP Executive Services consist of several modules:of several modules: I/O ManagerI/O Manager Security reference Monitor (SRM)Security reference Monitor (SRM) Internal Procedure Call (IPC) ManagerInternal Procedure Call (IPC) Manager

Executive ServicesExecutive Services

Windows XP Executive Services Windows XP Executive Services consist of several modules (cont.):consist of several modules (cont.): Virtual Memory Manager (VMM)Virtual Memory Manager (VMM) Process ManagerProcess Manager Plug and Play ManagerPlug and Play Manager Power ManagerPower Manager

Executive ServicesExecutive Services

Windows XP Executive Services Windows XP Executive Services consist of several modules (cont.):consist of several modules (cont.): Windows ManagerWindows Manager File Systems ManagerFile Systems Manager Object ManagerObject Manager Graphics device driversGraphics device drivers

Executive ServicesExecutive Services

I/O Manager is composed of the I/O Manager is composed of the following components:following components: Cache ManagerCache Manager Network driversNetwork drivers Device driversDevice drivers

Executive ServicesExecutive Services

Internal Procedure Call (IPC) Manager Internal Procedure Call (IPC) Manager controls application communications controls application communications with server processes such as the Win32 with server processes such as the Win32 subsystemsubsystem This makes applications behave as if This makes applications behave as if

dynamic link librarydynamic link library calls were handled calls were handled directlydirectly

Helps to explain the outstanding ability of Helps to explain the outstanding ability of Windows XP to emulate 16-bit DOS and Windows XP to emulate 16-bit DOS and Windows runtime environmentsWindows runtime environments

Executive ServicesExecutive Services

Virtual Memory Manager (VMM)Virtual Memory Manager (VMM) Keeps track of the addressable memory Keeps track of the addressable memory

space in the Windows XP environmentspace in the Windows XP environment This includes both physical RAM and This includes both physical RAM and

one or more paging files on disk, which one or more paging files on disk, which are called are called virtual memoryvirtual memory

Executive ServicesExecutive Services

Object Manager maintains following Object Manager maintains following system objects:system objects: Directory objectsDirectory objects ObjectType objectsObjectType objects Link objectsLink objects Event objectsEvent objects

Executive ServicesExecutive Services

Object Manager maintains following Object Manager maintains following system objects (cont.):system objects (cont.): Process and thread objectsProcess and thread objects Port objectsPort objects File objectsFile objects

The KernelThe KernelThe Hardware Abstraction The Hardware Abstraction

LayerLayer KernelKernel

All processes in windows XP consist of All processes in windows XP consist of one or more threads coordinated and one or more threads coordinated and scheduled by the kernelscheduled by the kernel

Hardware abstraction layer (HAL)Hardware abstraction layer (HAL) Goal of the HAL is to isolate any Goal of the HAL is to isolate any

hardware-dependent code in order to hardware-dependent code in order to prevent direct access to hardwareprevent direct access to hardware

Memory ArchitectureMemory Architecture

Memory architecture of Windows XP helps Memory architecture of Windows XP helps make this operating system robust, make this operating system robust, reliable, and powerfulreliable, and powerful

Windows XP uses a flat 32-bit memory Windows XP uses a flat 32-bit memory modelmodel It is based on a virtual memory, It is based on a virtual memory, demand demand

pagingpaging method that is a flat, linear address method that is a flat, linear address space of up to 2 GB allocated to each 32-bit space of up to 2 GB allocated to each 32-bit applicationapplication

The unit of memory that the VMM manipulates The unit of memory that the VMM manipulates is called a is called a pagepage

Chapter SummaryChapter Summary

Windows XP Professional and Windows XP Windows XP Professional and Windows XP Home are both related to the up-and-Home are both related to the up-and-coming Windows .NET Server product coming Windows .NET Server product lineline

The HCL lists all devices known to be The HCL lists all devices known to be compatible with Windows XPcompatible with Windows XP

Windows XP can participate in either of Windows XP can participate in either of two networking models:two networking models: WorkgroupWorkgroup DomainDomain

Chapter SummaryChapter Summary

Windows XP is based on a modular Windows XP is based on a modular programming techniqueprogramming technique

Windows XP virtual memory model Windows XP virtual memory model combines the use of both physical combines the use of both physical RAM and paging files into a demand RAM and paging files into a demand paging mechanism to maximize paging mechanism to maximize memory use and efficiencymemory use and efficiency