Written Assignment Unit 1

University of the People

CS 2301 - Operating Systems 1

Jerrell Boykin, Instructor

September 11, 2023

An operating system is vital software on a computer that oversees memory, processes,

software, and hardware operations. It enables user interaction with the computer without

requiring knowledge of its language. It facilitates user-computer communication and manages

multiple programs' access to the CPU, memory, and storage. Without an operating system, a

computer is nonfunctional. (Computer Basics: Understanding Operating Systems, n.d.)

The fundamental principles of an operating system (OS) are the rules or guidelines that

govern its design and functionality. Here are some of the key principles and how they

contribute to the functionality of an operating system:

Access Control

This principle ensures that the operating system can control and restrict access to hardware

resources. When a computer boots up, it initially operates in supervisor mode, where the

operating system and early programs have unrestricted access to hardware. However, the

operating system can transition the computer into a protected mode, limiting the access that

programs have to computer resources, thereby preventing unauthorized operations, and

enhancing security. (Fundamentals of Operating Systems, n.d.)

Process Management

Programs are executed as processes. The operating system kernel is responsible for creating

these processes, which involves loading program code from disk and allocating memory before

running the program. This process management principle ensures that programs run in an

organized manner and without interfering with each other. (Fundamentals of Operating Systems,

n.d.)
Memory Management

The operating system kernel is responsible for efficient memory allocation and management. It

uses techniques like segmentation and paging to protect memory and ensure fair distribution of

resources among running programs. Virtual memory and swapping/paging are also employed to

efficiently manage memory resources. (Fundamentals of Operating Systems, n.d.)

Scheduling

Operating systems include a scheduler program to manage the allocation of CPU time to

processes. This scheduling ensures fair and efficient utilization of system resources. Pre-emptive

multitasking is a common approach to ensure that no single process monopolizes the CPU.

(Fundamentals of Operating Systems, n.d.)

Interrupt Handling

Interrupt handling is crucial in creating a functional operating system, as it ensures system

stability and responsiveness by managing unexpected events known as interrupts during program

execution, whether originating from hardware or software sources. The operating system's kernel

is responsible for gracefully handling these unexpected events, guaranteeing the system's smooth

operation. (Fundamentals of Operating Systems, n.d.)

Management of Files

Operating systems are responsible for managing access to files stored on disk. Modern operating

systems support various file systems, allowing different types of programs to access and manage

diverse system resources efficiently. This enables seamless file handling across different

applications. (Fundamentals of Operating Systems, n.d.)

Step 1:

I went to the link https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads to download the appropriate

VirtualBox package for my current Operating System. I am using Windows, so I chose Windows

hosts.

Step 2:

I double-click on the downloaded file and follow the on-screen instructions until I have finished

the installation of VirtualBox.

I went to the link https://ubuntu.com/download/desktop to download Ubuntu 22.04.3 LTS,

which is a Linux-based operating system.

Step 4:

I opened VirtualBox and created a new virtual machine by clicking on the "New" button.
Step 5:

I chose a name and a destination folder for my virtual machine. Additionally, I navigated to the

directory containing my downloaded ISO file from Step 3, selected it, and then clicked Next.
Step 6:

I configured the unattended guest OS install by modifying the username and password.
Step 7:

I allocated an appropriate amount of memory (RAM) to the virtual machine.

Step 8:

I created a virtual hard disk and allocated sufficient disk space for the virtual machine.
Step 9:

I reviewed the summary and clicked on Finish.

I clicked on the “Setting” button from VirtualBox Manager. I navigated to the "Storage" tab and

selected the "Controller: IDE" option. I also attached the Linux installation ISO file by clicking

on the disk icon with a plus icon and choosing the option to Choose or Create a Disk Image.

I browsed for the downloaded Linux installation ISO file in the optical drive settings and

selected it. This will attach the ISO file to the virtual machine. (Code Crushers, 2021).
Step 11:

I started the virtual machine by clicking on the "Start" button in the VirtualBox Manager.

I followed the on-screen prompts to configure the installation settings for the Linux operating

system, which involved selecting my zone and entering my credentials. After the installation

settings were completed, I now have a fully functional Ubuntu virtual machine.
 Conclusion

The fundamental principles of an operating system, including access control, program

execution, memory management, scheduling, interrupt handling, and file management,

collectively ensure a computer's smooth and secure operation. These principles are essential in

maintaining system functionality, resource allocation, and user interaction, making the operating

system a vital component of modern computing.

Computer Basics: Understanding operating systems. (n.d.). GCFGlobal.org.

https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/computerbasics/understanding-operating-systems/1/

Fundamentals of Operating Systems. (n.d.). Tech Spirited.

https://techspirited.com/fundamentals-of-operating-systems

Code Crushers. (2021, August 24). How To Download And Install Linux On Windows 10

[Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9S8Rt7Xs84