Windows NT,
whether it is the NT Server or the NT Workstation, is an Operating System
(OS) that users can interface with through a graphical user interface
(GUI). Yes, the original versions of NT up through version 3.51 did
resemble the Mac84 GUI.
Windows NT introduces the ability to interface to any process in the
system through the GUI.
- All tasks can be processed through the GUI.
- All devices can be configured through the GUI.
- Multiple "tasks" can be processed at the same time.
- Windows NT "Server" provides a "network" server function, with the
ability to register up to 15,000 users in a single domain.
- NT Server operates as a "client/server" Network Operating System. It
can also operate as a workstation in a workgroup.
- NT provides "security" features at the NSA's C2 level.
Well, lets describe the Windows NT a little more. "NT" is supposed
to mean "New Technology". Others have said it means "Next Time" in
reference to the marketing technique of introducing new versions
relatively frequently. Lets stick with the Microsoft definition of "New
Technology".
Windows NT is a multi-threaded, pre-emptive multitasking OS which
performs 32-bit memory addressing if desired!
It includes integrated networking, security, and administration tools;
and, it can run on systems with multiple CPUs. It can be loaded on Intel
processors and some RISC processors.
It is designed to perform and a Network Server! Ok - what is
"pre-emptive multitasking?
- First, the system can run multiple tasks at the same time.
- Second, if one job is waiting on something, NT will preempt that job
in favor of a job that is waiting.
This allows CPU cycles to be
devoted to jobs that are not waiting for some input or output to occur.
NT controls which tasks are receiving CPU cycles. Some tasks can be
given higher priorities than other jobs and the high priority jobs will be
given more time than the lower priority jobs.
NT as an operating system has a a number of advanced features, among
them are:
- Networking - you can configure an NT machine into a
network at the time of installation. It is based on a "domain" concept.
One or more servers will serve as a "master" server for the domain, and
any number of other servers can be attached to the domain with the
"master" domain server verifying user accounts, rights, and permissions,
etc.
- NTFS File Service - NT will run in a DOS FAT file
structure, but if you want to utilize the security features of NT, you
will convert it to NTFS (NT File System). As long as you have a FAT file
structure, you can boot in DOS or NT; when you convert to NTFS, you can
boot only in NT.
- Multiprocessor
Support. NT is supposedly
capable of running on multiple CPUs without any special configuration
effort.
- Hardware Support - NT supposedly will run on most types of
INTEL based hardware from a 80386 up. Don't even think about a 386! You
need a minimum of 16 MB to load and run NT. NT is supposed to recognize
hardware devices and expansion cards. WARNING: If you have devices that
are not on the "Equipment Compatability List", expect considerable
trouble.
We have to specially load drivers to get it to work with Diamond
Stealth 64DRAM video cards. Some of the new plug-and-play (PnP) devices
cause minor problems unless your NT was shipped after some of the
drivers were included. Our version has trouble with the newer SMC
network interface cards. But there is a procedure to configure it before
you load NT.
- Fault Tolerance - It will allow for disk mirroring and
disk stripping using a RAID device. It also has a connection for UPS
operation NT clients and servers, which warns of power outages, and
starts automatic shutdown.
- System Administration Tools
- this is a great feature!
It is a separate program group called "Administrative Tools". This is
available only to the "Administrator". It is the tool for creating
accounts, server administration, disk administrator, event viewer,
etc.
Enough said. I recommend you look at a book called
"Windows NT Unleashed", Robert Cowart, SAMS Publishing. It is an
excellent book!
