Chapter 2: Modern Client and Server Operating Systems: Key Terms

This set of flashcards covers the key terms and definitions from Chapter 2 of the operating systems guide, focusing on modern client and server operating systems.

activation

A process that registers your copy of a Windows operating system, requiring an activation key for full legal access.

Active Directory

A directory service that provides a single point of user authentication and authorization in a Windows domain.

ActiveX

A programming standard that allows various software applications under Windows to communicate.

antimalware software

Software that protects the system from viruses, spyware, worms, and other harmful software.

Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD)

A variant of the UNIX operating system that many UNIX software today is based upon.

Component Object Model (COM)

A group of standards in Windows OSs allowing software entities to communicate with one another.

connection security rules

Configurable rules ensuring that communication sessions are authenticated and encrypted.

Distributed File System (DFS)

Client and server services to organize shared folders across different servers.

domain

A collection of users and computers in a server-based network managed by Windows servers.

driver signing

A digital signature by Microsoft that ensures drivers and system files are verified.

Dynamic Access Control (DAC)

A file system feature allowing fine-tuned control over shared resources.

external commands

Operating system commands stored in separate program files that need to be loaded to execute.

failover cluster

A group of servers configured to continue service if one server fails.

hung task

An unresponsive process that must be terminated manually.

hyper-converged infrastructure (HCI)

A computing model where virtualization extends to virtual storage and networking.

Hyper-V

A hypervisor service that allows hosting multiple virtual machines on Windows Server.

IP Security (IPsec)

Secure communications protocols ensuring authentication and confidentiality between network devices.

Kerberos

A security system that authenticates users and grants access to network resources.

Microsoft Management Console (MMC)

A standardized management interface that allows adding plug-ins for Windows configuration.

multithreading

The ability of a CPU to execute different parts of a process simultaneously.

.NET Framework

A large library allowing various programming languages to use code from other languages.

network load-balancing (NLB) cluster

Server configuration providing scalability and fault tolerance by sharing service requests.

NTFS

The primary Windows file system offering file permissions, disk quotas, and reliability features.

peer-to-peer networking

A network setup enabling equal communication between networked computers without a server.

Plug and Play (PnP)

A feature allowing automatic hardware detection and configuration in Windows.

PowerShell

A command-line interface and scripting language for administrative tasks in Windows.

Print Management Console

A console for managing printers and printing across the network.

read-only domain controller (RODC)

An Active Directory option that prevents changes from being initiated on the server.

registry

A Windows database storing information about a computer's hardware and software setup.

Resilient File System (ReFS)

A file system intended for large data storage applications requiring high reliability.

Server Core

A minimal installation of Windows Server with a limited GUI to reduce attack surfaces.

Server Manager

A central console in Windows Server for setup, deployment, and management of servers.

Storage Spaces

A tool allowing management of disks of different sizes as a single storage pool.

task supervisor

A process that tracks applications running and the resources they use.

task-switching

A model where multiple programs can be loaded, but only the foreground task uses CPU time.

Universal Plug and Play (UPnP)

An initiative for developing products that can be quickly added to a computer or network.

Universal Serial Bus (USB)

A serial bus supporting up to 127 devices with data transfer speeds up to 5 Gbps.

User Account Protection (UAP)

A feature improving protection of user accounts by controlling permissions.

virtual desktops

A feature allowing users to create multiple desktops and switch between them.

virtual private network (VPN)

A private network providing authentication and encryption over a non-secure network.

Windows Hello

A Windows feature for authentication using facial recognition or fingerprints.

Windows on Windows (WOW)

A subsystem allowing 16-bit applications to run in a virtual DOS environment.

Windows Sandbox

A feature providing a temporary isolated Windows environment for untrusted applications.

Windows Service Hardening (WSH)

A feature restricting services from harmful activities in critical OS structures.

X Window

A windowed user interface for UNIX and other operating systems.