CAP316: Operating Systems

HOMEWORK #4

DOA: 04-05-2010 DOS: 12-05-2010 DOT: 14-05-2010

PART A

1 Illustrate with the help of examples, the mechanisms to enforce protection of files using Access
Control approach in Unix based systems as well as in MS Windows.

2 Tabulate a comparative analysis of implementation of files system and type of directory structure
in MS Windows against that in Linux.

3 “MS DOS uses a simple and efficient disk-space allocation method called FAT, which is a variation
on Linked Allocation Method.” Discuss the variation brought by FAT into the basic Linked allocation
method.

PART B

4 “A buffer stores data while it is transferred between two devices. A cache is a region of fast
memory that holds copies of data. A spool is a buffer that holds output for a device that cannot
accept interleaved data.” Keeping these in mind, give practical examples/implementations that
help to clarify the distinction between the concepts of Buffering, Caching and Spooling.

5 Compute the total head movement using FCFS and SSTF algorithms (assuming the head is initially
positioned at track 26) for the following disk accesses (in order): 26,37,100,14,88,33,99,12.

6 Briefly demonstrate the different levels of RAID structure. Also discuss why RAID systems are
considered more reliable (on the same time, expensive). Choose an Operating System of your
choice to illustrate its implementation.