Windows NTWindows NT

Chapter 13Chapter 13

Key TermsKey Terms

By Bill Ward

NT VersionsNT Versions

NT WorkstationNT Workstation A desktop PC that both accesses a A desktop PC that both accesses a

network and works as a stand alone PCnetwork and works as a stand alone PC

NT ServerNT Server A computer that contains data, A computer that contains data,

software, and security validation files software, and security validation files that are shared simultaneously by that are shared simultaneously by workstations on the network.workstations on the network.

Network AdministratorNetwork Administrator The network administrator controls network The network administrator controls network

access. The administrator creates and tracks:access. The administrator creates and tracks:– User accounts. User accounts. – User profiles - information about the authorized User profiles - information about the authorized

users.users.– User groupsUser groups

The administrator can modify a user profile or The administrator can modify a user profile or group profile to control the types of changes a group profile to control the types of changes a user can make to his or her environment, user can make to his or her environment, including the ability to install or configure including the ability to install or configure software and hardware.software and hardware.

Administrator accountAdministrator account

Account that grants the Account that grants the administrator rights and administrator rights and permissions to all hardware and permissions to all hardware and software resources, such as the software resources, such as the right to add, delete, or change right to add, delete, or change accounts and to change hardware accounts and to change hardware configurations.configurations.

APIAPI

(Application Program Interface)(Application Program Interface) An application program interface is a An application program interface is a

method that one program calls another method that one program calls another program to perform a task. program to perform a task.

Most operating environments such as Most operating environments such as MS-Windows MS-Windows provide an API so that programmers can write applications consistent with the operating environment

DomainDomain Windows NT domain is a group of Windows NT domain is a group of

networked computers that share a networked computers that share a centralized directory database of user centralized directory database of user account information and security. account information and security.

PDCPDC

Every domain has a primary Every domain has a primary domain controller (PDC), which domain controller (PDC), which stores and controls a database of stores and controls a database of user accounts, group accounts and user accounts, group accounts and computer accounts. The data base computer accounts. The data base is called the directory database or is called the directory database or the security accounts manager the security accounts manager (SAM) database. (SAM) database.

BDCBDC

One or more read-only backup copies One or more read-only backup copies of the directory database can be kept of the directory database can be kept on other computers. Each computer on other computers. Each computer with a backup of the directory with a backup of the directory database is called a backup domain database is called a backup domain controller. controller.

The backup domain controller can The backup domain controller can become the primary domain become the primary domain controller if a problem occurs. controller if a problem occurs.

Event ViewerEvent Viewer The event viewer tracks events as they are The event viewer tracks events as they are

performed by the applications, the OS, performed by the applications, the OS, services, or processes and by user actions. services, or processes and by user actions.

One of the most important uses of the Event One of the most important uses of the Event Viewer is to view the failed event log. Viewer is to view the failed event log. Information can be found in this log to help Information can be found in this log to help resolve the problem. resolve the problem.

Can be accessed by clicking Start, Programs, Can be accessed by clicking Start, Programs, Administrative Tools, and clicking Event Administrative Tools, and clicking Event Viewer.Viewer.

HALHAL(Hardware Abstraction Layer)(Hardware Abstraction Layer)

Windows NT modular approach allows Windows NT modular approach allows different platforms or hardware different platforms or hardware configurations, including different CPU configurations, including different CPU technologies. technologies. – Windows NT can isolate parts of the OS from Windows NT can isolate parts of the OS from

other parts in a modular fashion. The part of other parts in a modular fashion. The part of the OS that interacts with the hardware is the OS that interacts with the hardware is the HAL. the HAL.

– HAL is the only part of the OS that has to HAL is the only part of the OS that has to change when platforms change.change when platforms change.

HCLHCL

(Hardware compatibility list)(Hardware compatibility list) A list of all computers and A list of all computers and

peripheral devices that have been peripheral devices that have been tested and are officially supported tested and are officially supported by Windows NT by Windows NT

http://www.microsoft.com/hwdq/hcl/

RegistryRegistry There are two ways look at the registry There are two ways look at the registry

organization:organization:– Logical - looks like a tree with five branches, Logical - looks like a tree with five branches,

called keys or subtrees.called keys or subtrees.– Physical - the registry is stored in five files Physical - the registry is stored in five files

called hives.called hives. HKEY_LOCAL_ MACHINEHKEY_LOCAL_ MACHINE HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIGHKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTHKEY_CLASSES_ROOT HKEY_USERSHKEY_USERS HKEY_CURRENT_USERHKEY_CURRENT_USER

RegistryRegistry

Logical Organized Physical Logical Organized Physical OrganizedOrganized

NTHQNTHQ

(NT Hardware Qualifier)(NT Hardware Qualifier) A utility found on the NT A utility found on the NT

installation CD that examines your installation CD that examines your system to determine if all system to determine if all hardware present qualifies for NT.hardware present qualifies for NT.

WOWWOW

(Win 16 on Win 32)(Win 16 on Win 32) The Virtual Machine (a.k.a WOW, or

Windows on Windows), is a Win16 subsystem that runs under Windows NT, which allows 16-bit applications to run as if they were being executed on a DOS machine, with that machine's and segmented memory model

That’s all folks.That’s all folks.