Software and Operating Systems

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Software and Operating Systems

• Chapter 14

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Areas of Discussion

• Types of Software
• Operating Systems
• Open Source
• Managing Software
• Additional Resources

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Types of Software

• Database Management Systems (DBMS) Data are the
  heart and soul of IT
• DBMS is the interface to the database and can
  control access, maintain integrity to minimize
  corruption, adjust the structure of the database
  to match business needs, perform transaction
  processing, generate reports.

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• Oracle
• Microsofts SQL Server
• IBMs DB2
• Microsoft Access and FileMaker Pro
• IBMs Lotus Approach
• Operating Systems
• Windows
• MacOS
• Family of Linux/Unix

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• Business Applications
• Software packages that allow users and businesses
  to do their jobs
• Enterprise Applications
• Used by virtually every part of an organization
• Company-wide e-mail
• ERP system

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• Middleware
• Connects other software
• Oracles Fusion Middleware software
• Referred to as interface or a hook
• DBMS or a Web server package may be considered
  middleware
• Client/Server
• Microsofts Exchange
• IBMs Lotus Notes

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• Productivity Tools
• Applications such as word processing,
  spreadsheets, presentations
• Often sold as suites

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• Utility Tools
• Tools for IT staff
• Backup
• Monitoring
• Management
• Administration
• End-users
• File compression
• File conversion

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• Security
• Firewall
• Anti-virus
• Anti-spam
• User authentication
• Encryption
• VPN

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• Development Tools
• Elements of software to create other software
  such as
• Compilers
• Linkers
• Debuggers
• Source code control systems
• Languages

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• Client Applications
• Productivity Tool Suites
• Microsoft Office has dominate share of market
• OpenOffice open source equivalent to MS Office
• Browsers
• Microsofts Internet Explorer
• Firefox from Mozilla
• Opera
• Apples Safari
• AOL
• Netscape

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• Client Applications continued
• Utility Software
• Adobe Acrobat Reader
• WinZip
• Real Networks or Microsoft media player
• Security Software
• Anti-spyware
• Anti-virus tools

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Operating Systems

• Windows
• Mac
• Unix variants and Linux

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• Choosing an Operating System
• Consider which applications your company uses and
  what the specific needs of your users are
• Applications
• Key issue non-standard applications
• Operating system choices will be related to
  server side of the environment when bringing new
  applications to the organization

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• Continued
• Applications
• Skill set of your IT staff
• Performance/cost concerns (Microsoft Vista vs.
  XP)
• Compatibility
• Customers Needs
• Consider what the de factor standard is for your
  customers

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• Multiple Operating Systems
• Operating System Emulators
• WINE GNU licensed software that allows apps
  written for Windows to run on PCs running
  variants of Unix
• Win4Lin Linux-based computers
• Virtual PC for Mac install Windows on a Mac
• SoftMac Windows PC apps run on a Macintosh

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• Multiple Operating Systems
• Virtual Machines allow you to take a single
  physical device and run multiple instances of
  operating systems.
• VMware Workstation from EMC allows a
  workstation to run multiple instances of Windows,
  Linux, NetWare, or Solaris X86.

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• VMWare Server
• Virtual PC from Microsoft run multiple instances
  of Microsoft operating systems (DOS, Windows,
  OS/2)
• Virtual Server allows a single server to run
  multiple instances of Microsofts server version
  of Windows.

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• Virtual machine technology allows all instances
  of the various operating systems to run
  simultaneously, and switching among them is fast
  and easy.

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• Uses of Virtual machines
• Help desk and support staff
• Migrating to the new OS and still use legacy
  applications
• Training room PCs
• Software developers

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• Virtual Machine Benefits
• More efficient use of hardware via server
  consolidations
• Easily and quickly create new server environments
  for testing and development
• Quickly and easily move virtual-machine images to
  different hardware
• Support legacy applications without having to set
  aside dedicated server environments

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• Need for Additional Support Labor
• Knowledge of new and legacy systems
• Software and File compatibility
• Software versions
• Purchasing
• Upgrades
• Training
• License tracking
• Maintenance and support arrangements
• Software distribution
• Support

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Open Source

• Open Source Software (OSS) is software created by
  the worldwide user community. It isnt owned by
  any one company, much less one person. It isnt
  developed, supported, or installed by one company.

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• Benevolent dictator as the person in control
• This person evaluates the suggested fixes and
  enhancements to determine which will be adopted
  and when.
• Linus Torvalds is recognized as Linuxs
  benevolent dictator.

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• Pros and Cons of OSS p. 394
• Cost
• All OSS is free that is, there is no charge for
  the software itself. You must consider the TCO.
• Richard M. Stallman the legendary rms
• Founded the free software movement

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Managing Software

• TCO consider more than just purchase price of
  the software including installation, hardware,
  vendor maintenance/support, training costs, etc.
• Software Management Techniques
• Deployment
• Streamline deployment steps

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• Streamline deployment steps
• Develop a standard disk image
• Select a disk cloning package
• Implement a software deployment tool
• Users download from the IT intranet site
• Locking down the desktop

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• Develop a standard disk image
• Directory structure for all programs and files
• An installation of the most common programs used
• Preset program preferences that are application
  to the environment

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• Select a disk cloning package ensures
  consistency however, it is only a blueprint
• Symantecs Norton Ghost
• Acronis True Image
• IBMs ImageUltra
• Mirays HDClone
• MacOS Carbon Copy Cloner
• Linux dolly

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• Implement a Software Deployment Tool
• Deployment of software
• Microsofts SMS (Systems Management Server)
• Novells ZENworks suite
• Symantecs LiveState client management suite
• Altiriss management suite
• LANDesks management suite

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• Considerations for deployment
• PC disk space
• Hardware and software requirements
• Different installation steps (newer version
  already installed)
• Run automatically or by user selection
• Time of day
• Actions to take if installation fails

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• Software patchingwhen and do you have a choice
• Users download software from the Intranet
• Locking down the desktop
• User cannot install new programs and change
  settings

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• Software Licensing
• Free Freedom to run, copy, distribute, study,
  change, and improve the software p. 403
• For profit
• Licensing Issues
• Multiple licenses
• Concurrent users
• Per seat licensing
• Per server licensing
• Multiple use licenses

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• Licensing Issues
• Buy versus Lease
• Maintenance and Support Plans
• Negotiating Licenses
• Get Organized consolidate purchases
• Keep records quantities, dates, vendors,
  upgrades
• Track your software
• How software is used by which users, how often,
  which versions.

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Summary Slide

• Types of Software
• Operating Systems
• Open Source
• Managing Software