Windows NT Operating System Architecture and Features

History of Windows NT

Windows NT was originally developed to be OS/2 3.0 before Microsoft and IBM discontinued their work on OS/2.

• Unlike Windows 3.1, which was a GUI running on MS-DOS, Windows NT is a standalone operating system.

It is based on a microkernel, supporting up to 4GB of RAM, FAT file systems, NTFS, HPFS, built-in network support, multiprocessor support, and C2 security.

Windows NT Features

• It is based on variations of the kernel of Mac UNIX. The microkernel architecture supports applications not originally designed for Windows NT.
• It manages basic operations systems and other layers above them.
• Supports five subsystems: Windows 32-bit, 16-bit Windows, DOS, POSIX, and OS/2.
• Functions as a Client-Server in a network environment.
• Allows development of services for LAN Manager Redirector Mips, RISC, and Digital Alpha.
• Supports multiprocessing systems.
• Supports Plug-in technology for API systems and installable file systems.
• Easily implemented for use by OSF, DCE, and RPCs.

User Management in NT

In NT, there are two types of users:

1. Those belonging to a machine running NT Server or Workstation (WK).
2. Those belonging to an NT domain.

For each of these user types, the User Manager is the management tool.

Tasks Managed by the User Manager

• Add, modify, and delete domain users.
• Add, modify, and delete local and global groups from the domain.
• Set the account policy and passwords on the domain.
• Set the user rights policy in the domain.
• Establish system auditing in the domain.
• Establish trust relationships between domains.

Installation Considerations

• Windows NT does not recognize the FAT32 format. This means that if you have a disk in this format (used by Windows 95 OSR2 and Windows 98), you cannot install through the network.
• The Windows installer cannot use NT workstations (WKS) as the boot partition for disks larger than 4 GB. If you have a larger disk, you must partition it.

Minimum Requirements for Installation

Runs on Windows NT workstation computers compatible with PC 486 or higher, with 16 MB RAM and 120 MB of hard disk space.

Security

Security in Windows NT is a combination of techniques that ensure a consistent level of protection against undesired access, utilizing systems such as firewalls.