Page 68 - DCAP602_NETWORK_OPERATING_SYSTEMS_I

Network Operating Systems-I

notes fat: The fat (file allocation table) file system is an old, out-dated file system also called
FAT16. Old operating systems such as MS-DOS, Windows 3.1 and Windows 95 (prior to
OSR2) used FAT file systems. Windows 2000 supports the maximum size of fat file system,
4 GB only. So it is advisable not to use FAT file system.
fat32: Operating systems such as Windows 95 OSR2, Windows 98, Me, 2000, and
Windows XP support fat32 partitions. The fat32 file system is more efficient than fat because
it supports larger partition sizes. For example, Windows 2000 will format FAT32 partitions
up to 32GB in size. If you would like to use dual boot with Windows 98 or Windows Me
with later OS such as Windows 2000/XP/2003, then you will have to use FAT32 instead of
NTFS file systems because Windows 98/Me will not support NTFS file systems. You can
convert the FAT32 file system to NTFS file system anytime. After converting to NTFS you
cannot revert back to the FAT32 file system.
To convert a FAT or FAT32 file system to NTFS, please do the following: click Start - Run -
type “convert C: /fs:ntfs” and click ok. Here C refers to the c drive to convert.
ntfs: The Windows NT File System (NTFS) is the latest file system supported by Windows
2000/XP/2003. It is a highly reliable and recoverable file system. The additional features
of NTFS file systems are that they support NTFS compression (compression attribute),
“Encrypting File System (EFS)” that is Encrypting attribute, Disk quotas, mounting volume
as directory, local file and folder security. It formats NTFS partitions up to 2 TB. If you
would like to use only one operating system (or dual boot without Windows 98/Me) then
it is advisable always to use the NTFS file system.
Regarding the Operating System, Windows 98 is obsolete. Microsoft itself has withdrawn
support for Windows 98. You can install either Windows 2000 or Windows XP. If you are
installing Windows 2000, please make sure service pack 4 is installed and for Windows XP
service pack 2 is essential. It is advisable to use the latest operating system Windows XP
with service packs and required Windows updates.

Source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.in/ew/2006/06/26/stories/2006062600200400.htm

3.6 summary

File is a named collection of data stored in a device. File manager is an integral part of the
operating system which is responsible for the maintenance of secondary storage. File system
is a set of abstract data types that are implemented for the storage, hierarchical organization,
manipulation, navigation, access, and retrieval of data. Disk file system is a file system designed
for the storage of files on a data storage device, most commonly a disk drive, which might be
directly or indirectly connected to the computer. Flash file system is a file system designed for
storing files on flash memory devices. Network file system is a file system that acts as a client for
a remote file access protocol, providing access to files on a server. Flat file system is a file system
where is no subdirectories and everything is stored at the same (root) level on the media, be it a
hard disk, floppy disk, etc. Directory is simple file containing the indexing of other files, which
may in turn be directories if a hyerarchical indexing scheme is used.

3.7 keywords

Directory: It is simple file containing the indexing of other files, which may in turn be directories
if a hyerarchical indexing scheme is used.
Disk file system: It is a file system designed for the storage of files on a data storage device, most
commonly a disk drive, which might be directly or indirectly connected to the computer.

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