Answer Set #1

Problem Set questions appear in black, and Answers appear in this magenta color.

1. List 2 non-Intel platforms which support Windows NT.

• DEC Alpha AXP-based systems
• PowerPC-based systems
• MIPS R4000-based systems

2. What is the recommended minimum RAM needed for NT on Intel platforms?

• 12 MB is a textbook minimum and 16 MB is generally recommended. Thus the answer to this question is 12 MB. (Reference: page 37 in Module 2 of the course manual)

3. Complete the following for both the Workstation and Server products:

Maximum number of client network connections:

• Workstation: 10
• Server: Unlimited

Maximum number of outbound network connections:

• Workstation: Unlimited
• Server: Unlimited

Maximum number of processors supported (out-of-box):

• Workstation: 2
• Server: 4

Maximum number of inbound Remote Access Sessions allowed:

• Workstation: 1
• Server: 256

Supports both import and export directory replication? (T or F)

• Workstation: False. Only supports import directory replication
• Server: True

Supports domain logon validation? (T or F)

• Workstation: False.
• Server: True (However it must be configured either as a Primary or Backup Domain Controller)

4. Briefly describe two differences between workgroups and domains.

• As part of a workgroup, a computer interacts within a common group of computers on a peer-to-peer level. Typically the number of users in a workgroup is small, administration of the computers is decentralized, and no domain logon validation is supported.
• As part of a domain, a computer has a domain account with the Primary Domain Controller. Computers in a domain share a central user accounts database and security policies. Domains are suited for large numbers of users and computers, where centralized administration is needed, as well as domain logon validation.

5. List 3 Windows NT environment subsystems which run in the User Mode.

• Win32 subsystem
• OS/2 subsystem
• POSIX subsystem

6. Briefly describe the differences between the User Mode and the Kernel Mode (Privileged Processor Mode).

• The User Mode is where applications normally run. User Mode processes have the lower half of the priority scale (0-15), and as such they can be paged-out to disk if needed, have fewer slices of the processor time. They do not have direct access to hardware.
• Kernel Mode processes use the upper half of the priority scale (16-31), and generally are not paged-out to disk. Kernel Mode processes have a greater number of processor time slices compared to User Mode processes, and can access hardware directly.

7. What is the purpose of the Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) in Windows NT?

• The HAL isolates most of the hardware interface differences from Windows NT itself, making Windows NT more portable to other platforms.

8. What is the difference between WINNT.EXE and WINNT32.EXE? What do /B and /W do?

• WINNT.EXE is a 16-bit setup program which is used to install Windows NT over the network or using an unsupported CD-ROM device. WINNT32.EXE is a Win32-based version (32-bit) of WINNT.EXE. Typically, WINNT32.EXE is run under Windows NT to install another version of NT or upgrade an existing version of NT.

• /B allows either WINNT.EXE or WINNT32.EXE to install without creating the 3 NT boot floppy-disks.

• /W allows WINNT.EXE to install NT while running Windows 95 or Windows 3.x while in the 386 Enhanced mode.

9. Installation considerations for Intel-based platforms. Complete the correct for each:

a. What is the "minimum" processor needed to install Windows NT?

1. 286-10MHz
2. 386SX-16MHz
3. 386DX-25MHz
4. 486SX-25MHz
5. 486DX-33MHz

• #3 is the correct choice.

b. What is the recommended minimum hard-disk space needed for a Windows NT Workstation installation?

1. 25 MB
2. 50 MB
3. 75 MB
4. 85 MB
5. 92 MB
6. 110 MB

• #4 is the correct choice.

c. What is the recommended minimum video needed for a Windows NT installation and operation?

1. Monochrome
2. CGA
3. EGA
4. VGA
5. SVGA
6. XGA
7. 8514
8. Doesn't matter

• Sure it matters! #4 is the correct choice.

d. Up to how many characters can be used for a computer name?

• 15 characters

e. Up to how many characters can be used for a user name? Is it case-sensitive?

• 20 characters. No, it is not case-sensitive.

f. Up to how many characters can be user for a user password? Is it case-sensitive?

• 14 characters. Yes, it is case-sensitive.

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