Ryan Holt

Microsoft Windows XP
Chapter 1 Follow-up

Chapter 1
Summary
• Windows XP includes the most advanced Microsoft user interface to date. It uses
an intuitive user interface and high resolution graphics to present users with an
attractive and useful environment.
• Windows XP has many hardware interface design features that make using
peripheral devices easier; among these are driver signing and device driver
rollback.
• Help and Support is a comprehensive collection of support tools and technologies
that make it easier to locate help and assistance.
• Windows XP supports many security and technologies to protect users and their
data from malicious programs and hack attempts.
• Windows XP supports a wide range of uses, including standalone, workgroup,
and domain environments.
• Windows XP provides logon security to ensure that access to the desktop is
authenticated.

Chapter Terminology
HAL: Hardware Abstraction Layer. Layer of code designed to interface the specific
hardware with the more generic operating system.
Notification Area: Formerly called the system tray; right side of taskbar.
OEM: Original Equipment Manufacturers
ISV: Independent Software Venders
TCP/IP: Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol
DHCP: Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
IP: Internet Protocol
Remote Assistance: Ability to connect to and assist in computer troubleshooting;
local computer can see everything going on.
Remote Desktop: Remote logging into and control of a computer; local computer
can’t see anything.
IHV: Independent Hardware Vendors
BIOS: Basic input/output system
PID: Product Identification
HTML: Hypertext Markup Language
EFS: Encrypting File System
Workgroup: A logical collection of computers that share resources with each other;
peer-to-peer network.
Peer-to-Peer Network: All computers in network share resources as peers (equals)
without a dedicated server.
Logical/Physical Network Structures: A logical network structure
(workgroup/domain) is a management tool used by administrators to classify,
configure, and support the computers in that network. A physical network
 Ryan Holt
Microsoft Windows XP
Chapter 1 Follow-up
structure is the actual hardware design (routers, switches, cables, etc) that makeup
the actual network.
Domain: A logical grouping of network computers that share a central directory
database.
Directory Database: Contains user accounts and security information for the
domain; also known as the directory.
Active Directory: The Windows 2000/2003 server directory service.
OU: Organizational Unit
Domain Controller: A server that manages all security-related aspects of user and
domain interactions, centralizing security and administration.
Kernel: Core of operating system, closed source (Windows); open source (Linux).
Driver: Set of instructions that the OS uses to take advantage of hardware.
3rd Party Software: Non-MS Software
KB: Knowledge Base
RFC: Request for Comment: iana.org
Logon Access Token: Set of keys to computer; glossary.

Chapter Notes
• Operating system is a wall that stands between hardware and software.

Workgroup
• Workgroup is meant to have less than 10 users
Θ Maximum of 10 simultaneous connections to computer in XP.
Θ Local security: Users need separate user accounts on each computer.
Domain
• Centralized Database
• One user account for each user
• Domain Controller Server (Active Directory; Windows 2000/2003 Server)

Review Questions
1) Which feature of Windows XP Professional allows you to prevent people who gain
access to a computer’s files from reading the contents of the files? (Choose all that
apply.)
a) Windows Firewall
b) Encrypting File System (EFS)
c) Group Policy
d) Local Security Policy

2) Which feature of Windows XP Professional allows you to recover from installing the
incorrect Driver for a device? (Choose all that apply.)
a) Driver Signing
b) Driver Rollback
c) Plug and Play
d) Windows Hardware Quality Lab (WHQL)
 Ryan Holt
Microsoft Windows XP
Chapter 1 Follow-up

3) Which feature in Help and Support allows a user to receive help from another user
over a network connection? (Choose all that apply.)
a) System Restore
b) Microsoft Incident Submission
c) Remote Assistance
d) Remote Desktop

4) Which of the following statements best describes Windows Firewall? (Choose all that
apply.)
a) Windows Firewall prevents unauthorized users from accessing system files.
b) Windows Firewall protects a computer from high temperatures by shutting it
down when it gets too warm.
c) Windows Firewall protects a computer from attacks by malicious users or
programs on the Internet.
d) Windows Firewall encrypts data files on a computer’s disk drives.

5) Which of the following scenarios depict a workgroup network? (Choose all that
apply.)
a) A small collection of computers that share files with each other. Each
computer has a list of authorized computers.
b) A large corporate network with hundreds of computers and a central accounts
database.
c) One computer connected to the Internet via a modem.
d) A laptop on the hood of a car on a construction site.