An operating system (OS) is a collection of software that manages computer hardware resources and provides common services for

computer programs. The operating system is the most important program that runs on a computer. Every general-purpose computer must have an operating system to run other programs. Operating systems perform basic tasks, such as recognizing input from the keyboard, sending output to the display screen, keeping track of files and directories on the disk, and controlling peripheral devices such as disk drives and printers. For large systems, the operating system has even greater responsibilities and powers. It is like a traffic cop -- it makes sure that different programs and users running at the same time do not interfere with each other. The operating system is also responsible for security, ensuring that unauthorized users do not access the system.

Operating systems can be classified as follows: Multi-user: Allows two or more users to run programs at the same time. Some operating systems permit hundreds or even thousands of concurrent users. Multiprocessing : Supports running a program on more than one CPU. Multitasking : Allows more than one program to run concurrently. Multithreading : Allows different parts of a single program to run concurrently. Real time: Responds to input instantly. General-purpose operating systems, such as DOS and UNIX, are not real-time.

Server: In most common use, a server is a physical computer (a computer hardware system) dedicated to run one or more services (as a host),[1] to serve the needs of the users of other computers on a network. Depending on the computing service that it offers it could be a database server, file server, mail server, print server, web server, gaming server, or some other kind of server. In the context of client-server architecture, a server is a computer program running to serve the requests of other programs, the "clients". Thus, the server performs some computational task on behalf of "clients." The clients either run on the same computer, or they connect through the network. In the context of Internet Protocol (IP) networking, a server is a program that operates as a socket listener.[2] Servers often provide essential services across a network, either to private users inside a large organization or to public users via the Internet. A network server is a computer designed to process requests and deliver data to other (client) computers over a local network or the Internet. Network servers typically are configured with additional processing, memory and storage capacity to handle the load of servicing clients. Common types of network servers include:

Web servers proxy servers FTP servers online game servers

Numerous systems use this client / server networking model including Web sites and email services. An alternative model, peer-to-peer networking enables all computers to act as either a server or client as needed.
In a general network environment the following types of servers may be found. Application server, a server dedicated to running certain software applications Catalog server, a central search point for information across a distributed network Communications server, carrier-grade computing platform for communications networks Compute server, a server intended for intensive (esp. scientific) computations Database server, provides database services to other computer programs or computers

Fax server, provides fax services for clients File server, provides remote access to files Game server, a server that video game clients connect to in order to play online together Home server, a server for the home Name server or DNS Print server, provides printer services Proxy server, acts as an intermediary for requests from clients seeking resources from other servers Sound server, provides multimedia broadcasting, streaming. Stand-alone server, a server on a Windows network that neither belongs to nor governs a Windows domain Web server, a server that HTTP clients connect to in order to send commands and receive responses along with data contents

Software Subscription and Support

Software Subscription and Support still provides, in a bundled offering, product upgrades (Subscription) and technical support (Support) which fosters successful software deployments. The individual components are not available as separately orderable offerings but are, together, offered as a complete solution. With Subscription, customers get complete upgrade and cross-platform migration coverage for most commercially available IBM-distributed softwareIBM Lotus, WebSphere, Tivoli, Rational, and DB2 Information Management software. Customers can upgrade to new releases and new versions as the needs of their business dictate. Support helps keep customers users up and running wherever theyre working in the world ensuring that they are covered with the support they need and increasing return on their investment in a total software solution.

Benefits of Subscription
Subscription is the most cost-effective way for customers businesses to ensure that their users have the latest technology of the most-current releases.

Subscription lowers customers cost of acquiring new releases by providing authorization to use all new releases and versions of offering products while still under Software Subscription and Support helping to increase and maintain the highest levels of productivity.

Customers can upgrade at their leisure, conveniently downloading new software from the Web making it easy for customers to choose the best time to upgrade based on their business needs. While Passport Advantage and Passport Advantage Express give customers the option to upgrade, it is never required. Software Subscription and Support provides free access to the latest releases of IBM software, eliminating the cost of acquiring new licenses and enabling your organization to budget accordingly and protect their business investments.

Benefits of Support

24x7 access to a variety of IBM technical resources in Severity 1 situations. Customers determine whether the problem is critical to their organization and if they want it to be classified as a Severity 1. Access to usage- and code-related voice support. No limits on the number of designated IT technical staff that can contact Support for help. Access to the IBM Software Support Web site at ibm.com/software/support; enhanced selfhelp, navigation and advanced search capabilities for Support (24x7), including a worldwide problem-submission Web site for IBM-distributed software (Electronic Service Request [ESR] tool). IBM Software Support Guide that provides detailed information on all IBM software support including support processes and a worldwide list of support center phone numbers.

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