The Windows NT PlatformThe Windows NT PlatformPhysical Security that Rivals a

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The Rap SheetThe Rap Sheet

• Late 1980s: Microsoft and IBM joined together to create the successor operating system to DOS for the x86 Platform. It would become a “thoroughly modern, fully 32-bit, robust, multipurpose operating system.”

• 1990: Microsoft released Windows 3.0. IBM viewed Windows as a stepping stone to the superior OS they had both been developing (OS/2). Microsoft wanted to expand Windows to compete with OS/2. Microsoft eventually split with IBM and took their portion of development with them.

• August, 1993: Microsoft released Windows NT 3.1, having the same GUI as the normal Windows Operating System,but was a pure 32 bit OS while still providing the ability to run older DOS and 16 bit Windows apps, as well as character mode OS/2 1.3 programs and POSIX applications.

Why is NT used?Why is NT used?• Many Enterprise Applications are built into the Operating

System making setup and administration relatively easy when compared to *nix alternatives. (IIS, DHCP, DNS, WINS, RADIUS)

• Low cost licensing gets students and employees “hooked” on the Windows GUI much like drug dealers get junkies hooked. (UW-L is a prime example)

• Windows Server OS is closer to “plug and play” with Windows Client OS (that the users happen to be hooked on) than *NIX.

• Windows GUI is familiar to many people, including the Administrators themselves. This makes Administration much easier than with most *NIX alternatives.

• Steve Ballmer looks like your cool uncle that used to buy you beer when you were in High School.

What What isis being used? being used?

NTLinuxNovellOther

• As of 2000– NT holds 36% – Linux holds 24% but is

“growing like gang busters”

– Novell NetWare is hanging on to a 19% share

– Other Operating Systems (Proprietary Systems) hold the remaining 21%

•“And one rogue Linux server located in a Fortune 500 company's office in the Kansas hinterlands still can be counted…”

Why is NT not used?Why is NT not used?

• Many *NIX Distributions are FREE, and also come with built in Enterprise Applications.

• *NIX variants are far and widely known to be more secure and have far few security flaws than NT. (CodeRed, NIMDA, Sapphire Slammer)

• NT is currently strictly x86 only software, while there are *NIX variants for almost every platform.

• *NIX can be configured to be Windows and Mac friendly with the use of special applications (Samba).

• Because NT is widely used NT is widely cracked and hacked.• You have a deep, philosophical understanding that

Microsoft is a devil incarnate and should be stopped at all costs.