In the current context where cloud computing has more focus what is the role of OS?
The cloud computing is a platform that provide services such as data storage, server-side connection, networking, database management and software solutions at remotely basis. In other words, such services could be accessed through internet rather than traditional computer platforms effectively. The operating system provides an abstraction for computing resources and hardware. Therefore, requirement of operating system in cloud computing is must. As, the features offered by the platform is similar to normal computers. Currently cloud computing has focus on different trends. These trends are unique and offers new services to users as well as use of operating system.
The trends are described below are used in cloud computing currently.
Cloud computing for mobile: In this trend, the concept of cloud computing is implemented in the smartphones. One of the major goals is to implement mobile applications on smart phones which provides high customer experiences to the users [17]. However, operating system implemented on mobile phones will provide easy navigation. Furthermore, different applications could be run easily as operating system is virtual and will handle mobile operations easily.
Cloud container innovation: The cloud container works as abstract layer in which code packages and their dependencies are bonded together. However, to achieve containers use of operating system is quite useful. For example, containers virtualize the operating system so that work processes could handle easily on single host platform [17]. Therefore, use of operating system could be seen in this trend too.
Identity management and security: The privacy and security are an important concern and should not be neglected. Therefore, cloud computing current trend follows identity management so that information is only accessed by the authorized user [17].
Energy efficiency: Green cloud computing is another new trend where purpose is not to disturb the environment. Hence, to achieve energy efficiency dynamic power management is implemented [18]. It checks the use of energy in virtual operating systems.
Virtualization: To achieve virtualization over cloud computing, use of operating system is very useful. For example, hypervisor is designed as an operating system so that virtual machine and hardware components could interact on the cloud computing platform [18]. Hence, operating systems are quite useful in the cloud computing platform because works as intermediate abstraction layer for services.
Hypervisor is the system software, works like as an operating system (abstraction layer) for virtual machines and coordinates with the underlying hardware components according to the virtual machine given instructions
Why is RTOS important for IoT?
RTOS stands for real time operating system that manages computer hardware resources, host applications and processing data under real-time constraints such as time, power and memory [1]. Hence, RTOS works with faster speed and could offer reliable switch for devices working in real time. Internet of things could use RTOS for several reasons which it offers for better performance.
Following are the benefits of using RTOS in the IoT devices:
RTOS OS provides full support to IoT devices that are low power and different microcontroller architectures such as 32, 16 and 8 bits as well as offers secured, connected and durable embedded system [2].
RTOS also offers modularity by providing system in module so that new features in IoT device could be easily added [3].
Another feature of RTOS is that it is used for implementation of IoT devices in various domains such as healthcare, smart buildings, hospitals and agricultural practices [3].
Hence, RTOS is implemented in the embedded systems used in IoT system to provide speed and agility. Whereas, IoT applications are quite complex, critical and needs reliability [4]. These complex applications are often used in different domains and thus, RTOS is important to support IoT applications to make them successful.
Lastly, RTOS provide different features embedded systems used in IoT applications such as scalability, connectivity, safety standards, and security support through features of design, boot and execute, operations and power down [5].
How does AI operation system differ from normal OS in features and applications?
Normal Operating System
The normal operating system works as an interface between the user and the hardware component of computer [15]. Therefore, operating system is important so that different system and application software could be run effectively. The normal OS has following features and applications which are necessary.
Features
Execute programs on the computer successfully.
The management of physical, and virtual memory.
Allocate the resources to each process properly.
Offers security, error detection, and handling, protection and supervision mode in the computer system [15].
File handling system.
Applications:
Process management.
Memory management, secondary storage activities.
Resource allocation management.
Security management for all the user activities.
File management for storage, retrieval, and file protection activities [15].
AI-Operating System
The Artificial Intelligence-operating system manage software and hardware component of computer system which is highly intelligent [16]. These types of operating system are different from normal one. As they reduce complex issues from AI-based machines working through human emotions. There is huge difference between both of them because of the machines designed as per requirement. Whereas, AI-based operating system could make work of a user very easy. For example, it offers card-based system which user ranks as per requirement and data pattern usage [16]. In other words, the AI-based operating system will produce card for important meeting, people, call or message. Everything will be well prepared for user based on their thinking. The AI based operating system gathers human habits and behaviors and automatically perform tasks on computer as per user choice and requirement. Whereas, traditional operating system does not offer instant solution for a problem. The basic computer operating system will only handle internal processes and work accordingly. They lack intelligence and therefore not capable of offering complex solutions to users.
Comment on Block-chain as an Operating System.
Blockchain is a concept also known as public ledger on which committed transaction of an company is kept storage in chain of blocks as well as whenever new transactions occurs automatically new blocks are also appended towards it [6]. Therefore, blockchain technology is very popular and used for different applications. However, blockchain is also taken into consideration as an operating system. For example, traditional operating system also processes transactions whenever user commands them through mouse click in the computer as well stores all the completed tasks [7].
Similarly, blockchain technology is also transaction processing engine and could work as operating system. There are several companies who have already implemented the concept of Blockchain as an operating system. For example, Hong-Kong company Nynja offers virtual OS with blockchain technology with communication layers, secure payment layer and multi-currency wallet effectively [8].
These enabled technologies are quite popular because it offers all the qualities of traditional operating system to mobile users. Hence, use of block chain as an operating system could provide security, privacy and decentralized use of operating system. For instance, blockchain OS works on virtual platform and runs on cloud rather than hardware [9]. As a result, operating system is decentralized and offers easy management for blockchain on different platforms such as computers, and mobile phones. Therefore, OS with blockchain enabled-technology offers security and privacy solutions. Furthermore, it also offers proper management of complex and large blockchain technology.