Huffman Operating Systems

Memo

To: Huffman Trucking Execs

From: Abram LaBelle

Date: March 10, 2008

Re: Huffman Trucking Operating Systems

Huffman Trucking is a national trucking firm with offices in California, Missouri, New Jersey and Ohio. Most of the systems in the offices as well as in the plants are Windows based, using Windows NT, Windows XP, Windows 2000 servers; Windows 3.x, Windows 9.x, Win 2K and Win XP Pro Operating systems; Microsoft Exchange and IIS. The Missouri office uses a mixed windows and Macintosh environment on a Novell server. The mixed environment also uses a Lotus Notes rather than Microsoft exchange for email. The New Jersey office uses a thick net client environment. Bar code scanners are available in the plants in Missouri and Ohio (University of Phoenix, 2005). The overall operating systems architecture does not have standardization between the sites. The company has two main operating systems at the Missouri and Ohio locations where the systems architecture in both locations is the same and the same for the systems architecture of the New Jersey and California locations.

The company maintains database records of important information, which include driver information, driving logs, driver-moving violations, parts inventory purchases, parts inventory used, parts catalogues, parts purchasing history, vendors, vehicle maintenance, tire maintenance, maintenance descriptions, vehicle types, vehicle details, and maintenance work orders (Huffman Trucking, 2005).

California Operating System

This system is constructed on a bus network topology which connects each computer (nodes) to a single segment trunk (a communication line) of CAT 3 wiring (Ethernet).

Hardware configuration:

* CPU: 133MHz or faster Pentium-compatible

* RAM: 256MB minimum

* HD: 2GB with a minimum of 1GB free

One potential reason this operating system was chosen could have been due to the ability to easily connect additional computers and peripherals to this type of network.

Risk(s)/Disadvantage(s):

* Network shuts down when a break in the cable is encountered.

* Terminators are required at each end of the backbone cable.

* Difficult to troubleshoot.

* In order to avoid collision only one device can send at a time

Missouri Operating System

This system is constructed on a token ring network topology connected to a hub. The hub changes the topology from a physical ring to a star wired ring. In a star wired ring, when a switch or hub is used reliability improves because the hub can bypass disconnected ports or ports that have problems.

Hardware configuration:

Server-class PC with a Pentium II or higher

VGA or higher

DOS partition of at least 50 MB with 35 MB available space.

Minimum disk space outside the DOS partition: 1.3 GB for volume SYS.

Minimum memory: Standard ---128 MB.

One or more network boards.

Bootable CD drive.

PS/2 or serial mouse (optional)

One potential reason this operating system was chosen could have been due to expandability.

Risk(s)/Disadvantage(s):

* One malfunctioning work station or bad port can bring down the entire network.

* Modifications to the network can adversely affect the network.