Windows 7 Chapter 8

Front 1

Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS)

Back 1

BITS is an HTTP‐based file transfer service that downloads files using only the network's idle bandwidth. This enables Windows Update to perform downloads without affecting other applications that are using the network. BITS downloads are also resumable in the event they are interrupted.

Front 2

baseline

Back 2

A baseline is a set of readings, captured under normal operating conditions, which you can save and compare to readings taken at a later time.

Front 3

channel

Back 3

The Event Viewer console comes preconfigured with a large collection of component logs for Windows 7. When you expand the Applications and Services Logs folder, you see logs for Windows applications, such as Internet Explorer. Then, when you expand the Microsoft and Windows folders, you see a long list of Windows components, as shown in Figure 8.23. Each of these components has its own separate log, called a channel.

Front 4

collector

Back 4

The Windows 7 Event Viewer console provides a better solution for enterprise network administrators, in the form of subscriptions. Subscriptions enable administrators to receive events from other computers (called sources) in the Event Viewer console on their own computers (called collectors).

Front 5

data collector set

Back 5

To capture counter statistics in the Performance Monitor console for later review, you must create a data collector set, using the following procedure.

Front 6

events

Back 6

The primary function of the Windows Eventing engine is to record information about system activities as they occur and package that information in individual units called events. The application you use to view the events is an MMC snap‐in called Event Viewer.

Front 7

hotfix

Back 7

A hotfix is an update consisting of one or more files designed to address a specific problem or issue with the operating system. Some hotfixes are intended for all Windows users, and are released using the Microsoft Update web site, while others are intended for special circumstances and are released only to users experiencing a particular problem.

Front 8

instance

Back 8

An element representing a specific occurrence of the selected performance counter. For example, on a computer with two network interface adapters, each counter in the Network Interface performance object would have two instances, one for each adapter, enabling you to track the performance of the two adapters individually. Some counters also have instances such as Total or Average, enabling you to track the performance of all instances combined or the median value of all instances.

Front 9

Performance counter

Back 9

Performance Monitor is a tool that can display information for hundreds of different statistics (called performance counters) in a variety of ways. A statistic representing a specific aspect of the selected performance object's activities.

Front 10

performance object

Back 10

A category representing a specific hardware or software component in the computer. Click the down arrow on a performance object to display a selection of performance counters related to that component.

Front 11

ReadyBoost

Back 11

ReadyBoost is a Windows 7 feature that enables you to use the storage space on a USB flash drive to free up system memory for other uses.

Front 12

SuperFetch

Back 12

SuperFetch is a caching routine that enables Windows 7 to restore user access to applications much faster than Windows XP. It stores copies of your most frequently used applications in a cache in system memory. With this information in cache memory, the system can recall it almost instantaneously when you try to start working at your idle computer again. The paging delay is eliminated.

Front 13

Windows Experience Index

Back 13

The System control panel contains a system rating called the Windows Experience Index, which quantifies the capabilities of a Windows 7 computer by breaking it down into categories and assigning each one a rating.

Front 14

Windows Server Update Services (WSUS)

Back 14

WSUS enables enterprise network administrators to centralize the workstation update process, conserving network bandwidth and exercising greater control over the upgrades distributed to the network.

Front 15

Security Update

Back 15

A security update is a hotfix designed to address a particular vulnerability in Windows 7 security. In addition to the software itself, security updates include a security bulletin and a Knowledge Base article that discuss the nature and severity of the problem.

Front 16

Cumulative Updates (or Rollups)

Back 16

Over time, Microsoft releases a large number of updates, and a cumulative update is a distribution method that consolidates all of the updates for a particular operating system element or application, such as Internet Explorer or Internet Information Services. Downloading and installing a single rollup is far easier than applying many different updates. Rollups typically undergo more testing than individual hotfixes, and because they are always installed together they provide a more stable platform than individually installed hotfixes.

Front 17

Service Packs

Back 17

A service pack is a cumulative set of all updates for a particular operating system version, usually going back to its original release. Unlike updates, service packs can contain new or enhanced features. More than any other type of update, service packs are extensively tested until Microsoft is confident that all users can safely apply them. To a certain degree, service packs are an extension of the operating system release itself. Once a service pack is released, Microsoft and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) providers typically distribute Windows with the service pack integrated into the installation.

Front 18

Windows Update Categories

Back 18

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Important Updates: Updates that address important issues that require immediate attention and which all users should install. The Windows Update client always downloads all available important updates by default.
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Recommended Updates: Updates that address less‐important issues or that apply only to certain users. You can configure Windows Update to download recommended updates along with critical updates, or ignore them.
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Optional Updates: Updates that contain enhancements or new features that are not essential for the proper functioning of the operating system.
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Device Drivers: Microsoft uses Windows Update to distribute fully tested and digitally signed device drivers for some hardware products.