Windows NT is a family of operating systems developed by Microsoft, designed to provide robust, secure, and scalable environments. It was first released in 1993 and includes various versions such as Windows NT 3.1, NT 4.0, and later versions that evolved into the Windows 2000, XP, and server editions.
Key features of Windows NT include:
Windows NT architecture is based on a hybrid kernel design, which includes:
Windows NT employs a robust security model based on user accounts, groups, and permissions. It uses Access Control Lists (ACLs) to define permissions for files and resources. The security model also includes authentication mechanisms, auditing capabilities, and the ability to enforce security policies.
The Security Accounts Manager (SAM) is a database in Windows NT that stores user accounts and security descriptors for local security principals. It is responsible for authenticating users during logon and enforcing password policies.
Windows NT uses a challenge/response authentication protocol called NTLM (NT LAN Manager). When a user logs in, the system sends a challenge to the user's device, which then computes a response using the password hash. The server verifies the response to authenticate the user.
NTFS (New Technology File System) is a file system introduced with Windows NT that provides several advantages over FAT (File Allocation Table):
Windows NT uses the Disk Management tool to manage disk partitions. It supports creating, deleting, formatting, and resizing partitions. It can manage basic and dynamic disks, allowing advanced features like RAID configurations.
Windows NT's network architecture is modular and includes components such as:
The Windows NT Domain Model is a framework for managing and organizing network resources. It centralizes user account management, authentication, and security policies across multiple computers. A domain consists of a domain controller that maintains a database of user accounts and security information.