32bit Vs. 64 Bit OS

Today’s PCs come in two varieties: those running a 32-bit Operating System and those running a 64-bit operating system. The difference is the amount of information the PC’s processor can handle at any precise moment. While a computer designed for a 64-bit operating system has vastly more potential computing power, it requires fundamental changes to the way its software is designed.

The word "bit" refers to the way computers deal with information in binary, where all data is listed as a string of digits which can either be a 0 or a 1. Each of these digits is known as one bit, meaning a 32-bit processor can process 32 digits at once. Don’t confuse this with memory, which measures the total amount of information a computer can remember without needing to use a storage device such as a disk. While the figure for memory will be much bigger, a computer can’t process all of that information at once.

The software for a computer with a 32-bit processor, including operating systems such as Windows, has to be specifically written to match that processor. The same applies to 64-bit processors. Microsoft produced 32-bit and 64-bit editions of Windows XP and Vista, and will do the same for Windows 7.

In a 32-bit version of Windows, users will not be able to install and use more than about 3GB of memory. Though many 32-bit versions of Windows list a 4GB maximum memory, they are not able to address anything more than 3GB. This is due, in part, to the way your system sets up memory addresses in your computer.

A 32-bit processor is programmed to use 32 bits (hence the name) to locate each byte of memory. To determine how many addresses this gives us, we would need to take 2 (each bit can be either 0 or 1) to the 32nd power, therefore, 232 = 4,200,000,000. This means that each memory address 32 bits long can only refer to a location within this number (4.2 billion, or 4GB). Because your computer uses these memory addresses to locate all peripherals in the machine, it cannot address 4GB of memory even if it is installed

Disadvantages of 64-bit Windows 7 over 32-bit Windows 7.

• 64-bit device drivers may not be available for one or more devices in the computer.
• Device drivers must be digitally signed.
• 32-bit device drivers are not supported.
• 32-bit programs may not be fully compatible with a 64-bit operating system.
• It may be difficult to locate programs that are written specifically for a 64-bit operating system.
• Not all hardware devices may be compatible with a 64-bit version of Windows.

T1 & T3 Lines

T1 and T3 are types of leased lines used in long-distance computer networking. 

T1 Line 

T1 lines are used for both home and commercial use and come in a variety of different types of connections to accommodate voice and data transmission. Although it is possible to achieve a T1 connection in your home, the most common preferred type of connection is a DSL or broadband connection. Therefore a T1 connection is generally used for larger business networks instead of home or small office settings. 

A T1 line is comprised of a series of digital channels that allow transmission for voice and data at a speed that is much faster than a standard Internet connection. This type of connection is cheaper to install than a T3 line and the transmission of data and voice is not as fast as the T3 line. So a T1 line connection is in between a standard Internet connection and a T3 line connection in terms of transmission speed for data and voice and cost of installation. 

T3 Line 

A T3 line is also known as DS (Digital Signal 3) line and is capable of transmitting data at a much faster rate than a T1 line and carries a bandwidth that is equivalent to over 600 telephone lines. This type of connection is used for large corporate networks with a need for accommodating a massive amount of traffic. T3 lines are not designed for home use or small office networks. 

A T3 line contains multiple T1 lines that are combined to create a super fast connection for transmitting data and voice. This makes it a perfect solution for large networks that may require additional bandwidth to accommodate future growth. By using a T3 connection it is possible to obtain bandwidth-on-demand which allows for a varied capacity depending upon the amount of traffic an organization needs to accommodate. Although the cost of installing a T3 line is significantly higher than a T1 line, for large networks the flexible bandwidth option makes it a cost-effective alternative to paying a fixed monthly payment. 

Comparison Conclusion 

As you can see a T1 line and a T3 line both provide faster connections for data and voice transmission however, the main difference between the two types of connections is speed and cost. A T1 line runs at a slower speed and is cheaper in cost to implement. A T3 line runs as a super fast speed but is costly to implement at a rate that can be as much as several thousand dollars more per month. Both types of connections also support real time applications and require a different set of protocols that define the connection. 

For a medium sized organization that has a moderate amount of traffic on a network, a T1 line connection makes sense. For larger corporations and universities that require large traffic accommodations the T3 connection is the most popular due to its super high speed connectivity and data capacity. 

MBR Vs. GPT in Windows Partition

Today i am going to share some information regarding the MBR(MASTER BOOT RECORD) AND GPT(GUID PARTITION TABLE).

When you install a disk in a computer that is running Windows 7, you can choose to

select one of two partitioning schemes:

• Master Boot Record (MBR)-based partitioning scheme

• Globally unique identifier (GUID) partition table (GPT)-based partitioning scheme

The following are common reasons to partition a disk:

• Separate operating system files from data and user files

• Place applications and data files in the same location

• Put cache, log, and paging files in a location separate from other files

• Create multiboot setup environments

What is MBR ?

MBR:-It contains the partition table for the disk and a small amount of executable code called the Master Boot code.

1.MBR is created when the disk is partitioned.

2.Contains 4 partition enter table.

3.Is on the first sector of the hard disk.

4.limits the number & size of partitions.

How MBR-Based Disks Work:-

The MBR is stored at a consistent location on a physical disk, enabling the computer BIOS to reference it. During the startup process, the computer examines the MBR to determine which partition on the installed disks is marked as active. The active partition contains the operating system startup files.

Features of MBR-Based Disks:-

• Four partitions on each disk: MBR-based disks are limited to four partitions. All of these can be primary partitions, or one can be an extended partition with logical volumes inside. You can configure the extended partition to contain multiple volumes.
• A 2 Terabyte (TB) maximum partition size: A partition cannot be larger than 2 TB.
• No redundancy provided: The MBR is a single point of failure, and if corrupted or damaged, it can render the operating system non-bootable.

What is a GPT Disk?

The GUID Partition Table (GPT) was introduced as part of the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) initiative. GPT provides a more flexible mechanism for partitioning disks than the older Master Boot Record (MBR) partitioning scheme that was common to PCs. A partition is a contiguous space of storage on a physical or logical disk that functions as if it were a physically separate disk. Partitions are visible to the system firmware and the installed operating systems. Access to a partition is controlled by the system firmware before the system boots the operating system, and then by the operating system after it is started. GPT disks features:- GPT-based disks address the limitations of MBR-based disks. GPT disks support: * 128 partitions per disk: This is a vast improvement over MBR-based disks. * 18 Exabyte (EB) volume size: This is a theoretical maximum because hard disk hardware is not yet available that supports such vast volume sizes. * Redundancy: The GPT is duplicated and protected by Cyclic Redundancy Checks (CRC). You can implement GPT-based disks on Windows Server® 2008, Windows Vista, and Windows 7. You cannot use the GPT partition style on removable disks.