| Windows NT
In 1992, Microsoft will introduce a new product called Windows NT (New Technology). Windows NT is built on a modern, 32-bit, operating system kernel. Windows NT will deliver an extremely robust client environment for mission-critical applications, a high-end desktop platform, and a portable, scalable server environment (See Figure 3). Windows NT will also transform Windows into a Microsoft LAN Manager server platform, thus adding a fourth server platform to the three currently supported by LAN Manager: OS/2®, UNIX, and VMS®.
Windows NT does not require DOS to function. However, it is compatible with the large installed base of DOS and Windows applications. In addition to compatibility with existing applications, Windows NT includes the features required to meet the needs of the high-end desktop and server marketplace in the 1990s and beyond.
To support large server applications, Windows NT provides completely symmetric multiprocessor support. With Windows NT, tasks are symmetrically distributed between processors on a per thread basis. This design provides maximum utilization of each processor in a multiprocessor system and simplifies the development of multiprocessor applications.
Security is required for network servers and many mission-critical applications. To meet this need, Windows NT has been designed as a secure operating system. Microsoft is working with the U.S. Government to certify Windows NT as C2-level secure. In addition, the internal design of Windows NT can be enhanced in future releases to B-level security.
Windows NT is highly portable. It is being developed concurrently on x86 and MIPS-based RISC platforms. MIPS-based computers will be available from more than 60 hardware manufacturers who are members of the ACE (Advanced Computing Environment) consortium. With Windows NT, existing DOS and Windows programs will run unchanged on MIPS-based computers.
In addition to these advanced capabilities, the kernel-based design of Windows NT can be thought of as a nucleus which is compatible with different operating system environments. The kernel design provides Windows NT compatibility with DOS and Windows applications. It also allows Windows NT to support the OS/2 and POSIX application program interfaces, both of which are under development at Microsoft. This design also allows Windows NT to support applications written to the new Windows 32-Bit application program interface.
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