Multics

Question 1

What was the primary goal of Multics in its design?

A. Speed

B. User-friendliness

C. Security

D. Portability

Answer 1

Answer: C

Explanation: Security was a fundamental requirement of Multics from the start.

Question 2

Which system preceded Multics and inspired many of its features?

A. UNIX

B. Windows

C. CTSS

D. VMS

Answer 2

Answer: C

Explanation: Multics was designed as a successor to the Compatible Time-Sharing System (CTSS).

Question 3

What programming language was Multics primarily written in?

A. C

B. Assembly

C. Java

D. PL/I

Answer 3

Answer: D

Explanation: PL/I was chosen for its strong typing and built-in error checking.

Question 4

Which concept is not associated with Multics?

A. Ring-based protection

B. Flat memory model

C. Segmented memory

D. Hierarchical file system

Answer 4

Answer: B

Explanation: Multics used a segmented memory model.

Question 5

How many protection rings were implemented in Multics hardware?

A. 2

B. 4

C. 8

D. 64

Answer 5

Answer: C

Explanation: Multics implemented 8 hardware rings, with software simulation extending it to 64.

Question 6

Which organization withdrew from the Multics project in 1969?

A. Honeywell

B. Bell Labs

C. MIT

D. IBM

Answer 6

Answer: B

Explanation: Bell Labs left and later started the UNIX project.

Question 7

Which of the following contributed to Multics’ failure?

A. Lack of features

B. Security vulnerabilities

C. High cost and specialized hardware

D. No user documentation

Answer 7

Answer: C

Question 8

Multics introduced all the following EXCEPT:

A. Symmetric multiprocessing

B. Virtual memory

C. Buffer overflows

D. Access Control Lists

Answer 8

Answer: C

Question 9

Which OS inherited many concepts from Multics?

A. Windows 3.1

B. Unix

C. MS-DOS

D. VMS

Answer 9

Answer: B

Question 10

Which of these contributed to Multics’ B2 rating?

A. Support for gaming

B. Dynamic IP routing

C. Integrated security from design

D. Open-source community

Answer 10

Answer: C

Question 11

What does the acronym Multics stand for?

A. Multiple User Terminal Control System

B. Multiplexed Information and Computing Service

C. Multi-User Layered Computing System

D. Multilevel Integrated Computer System

Answer 11

Answer: B

Question 12

Which of the following Multics features influenced Intel architecture?

A. Virtual Machines

B. Ring-based security

C. Touch interface

D. USB booting

Answer 12

Answer: B

Question 13

Which company eventually sold Multics systems to France?

A. IBM

B. Honeywell

C. Intel

D. Microsoft

Answer 13

Answer: B

Question 14

Which OS was running alongside Multics at MIT during 1969?

A. Linux

B. Solaris

C. OS/360

D. AmigaOS

Answer 14

Answer: C

Question 15

The Multics project began under which MIT project?

A. Project NOVA

B. Project ORBIT

C. Project MAC

D. Project PHOENIX

Answer 15

Answer: C

Question 16

Which U.S. military branch influenced Multics security improvements?

A. Navy

B. Air Force

C. Army

D. Marines

Answer 16

Answer: B

Question 17

Which feature of PL/I helped avoid buffer overflows?

A. Memory isolation

B. Garbage collection

C. Built-in bounds checking

D. Compiler obfuscation

Answer 17

Answer: C

Question 18

What is a key characteristic of Multics’ file system?

A. Flat

B. Tree-structured

C. Tag-based

D. Non-persistent

Answer 18

Answer: B

Question 19

What type of memory did Multics use?

A. Single-level storage

B. Dual-level paging

C. Cache only

D. ROM-based storage

Answer 19

Answer: A

Question 20

Which of the following did Multics support?

A. Manual scheduling

B. Multiprocessing

C. BIOS-level configuration

D. GUI

Answer 20

Answer: B

Question 21

Which was NOT a reason for Multics’ high cost?

A. Specialized hardware

B. Complexity

C. Government taxes

D. Custom development

Answer 21

Answer: C

Question 22

What kind of access controls did Multics use?

A. Role-based

B. MAC

C. ACLs

D. RBAC with SELinux

Answer 22

Answer: C

Question 23

What is the purpose of the “ring” architecture in Multics?

A. Speed up networking

B. Divide RAM segments

C. Enforce hierarchical privileges

D. Prioritize user processes

Answer 23

Answer: C

Question 24

Which action is NOT controlled in Multics’ ACL?

A. WRITE

B. DELETE

C. EXECUTE

D. TRAP

Answer 24

Answer: B

Question 25

Why was UNIX able to succeed where Multics failed? A. It had better security B. It was open-source from the beginning C. It used simpler, more portable architecture D. It was backed by IBM

Answer 25

Answer: C

Question 26

What was the main reason the US Air Force eventually stopped Multics work? A. Poor performance B. High cost C. Bugs D. Security issues

Answer 26

Answer: B

Question 27

What does the acronym TCB stand for in security contexts? A. Trusted Core Base B. Trusted Computing Base C. Time-based Computing Branch D. Terminal Control Buffer

Answer 27

Answer: B

Question 28

Which year did Multics begin providing time-sharing service? A. 1965 B. 1969 C. 1973 D. 1980

Answer 28

Answer: B

Question 29

Which of the following did Multics implement? A. Reference Monitor B. Cloud-based ACLs C. SSH encryption D. Blockchain validation

Answer 29

Answer: A

Question 30

How did Multics avoid backdoors? A. Open-source review B. Use of Java C. No buffer overflows D. Ring-0 access restrictions

Answer 30

Answer: D

Question 31

What role did Bell Labs play in the development of Multics?

Answer 31

They contributed to engineering and user experience, but later withdrew in 1969, leading to the creation of UNIX.

Question 32

Explain why Multics was considered secure from the start.

Answer 32

Security was a design requirement, and features like protection rings, ACLs, and TCB were core components.

Question 33

What is single-level storage in Multics?

Answer 33

Programs and data were treated uniformly in a segmented memory system, eliminating traditional file distinctions.

Question 34

Name three major technologies Multics pioneered that influenced modern OS.

Answer 34

Segmented memory, virtual memory, and hierarchical file systems.

Question 35

Why did the U.S. Air Force enhance Multics’ security features?

Answer 35

For use in high-security applications, leading to development of B2-level features.

Question 36

What was unique about Multics’ use of PL/I in terms of security?

Answer 36

PL/I helped prevent buffer overflows due to built-in bounds checking.

Question 37

Why did Multics fail commercially despite its innovations?

Answer 37

It was too expensive and relied on non-portable hardware.

Question 38

What is the function of protection rings in Multics?

Answer 38

To enforce privilege separation in software execution layers.

Question 39

How did the use of ACLs in Multics contribute to security?

Answer 39

They provided fine-grained control over file access operations.

Question 40

Describe the concept of a reference monitor in Multics.

Answer 40

A theoretical model used to enforce access control policies between subjects and objects.