An Operating System is a collection of software. It handles and manages the software and hardware resources of a computer system. Upon turning on the computer, you see the Operating System in action. It works as an interface and offers interaction between the computer hardware and the computer users. Broadly, the OS is low-level software, typically categorized as system software.
As a low-level software, OS caters to many of the computer’s essential functions. These include memory management, controlling peripherals, error detection, task scheduling, and processor management. OS is a detailed concept. There are multiple steps involved in learning about OS.
However, the two best ways to understand the OS are reading books or taking online courses. We have already discussed the best books for learning OS concepts. So now, let us examine the top six online advanced operating system courses.
Here’s a quick roundup comparing the above-discussed six courses.
| Course | Cost | Duration | User Rating | Certification | Industry Application |
| Computer Architecture – [Coursera] | Paid (Price available on Sign Up) | 49 hours | 4.7 | Available | Semiconductor design, hardware development |
| Linux Kernel Filesystem Development – [Udemy] | $11.9 | 6.5 hours | 5.0 | Available | Linux-based system development, cloud computing |
| Linux System Programming – [Coursera] | Paid (Price available on Sign Up) | 43 hours | 4.1 | Available | Embedded systems, IoT, real-time computing |
| Hello World with ROS – [edX] | Free (Upgradable) | 7 weeks (8-12 hrs/week) | 4.2 | Available (Upgrade for cert) | Robotics, AI-driven manufacturing |
| Windbg – [Udemy] | $199.99 | 26.5 hours | 4.6 | Available | Cybersecurity, reverse engineering, systems administration |
| Deadlocks and Threads – [Alison] | Free | 1.5-3 hours | N/A | Available | System programming, multi-threaded application design |
1. Computer Architecture by Princeton University – [Coursera]
Cost: Available on Sign Up
It is an advanced course with a high 4.7 rating. Approximately 2.5 lac students have enrolled in this session and gained meaningful insights from the class with David Wentzlaff. He is an Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering at Princeton University. Before starting his career at Princeton, David completed his PhD at MIT. Across his career, David’s learnings have been appreciated widely by his students.
As an advanced class, it targets learners who already have fundamental knowledge or are part of the industry. So, those not well-versed in the fundamentals should start with the basic and intermediate OS courses before opting for this one.
It is a long course and will take about 49 hours to complete. Consider putting in three weeks of effort towards this course at 16 hours a week. The course is broken down into 21 modules. After every module, there will be assessments and quizzes to test what you have learned from the module.
What Will You Learn?
- Design Microprocessor Architecture: Learn to create modern microprocessor designs.
- Instruction Set Basics: Understand architecture, micro-architecture, and instruction sets.
- Pipelining: Study the basics of pipelining and its challenges.
- Cache Memory: Learn about control hazards and why caches are needed.
- Superscalar Architecture: Explore superscalar design and its common issues.
- Out-of-Order Processors: Study methods to boost out-of-order processor performance.
- VLIW Processors: Understand the basics of VLIW and ways to improve them.
- Branch Prediction: Learn about branch prediction techniques and their importance.
- Advanced Caching: Discover advanced cache optimization methods.
- Memory Management: Study memory protection and management.
- Vector Processors and GPUs: Explore vector processors and GPU optimizations.
- Multithreading: Understand different types of multithreading.
- Parallel Programming: Learn about parallelism and consistency solutions.
- Multiprocessor Design: Study the design of small and large multiprocessors.
- Interconnects: Learn about multiprocessor interconnects and network design.
- Directory Protocols: Understand coherence protocols for large multiprocess
Why This Course?
- It has a great blend of practical and theoretical learning.
- It is a flexible online session where you can learn at your own pace.
Who Should Take This Course?
Advanced learners with a strong foundation in microprocessor design and architecture concepts.
Industry Application
Applicable in semiconductor design, hardware development, and advanced computing research.
Reviews
JD
Really like it, it is a really complete course. Maybe it would be better if they split the classes in shorter ones.
BS
It been a nice experience through the learning computer Architecture. But the online certificate is not available that’s a bad parts.
2. Linux Kernel Filesystem Development – [Udemy]
Cost: $11.9
It is one of the best-advanced operating system courses with a 5 rating. Presented by Steve Pate, this is a Udemy bestselling class. Steve has authored two books on UNIX file systems and UNIX kernel internals. He has also authored several industry publications and blogs. He earned his bachelor’s from the University of Leads in the UK. So, you are sure to receive the most industry-relevant information.
As it is an advanced course, the users must have some prior knowledge. A background in C and a basic understanding of kernels will be beneficial. However, there’s no need for an assembler language or building a Linux kernel. Install Ubuntu and development tools to start compiling the commands and filesystems.
A 450-page free online Linux Kernel filesystem book supports this Udemy course. The class comprises 6.5 hours of on-demand video. You can access the course on TV and mobile. This session will benefit experienced developers who aspire to explore Linux kernel development, especially in the domain of filesystems. To save on this paid session, use the discount coupon LEARNNOWPLANS.
What Will You Learn?
- Flow from Linux user processes to the Kernel VFS layer
- Interaction between the file system and the kernel.
- Building a loadable kernel module
- Creating additional files on disks during mkfs time
- Understanding kernel debugging techniques
- Mount or unmount a filesystem
- Developing a disk-based filesystem from scratch by understanding the process
- Order in which the operations must be implemented
Why This Course?
- It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- The class offers lifetime access.
- You get certification upon completion.
Who Should Take This Course?
Developers with prior C programming experience and basic kernel knowledge aiming to deepen their skills in Linux filesystem development.
Industry Application
Key for industries focusing on Linux-based system development and optimization, including data storage and cloud computing.
Reviews
Davender G.
Steve Pate is an expert in Unix and Linux Filesystems. This is great to learn from him.
Ankit S.
A very good course from a very experienced VxFS developer.
3. Linux System Programming and Introduction to Buildroot by University of Colorado Boulder – [Coursera]
Cost: Available on Sign Up
This course is part of the Advanced Embedded Linux Development Specialization. It is an advanced class comprising four modules. The schedule for this session is flexible. So you can learn at your own pace.
With a 4.1 rating, it is one of the decently rated advanced operating system courses with certificates. 14,090 students have enrolled in this class. The course spans over 43 hours, and you will study with Daniel Walkes. David is a well-learned professional and works as a lecturer and Scholar of Engineering Practice at CU Boulder.
What Will You Learn?
- Fundamentals of threads and processes
- Linux shell scripting and system programming concepts.
- Basics of an embedded Linux toolchain and cross-compilation setup.
- Linux file I/O basics and process management.
- Techniques for process forking and working with Linux daemons.
- Building a Linux kernel and root filesystem and running it on QEMU.
- Fundamentals of threading and multi-thread synchronization using POSIX.
- Understanding and using the Buildroot build system.
- Signal handling and time management in Linux programming.
- Basics of debugging in embedded Linux systems.
- Implementing and deploying a socket server on an embedded system using Buildroot and QEMU.
Why This Course?
- It is a free course that gives you a certification.
- Taking this class will help you progress to your degree course.
Who Should Take This Course?
Professionals with embedded systems knowledge looking to expand their Linux system programming and cross-compilation expertise.
Industry Application
Essential for embedded systems development, IoT applications, and real-time computing solutions.
Reviews
KF
I really loved this course, can’t wait to resume on 2nd and 3rd part of it.
KK
Linux system programming and intro to build root program is very good it helped me lot to learn concept
4. DelftX: Hello (Real) World with ROS – Robot Operating System by TU Delft – [edX]
Do you wish to take the first big step towards robotics? Are you hoping for one of the free advanced operating system courses where you can learn by doing? In this edX’s 4.2-rated,7-week class, you will learn about the fundamentals of ROS. As a student, you will need to put in an effort of 8-12 hours per week towards this self-paced session. But you can progress at your own pace.
The instructors for this class are Mukunda Bharatheesha, Gijs van der Hoorn, and Carlos Hernandez Corbato. All three of them are Post-Doctorate Researchers. They also teach students at the Delft University of Technology.
For this class, there are a few prerequisites:
- A computer ready for Ubuntu-Linux installation
- Basic knowledge of Python programming
- Familiarity with Linear Algebra, Linux command line, and computer science concepts
What Will You Learn?
- Building robotic applications quickly via access to a large set of open-source tools and software
- Using different ROS tools for creating robotic apps.
- Working with the standalone Ubuntu Linux installation
- Programming and configuring basic robotic tasks, such as navigating through obstacles and picking and placing objects
- Visualizing and creating a custom environment with a robot
- Integrating the acquired knowledge
- Designing a complete robotic application with state machines
- Implementing a pick-and-place function with industrial robot arms
- Mapping the robot environment
Why This Course?
- This course was presented by the top instructors from the Delft University of Technology. They won the Robotics Challenge 2016. So, you will be learning from the best.
- This free session can be upgraded if you desire a certification.
Who Should Take This Course?
Robotics enthusiasts and developers with a background in Python and Linux, eager to explore ROS applications.
Industry Application
Relevant for robotics automation, industrial robotics, and AI-driven manufacturing technologies.
5. Windbg – A complete guide for Advanced Windows Debugging – [Udemy]
Cost: $199.99
With a 4.6 rating, this course from Udemy is one of the most popular advanced operating system courses. It is a bestselling session by Anand George divided into three sections and 127 lectures. Anand is one of Udemy’s top instructors with a 4.7 rating.
The course spans over 26 hours and 27 minutes. In this comprehensive class, the instructor covers everything necessary from Wingbg and reverse engineering to debugging Windows OS using it.
As one of the advanced sessions, it has two main prerequisites. You must be well-acquainted with C programming. Further, you must possess at least two years of IT experience in Windows. After completing this class, you will bag a certificate of completion.
What Will You Learn?
- All details necessary to master Windbg
- Windows Debugging
- Debugging system crash
- Dump analysis
- Debugging BSOD
- Windows internals
- Core dump analysis in Windows
- Debugging Slow Systems
- Malware Analysis
- Windows Kernel mode internals
- Debugging system hang
- Post-mortem debugging
- Windows Usermode internals
- Debugging process hang
- Debugging Slow Applications
- Reverse Engineering
Why This Course?
It has a vast target audience. Broadly, this course will benefit:
- Anyone hoping to learn advanced Windows debugging
- Students wishing to understand reverse engineering with Windbg
- Reverse engineers
- Security specialists
- Software developers
- Malware analysts
- Escalation Engineers
- Windows Admins
- Support engineers
- Software sustenance engineers
Note: Like the above Udemy course, you can use the LEARNNOWPLANS coupon to get a great discount on this one.
Who Should Take This Course?
IT professionals with experience in C programming and Windows OS, aiming to specialize in advanced debugging techniques.
Industry Application
Useful for cybersecurity, reverse engineering, and systems administration roles.
Reviews
Pankaj M.
Great course on WinDbg, for beginners to expert level this course is containing lots of good informative sections helpful for learning as well as tackling real production issues. Very well presented by Anand !! Keep up such courses Anand — Thank you!.
Jesse Pereira A.
Lots of great information! I have already read Advanced Windows Programming, but this course made a lot of things clearer. On the other hand, I wish I could have learned more on conditional breakpoints, which I hope I can find as the course progresses.
6. Operating Systems – Deadlocks and Threads – [Alison]
Cost: Free
Not everyone can take long 20-40 hour courses. Some students are interested in one of the short advanced operating system courses where they can quickly brush up. If you are one of them, this class from Alison can be the perfect selection.
It is a free class that involves 1.5-3 hours of effort. The class is divided into three modules. In the first one, you learn about the deadlocks, whereas the 2nd one teaches you about the threads. The final module is for assessment to help you examine your learning.
What Will You Learn?
- Four conditions that cause deadlocks
- Detecting and preventing deadlocks from happening
- Creating and destroying threads
- Dining Philosophers Scenario
- Difference between processes and threads
- How threads are employed in paralyzation
- Learning the role of mutex
- Getting well-acquainted with semaphores and mutual exclusion
Why This Course?
It guarantees intensive learning in a short duration with multiple assessments.
Who Should Take This Course?
Learners wanting a quick refresher on deadlocks and threads within operating systems.
Industry Application
Applicable in system-level programming, software development, and multi-threaded application design.
Bottom Line
These are the six best-advanced operating system courses for students hoping to amplify their skills.
