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OPERATING SYSTEMS

SINGLE USER, MULTI-USER AND

NETWORK OPERATING
SYSTEMS.
WHAT IS AN OPERATING SYSTEM?
An operating system (OS) is system software that manages computer hardware, software
resources, and provides common services for computer programs. ... Operating systems are
found on many devices that contain a computer – from cellular phones and video game
consoles to web servers and supercomputers. software that controls the operation of a
computer and directs the processing of programs (as by assigning storage space in memory
and controlling input and output functions). An operating system is a big piece of software
that acts as an interface between the user and the computer hardware, which does multiple
functions such as
• File Management
• Processor Management
• Memory management
• Device management
• Storage management
• Application interface
• User interface

Single-User Operating System

A single-user operating system is a type of system that has been developed and designed to
use on a computer.
It can be used on a similar device, and it only has one user at a time. It’s the most common
system used for home computers. It’s also used in offices and other work environments.
There are two types of this operating system – single-task and multitask. It can connect to
other systems in a network, but it is only ever used by one person

Type of Single-User OS
a. Single user/single tasking
b. Single user/multi-tasking
 a. Single user/single tasking: An operating system can be used for a variety of tasks
and it’s a crucial program on a computer. It is meant to organize memory usage,
hardware connectivity, and helps to properly execute applications. Single-task
operating systems can function on electronic devices, like a computer, and will run
only application at a time. It can be used on wireless phones and two-way messaging
systems. This system is only able to run one program at a time, so it cannot be used
with computers and devices that need multiple programs running. Examples include
MS-DOS, Palm OS, etc.
b. Single user/Multi-tasking: Multitasking single-user operating systems can do a little
bit more than a single-task system. It can run multiple applications and programs in
one go. This is used on computers where someone needs to scour the Internet, run a
graphics program, listen to music, and use a word processor. They can’t scan through
a web page and write in a word processor at the same time because that’s humanly
impossible. The point is that the programs can be opened and run all at once. A
single-task system is unable to do this and that’s where the multitasking system comes
into play.
Even though this system can connect to multiple computers in a network, there is still
only one person using it. If a computer has a single monitor, a keyboard, and input
devices, then it is considered a single-user system. Some computers may be able to
connect to others, but if they can’t run a program from another computer and also see
it on their own monitor then it’s still a single-user system.
Single-user operating systems have the ability to run multiple programs. A person can
only focus on one task while on their home computer like writing in a word processor.
That’s similar to how this system can only focus on one user. Though there may be
multiple aspects involved, there’s still only one person in the center. Examples
include Microsoft Windows and Macintosh OS.

Multiuser Operating System

A multi-user operating system allows many different users to take advantage of the
computer's resources simultaneously. The operating system must make sure that the
requirements of the various users are balanced, and that each of the programs they are using
has sufficient and separate resources so that a problem with one user doesn't affect the entire
community of users. The multi-user operating system can serve multiple end-users at the
same point in time. The operating system manages the hardware resources such as memory
and CPU in such a way that the task of one user does not affect the task of some other user.

TYPES OF MULTI-USER OPERATING SYSTEM

• Distributed System
• Time – sliced System
• Multi-processor system
Distributed Operating System:
• Distributed Operating system also known as distributed computing is a collection of
multiple components located on different computers that interact, co-ordinates, and
emulates as a single coherent system to the end-user. End-user will communicate or
operate them with the help of the Network.
• This system divides resources in a way that multiple requests can be handled and in
turn each, individual request can be satisfied eventually.
• It is responsible for the underlying task management and orchestration of the
computer's programs. A distributed operating system is a system that spreads the load
over multiple computer hardware servers.
• Modern Applications Most fields of science use this sort of operating system,
including biotechnology, cosmology, theoretical physics, astrophysics, and computer
science.
 • Example of the distributed system:
• Electronic banking, and Mobile Apps can be sited as the best example of Applications
that can be hosted on Distributed OS. Users can conduct numerous transactions using
a single network from the comfort of their place.
Time sliced system:
• It is the system where each user task is allocated to a short span of CPU time. In other
words, each task is assigned to a short period. These time slices appear too small to
the eyes of the user. The decision to run the next piece of job is decided by an internal
component called the ‘Scheduler’. This scheduler identifies and executes the run
instruction or task that needs to be executed depending on the priority cycle.
• The users can take turns and thus the Operating System will handle user’s requests
among the users who are connected. This feature is not available in the Single User
Operating System, where the user and the machine come in contact directly.
• Example of Time sliced system:
• Mainframe, a practical exam of the time-sliced system, where a user will be allocated
a specific time slice to perform a complex task.

Examples of Multiuser operating system

1. Linux
2. Windows 10
3. IBM AS400
4. Ubuntu
5. macOS
6. Unix

Single User Operating System Multi User Operating System

In a Single-User Operating System, only
one user can access the computer at the
same time.
The bootloader loads all the resources of
the CPU in the profile of a single
superuser.
A Single Super User is allocated all the
resources of the CPU, and only the super
user controls the operating system.
As all the resources are dedicated to a
single superuser, therefore, faster
processing of instruction in the operating
system occurs.
The Single User Operating systems are
simplistic and easy to design.
In a Multi-User Operating System, more
than one user can access a computer at the
same time.
The bootloader distributes the resources of
the CPU based on the priority of the users.
The Concept of Super User Does not exist,
instead, role-based entities exist, such that,
upper roles hierarchy can manage the lower
roles hierarchy permission and settings.
The resources are divided among multiple
users therefore the processing slower
processing of instructions in the operating
system occurs.
The Multiuser Operating systems are
complicated as they have to apply complex

The types of Single User Operating
systems are – Single-User Single-Task
Operating systems and Single-User Multi- Distributed Operating System.
Task Operating systems.
Examples of Single User Operating
Systems are – MS DOS, Windows 95,
Windows NT, Windows 2000, Personal
Computers, etc.
techniques to share the resources among
various users.
The types of Multi-User Operating System
are – Time Sharing Operating System and
Examples of Multiuser Operating Systems
are Mainframes such as IBM AS400, Linux
& Unix Distributed OS, etc.

Network Operating System

A network operating system (NOS) is a computer operating system (OS) that is designed
primarily to support workstations, personal computers and, in some instances,
older terminals that are connected on a local area network (LAN). The software behind a
NOS allows multiple devices within a network to communicate and share resources with each
other.
The composition of hardware that typically uses a NOS includes several personal computers,
a printer, a server and file server with a local network that connects them together. The role
of the NOS is to then provide basic network services and features that support multiple input
requests simultaneously in a multiuser environment.
Due to earlier versions of basic operating systems not being designed for network use,
network operating systems emerged as a solution for single-user computers.

Types of network operating systems

There are two basic types of network operating systems, the peer-to-peer NOS and
the client/server NOS:

1. Peer-to-peer network operating systems allow users to share network resources

saved in a common, accessible network location. In this architecture, all devices are
treated equally in terms of functionality. Peer-to-peer usually works best for small to
medium LANs and is cheaper to set up.
2. Client/server network operating systems provide users with access to resources
through a server. In this architecture, all functions and applications are unified under
one file server that can be used to execute individual client actions regardless of
physical location. Client/server tends to be most expensive to implement and
requires a large amount of technical maintenance. An advantage to the client/server
model is that the network is controlled centrally, makes changes or additions to
technology easier to incorporate.
Common features of network operating systems

Features of network operating systems are typically associated with user administration,
system maintenance and resource management functionality. This includes:

• Basic support for operating systems like protocol and processor support, hardware
detection and multiprocessing.
• Printer and application sharing.
• Common file system and database sharing.
• Network security capabilities such as user authentication and access control.
• Directory
• Backup and web services.
• Internetworking.

Examples of network operating systems

True network operating systems are categorized as software that enhances the functionality of
operating systems by providing added network features. A few examples of these network
operating systems and their service providers are:

• Artisoft’s LANtastic- This is a simple, user-friendly NOS that supports most PC

operating systems.
• Banyan’s VINES- This uses a client-server architecture to request specific functions
and services.
• Novell’s NetWare- This was the first network operating system to be released and is
designed based on XNS protocol architecture.
• Microsoft’s LAN Manager- This operates as a server application and was developed
to run under the Microsoft OS. Now, most of the functionality of LAN Manager is
included in the Windows OS itself.

In addition, some multi-purpose operating systems, such as Windows NT and

Digital's OpenVMS come with capabilities that enable them to be described as a network
operating system. Further, the most popular operating systems
like Windows, Unix, Linux and Mac include built-in networking functions that may not
require additional network services.
REFERENCES
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