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Network Operating System
• A network operating system is a computer operating system that's designed primarily to support
workstations.
• The software behind a NOS enables multiple devices within a network to communicate and share
resources with each other.
• A NOS coordinates the activities of multiple computers across a network. This can include such
devices as PCs, printers, file servers and databases connected to a local network.

Type of Network Operating System

1. Peer-to-peer (P2P)
• Network OS let users share network resources saved in a common, accessible location.
• All devices are treated equally in terms of functionality.
• Usually works best for small and medium LANs
• Every device connected to the network has equal status and can act both as a client and a server.
• Devices communicate directly with each other without relying on a centralized server

2. Client-server network
• Network OS provide users with access to resources through a server.
• All functions and applications are unified under one file server that can be used to execute
individual client actions, regardless of physical location.
• An advantage of the client-server model is that the network is controlled centrally, which makes
changes or additions to technology easier to incorporate.
• In a client-server network, there is a clear distinction between client devices and server devices.
Clients request services or resources from servers, and servers respond to these requests.
• Servers are centralized and provide resources or services to multiple clients.

Difference between Server OS and Client OS

❖ Client OS
• It is an operating system that operates within desktop.

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• It is used to obtain services from a server. It run on the client devices like laptop, computer and is
very simple operating system.
❖ Server OS
• It is an operating system that is designed to be used on server.
• It is used to provide services to multiple clients. It can serve multiple clients at a time and is very
advanced operating system.

Common features of network operating systems

1. Basic support for OSes, including protocol and processor support, hardware detection and
multiprocessing.
2. Printer and application sharing.
3. Common file system and database sharing.
4. Network security capabilities, such as user authentication and access control.
5. 5. Directory services.
6. 6. Backup and web services.
7. 7. Internetworking.

Examples of network operating systems

1. Microsoft Windows Server
This is the most widely used NOS designed by Microsoft.
2. Unix OS
The Unix OS was first developed by AT&T Corporation's Bell Laboratories in the late 1960s.
3. Cisco Internetwork OS (IOS)
Cisco IOS is a family of proprietary network OSes that both service providers and enterprises use.

4. Junos OS
Also known as Juniper Junos, Junos OS is a FreeBSD-based NOS that powers every networking
device developed by Juniper, such as networking switches and firewalls.

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Server Operating System
• A server operating system is an advanced operating system designed to run on servers.
• It has the necessary features and subsystems to operate in a client-server architecture and serve
clients' requests.
• It provides the central interface for managing users, implementing security, and other administrative
processes.
Server operating systems facilitate the implementation of various server platforms
1. Web servers
• A web server hosts programs and data and responds to client requests for web pages or other web-
based services.
• Common web servers are Apache, Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS), and Nginx.
2. Mail servers
• A mail server allows users to forward and receive emails for and from their business and controls
individual email accounts based on a specific domain.
• Example: Microsoft Exchange Server, Postfix & Sendmail
3. File servers
• A file server is a specialized computer or software application dedicated to storing, managing, and
sharing files and data within a network, making it accessible to users and other devices.
• Example: Microsoft Window Server, Linux file server, freeNAS & NetApp
4. Application servers
• Server operating systems must be able to run business-critical applications, whether that's a self-
hosted CRM or a SaaS. A server OS usually functions as a shared environment for various
collaborative applications.
• Example: Apache Tomcat
5. Print servers
• Another feature that server operating systems facilitate is print sharing, allowing multiple machines
to use a single printer.
• Example: Window Print Server

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