Network Operating System

Topic Objectives:
• Describe on what is a Network Operating
System
• Learn on what is a Client and a Server
• Learn the difference between Windows Server
and Linux Server
 Network Operating System
• A network operating system (NOS) is a
computer operating system; a system that is
designed primarily to support workstation,
personal computer, and, in some instances,
older terminal that are connected on a local
area network (LAN).
 Network Operating System
• The term network operating system is
generally reserved for software that enhances
a basic operating system by adding
networking features. Novell Netware,
Artisoft's LANtastic, Microsoft Windows
Server, and Windows NT are examples of a
NOS.
 Features of NOS
• Basic operating system features support like protocol
support, processor support, hardware detection and
multiprocessing support for applications
• Security features like authentication, restrictions,
authorizations and accesscontrol
• Features for file, Web service, printing andreplication
• Directory and name services management
• User management features along with provisions for
remote access and system management
• Internetworking features like routing and WANports
• Clustering capabilities
 Common tasks associated with NOS
• User administration
• System maintenance activities like backup
• Tasks associated with file management
• Security monitoring on all resources in the
network
• Setting priority to print jobs in the network
What is a Client?
 Client
• It is a piece of computer hardware orsoftware
that accesses a service made available by a
server. The server is often (but not always) on
another computer system, in which case the
client accesses the service by way of a
network.
• The term applies to programs or devicesthat
are part of a client–server model.
 Client cont…
• A client is the requesting program or user ina
client/server relationship.
• For example, the user of a Web browser is
effectively making client requests for pagesfrom
servers all over the Web.
• The browser itself is a client in its relationship
with the computer that is getting and returning
the requested HTML file. The computer handling
the request and sending back the HTML file is a
server.
What is a Server?
 Server
• It is a computer or computer program that
manages access to a centralized resource or
service in a network.
• In computer networking, a server is a
computer designed to process requests and
deliver data to other(client) computers over a
local network or the Internet.
 Server
• Many types of servers exist, including web
servers, mail servers, and file servers. Each
type runs software specific to thepurpose of
the server.
• For example, a Web server may run Apache
HTTPServer or Microsoft IIS, which both
provide access to websites over the Internet.
Windows Server and Linux Server
What is Window Server?
 Windows Server
• Windows Server is a group of operating systems
designed by Microsoft that supportsenterprise-
level management, data storage, applications,
and communications.
• A series of server operating systems developed
by Microsoft Corporation.
• Windows servers are more powerful versions of
their desktop operating system counterparts and
are designed to more efficiently handlecorporate
networking, Internet/intranet hosting, databases,
enterprise-scale messaging and similar functions.
 Windows Server
• Previous versions of Windows Server have focused on
stability, security, networking, and various
improvements to the filesystem.
• Other improvements also have included improvements
to deployment technologies, as well as increased
hardware support. Microsoft has also created
specialized SKUsof Windows Server that focus on the
home and small business markets.
• Windows Server 2012 R2 is the latest release of
Windows Server, and focuses on cloud computing.
What is Linux Server
 Linux Server
• A Linux server is a high-powered variant of the
Linux open source operating system that's
designed to handle the more demanding
needs of business applications such as
network and system administration, database
management and Web services.
 Linux Server
• Linux servers are frequently selected over
other server operating systems for their
stability, security and flexibility advantages.
Leading Linux server operating systems
include CentOS, Debian, Ubuntu Server,
Slackware and Gentoo.
 Windows Server and Linux Server
• Which NOSis best for yourbusiness?
 Windows
• Microsoft products are regarded as the standard
option for most businesses.
• Most IT admins are comfortable using either
Windows Server 2008 and 2012.
• According to Microsoft's website, 2008's
mainstream support will end in 2015,with
extended support ending in 2020.
• Cost is also an important factor; licence feesare
expensive. The more employees you have, the
more expensive it will become.
 Linux
• You can download, modify it and re-distribute it
without spending any money.
• Linux itself is not a complete operating system(it
is just a kernel) and requires an additional set of
software to be bundled with it.
• SUSEis popular with the enterprisemarket
• Linux is installed on over 95% of the world'sbest
supercomputers demonstrating that it is the
fastest performing OSwith the smallestresource
footprint.
 Linux
• Linux distributions also offer alternatives to
popular Microsoft products such asMicrosoft
Exchange
• If you already use Microsoft and are looking to
migrate to Linux in stages, SUSE(for example)is
compatible with Active Directory, Exchange,
SharePoint and Novell GroupWise.
• Recently, SUSEpartnered with Microsoft to
enable Hyper-V node management using SUSE
Cloud, allowing you to run a mixedenvironment
where required.
 Linux
• No OSis perfect; one of the major downsides
of Linux is that as it is a lesser knownplatform
you will find it harder to administrators with
the skills to configure and support the system
in-house.
 Windows and Linux
• Final Word:

– “Selecting the right platform is important for the

health of your business. It's worth building a test
system running your preferred OSso you can spotany
issues and check security and performance prior to
going live, with minimal disruption for your users.”

– David Barker is the technical director of 4DData

Centres
 Versions of Windows Server
• Windows Server 2012 R2
• Windows Server 2012
• Windows Server 2008 R2
• Windows Server 2008
• Windows Server 2003 R2
• Windows Server 2003
• Windows Server 2000
• Windows NT4.0
• Windows NT3.51
• Windows NT3.5
• Windows NT3.1
 Linux Server Distributions
• The following are the TOP10 Linux
Distributions of 2015 according
serverwatch.com:
• Ubuntu
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux
• Suse Linux Enterprise Server
• CentOS
• Debian
 Linux Server Distributions
• Oracle Linux
• Mageia/Mandriva
• ClearOS
• Arch Linux
• Slackware
 Types of Network Operating System
• Peer-to-peer network operating systemusers
are allowed to share resources and files
located on their computers and access shared
resources from others. This system is not
based with having a file server or centralized
management source. A peer-to-peer network
sets all connected computers equal; they all
share the same abilities to use resources
available on the network
Peer-to-Peer
 Peer-to-Peer
• Advantages
– Ease of setup
– Less hardware needed, no server needs to be purchased.
• Disadvantages
– No central location for storage.
– Lack of security that a client/server typeoffers
 Types of Network Operating System
• Client/Server Network Operating Systemscan
be based on a client/server architecture in
which a server enables multiple clients to
share resources. Client/server network
operating systems allow the network to
centralize functions and applications in one or
more dedicated file servers. The server is the
center of the system, allowing access to
resources and instituting security.
Client/Server Network
 Client/Server
• Advantages
– Centralized servers are more stable.
– Security is provided through the server.
– New technology and hardware can be easily integrated
into the system.
– Servers are able to be accessed remotely fromdifferent
locations and types of systems.
• Disadvantages
– Cost of buying and running a server are high.
– Dependence on a central location for operation.
– Requires regular maintenance and updates.
 Examples
• Peer-to-Peer
– Bittorrent
– Napster and Gnutella
– Windows for Workgroups
– AppleShare
• Client/Server
– Windows Server
– Linux Server
– Mac OSXServer
Domain vs Workgroup
 Domain
• It is a group of computers and devices on a
network that are administered as a unit with
common rules and procedures. Within the
Internet, domains are defined by the IP
address. All devices sharing a common part of
the IP address are said to be in the same
domain.
 Workgroup
• In computer networking, a workgroup is a
collection of computers on a local area
network (LAN) that share common resources
and responsibilities. Workgroups provide easy
sharing of files, printers and other network
resources.
• The Microsoft Windows family of operating
systems supports assigning of computers to
named workgroups.
 References
• http://searchnetworking.techtarget.com/definitio
n/network-operating-system
• http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/N/network_o
perating_system_NOS.html
• http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/W/Windows
_Server.html
• https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/windows/desktop/dn636873%28v=vs.
85%29.aspx
• http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/L/linux_serve
r.html
 References
• http://www.techradar.com/news/software/opera
ting-systems/windows-vs-linux-which-os-is-best-
for-your-business--1265775
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Microsoft_
Windows_versions
• http://www.serverwatch.com/columns/article.ph
p/3900711/The-Top-10-Linux-Server-
Distributions.htm
• http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/D/domain.ht
ml
 References
• http://compnetworking.about.com/cs/design/
g/bldef_workgroup.htm