MODULE I

INTRODUCTION TO DATA
COMMUNICATIONS AND NETWORKING

Lesson 1 Networking
Fundamentals

Lesson 2 Network Building Blocks

Lesson 3 Types of Networks

Lesson 4 The Network Operating

System

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MODULE I

INTRODUCTION TO DATA COMMUNICATIONS AND NETWORKING

INTRODUCTION

As you begin your study, it is important that you understand some of

the fundamental concepts upon which computer networks are built. This
module introduces some basic principles of computer-based networking,
discusses advantages of networking, presents the idea of connecting
computers together and how the computers in the network are configured
and how they share information determine whether the network is peer-to-
peer or server based—another important network classification.
Without a network operating system of some kind, individual
computers cannot share resources, and other users cannot make use of
those resources.
This module provides a general introduction to network operating
systems (NOSs). It describes the basic features and functions of NOS and
contrasts these with each other.

OBJECTIVES

After studying the module, you should be able to:

1. Define a computer network.

2. Discuss advantages of using a network.
3. Identify network services.
4. Identify the network main blocks.
5. Identify a peer-to-peer network and a server-based network.
6. Identify the main functions of network operating systems
7. Identify essential NOS components.
8. Describe the elements and services of client software.
9. Describe the elements and services of server software.
10.Distinguish between network operating types.

DIRECTIONS/ MODULE ORGANIZER

There are four lessons in the module. Read each lesson carefully then
answer the exercises/activities to find out how much you have benefited
from it. Work on these exercises carefully and submit your output to your
instructor or to the College of Computer Science office.

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In case you encounter difficulty, discuss this with your instructor

during the face-to-face meeting. If not contact your instructor at the
College of Computer Science office.

Good luck and happy reading!!!

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Lesson 1

Networking Fundamentals

1.1 WHAT IS A NETWORK?

The information technology has been the driving force in most of the
advances witnessed this century. There has been a revolution in the way
information is gathered, processed and distributed. This revolution can’t be
done without the convergence of computing and communications.
Telephones, radio, television, and computers nowadays are the tools for this
information revolution. Geographically distributed computers can be hooked
up together to permit the exchange of data and information. Computer
network can be defined as a collection of devices that can store and
manipulate electronic data, interconnected in such a way that network
users can store, retrieve, and share information.
Commonly connected devices include microcomputers,
minicomputers, mainframe computers, terminals, printers, fax machines,
pagers, mobiles and various data storage devices as shown in Figure 1.1.

In today's business world, a computer network is much more than a

collection of interconnected devices. For many businesses, the computer
network is the resource that enables them to gather, analyze, organize, and

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disseminate the information that is essential to their profitability. The rise

of Intranets and Extranets is the latest indication of the crucial importance
of computer networking to businesses. Intranets and Extranets are private
business networks that are based on Internet technology. Intranets,
Extranets, and the Internet will be treated in more details later. For now, it
is enough to understand that businesses are currently implementing
Intranets at a breakneck pace and for one reason only, an Intranet enables a
business to collect, manage, and disseminate information more quickly and
easily than ever before. Many businesses are implementing Intranets simply
to remain competitive; businesses that delay are likely to see their
competition outdistance them.

1.2 BENEFITS OF COMPUTER NETWORKING

The most obvious benefit of computer networking is that you can

store and retrieve virtually any kind of information on a computer network,
including textual information such as letters and contracts, audio
information such as voice messages, and visual images such as facsimiles,
photographs, medical x-rays, and even videos. In addition to information
storage and retrieval, there is a host of other important benefits of
networking computers. Having a computer network enables us to combine
the skills of different people and the power of different equipment,
regardless of the physical locations of the people or the equipment.
Computer networking enables people to easily share information and
hardware, allowing them to take advantage of communication medium such
as electronic mail, newsgroups, and video conferencing. It also allows them
to work more securely, efficiently, and productively. Nevertheless, the
major benefits of computer networking are:

1.2.1 Powerful, Flexible Collaboration

To be able to collaborate electronically from widely separate

physical locations has significant advantages. It enables people to
avoid the considerable time investments and costs connected with
traveling. It enables people to communicate instantaneously,
regardless of the distance, and to act before their competitors do. It
frees people from having to reconcile the differences in multiple
information files. Electronic collaboration enables people to minimize
the amount of work required to complete projects, it frees them
from redoing work they would do correctly in the first place if they
had instantaneous access to up-to-date information and instructions.
For example, users can engage in real time teleconferencing, talking
face to face, while simultaneously viewing and editing the same
document, adding and deleting notes and comments, and
instantaneously viewing each other’s changes as they are made. They
can do this without having to worry about accidentally changing the
work of others.

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1.2.2 Freedom to Choose the Right Tool

Open networking products enable users to work on the type of

computer best suited to the job they must do, without placing
restrictions on their file-sharing capabilities. The design of any
particular computer can make it well suited for some tasks and not
suited for others. In an open environment, you can combine many
kinds of computers to take advantage of the special strengths of each
type of machine. For example, Novel network users can use IBM PCs
running any version of Windows or DOS, Macintosh computers running
a version of the Macintosh operating system, Sun workstations
running the UNIX operating system, and many other types of
computers, all on the same network. Scientists, secretaries, doctors,
lawyers, writers, editors, artists, engineers, everyone can use the
type of computer equipment best suited to the type of work he or she
does, yet each can still easily share information with others.

1.2.3 Cost-effective Resource Sharing

A network enables users to share any networkable equipment

or software and realize the benefits that you would enjoy from
resource sharing. On a network, users can share printers, modems;
data storage devices, such as hard disks and CD-ROM drives; data
backup devices, such as tape drives; E-mail systems; facsimile
machines; and all networkable software. When you compare sharing
these resources to purchasing them for each computer, the cost
savings can be enormous.
When we implement an Intranet, we can share network
resources with suppliers, consultants, and other outside partners. We
will be able to rent applications over the Internet. Businesses have
capability to explore Intranet resource sharing.

1.2.4 Worldwide, Instantaneous Access to Information

With access to our business's Intranet and Web server, we will

be able to easily and inexpensively access any new or updated
information, from anywhere in the world, within a few seconds after
it is published. The Internet provides the low-cost backbone for
global access to your Intranet, and existing Web browsers and other
Intranet tools make it easy for even the most novice computer user to
access the information and Intranet resources they need.
The best networks have extremely powerful security features
that enable us to exercise flexible control of who will have access to
sensitive data, equipment, and other resources.

1.2.5 Secure Management of Sensitive Information

There is another advantage to computer networking that may

be even more important than instantaneous, coordinated information
and resource sharing. The best networks have extremely powerful

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security features that enable you to exercise flexible control of who

will have access to sensitive data, equipment, and other resources.

1.2.6 Effective Worldwide Communications

If you choose a networking company that offers a full suite of

products—including robust directory services—and that supports open
standards, you will be able to connect heterogeneous computing
equipment at distant geographic locations into one cohesive network.
As a result, you will be able to disseminate critical information to
multiple locations anywhere in the world, almost instantaneously.

1.2.7 Easy, Immediate Information Dissemination

When we implement a business Intranet, we can create or

update information that will be easily and immediately make it
accessible to all company employees. With a World Wide Web server
running on our Intranet and with today's powerful Web publishing
tools, we can create or change any information using a favorite,
familiar application, and we can have that information automatically
and instantaneously published on our Web server. This information
will then be available to anyone who has the rights to access it,
anywhere in the world.

1.3 NETWORK BUILDING BLOCKS

Data Communication is a process of exchanging data or information.

In case of computer networks this exchange is done between two devices
over a transmission medium. This process involves a communication system
which is made up of hardware and software. The hardware part involves the
sender and receiver devices and the intermediate devices through which the
data passes. The software part involves certain rules which specify what is
to be communicated, how it is to be communicated and when. It is also
called as a Protocol. The following sections describes the fundamental
characteristics that are important for the effective working of data
communication process and is followed by the components that make up a
data communications system.

EXERCISE

1. Discuss Computer Network.

2. What are the services provided by networks?
3. List five advantages of networking.
4. Draw a simple network set-up in your home.

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Lesson 2

Network Building Blocks

2.1 END SYSTEMS, CLIENTS AND SERVERS

In computer networking jargon, we often referred to the computers

that we use on a daily basis as "hosts" because they host (run) application-
level programs such as a Web browser or server program, or an e-mail
program. They are also referred to as "end systems" because they sit at the
"edge" of the networks, as shown in Figure 1.2.
The computers that end users use to access the resources of the
network are Client computers. They are typically located on the users’
desks, while computers that provide shared resources, such as disk storage
and printers, as well as network services, such as e-mail and Internet access
are known as Server computers.

2.2 NETWORK INTERFACE CARDS (NICS) OR NETWORK ADAPTERS

NIC enables the computer to communicate over a network.

Every end system must have a network interface card (or a built-in network
port) in order to be a part of a network.

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2.3 PHYSICAL CONNECTING MEDIUM

The physical medium can take many shapes and forms, and does not
have to be of the same type for each transmitter-receiver pair along the
path. Examples of physical medium include twisted-pair copper wire,
coaxial cable, multimode Optical fiber cable, terrestrial radio spectrum and
satellite radio spectrum.

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2.4 INTERMEDIATE SWITCHING DEVICES

Physical medium usually doesn’t connect computers directly to each

other. Instead, each end system is connected to a device that in turn,
connects it to the rest of the network. Router, switches, hubs, bridges, and
gateways, are examples of connecting and switching devices, we refer to
the combination of these devices as a network core.

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2.5 NETWORK SOFTWARE

Although network hardware is essential, what really makes a network

work is software. A whole bunch of software has to be set up just right in
order to get a network working. Server computers typically use a special
network operating system (also known as NOS) in order to function
efficiently and client computers need to have their network settings
configured properly in order to access the network. A network operating
system (NOS) is a specialized operating system for a network device such as
a router, switch or firewall.

Proprietary network operating systems

● Cisco IOS, a family of network operating systems used on Cisco

Systems routers and network switches. (Earlier switches ran the
Catalyst operating system, or CatOS)
● RouterOS by MikroTik

● ZyNOS, used in network devices made by ZyXEL

FreeBSD, NetBSD, and Linux-based operating systems

● Cisco NX-OS, IOS XE, and IOS XR; families of network operating
systems used across various Cisco Systems device including the Cisco
Nexus and Cisco ASR platforms

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● Cumulus Linux distribution, which uses the full TCP/IP stack of Linux
● DD-WRT, a Linux kernel-based firmware for wireless routers and
access points as well as low-cost networking device platforms such as
the Linksys WRT54G
● Dell Networking Operating System; DNOS9 is NetBSD based, while
OS10 uses the Linux kernel
● Extensible Operating System runs on switches from Arista and uses an
unmodified Linux kernel
● ExtremeXOS (EXOS), used in network devices made by Extreme
Networks
● FTOS (Force10 Operating System), the firmware family used
on Force10 Ethernet switches
● ONOS, an open source SDN operating system (hosted by Linux
Foundation) for communications service providers that is designed for
scalability, high performance and high availability.
● OpenWrt used to route IP packets on embedded devices
● pfSense, a fork of M0n0wall, which uses PF
● OPNsense, a fork of pfSense
● SONiC, a Linux-based network operating system developed
by Microsoft
● VyOS, an open source fork of the Vyatta routing package

EXERCISE

1. What is Network Operating System?

2. Classify the network main blocks.

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Lesson 3

Types of Networks

3.1 PEER-TO-PEER NETWORK

Not all computers are equal in a network - their status depends on

the role they perform. There are three kinds of computers in a network:
1. Client computers: Use network resources.
2. Peer computers: Use and provide network resources.
3. Servers: Only provide network resources.

We cannot assume that the role of a computer in a network is tied to

the operating system it runs. A Macintosh is not a peer unless it is sharing
network resources. And do not be surprised if somebody decides to run
Windows NT as merely a client, it would be a tragic waste of resources. The
operating system merely determines the networking potential of a
computer.
Depending on how we assign roles to individual computers in our
network, we can classify all networks into three broad categories.
Peer-to-peer is a style of networking in which a group of computers
communicate directly with each other, rather than through a central server.
Every computer in this network functions as both clients and servers to the
other computer on the network. Peer nodes may differ in local
configuration, processing speed, and network bandwidth and storage
quantity. Popular examples of peer-to-peer are file-sharing networks.
Peer to peer networks have no role for servers and are thus marked by
the total absence of central control. All you have to do is an individual log
into workgroups and start working. Everybody shares disk resources and
devices like printers in the manner they deem fit. You also need to use a
network operating system to recognize the other workstations in the
network. In this configuration, each user in the network determines which
data Base or resources they wish to share. Figure 1.3 illustrates a peer-to-
peer.

3.1.1 Peer-to-Peer Advantages

1. A peer-to-peer network is a simple solution for interconnecting

computers. Just add a network interface card (NIC) to each

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system, connect the systems with cabling and begin sharing

information.
2. Peer to peer networks allow economical communication with
other users when there is a limited amount of data to
exchange. Sharing expensive peripherals becomes easy.
Moreover, your productivity will increase with the ability to
send files and messages without having to leave your
workstation.
3. These networks are relatively inexpensive (no server hardware,
no administrator) and work quite well for very small
operations.

3.1.2 Peer-to-Peer Disadvantages

1. In peer-to-peer networks, all users must be located in the

same general area. If you exceed 5-10 users with this type of
network, the network management may become very difficult.
2. Because there is no dedicated server to handle the file and
print sharing administration, peer to peer networking may not
be practical for intensive file transfer/storage or heavy printer
sharing applications.
3. Security in these networks is lax, work can be cumbersome if
every peer decides to put up a password on his/her machine,
and system performance suffers dramatically if there is too
much traffic on a particular machine.

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4. Plus, the absence of central control means that data is

disorganized and very tough to locate over the network.
5. When the numbers of workstations in the network increase,
problems will arise due to the cost of administration and
security.

3.2 CLIENT-SERVER NETWORK

Client/server describes the relationship between two computer

programs in which one program, the client, makes a service request from
another program, the server, which fulfills the request. Although the
client/server idea can be used by programs within a single computer, it is a
more important idea in a network. In a network, the client/server model
provides a convenient way to interconnect programs that are distributed
efficiently across different locations. Computer transactions using the
client/server model are very common. For example, to check your bank
account from your computer, a client program on your computer forwards
your request to a server program at the bank. That program may in turn
forward the request to its own client program that sends a request to a data
base server at another bank computer to retrieve your account balance. The
balance is returned back to the bank data client, which in turn serves it
back to the client in your personal computer, which displays the information
for you.

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Servers and clients are usually connected with network interface

cards using a cabling system and hub to work with the chosen protocol.
Figure 1.4 illustrates a small client/ server network. A dedicated server
provides responsive, highly available file storage and backup for all the
users; expedited printing capabilities, as well as e-mail or Internet access
for the group. In a network, the client/server model provides a convenient
way to interconnect programs that are distributed efficiently across
different locations. The client/server model has become one of the central
ideas of network computing. Most business applications being written today
use the client/server model. In the usual client/server model, one server is
activated and awaits client requests. Typically, multiple client programs
share the services of a common server program. Both client programs and
server programs are often part of a larger program or application. Relative
to the Internet, the Web browser is a client program that requests services
(the sending of Web pages or files) from a Web server (which technically is
called a Hypertext Transport Protocol or HTTP server) in another computer
somewhere on the Internet.

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In the old days, the clients were simply dumb tubes. They had a
monitor and a keyboard. This type of system is still common in banks and
hotels where storage of data locally at the client is undesired or
unnecessary. The trend has been to use smart clients in most new
client/server networks. Smart clients will have their own local storage of
data and programs that offer far more flexibility.

3.2.1 Client-server Advantages

1. A client-server networking strategy provides powerful and secure

communication services for workgroups from 3-4 users up to
hundreds of users.
2. The server provides high levels of control over resources shared on
the network and makes administrating the network much easier
than in a peer-to-peer environment. The Client / Server
networking is cost efficient since you can use basic workstations
and a fast server.
3. Workstations may be equipped with less memory and smaller hard
drives, thus saving on total setup costs. Users will have access to
all the power of the server and all the resources on the network
with excellent response time, even though hundreds of other users
may also be connected.
4. Client-Server networks revolve around powerful machines that
take care of the security and administration on the network.
5. Servers normally have very specific roles in the network,
therefore they split the support objectives of the network.

3.2.2 Client-server Disadvantages

Even though the Client-Server type of network has many

advantages, there are some disadvantages:

1. The cost of this type of network is relatively high up front. Not

only must you purchase the server hardware, but most server
software is very expensive, especially for larger networks. This is

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due to the fact that some software companies charge more for
each client computer that requires connection to the main server.
2. Another downside to be considered is the possibility of the main
server having problems. How fast must you have the network
working again? If you need all time operability, you should allow in
your budget a second "redundant" server. Hence if the main server
goes down, the redundant server will step in and provide services
until the primary server is back up again. An experienced
administrator should be able to setup redundant servers that will
assume control of failing servers without user intervention.

3.2.3 Comparison between Peer-To-Peer and Client Server Types

3.3 HYBRID NETWORKS

Most networks in the world are hybrid networks that run clients,
peers and servers together. Users get the best of all worlds - shared
resources are located on servers but the users can still directly touch
their peers (bypassing the PDC) for shared resources. This has an
important implication on security - users can be assigned variable levels
of access to the server and peer machines depending on the importance
of the data.
Hybrid Access Networks refer to a special architecture for broadband
access networks where two different network technologies are combined
to improve bandwidth. A frequent motivation for such Hybrid Access
Networks to combine one xDSL network with a wireless network such
as LTE. The technology is generic and can be applied to combine
different types of access networks such as DOCSIS, WiMAX, 5G or
satellite networks. The Broadband Forum has specified an
[1]
architecture as a framework for the deployment of such converged
networks.

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EXERCISE

1. List types of networks.

2. Compare between peer-to-peer and server-based networks.

Lesson 4

THE NETWORK OPERATING SYSTEM (NOS)

4.1 Network Operating System Definition and Services.

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A network operating system acts as the command center,

enabling all of the network hardware and all other network software
to function together as one cohesive, organized system. It is the
heart of the network. The term network operating system, however,
is generally reserved for software that enhances a basic operating
system by adding networking features.

NOS, includes special functions for connecting computers and

devices into a local-area network (LAN). It is installed onto each PC
that requires network access. It is like a traffic warden that monitors
the exchange and flow of files, electronic mail, and other network
information.
NOS is a specialized system software designed to provide
networking functionality. It has all the features of a standalone
operating system but offers many more facilities in a complex
environment. In addition to the usual lower level computing
functions, a network operating system is responsible for other
functions such as:

1. Directing data traffic through the network

2. Security functions such as authentication, authorization, logon
restrictions and access control so it can allow and prevent access
to data.
3. Protection and synchronization functions that enable it to prevent
access to data files while they are being processed.
4. Managing the flow of information between a variety of
workstations
5. Internetworking functions to support data traffic using
internetworking device such as switches, routers and other
devices.
6. Functions to manage requests for file, print, web services, back-
up and replication.
7. Functions to manage connections between the network and
remote sites.
8. Functions that provide name and directory services

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9. User management and support functions for logon and logoff,

remote access; system management, administration and auditing
tools with graphic interfaces

Network Operating System (NOS) is an operating system that

includes special functions for connecting computers and devices into
a local-area network (LAN) or Inter-networking. You can use NOS to
create local area networks (LANs) that function as either peer-to-
peer networks or server-based networks, depending on the needs and
budget.

4.2 Peer-to-Peer Network Operating Systems

Peer-to-peer network operating systems enable networked

computers to function as both a server and a workstation. In a peer-
to-peer network, the operating system is installed on every
networked computer; this enables any networked computer to
provide resources and services to all other networked computers. For
example, each networked computer can allow other computers to
access its files and use connected printers while it is in use as a
workstation. Peer-to-peer network operating systems allow users to
share resources and files located on their computers and to access
shared resources found on other computers.
Peer-to-peer operating systems have advantages and
disadvantages when compared to client-server operating systems.
They provide many of the same resources and services as do client-
server operating systems, and, under the right circumstances, can
provide good performance. They are also easy to install and usually
inexpensive.
However, peer-to-peer networks provide fewer services than
client-server operating systems. The services they provide are less
robust than those provided by mature, full-featured client-server
operating systems. The performance of peer-to-peer networks
commonly decreases significantly under a heavy load. Furthermore,
maintenance is often more difficult: Because there is no method of
centralized management, there are often many servers to manage
(rather than one centralized server), and many people may have
access to and the ability to change the configuration of different
server computers.
Windows XP, Windows Me, Windows 2000 Professional,
Windows 98, Windows 95, and Windows for Workgroups offer peer-to-
peer networking features.

4.3 Client Server Network Operating System

The components of the client server network operating system

include:

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1. Client Software which is the network software installed on the

client's machines. They provide the capabilities required for
clients to access and use the network resources.
2. Server Software which is the network software that is installed on
the servers. They provide the capabilities required for network
operation.

4.4 Client Software

The network client software actually performs an operation

that makes the computer think the network resource is just a local
resource.
In a network environment when a user initiates a request to
use a resource that exists on a server in another part of the network,
the request has to be forwarded or redirected to the server that is
managing the requested resource. The two component of the client
software that does this task are:
Redirector may also be referred to as a requester. When a
standalone computer accesses a file on the local hard drive or prints
to a directly connected local printer, this request for service goes to
the computer's processor. The processor then makes this request a
reality and either opens the specified file or sends a print job to the
printer. All this activity is managed locally. This process is handled by
the redirector.

If the redirector finds that the user wants to access a remote

file on a server or print to a network printer, the request is
forwarded to the network server. If the request is for the access of a
local file (on the computer's hard drive), the redirector allows the
request to proceed to the computer's processor so that the request
can be processed locally. Figure 1.6 shows a diagram of how the
redirector directs requests to either the local processor or the
network server. The client computer is fooled by the redirector into
thinking that all the resources it accesses (whether local or remote)
are local.
Drive Designators may be associated with the shared network
resources. They are used by the redirector to locate the network
resource. For instance, if you want to access a particular shared
directory on a remote computer you can assign a letter of the

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alphabet say E to it. You can then refer to the shared directory on
the remote computer as E and the redirector will locate it.
Designators make it unnecessary for users to worry about the actual
location of data or peripherals. They can send requests to computers
or peripherals.

Client workstations can provide business functions using a

mixture of personal productivity products in conjunction with a
custom application. For example, a document created by a word
processor can include input from a spreadsheet program and the
invoice data created by the client/server application. The capability
to cut and paste input from several different sources is one of the
most powerful aspects of a client workstation. It provides the end
user with tools to create new applications—without the need to go to
professional programmers for assistance.
The client almost always provides presentation services. User
input and final output, if any, are presented at the client
workstation.

● Request for Service: Client workstations request services from

the attached server. NOS software translates or adds the specifics
required by the targeted requester to the application request. The
most basic service provided by the NOS is redirection

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● Remote Procedure Call (RPC): Remote procedure calls (RPCs)

standardize the way programmers must write calls, so that remote
procedures can recognize and respond correctly.

● Fax/Print Services: The NOS enables the client to generate print

requests even when the printer is busy. The client workstation can
view the status of the print queues at any time.

● Window Services: The capabilities to activate, view, move, size,

or hide a particular window is provided by the window services of
the client operating system. These services interact with message
services provided to notify the user of events that occur on a
server.

● Remote Boot Services: Some applications operate well on

workstations without any local disk storage; The client
workstation must provide sufficient software burned into erasable
programmable read-only memory (E-PROM) to start the initial
program load (IPL)—that is, boot—process. E-PROM is included in
all workstations to hold the Basic Input/Output System (BIOS)
services.

● Other Remote Services: Software is provided by the NOS to run

on the client workstation to initiate some remote applications like
Backup services, Business functions such as downloading data from
a host or checking a list of stock.

● Utility Services: Local functions such as copy, move, edit,

compare, and help that execute on the client workstation.

● Message Services: Provide the buffering, scheduling, and

arbitration services to support this function.

● Network Services: Set of services and APIs that create, send,

receive, and format network messages. These services provide
support for communications protocols, such as NetBIOS, IPX,
TCP/IP, APPC, Ethernet, Token Ring, FDDI, and X.25.

● Application Services: Custom applications use APIs embedded in

an RPC to invoke specialized services from a remote server.

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● Data base Services: Data base requests are made using the SQL
syntax. SQL is an industry standard language supported by many
vendors.

● Network Management Services-Alerts: Most network interface

cards (NICs) can alerts to signify detected errors and perhaps to
signify messages sent and received. These alerts are generated by
(NICs) and are valuable in remote LAN management to enable
early detection of failures.

● Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE): DDE is a feature that enables users

to pass data between applications from different vendors through
support for common APIs.

● Object Linking and Embedding (OLE): This is an extension to DDE

that enables objects to be created with the object components
software aware, which automatically launches the appropriate
software to manipulate the data. OLE focuses on data sharing
between applications on a single desktop.

● Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA): CORBA

addresses cross-platform data transfer and the process of moving
objects over networks. CORBA support enables Windows and UNIX
clients to share objects.

4.5 Server Software

The server software makes it possible for users on machines to

share the server's data and peripherals including shared directories,
printers, plotters and disks.
The server software not only allows the sharing of resources
but also determines the degree of sharing. The degree of sharing
includes:
1. Allowing different users different levels of access to the
resources. For example, a file server could give Read, Write or
Read and Write permissions to different users.

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2. Coordinating access to the resources to make sure that two users

do not use the same resource at the same time.

The sever software is used to:

1. Create user privileges which indicates who will be using the

various resources on the network
2. Validate user names and passwords at the time of logging on
3. Grant or deny user privileges on the network
4. Add and remove users.

Servers are designed for nearly every purpose imaginable, from

simple email servers to more complicated application servers. Every
application will have specific server requirements, and is typically
designed to run on Windows NT/2000/2003, Novell Netware, or Linux.
Many servers can run multiple applications to serve a variety of
needs. The following is just a brief of the most common types of
server applications . . .

File and Print Servers

File servers store files created by application programs. In some

configurations, the file servers might also hold the application
programs themselves. A file server is a computer that has a hard disk
drive large enough to share. File servers provide the ability to
simultaneously access the same file.

Print servers accept print jobs sent by anyone across the network.
The print-server software also reports the status of jobs waiting for
printing and recognizes the priorities assigned to specific users.

Mail Servers: Mail servers manage local (within your network) and
global (Internet-wide) electronic messaging. The mail server you
choose should support the Internet standards such as POP3, and
SMTP.

Fax Servers: Fax servers manage fax traffic in and out of the
network, allowing multiple users to send and receive faxes without a
fax machine.

Web Servers: Web servers allow Internet users to attach to your

server to view and maintain web pages. The two most popular web
servers are Apache and Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS).

Data base Servers or Data base Management Systems (DBMS):

Though not exactly a server, DBMS systems allow multiple users to
access the same data base at the same time. While this functionality
is typically built into data base software (ex. Microsoft Access allows
concurrent connections to its databases), a larger data base or a data

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base with many users may need a dedicated DBMS to serve all the
requests.

Application Servers: Application servers have undergone many

changes and have grown in both quantity and variety with the growth
of the Internet. An application server acts as an intermediary to
information. In many usages, the application server works with a Web
server and is called a Web application server. The web application
server receives requests from a web page then returns the
information in a new web page based on the results and uniquely
created.

Terminal Servers or Communication Server: Generally, a terminal

server refers to a piece of hardware that allows devices to be
attached to the network without a need for network cards. PCs,
"dumb" terminals supporting just a mouse and monitor, or printers
can all be attached via standard ports, and can then be managed by
the network administrator.

Proxy Servers: Proxy servers act as interne diaries between your

network users and the wide world of the Internet. Proxy servers
perform a number of functions:
1. Masks network users IP addresses
2. Strengthens security by only allowing certain requests to come
through and by providing virus protection
3. Caches web page data for a given period to allow for more rapid
access

Wi

Windows NT Server, Windows 2002 Server, Windows 2003 Server,

Linux and the Macintosh OS/X Server are good examples of Server
NOS.

4.6 Hybrid Network Operating System

Some NOS producers build peer-to-peer networking into their

operating systems from the ground up. The two systems essentially run on
top of each other. Users can share files on their workstations in addition to
the resources available to them on the network. The focus of the network
however, remains on the fileserver and users are normally discouraged from
using the peer-to-peer functionality available to them.

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Windows NT networks are a perfect example of a hybrid network

operating system.

EXERCISE

1. What are the services provided by NOS?

2. What is client software?
3. What is server software?
4. What is redirector?
5. What is client/server system’s primary function?
6. List the most common server types you know.
7. List the most common presentation services provided by client
software.

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