 Functions of NOS

 Overview of NOS Characteristics

 Differences Between PC and a NOS
 Multiuser, Multitasking, and Multiprocessor
Systems
 NOS Server Hardware
 Windows
 Windows NT 4.0
 Linux
 Server Software and Programs
 Network operating systems typically are used to run
computers that act as servers. They provide the
capabilities required for network operation.
 Network operating systems are also designed for
client computers and provide functions so the
distinction between network operating systems and
stand alone operating systems is not always
obvious.
 Account Administration for users
 Security
 File and print sharing
 Network services
 Backing up data
 Network operating systems (NOSs)
distribute their functions over a
number of networked computers.
 It then adds functions that allow
access to shared resources by a
number of users concurrently.
 NOS computers take on specialized
roles to accomplish concurrent access
to shared resources.
 Client systems contain specialized
software that allows them to request
shared resources that are controlled
by server systems responding to a
client request.
 The NOS enhances the reach of the client PC by making remote
services available as extensions of the local native operating
system.
 Although a number of users may have accounts on a PC, only a
single account is active on the system at any given time.
 NOS supports multiple user accounts at the same time and
enables concurrent access to shared resources by multiple clients.
 A NOS server is a multitasking
system. Internally, the OS must be
capable of executing multiple tasks or
processes at the same time.
 Some systems are equipped with
more than one processor, called
multiprocessing systems.
 They are capable of executing
multiple tasks in parallel by assigning
each task to a different processor.
 The aggregate amount of work that
the server can perform in a given time
is greatly enhanced in multiprocessor
systems.
 NOS servers are large systems with
additional memory to support
multiple tasks that are all active, or
resident, in memory at the same
time.
 Additional disk space is also required
on servers to hold shared files and to
function as an extension to the
internal memory on the system.
 Because a NOS depends on the
continuous operation of its servers,
the extra hardware components
justify the additional expense.
 The main features to
consider when selecting a
NOS include:
 Performance
 Management and
monitoring tools
 Security
 Scalability
 Robustness/fault
tolerance
 It is important to know the basics
about popular NOS families.
 Many networks now include more
than one server type, and knowing
how to get these diverse systems
to interoperate is an important
skill for a network administrator.
 Operating systems on the
network have their own language.
 Different NOS vendors use the
same terms in different ways.
 Windows server-based networks
that run Windows NT Server or
Windows 2000 Server are based
on the concept of the domain.
 A domain is a group of computers
and users that serves as a
boundary of administrative
authority.
 Windows NT domains and
Windows 2000 domains, although
similar in function, interact with
one another differently.
 The Domain Structure of
Windows NT was entirely
different from the Domain
Structure in Windows 2000.
 Instead of Active Directory,
Windows NT provides an
administrative tool called the
User Manager for Domains.
 It is accessed from the domain
controller and is used to create,
manage, and remove domain
user accounts.
 Each NT domain requires one Primary Domain Controller
(PDC).
 This is a "master" server that contains the Security
Accounts Management Database (SAM).
 A domain can also have one or more Backup Domain
Controllers (BDCs), each of which contains a read-only
copy of the SAM.
 The SAM is what controls the authentication process when
a user logs onto the domain.
 The offline folders feature enables users to
copy and synchronize documents from the
network to the local system so that they can
be accessed when the computer is not
connected to the network.
 The Internet Printing Protocol (IPP) enables
users to print to a URL and manage printers
through a web browser interface.
 Built-in disk defragmenters and other tools
and utilities help users maintain and manage
the operating system.
 It supports Kerberos security (developing
standard for authenticating network users),
and the features of a Windows 2000 domain
as an Active Directory client.
XP also offers:
 More extensive hardware and driver support.
 More user-friendly file-sharing and network
configuration for setting up home networks.
 Enhanced wireless network features
 Increased security
 Remote Desktop control
 Overall improvements to the GUI,
including the welcome screen additions,
start menu improvements.
 Enhanced multimedia support for digital video,
audio, and pictures.
 The Windows 2000 family of operating systems
includes:
 Windows 2000 Professional
 Windows 2000 Server
 Windows 2000 Advanced Server
 The specific needs of the network will determine
the best version of Windows 2000 for the
installation.
 The Windows 2003 family of operating systems
includes:
 Standard Edition
 Enterprise Edition
 Datacenter Edition
 Web Edition
 Small Business Server Edition
 2003 Server release is the available support for 64-
bit systems in order to compete in the enterprise
level server arena.
 Linux is an operating system similar to UNIX. It runs on
many different computers and was first released in
1991.
 Linux is portable, which means versions can be found
running on name brand or clone PCs.
 Linux offers many features adopted from other
versions of UNIX.
 The UNIX NOS was developed
in 1969, and it has evolved into
many varieties.
 The source code is opened, that
is, available at no cost to
anyone who wants to modify it.
 It is written in C programming
language so businesses,
academic institutions, and even
individuals can develop their
own versions.
 There are hundreds of different
versions of UNIX.
 Linux is sometimes referred to as "UNIX Lite", and it is
designed to run on Intel-compatible PCs.
 However, Linux will run on other machines as well.
 Linux brings the advantages of UNIX to home and small
business computers.
 The following are a few of the most popular types:
 Red Hat Linux
 Linux Mandrake
 Caldera eDesktop and eServer
 Debian GNU/Linux
 Corel Linux
 Turbo Linux
 Windows clients can access
Linux servers without client
software if the UNIX servers
run Samba, which is a
program that uses the Server
Message Block (SMB)
application layer protocol.
 Windows computers use
SMB for file access across the
network.
 Samba permits them to see
the Linux file system.
 The X Window System is what
comprises the Linux GUI
environment.
 Corel’s WordPerfect and Sun
StarOffice are the top two
office suites capable of
running on Linux.
 There also single packages
rather than full office suits
that come shipped with Linux
and some are installed by
default during the installation
process.
 Some examples of these are
LyX and AbiWord.
 Some of the popular audio
and visual programs available
for Linux include tools for
viewing and editing graphics
like XV and GIMP.
 A popular use of a Linux system is a web server.
 Web server software uses Hypertext Transfer Protocol
(HTTP) to deliver files to users that request them, using a
web browser from their workstation.
 A Mail Server is a system that is configured with the
proper programs and services that enable handling the
exchange of e-mail sent from one client to another.
 The Linux operating system provides file server either in
a Linux environment or in a cross-platform environment
consisting of Windows, Macintosh, UNIX, or OS/2
workstation.
 There are some programs and
software that are essential to
add to a Linux system regardless
of whether it is configured as a
workstation or a server.
 Text editors are essential for
performing any type of
maintenance tasks that a user or
an administrator may need to
do.
 Some examples of text editors
available in Linux are vi, jed,
pico, or Emacs.
 Programming tools are helpful Linux servers as well to
specific users at workstations if they are programmers.
 These programming tools are also referred to as compilers
or interpreters.
 A complier converts the program source code, which is
written by the programmer into binary form the computer
can read.
 Common scripting languages include Javascript, Python,
and Perl.
 Every Linux system relies on a library called the C library
(libc). Linux systems rely on the C library for the routines
that are necessary for C programs to run in Linux.
 When installing a package, the first step should be to
always check and make sure that the operating system
supports the package.
 Generally, any Linux software and package can be
installed on any UNIX-like operating system.
 Check CPU requirements, library requirements, and
development tools.
 Research in this field is continuous.
Modifications in existing NOS and replacing
them with new one is continuous based on new
protocols coming to support networking and
data communication.
 For example, earlier versions of NOS were
supporting only IPv4, newer are supporting both
IPv4 and IPv6.