NETWORK OPERATING

SYSTEM
What is network operating system?
 Software that runs on a server and enables the server

to manage data, users, groups, security, applications,

and other networking functions.
 The network operating system is designed to

allow shared file and printer access among multiple

computers in a network, typically a local area
network (LAN), a private network or to other
networks.

NOS 2
 Themost popular network operating systems
are Microsoft Windows Server
2003, Microsoft Windows Server
2008, UNIX, Linux, Mac OS X, Novell NetWare.

NOS 3
Characteristics of NOS
 Network operating systems (NOSs) distribute their
functions over a number of networked computers.
 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.
 NOS are based on a client/server architecture in
which a server enables multiple clients to share
resources
NOS 4
NOS 5
Differences Between PC and a NOS
 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.

NOS 6
NOS 7
Types of Network Operating System
NOS is subdivided into:
i) Peer-to-Peer
 In a peer-to-peer network operating system, users 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

NOS 8
Advantages
i) Less initial expense - No need for a
dedicated server.
ii) Setup - An operating system (such
as Windows XP) already in place may
only need to be reconfigured for peer-
to-peer operations.

Disadvantages
i) Decentralized - No central
repository for files and applications.
ii) Security - Does not provide the
security available on a client/server
network.

NOS 9
ii) Client/Server
 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.

 The network operating system provides the

mechanism to integrate all the components on a

network to allow multiple users to simultaneously
share the same resources regardless of physical
location
NOS 10
Advantages
I) Centralized - Resources and data
security are controlled through the
server.
ii) Scalability - Any or all elements can
be replaced individually as needs
increase.
iii) Flexibility - New technology can be
easily integrated into system.
iv) Interoperability - All components
(client/network/server) work together.
v) Accessibility - Server can be
accessed remotely and across multiple
platforms

Disadvantages
i) Expense - Requires initial investment
in dedicated server.
ii) Maintenance - Large networks will
require a staff to ensure efficient
operation.
iii) Dependence - When server goes
down, operations will cease across the
network
NOS 11
NOS Server Hardware
 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.
NOS 12
Choosing a Network Operating System
The main features to consider when selecting a NOS
include:
 Performance
 Management and monitoring tools
 Security
 Scalability
 Robustness/fault tolerance

NOS 13
Examples of Network Operating System
 It is important to know the basics about popular NOS
families.
 Operating systems on the network have their own
language.
 Different NOS vendors use the same terms in
different ways.

NOS 14
Functions of network operating system
 Directing data traffic through the network
 Allowing and preventing access to data based on

security requirements
 Preventing access to data files while they are being

processed
 Managing the flow of information between a variety

of workstations
 Managing requests for printer services

NOS 15
Functions of network operating system
 Managing communication and messages between
network users
 Managing connections between the network and

remote sites
 Make services as transparent as possible to the user

NOS 16
Network operating system features
1. Security features
 Network operating systems support a number of

security features that control access to the network.

 These include authorization and permission for

access to the network, with specific control of

features such as user management, log-on controls
and passwords.
 Systems also provide access control for features such

as remote access and network monitoring

NOS 17
Network operating system features
2. Networking
 A network operating system is the platform on which

computer networking takes place.

 Basic features allow for file, print and Internet

connections.
 Data backup and replication functions are controlled

through the network operating system.

 The management of connective systems for local and

wide area networks (LANs and WANs), such as

routing, switches and other ports are configured and
managed through network operating system features.
NOS 18
Network operating system features
3. Administrative interface
 One of the features of a network operating system is

that it has an administrative interface that allows a

network administrator to monitor and maintain the
system.
 This interface will have a menu that allows the

administrator to perform functions such as formatting

hard drives and setting up security protocols for both
the system and individual users.
 He can also and configure security and data backup

requirements for individual computers or the network

as a whole.
NOS 19
Network operating system features
1. Deal with users logging on.
2. Maintain the network connection to the server(s)
3. Expand the file system to view folders on other computers
4. Provide security to separate user accounts from each other
5. Stability
A NOS can run for years without crashing. Most services
running on the NOS can be restarted without a system-level
restart. It means a NOS does not restart for every change or
update.
5. Multitasking
One NOS can handle many thousands of tasks simultaneously.
A NOS also runs each service separately.
NOS 20