What is a Network Operating System?
Unlike operating
systems, such as Windows, that are designed for single users to control one
computer, network operating systems (NOS) coordinate the activities of multiple
computers across a network. The network operating system acts as a director to
keep the network running smoothly.
The two major types of
network operating systems are:
- Peer-to-Peer
- Client/Server
Nearly all modern
networks are a combination of both. The networking design can be considered
independent of the servers and workstations that will share it.
Peer-to-Peer
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. However,
they do not have a file server or a centralized management source (See fig. 1).
In a peer-to-peer network, all computers are considered equal; they all have
the same abilities to use the resources available on the network. Peer-to-peer
networks are designed primarily for small to medium local area networks. Nearly
all modern desktop operating systems, such as Macintosh OSX, Linux, and
Windows, can function as peer-to-peer network operating systems.
