Chapter 6

Introduction to Network Operating Systems

6.1 Characteristics of a Network Operating

System
6.2 Windows
6.3 Linux
6.4 Determining Software Requirements a
Linux NOS
Characteristics of a Network Operating System
Overview of NOS Characteristics

• 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.
 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.
Multiuser, Multitasking, and Multiprocessor
Systems
• 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 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.
Choosing a NOS

• The main features to

consider when selecting
a NOS include:
– Performance
– Management and
monitoring tools
– Security
– Scalability
– Robustness/fault
tolerance
Types of NOS

• 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
Windows Terminology

• 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.
Windows NT 4.0

• 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.
 Windows NT 4.0

• 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.
Windows 2000 and XP Operating System
• 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.
Windows 2000 and XP Operating System

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.
Windows 2000 and 2003 Family of Operating
Systems
• 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
 History of Linux

• 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.
What is 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 Operating System

• 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
Linux Clients

• 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.
 Determining Software
Requirements for a Linux NOS
Workstation Software and Programs

• 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.
Workstation Software and Programs

• Some of the popular audio

and visual programs
available for Linux include
tools for viewing and editing
graphics like XV and GIMP.
 Server Software and Programs

• 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.
Additional Software and Programs

• 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.
 Additional Software and Programs

• 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.
 Verifying Software Compatibility

• 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.