Network Operating System

What is a Network Operating System?

A network operating system is an operating system that connects multiple computers and devices on a local area network to allow the sharing of files and resources by connection and communication over a network.

The networking operating system is a crucial operating system that runs on a server and manages the data, applications, groups, users, security, and other functions of a network. Its fundamental purpose is to allow sharing of files and give printers access to a local area network, a private network, or other networks with multiple computers.

Functions of Network Operating System

• It creates and manages the accounts of users on the network.
• It controls access to resources in the network.
• It configures and manages the resources on the network.
• It implements protocols over the network for better implementation of network functionalities.
• It facilitates a secure connection between two workstations by access control and user authentication.

Types of Network Operating Systems

Network operating systems are of two types:

• Peer-to-peer Network Operating System
• Client Server Network Operating System

Let's talk about each one of them in detail.

Peer-to-peer network operating system

A Peer-to-peer network operating system is a network of computers that share equal responsibility and control over processing data. It allows sharing of resources in a shorter and more accessible network. All the devices in the network architecture are similar to others in terms of their functionality, capabilities, and responsibility. Every node in the network has an identical relationship with others. No one is superior or inferior among the systems and thus does not have a master-slave relationship.

A peer-to-peer network operating system allows multiple computers to share resources among scanners, printers, and CD-ROMs, located in smaller environments with not more than 25 workstations. A peer-to-peer network uses a network adapter card to establish the connection. Network cabling and a network hub or switch help us interconnect the computers. Each computer in a workgroup gets treated equally, and no one is in charge of the group. Tracking user accounts and security settings is the responsibility of each computer in the network. There is very little security among the workgroups as they lack any presence of a central login system. The shared resources can be accessed by any user who has logged in to a peer-to-peer network. A user can control the sharing of resources using passwords and the accessibility and sharing of files and folders due to the absence of a central security system.

Advantages of Peer To Peer Network Operating System

• A peer-to-peer network operating system needs lower maintenance and has a less expensive setup, as there is no centralized system to manage the network.
• This type of network operating system does not require dedicated hardware for its work.
• Setting up network policies in a peer-to-peer network operating system does not require a dedicated network administrator. All the users manage their system in the network by choosing the type of files they want to share.
• It uses a twisted pair cable for its setup.

Disadvantages of Peer To Peer Network Operating System

• A common disadvantage of a peer-to-peer network operating system is its security. It is lesser secure due to share-level security.
• The failure of a single node in the system network disturbs the whole system.
• As the network grows large, the performance of the system degrades. It is because all the computers in the network have control over it.
• Peer-to-peer network operating systems cannot monitor the users trying to access a particular resource.
• There is no central control over the network. Network administration is not under the control of a single person. Instead, all users have access to resources and files on the computer.
• Each shared resource must have a password to be under control. Since there can be numerous shared resources in a network, it can become tough to remember a large number of passwords.

Client-Server Network Operating System

The Client-Server Network Operating System has a server in its backend and a client in the frontend. It also has a server-based network where the storage and processing workload gets shared among clients and servers. The central server provides access to resources to the users.

The clients offer requests like printing, document storage, digital mail, and many more, which get satisfied by the server. All community offerings route through the server. Application of Client-Server Network Operating System involves a database accessed by many computers on a network. The database gets stored on the server. The clients send the database queries, which then get processed by the server. The processed database queries are then sent back to the clients across the network. A server can provide a large number of clients at once.

Advantages of Client-Server Network Operating System

• A Client-Server Network Operating System has a centralized data security system that makes it more secure than a Peer-to-Peer Network Operating System.
• The work gets divided among the clients and the server, which reduces traffic in the network.
• A Client-Server Network Operating System covers a larger area compared to Peer to Peer network operating system that covers only a local area. We use Peer to peer networks in places where security is not a concern, like small businesses and home networks, as users have access to files and resources on the computer. A client-server network can cover a larger area, as new clients and servers get added whenever required to make the network wider.
• A Client-Server Network Operating System can access the server remotely across numerous platforms.

Disadvantages of Client-Server Network Operating Systems

• The Client-Server Network Operating System has poor performance due to the concentration of the workload on a single server. The administration of the network is performed by trained network administrators. More administrators need to be appointed to work on the problems faster.
• The implementation cost of a Client-Server Network depends upon the resources, security, and connections used, making it costlier. The server is expensive, which further adds to the cost.
• Disruption in any part of the network causes the whole network to fail.

Features of Network Operating Systems

Features associated with the Network Operating System include:

• It provides the necessary support for operating systems, including hardware detection, multiprocessing, and protocol and processor support.
• It allows the sharing of printers and applications.
• It allows the sharing of file systems and databases.
• It provides network security with access control and user authentication.
• It provides web services, a directory, and internetworking.
• It creates a backup of data.

Advantages of Network Operating Systems

• Network operating systems have central servers that make them highly stable.
• They make the network secure using user authentication and access control functionalities.
• The network can easily upgrade with newer technologies and hardware.
• Servers can get remotely accessed from diverse locations. It can be accessed using software like VPN, hard-wired network interface, Wi-fi, or connecting over the internet.

Disadvantages of Network Operating Systems

• The operations are performed depending on the central location of the server.
• The cost of setting up a Network Operating System is too high as it requires a lot of technical maintenance.
• It needs regular updating and maintenance to work in good condition.

Examples of Network Operating Systems

UNIX, Linux, Microsoft Windows Server 2008, Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Novell NetWare, Banyan’s VINES, Artisoft’s LANtastic, Mac OS X, and BSD.