MODULE 1 [C.S.S. 4]

• AppleShare - was a product from Apple Computer that implemented various network services. Its main purpose was to act as a file server, using the AFP protocol.
• Microsoft Windows Server - is a server operating system that enables a computer to handle network roles such as print server, domain controller, web server, and file server. As a server operating system, it is also the platform for separately acquired server applications such as Exchange Server or SQL Server.
• Novell Netware - is a network operating system able to provide networking services ranging from simple file sharing to (in its latest version) network user, data, security, and resource management akin to Microsoft's Active Directory service.
• A Network Operating System (NOS) is a software program that controls other software and hardware running on a network. It also allows multiple computers, known as network computers, to communicate with one central hub and each other to share resources, run applications, and send messages.
• Peer-to-peer - allows users to share network resources saved in a common, accessible network location. In this architecture, all devices are treated equally in terms of functionality. Peer-to-peer usually works best for small to medium LANs and is cheaper to set up.
• Client-Server - operates with a single server and multiple client computers in the network.
• ADVANTAGES OF THE PEER-TO-PEER NETWORK OPERATING SYSTEM:

  1. Easy to install and set up.

  2. The setup cost is low.

  3. There is no requirement for any specialized software.

  4. The sharing of information and resources is fast and easy.
• DISADVANTAGES OF THE PEER-TO-PEER NETWORK OPERATING SYSTEM:

  1. The performance of autonomous computers may not be so good when sharing some resources.
  2. There is no centralized management.
  3. It is less secure.
  4. It does not have backup functionalities.
  5. There is no centralized storage system
• ADVANTAGES OF THE CLIENT-SERVER NETWORK OPERATING SYSTEM:

  1. It has centralized control and administration.
  2. It has a backup facility for lost data.
  3. The shared data and resources can be accessed concurrently by multiple clients.
  4. It has better reliability and performance.
• DISADVANTAGES OF THE CLIENT-SERVER NETWORK OPERATING SYSTEM:

  1. The setup cost is very high.
  2. There is a requirement for specialized software for client and server machines to function properly.
  3. There is a need for an administrator to administer the network.
  4. There may be network failure, in case of central server failure.
  5. A huge amount of client requests may overload the server.
• The types of network operating systems (NOS) are Peer-to-Peer and Client/Server