Chapter 5: Major Network Operating Systems

Overview

THE FOLLOWING NETWORK+ EXAM OBJECTIVES ARE COVERED IN THIS CHAPTER:

• 3.1 Identify the basic capabilities (i.e., client support, interoperability, authentication, file and print services,

• application support, and security) of the following server operating systems:

  • Unix/Linux

  • NetWare

  • Windows

  • Macintosh

• 3.2 Identify the basic capabilities, (i.e., client connectivity, local security mechanisms, and authentication) of the following clients:

  • NetWare

  • Unix/Linux

  • Windows

  • Macintosh

Every network today uses some form of software to manage its resources. This software runs on a special, high-powered computer and is called a network operating system (or NOS, for short). The NOS is one of the most important components of the network. In this chapter, we will look at four of the most popular network operating systems:

• Novell NetWare

• Microsoft Windows NT

• Unix

• Macintosh OS (Mac OS)

NetWare, developed by Novell, was the first network operating system to gain wide acceptance in the PC market. Windows NT, introduced by Microsoft in 1993, is gaining market share as of late because of its ease of use. Unix, while being the oldest network operating system, is only starting to gain popularity with PC users through PC-based flavors of Unix, such as Linux. This rise in popularity is due in part to the Internet, which is based on Unix standards and protocols. The fourth network operating system in use today—though used in a much smaller part of the networking market—is Apple’s Macintosh OS, also known as the Mac OS, which we will cover briefly.