Exam Essentials

Be able to describe the basic capabilities (i.e., client support, interoperability, authentication, file and print services, application support, and security) of Unix/Linux, NetWare, Windows, and Macintosh.  All of these operating systems can perform the services described. Each operating system, however, does things a bit differently. First of all, although there are third-party utilities that make it possible, applications that are written to support one of these operating systems will generally not run on any of the others without reporting the application to the new OS. However, when it comes to interoperability over a network, all the OSes listed have the ability to support the other OSes as clients. When it comes to security and authentication methods, they would be—in order of decreasing security—NetWare, Unix/Linux, Windows, and Macintosh.

Be able to describe the basic capabilities (i.e., client connectivity, local security mechanisms, and authentication) of NetWare, Unix/Linux, Windows, and Macintosh.  All of the OSes listed, with the exception of Net-Ware, can perform very admirably as clients. NetWare, specifically, was not designed to be a client (with a few exceptions). When operating as clients, all of the OSes listed can connect to NetWare, Unix, Windows, and Macintosh. However, only a few (Unix, Windows, and Macintosh) have client-accessible local security. NetWare is so secure that you can’t do anything with the files on the NetWare server from that server’s console. Each of the listed OSes uses a different authentication method. Unix and Windows can use Kerberos encrypted connections; NetWare uses public key/private Key encryption; and Unix, Windows, and Macintosh can (at their lowest security settings) send their passwords in clear text over the network.

Be able to recognize Windows NT/2000 by appearance.  Windows NT/ 2000 uses the familiar Windows 9x interface and its “look and feel.”

Be able to recognize the NetWare operating system by appearance.  Net-Ware uses a text-based server interface with a colon prompt, although NetWare 5 does have a Java-based graphical console.

Be able to recognize the Unix operating system by appearance.  Unix/ Linux primarily uses a text-based interface, but has a graphical interface on some flavors of Unix known generally as X Windows.

Be able to recognize the Macintosh operating system by appearance.  The MacOS has a completely different interface from Windows and X Windows, and is easily identified by its apple in the upper-left corner.

Be able to choose a network operating system based on which clients it supports.  Refer to chapter text for detailed descriptions of each NOS’s client support, knowing that Windows NT and NetWare are by far the most flexible.