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Network operating system

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(Redirected from Network Operating System) Computer software for running local area networks

A network operating system (NOS) is a specialized operating system for a network device such as a router, switch or firewall.

Historically operating systems with networking capabilities were described as network operating systems, because they allowed personal computers (PCs) to participate in computer networks and shared file and printer access within a local area network (LAN). This description of operating systems is now largely historical, as common operating systems include a network stack to support a client–server model.

History

Packet switching networks were developed to share hardware resources, such as a mainframe computer, a printer or a large and expensive hard disk.

Historically, a network operating system was an operating system for a computer which implemented network capabilities. Operating systems with a network stack allowed personal computers to participate in a client-server architecture in which a server enables multiple clients to share resources, such as printers.

These limited client/server networks were gradually replaced by Peer-to-peer networks, which used networking capabilities to share resources and files located on a variety of computers of all sizes. A peer-to-peer network sets all connected computers equal; they all share the same abilities to use resources available on the network.

Today, distributed computing and groupware applications have become the norm. Computer operating systems include a networking stack as a matter of course. During the 1980s the need to integrate dissimilar computers with network capabilities grew and the number of networked devices grew rapidly. Partly because it allowed for multi-vendor interoperability, and could route packets globally rather than being restricted to a single building, the Internet protocol suite became almost universally adopted in network architectures. Thereafter, computer operating systems and the firmware of network devices tended to support Internet protocols.

Network device operating systems

Network operating systems can be embedded in a router or hardware firewall that operates the functions in the network layer (layer 3). Notable network operating systems include:

Proprietary network operating systems

FreeBSD, NetBSD, OpenBSD, and Linux-based operating systems

See also

References

  1. ^ McHoes, Ann; Flynn, Ida M. (2012). Understanding Operating Systems (6 ed.). CEngage Learning. ISBN 9781133417569.
  2. Dean, Tamara (2009). "Network Operating Systems". Network+ Guide to Networks. pp. 421, 483. ISBN 9781337569330.
  3. ^ Winkelman, Roy (2009). "An Educator's Guide to School Networks". FCIT.USF.edu. Florida Center for Instructional Technology, University of South Florida. 6: Software. Retrieved December 23, 2024.
  4. "Network Operating System". PC Magazine. Ziff Davis. 2011.
  5. Al-Shawakfa, Emad; Evens, Martha (2001). "The Dialoguer: An Interactive Bilingual Interface to a Network Operating System". Expert Systems. 18 (3): 131.
Network operating systems (NOS)
Current
Historic
Operating systems
General
Variants
Kernel
Architectures
Components
Process management
Concepts
Scheduling
algorithms
Memory management,
resource protection
Storage access,
file systems
Supporting concepts
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