NETWORK OPERATING SYSTEM
A network operating system is a computer operating system OS. that's designed primarily to support workstations, PCs and, in some instances, older terminals that are connected on a local area network LAN. The software behind a NOS enables multiple devices within a network to communicate and share resources with each other. However, a typical NOS no longer exists, as most OSes have built-in network stacks that support a?client-server?model.A NOS coordinates the activities of multiple computers across a network. This can include such devices as PCs, printers, file servers and databases connected to a local network. The role of the NOS is to provide basic network services and features that support multiple input requests simultaneously in a multiuser environment.There are two basic types of network operating systems. Peer-to-peer?(P2P)?network OSes let users share network resources saved in a common, accessible location. In this architecture, all devices are treated equally in terms of functionality.?P2P?usually works best for small and medium LANs and is less expensive to set up compared to the client-server model. Client-server?network OSes provide users with access to resources through a server. In this architecture, all functions and applications are unified under one file server that can be used to execute individual client actions, regardless of physical location. Client-server tends to be more expensive than P2P to set up and requires significant technical maintenance. An advantage of the client-server model is that the network is controlled centrally, which makes changes or additions to technology easier to incorporate.