In the case when the users are faced with the tasks of optimal separation of network resources (for example, disk space), they can use network operating systems. Such systems provide the ability to migrate many administrative functions to network space. With the help of network resources that significantly exceed user resources, the administrator gets the opportunity to professionally determine the shared resources and by assigning unique passwords to each of them, make them autonomous and accessible for each individual user or group of users. This division also determines the classification of network OS into server and OS, intended for users.
Today, special network operating systems have been developed and are widely used, but which possess the characteristics of the usual operating systems. Special network operating systems have been developed that have the usual parameters, such, for example, is the windows xp operating system. It should also be noted that today, almost all conventional systems have built-in options and functions of network systems.
Therefore, a network OS is such an operating system, the built-in optional features of which allow you to work effectively in a network space. These properties include:
- providing support for a wide range of network equipment;
- the ability to use network protocols;
- ensuring the use and support of network routing protocols ;
- traffic filtering;
- ensuring uninterrupted access to remote network resources (disks and printers);
- implementation of remote access to solve network problems.
The most common network operating systems are: Novell NetWare, various versions of GNU / Linux, ZyNOS, and, of course, the most common Microsoft Windows (95, NT, XP, Vista, 7).
Modern network operating systems and their diversity is due to the fact that today in the world there are many types of computers. That is why, systems for mobile devices, home workstations, server systems, corporate OSs are developed and distributed. Such a classification itself emphasizes the diversity of those performance and optional characteristics that distinguish the resources under consideration. This diversity, positive on the one hand (provides the user with a choice, the OS according to its financial capabilities and in accordance with the challenges), creates certain inconvenience, on the other. This inconvenience consists in the need to ensure OS compatibility, especially for corporate units operating within the same network policy. A very important property that characterizes the parameters of a particular network OS is the available loading of the operating system and the possibility of its operational update.
Such OSs are most widely used in the work of various enterprises and institutions where processing of large amounts of data is required. Naturally, the question arises of how to choose the right network operating systems for effective business without spending extra money. It seems that the main criterion for choosing the appropriate OS should be the following. If you need a resource of the scale of a large enterprise or corporation, then pay attention to such a parameter as scalability, i.e. stability in various network conditions. The high degree of compatibility is also important - the ability to effectively use the online update mode. In addition, such an OS, preferably, should provide for the integration of heterogeneous resources - servers and computers.
Of course, it is quite difficult to find and select an operating system that fully meets the requirements of a particular user. Therefore, their choice is desirable to be carried out taking into account a critical assessment of real tasks and the specific situation that this software will solve.