Operating systems: examples with descriptions. Examples of network operating systems

The network operating system is recognized by the OS, which has built-in capabilities for working with computer networks. Such peculiar possibilities can include:

• Various support for network equipment and network protocol ;
• Setting up support for the routing and filtering of network traffic,
• Presence in the given system of network services which would allow to use to the remote users resources of the given computer.

Network operating systems are an example of such shells:

• Novell NetWare.
• Many GNU / Linux systems.
• Microsoft Windows (95, NT and later).
• Many UNIX systems, such as Solaris, FreeBSD.
• IOS; ZyNOS company ZyXEL.

The main tasks of system OS are the separation of network resources (for example, disk spaces) and its administration. Using network functions, the system administrator defines shared resources, sets passwords, defines access rights for each user or group of users.

The operating systems, the example of which is given above, have a division into:

• Network OS for servers;
• Network OS for users.

There are special OSes of this type that are given the functions of typical designs (Windows NT) and simple OSes (Windows XP), which are given network functions. At present, virtually always used OS have integrated functions.

The structure of the network-wide OS

A network-based auto-operational concept is the basis for any computing system. Any computing device is independent in its work. As a result, under the network OS in the modern sense is meant the complex of several single PCs interacting with each other by sending information to each other and allocating resources according to general laws - protocols.

In a narrower sense, such operating systems, an example of which can be seen on most modern devices - is a set of programs installed on the computer, allowing it to function in conjunction with other devices.

Features

Particular mention should be made of a number of elements that make it possible for an OS of this type to function:

• Allocation of temporary memory for managing processors in multiprocessor devices;
• The ability to manage remote computers.

In other words, the ability to provide your resources and information in one use is an inseparable element of the network OS. In addition, the operating systems, examples of which were discussed above, necessarily include the following functions:

• Blocking files and records (which is necessary when the devices are used together);
• Management of resource network resource directories;
• Processing admissions requests to the file system and various information in a remote form;
• Control queuing queries of remote users to their own devices.

Composite elements

The means of requesting access to remote resources and the possibility of using them are a client OS element, called a redirector. This element identifies and redirects requests to the network to remote resources from users and various applications. In this case, the request comes from the application in the local form, but goes to the network in a different format that corresponds to the server conditions.

The client part, in addition, receives responses from other servers and modifies them into local formats. Therefore, remote and local requests are perceived by applications in the same way.

Network operating systems, the example of which is described above, also have communication tools that provide information exchange in the network. These tools guarantee the addressing and buffering of incoming notifications, the selection of the transmission route in the message network, the security of transmission, etc. In other words, this element is responsible for transporting information on the network.

Based on the functions available in a particular computer, its OS may not have a server or client component.

Examples of first-generation network operating systems

The first network operating systems looked like a complex of existing local OS and network shell in the form of a superstructure above it. In this case, the local OS had a minimal number of network functions, since they were directly performed by the shell. The most well-known system of this type, which was widely distributed all over the world, was MS DOS. Beginning with the third distribution of this shell, it has such integrated functions, as well as blocking the records and files required for the purpose of general access to files. A similar principle of operation is also used by today's widely used network operating systems - LANtastic and PersonalWare.

Current stages of development

However, the most promising is the way to develop network OS, originally specialized for launching on the network. The functions of such shells are deeply integrated into their key system modules, which guarantees their logical coherence, uncomplicated operation and updating, and also good efficiency. Today, a lot of resources are allocated to improve such operating systems. Examples of programs of this type are various Microsoft Windows NT distributions.