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Network operating system

Article Discussion

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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.

Key FunctionsEdit

Network Operating Systems (NOS) are responsible for managing various network activities. Key functions include creating and managing user accounts, controlling access to resources such as files and printers, and facilitating communication between devices. NOS also monitors network performance, addresses issues, and manages resources to ensure efficient and secure operation of the network.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

HistoryEdit

Packet switching networks were developed to share hardware resources, such as a mainframe computer, a printer or a large and expensive hard disk.<ref name="McHoes 2012">Template:Cite book</ref>Template:Rp

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.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Winkelman 2009">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

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.<ref name="Winkelman 2009" />

Today, distributed computing and groupware applications have become the norm. Computer operating systems include a networking stack as a matter of course.<ref name="McHoes 2012" />Template:Rp 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.<ref name="McHoes 2012" />Template:Rp

Network device operating systemsEdit

Network operating systems can be embedded in a router or hardware firewall that operates the functions in the network layer (layer 3).<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Notable network operating systems include:

Proprietary network operating systemsEdit

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

See alsoEdit

ReferencesEdit

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