Network Operating System

Network operating systems (NOS) coordinate the activities of multiple computers across a network, acting as a director to keep the network running smoothly. There are two major types of NOS: peer-to-peer and client/server. Peer-to-peer NOS allow users to share files located on their computers without a centralized server, while client/server NOS centralize resources and applications on dedicated file servers. Popular examples of peer-to-peer NOS include AppleShare and Windows for Workgroups, while examples of client/server NOS are Novell Netware and Windows 2000 Server.