Networking Architecture

Network Operating System

A network operating system is a computer operating system that is designed primarily to support workstations, personal computers and old terminals that are connected on a local area network. They are the server versions of the Windows, Unix, Linux Solaris etc. The computer in which NOS is installed act as a server and is ideal for file sharing and other network-related jobs. NOS are also designed for client computers and provide networking functions, so for some NOS the distinction with a stand-alone operating system are not obvious. The NOS should provide file and print sharing, account administration for users, and security functions. NOS is equipped with security modules for controlling the security of the server or client computer, protocols for data transfer (for file and printer sharing) and administrative tools for account administrations. The NOS can be run according to two model of computer architecture.

The networking architecture or network model specifies how computers on the network interacts and communicate with each other. The network of the personal computers may use Client-server Network or Peer-to-Peer Network.

Client Server Network

In it, computers are connected to a central device (server) and communication is done through it. The server is the main computer which gives services to the workstation. The server computer provides resources to the workstations when the request is made. An unauthorized person cannot access the resources of the server.There are different types of server like print server, file server and network server, etc.

Advantages of Client-Server Network Model

• An authorized person can only access the resources of the network.
• It is more secured than peer-to-peer network.
• All the workstations can be managed from a single server computer.
• The required application can be installed on the server computer instead on individual workstation.

Disadvantages of Client-Server Network

• All the workstation has to depend upon server computer.
• It is difficult to set up client-server network.
• A trained administrator is required to handle it.

Peer to Peer Network

It is sometimes called work groups. In this network, all the computers have equal responsibilities. Each computer has access to at least some of the resources on all the computer. Each computer in this network has equal right. It is suitable for only small geographical areas such as small rooms, building, school, etc.

Advantages of Peer-to-Peer Network

• It is easy to set up peer-to peer network than client-server network.
• Each computer in the network has equal right and can determine resources to be shared.

Disadvantages of Peer-to-Peer Network

• It has low level security than client-server network.
• The expansion of network is limited.
• The network performances degrades with heavy load.