| Introduction to Network Operating Systems | |
| Which one is right for you? | |
| Debates over the relative merits of operating systems, technical and non-technical in nature, have raged for decades. Historically only text editors have generated more spirited discussion among techies than operating systems! More recently, the emergence of computer networking and home networking in particular raises a new angle to consider. Which operating system works best in a networked environment? | |
Overview
The answer depends somewhat on the needs of the individual. Home network users tend to require somewhat different features from the operating system than corporate network managers, for example. However, some common themes appear in most of the debates. Linux users, for example, routinely claim that device drivers are difficult to find and that the "learning curve" is steep. Many Linux users also point out, however, that the combination of Linux and Apache makes a very powerful and "open" Web server platform, and that Linux works better on older, less powerful computer hardware because it does not require nearly as much memory or processing resources as Windows. The "free" nature of Linux (one does not need to purchase a license to run it) understandably also appeals to some people. Discussions involving Microsoft Windows grow complicated quickly, because Windows exists in so many different flavors. Early versions of Windows (through Windows 3.0) did not support networking, but network operating systems like
Alternatives to Linux and Windows exist, too. Besides IBM OS/2, Macintosh including OS X, and Novell NetWare, other special-purpose operating systems appear in server, handheld, and/or embedded network devices. DiscussionExperts on our message board have commented at length on the network operating system debate. (Click any of the associated hyperlinks to drill further into that particular discussion thread.) "I have seen many a personal site running on a Microsoft product, never patched, no firewall, running file and print sharing, no virus protection, no trojan detection, minimal logging of events, no spyware cheker, a hacker's dream! "Run Windows 2000 -- there is some stuff you have to learn to run it, but it's easy. Win2000 is smoother and runs better. WindowsME is nothing but Win98 with a different name." "Windows ME is more efficient and much more stable than both Win95, Win98 and Win 98SE. I guess that you don't remember all the blue screens of death with Win95 and all the shutdowns of Win98 that didn't shut down but froze instead. Like one out of every three times!" ConclusionWhich networking features of an operating system do you use? Most people need a computer network primarily to
Some people also require network connectivity for more specialized uses of the operating system, such as transfering files to or from an FTP server, telecommuting via a Virtual Private Network (VPN), or backing up files to Network Attached Storage (NAS). When evaluating an operating system, keep its intended purpose in mind. Much feedback a person hears about a particular operating system, even if factually correct, may not apply to their situation. Think of your NOS as a (very complex) tool. When you visit the hardware store, how do you decide which tools to buy? With operating systems, the same factors of function, brand name, purchase price, and expected useful lifetime of the product apply. We should approach network operating systems the same way we learn about many different types of consumer products -- through research, talking to friends and coworkers, and hands-on experimentation.
We regularly discuss home networking on our message board called the Computer Networking Forum. Consider writing your comments and questions there.
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