Computer software for running local area networks From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
Packet switching networks were developed to share hardware resources, such as a mainframe computer, a printer or a large and expensive hard disk.[1]: 318
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.[2][3][4]
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.[3]
Today, distributed computing and groupware applications have become the norm. Computer operating systems include a networking stack as a matter of course.[1]: 318 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.[1]: 305
Network operating systems can be embedded in a router or hardware firewall that operates the functions in the network layer (layer 3).[5] Notable network operating systems include:
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