Network operating system

Network operating system (NOS): Software that (a) controls a network and its message (e.g. packet) traffic and queues, (b) controls access by multiple users to network resources such as files, and (c) provides for certain administrative functions, including security.

Related Topics:
Software - Network - Message - Packet - Traffic - Queue - Security

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A NOS is not the same as the networking tools provided by some existing OS's, windows XP for instance. An NOS is an OS that has been specifically written to keep networks running at optimal performance.

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Some popular NOS's include:

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• Windows NT
• Windows 2000 Server
• Windows 2003 Server
• Novell NetWare
• Red Hat Linux

Note 1: A network operating system is most frequently used with local area networks and wide area networks, but could also have application to larger network systems.

Related Topics:
Operating system - Local area network - Wide area network

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Note 2: The upper 5 layers of the OSI-Reference Model provide the foundation upon which many network operating systems are based.

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Source: from Federal Standard 1037C

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NOS was also the name of a proprietary operating system on the CDC Cyber mainframe; in the early 1980s it was replaced by NOS/VE.

Related Topics:
CDC - NOS/VE

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Network operating system: See also ►