Network vs Distributed OS |
Distributed OS and Network OS operate on numerous systems or nodes. A distributed operating system and a network operating system differ primarily in how they manage device communication and resources.
A distributed operating system is intended to manage resources and communication over various networks, whereas a network operating system is primarily concerned with managing resources and communication within a single network.
To learn more about Network OS and Distributed OS and how they differ from one another, read this lesson.
Varied user types have different needs in today's IT-savvy society, and operating systems are created to accommodate these needs. Every OS has advantages and disadvantages. Distributed operating systems and network operating systems are two examples of well-known operating systems. Distributed operating systems and network operating systems are frequently confused.
Two different kinds of operating systems with various functions in networked contexts are the Network Operating System (NOS) and the Distributed Operating System (DOS).
What is Network Operating System?
Operating systems for servers that support networking are known as network operating systems. It offers protection as well as managing users, groups, and data. These operating systems enable users to share printers and other devices with other devices in a network, such as a private network, public network, or local area network (LAN). The most widely used kind of operating system in distributed architectures is this one. Enabling resource sharing between two or more machines running different operating systems is the aim of a network operating system.
The accessibility of the server is another crucial element. These systems have a very dependable central server. This operating system can readily integrate hardware, upgrades, and new technologies. Both setting up and running the server are costlyFrequent updates and maintenance are also necessary for these systems. Novel Netware, Microsoft Windows Server, and Linux are a few examples of network operating systems.
Features of the Network Operating System
It includes every fundamental function of an operating system, including hardware identification, multiprocessing, processor support, and others.
For each individual computer linked to the network, it serves as a backup.
It controls how users log in and out of the servers.
A group and a computer network can share printers and other electrical devices.
Extremely safe with features like hardware authentication, user permission, and shared data limitations.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Network Operating System
Network operating systems come with a number of benefits and drawbacks. These are listed in the following order:
Advantages
An operating system for a network has several benefits. Here are a few of them:
- Remote access to servers from different locations and system kinds is achievable.
- This operating system can readily integrate hardware, upgrades, and new technologies.
- Its security issues are handled by the servers.
- Extremely reliable centralized servers.
Disadvantages
A network operating system has a number of drawbacks. Here are a few of them:
- Network operating systems cost a lot of money.
- It requires frequent upkeep and updates.
- For the majority of processes, the user must rely on the central location.
What is Distributed Operating System?
One crucial kind of operating system is a distributed operating system (DOS). Many central processors are used by distributed systems to support numerous users and applications in real time. Data processing tasks are therefore divided among the processors.
It uses a single communication channel to link several machines together. These systems also have individual processors and memories. These CPUs can also connect via phone lines or high-speed buses. When multiple systems interact through a single channel, they are considered a single entity. Another name for them is loosely linked systems.
Many computers, nodes, and sites connected by LAN/WAN lines make up this operating system. It allows for the spread of whole systems across a few central processors and accommodates a wide range of real-time products and users. Distributed operating systems give users virtual machine abstraction and allow sharing of I/O files and compute resources.
Features of Distributed Operating System
Resource Sharing: The distributed operating system's primary function is to share resources across the systems. While hardware resources are shared for cost-effectiveness and convenience, data is shared for information exchange.
Concurrency: In a distributed operating system, multiple computers or machines handle various tasks concurrently. These elements may interact with one another concurrently.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Distributed Operating System
The distributed operating system has a number of benefits and drawbacks. These are listed in the following order:
Advantages
There are several benefits associated with the distributed operating system. The following are a few of them:
By sharing all resources (CPU, disk, network interface, nodes, computers, and so on) between sites, it can improve system-wide data availability.
Since the site in the system functions independently of the others, if one site fails, the system as a whole does not come to a stop.
The fact that all data is replicated across all sites and that users can access data from another operating site in the event of a site failure lowers the likelihood of data corruption.
Given that it can be accessible from both local and distant areas, the system is open.
As a result, data transfer between sites happens more quickly.
Most distributed systems are made up of several nodes that cooperate to offer fault tolerance. The system continues to work even in the event of a single fault.
It makes it possible to shorten the amount of time required to process data.
Disadvantages
The distributed operating system has a number of drawbacks. Here are a few of them:
Which tasks need to be completed, when they need to be completed, and where they need to be completed must all be determined by the system.A scheduler's limitations could lead to erratic runtimes and underutilized hardware.
Compared to other systems, the underlying software is incredibly sophisticated and poorly understood.
It is difficult to create adequate security in DOS since the nodes and connections must be safeguarded.
One should anticipate more communication latency in systems that are more broadly distributed.Developers and teams are therefore forced to choose between availability, consistency, and latency.
Comparing a DOS-connected database to a single-user system, the latter is easier to maintain and less complex.
For big clusters, gathering, evaluating, visualizing, and monitoring hardware utilization metrics can be very difficult.
These systems are not widely available because they are thought to be unduly expensive.
Important distinctions between distributed and network operating systems
The distributed operating system and the network operating system differ in a number of important ways. These are listed in the following order:
Loosely connected systems, or network operating systems, are found in heterogeneous computers. Distributed operating systems, on the other hand, are highly interconnected systems that are typically seen in multiprocessor or homogenous computers.
In a distributed operating system, computers (nodes) can communicate with one another via passing messages or using shared memory. In contrast, the network operating system uses file transfers to communicate with other nodes.
In a dispersed system, the operating system installed on each machine is the same, but in a network operating system, it can differ.
The main objective of the network operating system is to provide remote users with local services. By contrast, the purpose of DOS is to manage the hardware resources of the machine.
Transparency in the network operating system is lacking. Conversely, the DOS conceals resource utilization and is quite transparent.
Scalability of the network operating system is higher than that of the DOS.
The DOS employs an n-tier architecture, while the network operating system uses a two-tier client/server architecture.
While distributed operating systems manage resources globally, regardless of whether they are dispersed or centralized, network operating systems maintain resources at each node.
What is the difference between distributed system and network system?
Computer networks are primarily used to facilitate resource sharing and communication between devices. Complex task execution is made possible by distributed systems, which divide the job across several nodes. Servers and routers are common examples of centralized control equipment in computer networks.
What is the difference between DOS and NOS?
The main objective of the network operating system is to provide remote users with local services. By contrast, the purpose of DOS is to manage the hardware resources of the machine. Transparency in the network operating system is lacking. Conversely, the DOS conceals resource utilization and is quite transparent.
What kind of network operating system is this?
Network Operating System Examples
UNIX, Linux, Mac OS X, Novell NetWare, Banyan's VINES, Artisoft's LANtastic, Microsoft Windows Server 2008, and Microsoft Windows Server 2003.
What is an example of a distributed operating system?
Distributed Operating Systems Examples
Below are a handful of them: For multiprocessor SUN workstations, Solaris was created. OSF/1 is compatible with Unix and was developed by the Open Foundation Software Company. Micros: The MICROS OS maintains a balanced data load by assigning specific tasks to each of the system's nodes.