Windows NT
Windows NT has the ability to support
and effectively function with a number of client software, including
the following: MS-DOS, Windows 9x, Windows 3.11 for workgroups,
Windows NT workstation 4.0, OS/2, LAN Manager, Macintosh, NetWare,
Intel, and Unix clients. However, of these programs, Windows NT
Workstation best serves Windows NT server because of their common NTFS
file system and system management architecture.
Windows 9x clients must have Client for
Microsoft Networks installed in order to connect to an NT server, and
Microsoft Client for NetWare Networks for proper connection to a
NetWare server. There are however, two disadvantages when a Windows
client connects to a Novell server: The TCP/IP protocol cannot be used to
connect to a NetWare server, causing slower access, and Microsoft
Client for NetWare Networks cannot understand the directory service
and security system for NetWare v4.0 and v5.0. Novell Client 32, which
current version is called Client v3.1 for Windows 95/98, allows
Windows 9x clients the ability to connect to the NetWare server using
either IPX/SPX or TCP/IP, as well as full support for the NDS.
Novell NetWare
Novell NetWare works well with many
operating systems including: DOS, Windows 3.11, Windows 9x, and the
Windows NT workstation. Mac OS and OS/2 also have the ability to work
with NetWare; however, NetWare works best with the proprietary NOS for
which it was created. Novell NetWare, prior to its 5.0 release, was
mainly a text-based network operating system, with a few functions
administered from the server console and most administrative functions
executed on a client workstation (which was logged onto the server).
NetWare 3.x primarily used IPX/SPX as its protocol, while the newer
versions NetWare 4.x and 5.x use TCP/IP or IPX/SPX as their protocols.
Similar to the Windows platforms, NetWare also uses GUI for its
applications.
UNIX
UNIX is a command line driven platform,
which is accessed by terminal sessions from other operating systems or
on the same machine. Windows 95 clients can access UNIX using terminal
emulation programs. Unix clients, such as Sparc (Solaris) workstations
from Sun Microsystems, work best with their manufacturer's proprietary
NOS.
A recent relative of UNIX is LINUX.
LINUX was developed as an open source operating system, where
developers, who wish to modify the platform, can purchase or download a copy of
the source code and modify it based on their own needs.
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