What is Server Operating System
The server operating system supports multiple clients and is a very complex operating system. It is a more advanced operating system with features and capabilities needed in a client-server architecture or similar corporate computing environment.
What is Server Operating System?
This operating system was created with servers in mind. It is employed to provide services to a huge customer base. It is an extremely sophisticated operating system with multi-client support. With features and capabilities required in a client-server architecture or similar enterprise computing environment, it is a more sophisticated operating system.
A computer that provides data to other computers is called a server. It can provide systems on a LAN or WAN with data via the Internet. A Web server, for example, can run Microsoft IIS or Apache HTTP Server, which provide access to websites on the Internet.
Common server functions, such as Windows, file and database servers, Web servers, mail servers, application servers, and print servers, are supported and made possible by server operating systems. It is a more sophisticated form of the fundamental operating system that responds to network requests from server-client machines. It is equipped with every feature required to operate in a client-server computing system.
Features of Server Operating System
The server operating system has a number of features. Here are a few of the attributes:
- It carries out all or the majority of the operating system command's processes.
- Big programs and complex tasks like large data transfers can be easily executed by a server operating system.
- It has command-level interface (CLI) and GUI (Graphical User Interface) access to the server.
- The administrative tools required to run a variety of programs and duties are all included in the server operating system.
- It provides a central interface for administering security, managing users, and carrying out other administrative tasks.
- An environment that is stable and conducive to the smooth operation of all applications and processes is created by the operating system. Procedures and data may be impacted by an operating system that is still under development or has flaws and glitches.
- Advanced-level software, hardware, and network configuration procedures are offered.
- It oversees and controls the client's operating systems and PCs.
- Servers are vulnerable to infiltration and infection, it is imperative that the server operating system have integrated security features such as a firewall. A robust security mechanism makes it difficult for hackers and malicious software to infiltrate the client's operating system.
- Web and business apps are installed and launched via it.
Examples of Server OS
Windows Server: Users of Windows OS benefit greatly in both the personal and business spheres. There is an vast amount of controllable storage included with Windows OS.
Conventional Server: Conventional servers are physically housed within small and medium-sized organizations that have a limited user base.
Web server: A web server is a computer application that makes HTML-coded web pages accessible to clients. It processes the system and provides data, including HTML pages and graphics, in response to requests from browsers.
Directory Server: This type of server stores system and application configuration files in a directory, which is particularly helpful for Linux and UNIX operating systems.
Blade servers are more affordable or space-efficient than rack-mounted servers, and they can hold hundreds of blade servers.
Computer systems known as database servers are used to store data and provide services to other hardware and software.
Main Function of Server Operating System
The most important task of a server is to listen on a port for incoming network requests, as demonstrated by the interaction between a Web server and browser.
Types of Server Operating System
Operating systems for servers come in several varieties. Some of them are as follows:
1. Windows Operating System
Microsoft Corporation is the company that develops the Windows series of operating systems. Users can run software, store files, play games, watch videos, and listen to music on itIt was designed for both personal and professional use.
There are various series under the Windows OS, such as Windows 2000, Windows 2003, and so forth.
It provides graphical user interface, virtual memory management, multitasking, and support for many peripheral devices. Windows operating systems are available from Microsoft for desktop PCs, servers, and mobile devices.
2. Linux Operating System
A type of free software called Linux handles every UNIX function.
In 1991, version 0.11 was made available; it was initially created by university students in Finland. An excellent operating system is Linux.. It is robust and stable, open source, supports numerous users, numerous processes, and multiple threads, and is made available without charge by the CNU Free Software Foundation under the GPL.
In addition to application software, the OS software package includes a high-level language compiler and a text editor, enabling the system to be managed through windows, menus, and icons.
3. UNIX Operating System
One of the most widely used operating systems in a client-server setup, UNIX was initially designed as a time-sharing operating system for tiny machines. The C language abbreviator, which is used to write it, is compatible with multiple platforms. Compared to other operating systems, UNIX has been installed on a greater number of devices.
UNIX OS is a multi-user operating system with excellent stability and security as well as integrated TCP/IP features. Over 90% of the various websites that offer services on the Internet currently run on the UNIX operating system. There is no such thing as pure UNIX, and unlike other operating systems, UNIX is marketed by various manufacturers. On the other hand, there are multiple identical and incompatible versions of UNIX, despite efforts to develop a standard version.
4. Netware Operating System
It is a server-based network operating system, the network must have a dedicated server. The NetWare operating system was popular in the local area network (LAN) of early computer networks. It was created by Novell in the early 1980s.
Operating systems from the NetWare series may provide multiprocessor support and large-capacity physical memory management.
Through the use of open standards and file protocols, it might provide shared file access, printing capabilities, and support for the high scalability of corporate networks. LAN-based file and print servers that employed the Internetwork Packet Exchange (IPX) protocol and were controlled by MS-DOS menu-driven programs such as syscon, filer, monitor, fconsole, pconsole, etc. were the main applications for NetWare versions 2 and 3. Novell Directory Services in NetWare 4 offers a more scalable solution (NDS). Regardless of where they are physically located on the network, users may find and access shared resources because to the hierarchical NDS.
The most recent iteration of the NetWare operating system is NetWare 5. It has a new multiprocessing kernel that supports virtual memory in addition to native support for Domain Name System (DNS), Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), and Internet Protocol (IP).
5. Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
Red Hat is the company that generated this for profit Linux distribution. Red Hat Enterprise Linux is offered in desktop and server versions for IBM Z, Power ISA, ARM64, and x86-64. Red Hat and the Red Hat Certification Program's official support and training are centered around the Red Hat Enterprise Linux platform.
"Red Hat Linux Advanced Server" was the name under which the original Red Hat Enterprise Linux version was issued. In 2003, Red Hat introduced two new variants, Red Hat Enterprise Linux ES and Red Hat Enterprise Linux WS, and rebranded Red Hat Linux Advanced Server as Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS.
Red Hat restricts the free re-distribution of its officially supported Red Hat Enterprise Linux editions by stringent trademark laws, yet the source code is open source. It is possible to produce and distribute third-party versions by taking out non-free elements like Red Hat's trademarks. For instance, Oracle Linux is a commercial derivative, but Scientific Linux is a distribution sponsored by the community.
Server Operating system architecture
A server operating system's architecture is mainly made up of the client and server. The clients can share the same resources at the same time since the server gives them access to resources and services. It is the purpose of a server operating system to enable this kind of resource sharing and communication. As long as they have the required authorization and rights, users can access the server's resources from any location on the network.
Advantages of Server Operating System
The advantage for users accessing the server operating system is that they can select between the GUI and command-level interfaces.
- This enables the server to provide users a variety of services.
- In addition to the client OS, the server OS contains administrators who use tools to carry out and administer duties such server hardware, software, and network settings. The server OS designs are dependent on the commands that are received.
- It offers a centralized interface for handling user administration, putting security measures in place, and carrying out other administrative duties. This makes it simple for admins to maintain the server and guarantee its security.
- Client PCs and operating systems can be controlled and observed by server operating systems. This enables admins to monitor client device status and make sure it's operating properly.
Disadvantages of Server Operating System
A few of Server OS's drawbacks are listed below.
- Scaling a server operating system can be difficult and expensive, requiring extra hardware or software.
- The high energy consumption of server operating systems drives up energy prices and carbon emissions.
- loss of the individual user's control over software, data, and accessories.
- Cyberattacks and data breaches that affect server operating systems can cost businesses a lot of money.
Conclusion
This essay has taught us about Server OS.A system with quicker network support may handle higher user counts and larger storage capacities. It is an upgraded operating system with the features and capabilities required for a client-server architecture or other similar corporate computer environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the server operating system?
It serves as the foundational software for a variety of apps and services. A server operating system offers advanced features for managing, running, watching over, and managing programs, processes, and client devices, which include different servers, such web, file, application, mail, and database servers.
What is difference between Windows OS and server OS?
Windows Server comes with server-specific tools and software that are not available on Windows 10 because the operating system is meant to be used on servers. The operating system comes with pre-installed software that lets you manage your activities remotely, such the previously mentioned Windows PowerShell and Windows Command Prompt.
Which of the following will be the host operating system for windows server?
One of the alternatives is Microsoft Hyper-V, a hypervisor created by Microsoft, which is the host operating system that can run Windows Server as a virtual machine.
Which operating system do you use to set up a client-server network among the following?
Windows 2000: This iteration of the operating system brought about notable advancements in networking and security functionalities, rendering it increasingly suitable for a client-server configuration.
Why do we need server OS?
Highly developed functionality is offered by server operating systems (OS) to monitor, manage, control, and run processes, applications, and client devices such as different servers.
