Server Operating System

In this article, you will learn about the server operating system with its types and benefits.

What is Server Operating System?

It is an operating system designed for usage on servers. It is utilized to give services to a large number of clients. It is a very advanced operating system that can serve several clients simultaneously. It is a more advanced operating system with features and capabilities needed in a client-server architecture or comparable enterprise computing environment.

A server is a computer that makes data available to other computers. It can serve data across the Internet to systems on a LAN or a WAN. For instance, a Web server can execute Apache HTTP Server or Microsoft IIS, which offer access to websites on the Internet.

Server operating systems support and enable common server tasks like Windows, file, and database server, Web server, mail server, application server, and print server. It is an advanced version of the basic operating system, and it serves server-client computers request on the network. It has all of the functionality needed to work in a client-server computing environment.

Features of Server Operating System

There are various features of the server operating system. Some of the features are as follows:

It executes all or most processes from the operating system command.
A server operating system is designed to run large programs and perform activities like heavy data transfers with simplicity.
It can access the server both GUI (Graphical User Interface) and command-level interface.
The server operating system includes all of the administrative tools necessary to execute a wide range of applications and tasks.
It offers the central interface to manage the users, implement the security and other administration processes.
The operating system helps in the creation of a stable environment in which all apps and processes may run smoothly. An operating system that is still in development or contains bugs and glitches might slow down procedures and have an impact on data.
It provides advanced-level hardware, software, and network configuration processes.
It manages and monitors the client's computers and operating systems.
A server operating system with a built-in firewall and security capabilities is essential because servers are prone to infiltration and infection. Hackers and malicious apps cannot easily penetrate the client's operating system when a proper security system exists.
It installs and deploys business applications and web applications.

Main Function of Server Operating System

The interaction between a Web server and browser is a good example of how a server's most crucial duty is to listen in on a port for incoming network requests.

Types of Server Operating System

There are various types of server operating systems. Some of them are as follows:

1. Windows Operating System

The Windows Operating System is a family of the operating system that is developed by the Microsoft Corporation. It allows the users to play games, videos, music, store the files, run the software. It was developed for both personal and professional works. The Windows OS series contain other series, including Windows 2000, Windows 2003, and others.

It offers virtual memory management, a graphical user interface, multitasking, and support for various peripheral devices. Microsoft offers Windows operating systems for desktop computers, servers, and mobile devices.

2. Linux Operating System

Linux is a type of free software that performs all of the features of UNIX. Version 0.11 was released in 1991, originally developed by students from Finnish universities. Linux is a fantastic operating system. It is open, allows multi-user, multi-process, multi-thread, has good real-time performance, is powerful and robust, and is available for free through the CNU Free Software Foundation under the GPL.

The OS software package also contains application software like a text editor and a high-level language compiler, which allows the system to be controlled via windows, icons, and menus.

3. UNIX Operating System

UNIX began as a time-sharing OS for small computers, but it has now developed into one of the most popular operating systems in a client-server environment. It is written in the C language, and the C language abbreviator supports several platforms. UNIX has been ported to a larger number of machines than other operating systems.

UNIX OS is a multi-user operating system that offers built-in TCP/IP functionality and great stability and security. At the moment, the UNIX operating system is used by more than 90% of the numerous sites that provide services on the Internet. Unlike other operating systems, UNIX is sold by different vendors, and there is no true UNIX. On the other side, despite efforts to create a standard UNIX version, there are various identical and incompatible versions.

4. Netware Operating System

It is a server-based network operating system that needs the use of a dedicated server in the network. In early computer networks, the NetWare operating system was widely used in the local area network (LAN). Novell developed it in the early 1980s.

NetWare series operating systems may support multiprocessor and large-capacity physical memory management. It may offer shared file access and printing services and support for the high scalability of corporate networks via open standards and file protocols. NetWare versions 2 and 3 were primarily used for LAN-based file and print servers that used the Internetwork Packet Exchange (IPX) protocol and managed via menu-driven MS-DOS programs like fconsole, pconsole, etc., syscon, filer, and monitor. NetWare 4 provides a more scalable solution through Novell Directory Services (NDS). The hierarchical NDS enables users to discover and utilize shared resources regardless of their actual location on the network.

NetWare 5 is the latest version of the NetWare operating system. It contains native Internet Protocol (IP), Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), Domain Name System (DNS), and a new multiprocessing kernel with virtual memory support.

5. Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)

It is a commercial Linux distribution created by Red Hat. Red Hat Enterprise Linux is available in the server, and desktop editions for x86-64, Power ISA, ARM64, and IBM Z. The Red Hat Enterprise Linux platform is the center of all official support and training from Red Hat and the Red Hat Certification Program.

The initial Red Hat Enterprise Linux version was released under "Red Hat Linux Advanced Server". Red Hat renamed Red Hat Linux Advanced Server "Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS" in 2003 and included two new variations, Red Hat Enterprise Linux ES and Red Hat Enterprise Linux WS.

Red Hat uses strict trademark regulations to limit the free re-distribution of its officially supported Red Hat Enterprise Linux versions, while the source code is freely available. Third-party derivatives can be created and distributed by removing non-free components such as Red Hat's trademarks. For example, Scientific Linux is a community-supported distribution, while Oracle Linux is a commercial derivative.