Chapter Summary

The key points covered in this chapter are as follows.

Network Operating Systems

• The Windows NT, Windows 2000, and UNIX operating systems all include both server and client functionality.
• NTFS is a file system that enables network administrators to control access to shared files and folders.
• Many of the Windows NT and Windows 2000 networking functions are performed by services.
• Novell NetWare is strictly a client/server network operating system.
• Early versions of NetWare used a bindery to store user accounts, while later versions use Novell Directory Services.
• UNIX is available in many different versions produced by different companies.
• UNIX systems excel in running network applications; NetWare's strength is file and print services; Windows NT and Windows 2000 can fulfill both roles.

Network Clients

• The Windows networking stack consists of components called clients, protocols, network interface adapter drivers, and services.
• You install most of the Windows 2000 networking components from the Network And Dial-up Connections dialog box.
• Most Windows versions include a client for NetWare networks created by Microsoft, but you can also use a client supplied by Novell.

Directory Services

• The NetWare bindery is a simple list of user and group accounts maintained on each server.
• NDS was the first hierarchical directory service to achieve commercial success.
• Windows NT stores user account information in domains that are stored on servers called domain controllers.
• Active Directory directory service expands on the domain concept by adding administrative units called trees and forests.
• Directory services such as Active Directory and NDS provide fault tolerance by replicating their information to multiple servers.