CE 536 - Networking and Microcomputer Systems

Day 11: LAN Operating Systems and LAN Management

 Network Operating Systems (NOS)

Network Operating Systems Selection Criteria

Network Operating Systems

Determining LAN Requirements

Network Management and Security

The Big Picture

Network Operating Systems

Network Housekeeping

Manage Network Files

Contain Network Control Functions

Printer Queues

Security Functions

 File Server Control

Nondedicated Server - performance of the LAN may suffer

Dedicated Server - preferred for all but the smallest LAN

Network Operating System Selection Criteria

Application Compatibility

Not all applications work with all network operating systems

Single-user Software - metering software

Multi-user Software - file, record, or field locking

Network Software - built-in license-server software

 Performance

Processor Support

Single processor - typical in most smaller LANs (i.e., those under 100 nodes)

Multiple processors - for larger LANs

Asymmetric - specific tasks to specific processors

Symmetric - load shared across all processors

 Network Interface Card Support

Multiple cards in the server can reduce segment traffic

Access method - Ethernet or Token Ring

 Network Tuning - allows network to be customized for server type and application type

 Fault Tolerance

Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) - not NOS specific

Maintains server integrity during power failures

Allows controlled shutdown of server

 Disk Mirroring - separate identical disks, same disk controller

Disk Duplexing - separate identical disks, separate controllers

Server Duplexing - two servers running in parallel; if one fails, the other continues

 Security

Access Privileges

File and directory access

LAN device privileges - firewall routers, printers, etc.

 Audit trails

Interoperability

NFS - Network File System

AFS - distributed file system

 Manageability

SNMP - Simple Network Management Protocol

 Ease of Use for Users and Administrators

Graphical user interface (GUI)

Text-based interface - menu or command line interface

 Client System Support

DOS/Windows

Windows NT

Apple Macintosh

UNIX-based systems

 Network Operating System Support

Direct through manufacturer

Through reseller (dealer)

Formal training program (e.g., CNE - Novell Certified NetWare Engineer)

 Internetworking Capability

Global Naming - the network appears as one big entity

Support for internetworking protocols

Network Operating Systems

Novell NetWare 3.12

Dedicated Server - 486 or Pentium-based system allows network resources to be shared

files

applications

printers

other peripherals

 NLMs (NetWare Loadable Modules) - allow new services to be added to the server

TCP/IP Transport Protocols

Tools for managing TCP/IP

APIs (Application Programming Interfaces)

 NetWare 3.12 networks can be connected across a TCP/IP internetwork

IPX (Internetwork Packet Exchange) packets can be tunneled through the Internet Protocol (IP)

 Up to 250 nodes (logical users or simultaneous users)

Multiple Client Types

DOS/Windows

Macintosh

UNIX-based systems

 VLMs (Virtual Loadable Modules) - client VLMs allow each client to be customized

ODI (Open Data Interface) - allows third parties to write NetWare drivers for their network interface cards

Novell intraNetWare (NetWare 4.11 plus features)

Enterprise-wide Network Operating System

NDS (NetWare Directory Services)

Distributed database of users and resources on the network

Multiserver network viewed as a single integrated system

 Multiprotocol Routing

PPP

ISDN and Frame Relay

ATM and X.25

 Symmetric Multiprocessing - load shared

IP/IPX Gateway

Licensing Services

Microsoft Windows 95/98

Peer-to-Peer Network - each desktop computer can function as both a workstation (client) and a server

Local resources can be made available to all computers on the network

hard disks

CD-ROMs

printers

 Can be connected to other networks

Microsoft Windows NT

Novell NetWare

 Password Protection

System Level

Drive Level

File Level

Microsoft Windows NT Server

Dedicated Server - 486, Pentium, RISC-Based Processors

Part of Microsoft BackOffice

Microsoft SQL Server - high-end client-server database

Microsoft SNA Server

Microsoft Systems Management Server

Microsoft Mail Server

 Client-Server Applications - claims to support thousands

Multiple Client Types

DOS/Windows

Windows 95/98

Windows NT Workstation

OS/2

Macintosh

UNIX-based systems

 Unlimited Nodes - just add Client Access Licenses

Built-in TCP/IP Support

Works in Conjunction with Most Other Networks

Determining LAN Requirements

Assessing User Needs

Standardize Hardware and Software Purchases

LAN Availability - percent of time LAN is running

Hardware and Software Ramifications

Access Method - redundancy in token ring

Server Hardware - may have redundant features

Support for Server Mirroring

 Backup Method

Availability of Support

 LAN Cost Assessment

The Cost of the LAN

Hardware and Software - 20 to 40% of LAN cost

Installation - 80% of LAN problems are cable-related

Support

Administration - biggest hidden cost

One support person for every 40-100 users

 Training

Administrator and backup administrator

End users

 Peer-to-Peer LAN

25-30% of the cost of a full-scale LAN

Easy to administer

Hard to expand

Network Management and Security

Configuration Management

Design and Planning

Upgrades

Hardware

Software - keep or remove old versions

 Naming and Address Control

Adding and Deleting Users

Printer and Queue Management

 Fault Management - detecting errors and fixing them

Passive - network operating systems report alerts and alarms

Active - invoking tests to isolate the problem

 Performance Management

Tuning the Network Operating System

 Security Management

User Authentication and Authorization

Anti-Virus Measures

Physical Security - secure hubs

Network Operating System Holes

Hackers will know about them before you do ...

 Accounting Management

Disaster Recovery System - possible hidden cost

Usage Statistics

Software Accounting and Licensing Issues

The Big Picture

Build or Buy Microcomputers

 Case w/ Power Supply

Motherboard - includes:

Controllers

Bus Structure

Ports

 CPU (Plugs into Motherboard)

Memory

Drives

Hard Drives

Floppy Drive

CD-ROM Drive

 Video (Graphics) Card w/ Monitor

Sound Card

Keyboard and Mouse

Local Area Networks for the Microcomputers

 LAN Medium

Coaxial Cable

Twisted Pair

Fiber Optic Cable

 LAN Topology

Bus

Star

Ring

 Network Interfaces to the LAN

Network Interface Cards

Hubs

Simple Hubs

Secure Hubs

Switch-based Hubs

ATM Hubs

 LAN Access Control Methods

Ethernet

Token Ring

 LAN Network Operating Systems

Server-Based

Novell NetWare; Microsoft Windows NT Server

 Peer-to-Peer

Windows 95/98

Internetworking

 Serial Communications

Modems - different protocols and speeds

PPP

Repeaters

Bridges - between similar LANs

Routers - between dissimilar LANs

Gateways - between LANs with completely different protocols

Backbone Networks - interconnect other networks

Ethernet

Token Ring

FDDI (Fiber-Distributed Data Interface)

ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode)

Gigabit Ethernet (Coming Soon)

Networking Protocols

 TCP/IP

IPX

SNA

The Internet

 Regional Networks

National/International Networks

ANSnet

MCInet

Sprint

AT&T

"... the computer, and the television, and the telephone, are merging into one ... this industry transformation will transform not just the way Bell Atlantic behaves, but the way the public behaves - the way that we work, and the way that we play, and the way that we learn ..."

Raymond Smith, CEO and Chairman, Bell Atlantic Corporation

Speaking at National Net '94, April 7, 1994, Washington, DC