Networking / Beginners

Operating system client support

Because many client systems-including Linux, Windows, and Macintosh systems-are used in today's networks, network operating systems need to support each of these client systems. Of the three client systems mentioned, Microsoft Windows is by far the most popular. However, in recent years, other platforms have experienced a surge in popularity.

Windows server client support

Windows-based servers support all the client software that is used on networks today. Many types of client software, including Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows Me, Windows NT Workstation, Windows XP Professional, Windows 2000 Professional, Windows 3.x, and editions of Windows NT Server, are natively supported by Windows servers and can be integrated with relative ease. To connect to a Windows server, Client for Microsoft Networks needs to be installed on the client systems.

Unix systems are fully interoperable with Windows servers, via a special addon pack called Windows Services for Unix. This add-on pack provides compatibility with the Unix NFS and a variety of Unix utilities. Macintosh, on the other hand, requires the Services for Macintosh product, which allows Macintosh clients to use TCP/IP and access shared files, directories, and printers on a Windows 2000 server.

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In this tutorial:

  1. Network Operating Systems and Clients
  2. Network operating systems
  3. Windows NT 4
  4. Domains and workgroups
  5. Windows NT 4 authentication
  6. Windows NT 4 file and print services
  7. Windows NT 4 application support
  8. Windows NT 4 security
  9. Windows NT 4 and Windows 2000 file system security
  10. Windows 2000
  11. Windows 2000 Active Directory and domains
  12. Windows 2000 authentication
  13. Windows 2000 file and print services
  14. Windows 2000 application support
  15. Novell NetWare
  16. NDS (Novell Directory Services)
  17. NetWare authentication
  18. NetWare file and print services
  19. NetWare application support
  20. NetWare security
  21. Linux
  22. Linux file and print services
  23. Linux application support
  24. Linux security
  25. Operating system interoperability
  26. Using Windows with NetWare
  27. Using Windows and Linux servers
  28. Using NetWare and Linux servers
  29. Operating system client support
  30. NetWare server client support
  31. Linux server client support
  32. Client operating systems
  33. Local security mechanisms for Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows Me
  34. Windows NT Workstation, Windows 2000 Professional, and Windows XP Professional
  35. Client connectivity for Windows NT Workstation, Windows 2000 Professional, and Windows XP Professional
  36. Applications for Linux
  37. Local security mechanisms for Linux
  38. Macintosh
  39. Application support for Macintosh
  40. Selecting a NIC and network configuration settings
  41. Connecting the PC to the network
  42. Testing and troubleshooting the NIC
  43. Configuring the NIC settings
  44. Configuring client systems for TCP/IP
  45. Configuring DNS server information
  46. Configuring WINS server information
  47. Using DHCP (Dynamic Host Control Protocol)
  48. Configuring clients to access servers
  49. Client software for Microsoft networks on Windows 95/98/Me
  50. Novell client software
  51. Unix/Linux client software