Network management Toolkit

Combine the strengths of different NOSs

Tags:
Network,
Windows,
Linux,
Operating

Ray Geroski Tech Republic

Published: 09 May 2002 16:25 BST

Most companies don't rely on just one NOS to run their network; rather, they combine the strengths of different NOSs to keep their networks running smoothly. Results of a recent survey reflected this trend, with only a few respondents indicating that their companies use a single network operating system. However, the numbers alone may not tell the whole story.

IT consultant Todd Varble provided some good feedback on our survey results, so we asked him to elaborate on his perspective of how companies typically deploy their NOSs. Based on his experience with multiple business networks, he said that a combination of factors, including cost control, staff expertise, and NOS reliability, typically determine which NOSs companies use and how they use them.

Network function
Varble's experience reflects our survey results: Company networks are composed of multiple NOSs -- primarily UNIX OSs (including Linux), Windows NT/2000, and some NetWare (although Varble said that most NetWare he sees is considered legacy by the organisations that own it).

But what the numbers from our survey did not show is how those operating systems are used. Varble said that as a rule, he sees NOS tasks assigned as follows:

Windows NT/2000 is generally used for file and print services and as a Web server. With Microsoft Exchange, WinNT/2K is also commonly used as an e-mail/groupware server. According to Varble, this is usually set up in a load-balanced, server farm configuration. He added, "I've seen Windows being used for hosting databases, either with SQL Server 7 or 2000, but these databases are usually not considered mission critical."
UNIX is often used to host large Oracle databases and enterprise-level applications such as SAP/R3 and PeopleSoft. "While I have seen some UNIX e-mail servers running Sendmail, these do not seem to be as prevalent in the midsize corporate environment as the ubiquitous Exchange. UNIX e-mail systems do seem to be common in the largest environments, however."
"Linux is making inroads," Varble said, "but is still used for mostly noncritical, departmental functions, such as intranet Web servers, test boxes, and typical file and print services."
Novell is used almost exclusively for file and print services.

Varble sees companies typically using their NOSs to perform specific functions that vary according to the size of the company and the applications it uses. In his experience, UNIX is used in large environments, while Microsoft's NOS offerings are more popular in small and midsize companies. In addition, neither Linux nor Windows is usually relied upon to host mission-critical applications.

Why not one OS?
The big question that emerged from our survey and the responses to it is, "Why do companies use multiple NOSs?" The general conclusion is that no single NOS is flexible or reliable enough to do everything required of it on a corporate network. But a number of other factors have a bearing on the issue, including IT budget, functionality, the skills match, and compatibility.

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