How to Setup a Server

One of the basic choices that you must make before you proceed any further in building your network is to decide which network operating system (NOS) to use as the foundation for your network. This chapter begins with a description of several important features found in all network operating systems. Next, it provides an overview of the advantages and disadvantages of the most popular network operating systems.

Of course, your work doesn't end with the selection of an NOS. You must then install and configure the NOS to get it working. This chapter provides an overview of what's involved with installing and configuring the most popular NOS choice, Windows Server 2003.

Network Operating System Features

All network operating systems must provide certain core functions, such as connecting to other computers on the network, sharing files and other resources, and providing for security. In the following sections, I describe some core NOS features in general terms

Network support

File-sharing services

Multitasking

Directory services

Security services