A network operating system was designed to manage networked resources within and outside an organization. The operating system manages and supports personal computers, workstation, printers and servers (Burgess, 2007). It ensures transmission of information and communication across a network. A network operating system combines software programs that give instructions to computers and other peripherals to provide services and accept requests across a network (Burgess, 2007). Networking operating system provides the necessary protocols and resources required to achieve communication and transfer of data.
According to Burgess (2007), Novell NetWare, Windows Server 2003/2008/2012, UNIX, Linux, and Mac OS x Server are some popular network operating systems used across many organization today. All the operating systems support client/server capabilities such as remote access, Virtual Private Network (VPN), files sharing, application sharing, security, database management, e-mail, print sharing and internet connectivity. Novell NetWare is the suggested Network Operating system for Ocper, Inc which can manage several servers and also allow VPN access for employees. NetWare provides easy network administration by ensuring interoperability, flexibility, performance, scalability and ease of use.
Harris (2004), states that Novell NetWare Operating Systems is a binary based NOS rather than a domain based NOS. NetWare 6.0 was designed to manage enterprise network environment globally. NetWare can synchronize and optimize sharing, management and translation of information in a network-computing environment. Novell NetWare can supply an operating system to support the new Ocper, Inc. servers (Harris, 2004). NetWare supports dedicated server computational capabilities and supports networking to organization’s employee workstations operating systems. It also supports remote user services such as Web-based application services and remote access, ease management of multiple users, services and resources from a central location, integration with other Network Operating systems and monitoring performance of servers and utilization of resources (Kelley, Lindberg & Shafer, 1999).
NetWare 6 will provide a solution to automate and simplify business process in Ocper, Inc. The incorporation of new servers which will run on NetWare 6, will increase efficiency of employees by helping them to synchronize, access and share files from any location. For instance, Novell iPrint will enable mobile employees to gain access to printers from remote locations using Virtual Private Network or an internet connection. Novell iFolder offers a solution for file storage, management and retrieval. Novell iFolder supports access of company files from a remote location (Harris, 2004). The process is also enhanced using Novell NetStorage which uses an internet web browser to access files and servers. NetWare’s Novell NetDrive will provide a solution to store and retrieve data by mapping a specific drive to a File Transfer Protocol server for employees to access. This application ensures familiar file operations like in Windows Explorer. NetWare WebAcess will enable system administrators to configure a Web Page for employees to access hosted network resources using their Web browsers (Harris, 2004).
Kelley, Lindberg & Shafer (1999), recommend that new servers to be incorporated into Ocper, Inc. business environment must exceed the minimum requirements hardware requirements in order to install Novell NetWare 6. The type of applications which will run on the server will be determined by the amount of storage space needed for each user, the number of employees who will connect to the servers and the financial budget of Ocper, Inc. should be put into consideration. Server technology will increase data transfer reliability, file storage and network security and centralized backup.
New servers must be tested to ensure they meet the required standards before adding them into a business network. NetWare Migration Wizard can offer a solution to make the migration process easy. The migration wizard can migrate data from other network operating systems such as Windows Server to the new server running Novell NetWare 6. An operating system image of data to be transferred to the new servers should be created (Kelley, Lindberg & Shafer, 1999). The servers’ room or a data center should be well ventilated and clean. The room should also be secured since the servers will be storing sensitive and important data. Sensitive data to be transferred to the new servers should be backed up. Employees should be informed prior to the migration activity to take place. The process of adding new servers to the Ocper, Inc business environment should take place in steps and done by competent system administrators. Novell NetWare NOS should be properly installed by following the required installation procedure. After installation, the servers should be assigned ID numbers and be tested before being deployed to the actual work environment (Kelley, Lindberg & Shafer, 1999).
The Virtual Private Network (VPN) design offers a solution for employees to remotely access Ocper, Inc’s resources from any location. VPN will enable employees to share files, video conference and access to the company emails remotely by establishing an encrypted tunnel through the internet. It also improves employee productivity, flexibility, efficiency and reduces business operational costs since employees can telework from their homes. According to Lewis, (2006), the VPN uses a method called tunneling to enable communication between a company Local Area Network and a remote employee over the public infrastructure. When selecting the type of VPN to use, some key objectives need to be considered, such as easy of configuration, use and maintenance, security and affordability. IP Security (IPsec) and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) VPNs are the two main methods of implementing remote-access VPNs. Both VPN technologies support remote access of company resources (Lewis, 2006). However, SSL VPN offers more easy connectivity without any desktop software maintenance, supports connectivity of non-organization-managed desktops and users can log into a customized web portal.
- Kelley, J. Lindberg, P. & Shafer, K. (1999). Novell’s NetWare 5 Basics. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons.
- Burgess, M. (2007). Principles of Network and System Administration. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons.
- Harris, J.L. (2004). Novell NetWare 6.5. Administrator Handbook. New York, NY: Que Publishing.
- Lewis, M. (2006). Comparing, designing, and deploying VPNs. Indianapolis, IN: Cisco Press.
