Abbreviated as
NOS, an
operating system that includes special functions for connecting
computers and
devices into a
local-area network (LAN). Some operating systems, such as
UNIX and the
Mac OS, have
networking functions built in. The term
network operating system, however, is generally reserved for
software that enhances a basic operating system by adding networking features.
Novell Netware, Artisoft's LANtastic,
Microsoft Windows Server, and Windows NT are examples of an NOS.
