|  | 8.1 | Basic Networking Knowledge
| 8.1.4 | The clients that best serve specific network operating systems and their resources
Windows NT Windows NT has the ability to support and effectively function with a number of client software, including the following: MS-DOS, Windows 9x, Windows 3.11 for workgroups, Windows NT workstation 4.0, OS/2, LAN Manager, Macintosh, NetWare, Intel, and Unix clients. However, of these programs, Windows NT Workstation best serves Windows NT server because of their common NTFS file system and system management architecture. Windows 9x clients must have Client for Microsoft Networks installed in order to connect to an NT server, and Microsoft Client for NetWare Networks for proper connection to a NetWare server. There are however, two disadvantages when a Windows client connects to a Novell server: The TCP/IP protocol cannot be used to connect to a NetWare server, causing slower access, and Microsoft Client for NetWare Networks cannot understand the directory service and security system for NetWare v4.0 and v5.0. Novell Client 32, which current version is called Client v3.1 for Windows 95/98, allows Windows 9x clients the ability to connect to the NetWare server using either IPX/SPX or TCP/IP, as well as full support for the NDS. Novell NetWare Novell NetWare works well with many operating systems including: DOS, Windows 3.11, Windows 9x, and the Windows NT workstation. Mac OS and OS/2 also have the ability to work with NetWare; however, NetWare works best with the proprietary NOS for which it was created. Novell NetWare, prior to its 5.0 release, was mainly a text-based network operating system, with a few functions administered from the server console and most administrative functions executed on a client workstation (which was logged onto the server). NetWare 3.x primarily used IPX/SPX as its protocol, while the newer versions NetWare 4.x and 5.x use TCP/IP or IPX/SPX as their protocols. Similar to the Windows platforms, NetWare also uses GUI for its applications. UNIX UNIX is a command line driven platform, which is accessed by terminal sessions from other operating systems or on the same machine. Windows 95 clients can access UNIX using terminal emulation programs. Unix clients, such as Sparc (Solaris) workstations from Sun Microsystems, work best with their manufacturer's proprietary NOS. A recent relative of UNIX is LINUX. LINUX was developed as an open source operating system, where developers, who wish to modify the platform, can purchase or download a copy of the source code and modify it based on their own needs.
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