open source network operating systems

Open Source Network Operating Systems : 

Open Source Network Operating Systems By: Phillip Young

The Network Operating System : 

The Network Operating System A fundamental, integral part of the Network Disperses data to and from clients and ensures proper communication is facilitated Available in proprietary software forms AND Open Source Before implementing or considering deployment of Open Source, consider the following factors

Before Choosing Open Source systems… : 

Before Choosing Open Source systems… What does Open Source define? What comprises Open Source NOSs? Open Source must also address: Hardware issues Software Communication Security Network/Internet Tools

Overall Goal of Open Source systems : 

Overall Goal of Open Source systems POSITIVE return on investment (ROI) DECREASED IS expenditures

What is Open Source? : 

What is Open Source? Software that openly displays source code for individuals and organizations The source code is available to be modified according to the needs of the individual or organization Under the terms of Open Source, companies may sell product license and support to other organizations. (According to GNU GPL license)

Underlying Characteristics of Open Source NOS : 

Underlying Characteristics of Open Source NOS Much of Open Source NOSs revolve around the software’s kernel The kernel is what the operating system is based and controls the functions of the system Most Open Source NOSs are influenced by Linux and Open UNIX

Underlying Characteristics (Continued) : 

Underlying Characteristics (Continued) UNIX- Created by computer scientists at historical Bell Labs in 1969 Open Source version available Proprietary version is owned by Novell Linux-Created by Linus Torvald in 1991, released in 1994 Many Distributions AKA distros exist for Linux SUSE Linux, Redhat, Ubuntu are popular deviations of the operating system

Hardware : 

Hardware Not all existing hardware supports Open Source NOS Organizations must check minimum requirements of their existing hardware Some vendors may specifically target certain operating systems Best policy is to ensure existing hardware supports intended software

Software : 

Software Ensure organization’s software needs are met Middleware allows clients consisting of multiple operating systems OpenOffice.org is an excellent alternative to Microsoft Office Licenses per client are less than Microsoft Office license Open Source operating systems do not have a finite life span and are updated and patched by all in the computing community

Communication : 

Communication Email is the backbone of all organizations Zimba is an excellent Open Source alternative to Outlook, with reasonable license fees for clients Zimba supports IMAP and POP3 email protocols Remote access to terminals is available for Open Source systems Many third-party RA vendors also support Open Source

Security : 

Security Open UNIX/Linux users are assigned levels of permission Security loopholes are located and accessible by users and quickly patched Apache SSL utilizes Open Source SSL protocol

Network / Internet Tools : 

Network / Internet Tools Centralization of IS tasks is available through Open Source vendors Zenoss offers applications to centralize IS management

Network /Internet Tools (continued) : 

Network /Internet Tools (continued) Apache offers numerous utilities for Open Source systems Apache http is an online server utilized by many Apache Tomkat offers a Java work enviroment

Network/ Internet tools (continued) : 

Network/ Internet tools (continued) Oracle, the giant in databases offers MySQL in license form for business MySQL is extremely popular! Cloud-Computing implementation is also available!

Overall benefits of Open Source : 

Overall benefits of Open Source Licenses are much less than proprietary systems Systems are generally more supported because ALL users participate in maintenance and security issues Systems do not have a set lifespan Office file formats of proprietary systems ARE compatible with the Open Office

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References : 

References Dean, T. (2009). 9. NETWORK+ GUIDE TO NETWORKS 5E (5 ed., p. 454). Cambridge: Course Technology. Erlik. (2009, August 5). Tech-no-media: Open Source: many advantages beyond price. Tech-no-media. Retrieved July 2, 2010, from http://www.tech-no-media.com/2009/08/open-source-many- advantages-beyond.html Linux Online - About the Linux Operating System. (2007, July 2). The Linux Home Page at Linux Online. Retrieved June 29, 2010, from http://www.linux.org/info/index.html Reyes, F. (2010, March 10). Selecting an Open Source Operating System. NetworkWorld.com. Retrieved July 1, 2010, from http://www.networkworld.com/subnets/opensource/031010-select-an- open-source-os-opensource-subnet.html Rupley, S. (2009, November 11). 10-top-open-source-resources-for- cloud-compuuting. Retrieved from http://gigaom.com/2009/11/06/10-top-open-source- resources-for cloud-computing/

References (continued) : 

References (continued) The GNU General Public License - GNU Project - Free Software Foundation (FSF). (2007, June 29). The GNU Operating System. Retrieved July 7, 2010, from http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html The Open Source Definition | Open Source Initiative. (n.d.). Home | Open Source Initiative. Retrieved June 29, 2010, from http://www.opensource.org/docs/osd  Wheatley, M. (2004, March 1). Open Source: The Myths of Open Source- CIO.com - Business Technology Leadership. CIO.com - Business Technology Leadership. Retrieved July 3, 2010, from http://www.cio.com/article/32146/Open_Source_The_Myths_of_ Open_ Source?page=3&taxonomyId=3042 Zimbra Desktop. (n.d.). Zimbra offers Open Source email server software and shared calendar for Linux and the Mac.. Retrieved July 2, 2010, from http://www.zimbra.com/products/desktop.html