By: Phillip Young

The Network Operating SystemA 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…

What does Open Source define?

What comprises Open Source NOSs?

Open Source must also address:Hardware issuesSoftwareCommunicationSecurityNetwork/Internet

Tools

Overall Goal of Open Source systemsPOSITIVE return on investment (ROI)

DECREASED IS expenditures

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

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)

UNIX- Created by computer scientists at historical Bell Labs in 1969Open Source version availableProprietary version is owned by Novell

Linux-Created by Linus Torvald in 1991, released in 1994Many Distributions AKA distros exist for LinuxSUSE Linux, Redhat, Ubuntu are popular

deviations of the operating system

HardwareNot all existing hardware

supports Open Source NOSOrganizations 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

SoftwareEnsure 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

CommunicationEmail 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 systemsMany third-party RA

vendors also support Open Source

SecurityOpen 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 ToolsCentralization of IS

tasks is available through Open Source vendorsZenoss offers

applications to centralize IS management

Network /Internet Tools (continued)

Apache offers numerous utilities for Open Source systemsApache http is an

online server utilized by many

Apache Tomkat offers a Java work enviroment

Network/ Internet tools (continued)

Oracle, the giant in databases offers MySQL in license form for businessMySQL is extremely

popular!Cloud-Computing

implementation is also available!

Overall benefits of Open SourceLicenses 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

End

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) 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