Network Operating Systems

In our last User’s Choice, a release date for Windows 2000

was yet to be announced. This year, after making its debut, the network

operating system straightaway takes the top position in the user’s mind.

Windows NT continues to remain popular even as Windows 2000 has been released,

thereby securing the runner up position.

Network operating systems is one of the most demanding

segments. Being the heart of any

 network, an NOS has to be able to handle the

ever-increasing load and users’ requirements. That’s why network operating

systems have been growing more and more powerful with time. Features that were

otherwise available either separately, or through third-party products, are

being incorporated in the OS itself. As all essential tools and services are

bundled in the OS itself, you don’t have to look outside for them. Perhaps

this is why our respondents have rated quality as the deciding factor for

network operating systems.

NetWare’s grip on the Indian market has been slipping

slowly. Last year, it was the runner up, but with the introduction of Windows

2000, it’s gone down to number three. Novell is facing strong competition from

the double threat of NT and 2000. However, its latest release of NetWare 5.1 is

hot with a whole bunch of new features. So, it would be interesting to see how

it fares next year against the competition.

Linux–the "free" network operating system whose

growing popularity has been a constant threat to the other players–has gone

down from a UPI of 22 last year to 11 this year. Could its popularity suddenly

be facing a wall?

Interestingly, Linux is the only flavor of Unix that has made it to the User’s

Choice Club. The rest couldn’t gather enough points to do so, indicating that

their popularity is going down. With two brands from the same vendor gaining top

spots in mindshare, it would be even more difficult for others to catch

up.