Windows NT Networking Architecture

A significant difference between the Microsoft® Windows NT operating system and other operating systems is that networking capabilities are built into Windows NT. With MS-DOS®, Windows™3.x, and OS/2®, networking was added on top of the operating system.

By providing both client and server capabilities, your Windows NT–based computer can be either a client or server in a distributed application environment, as well as in a peer-to-peer networking environment.

Windows NT provides the ability to interoperate in many different network environments. It supports the following:

• Microsoft networks, including Windows NT Server 3.5, Windows for Workgroups, LAN Manager, and other MS-Net based networks.

• Novell® NetWare®

• Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) hosts (including UNIX® environments)