How does a Network Operating System actually work?

Question

How does a Network Operating System actually work, as opposed to a standard client OS like XP?

Answer 1

The bookstores and libraries are full of reference books trying to interpret and explain just that. How could you possibly think anyone could or would take the time to include all that in a reply on Y!A.

My first thought was to ask you to explain how a standard client OS works, since your question implies that you know.

Suffice to say, I suggest the "standard OS client like XP" is already a network operating system. And finally, you would have to guess that a NOS differs from a stand-alone os in that it must provide for node identification, client-to-client communication, security & integrity of data, etc.