1. The system software of a local area network (LAN) that integrates the network's hardware components, usually adequate for connecting up to 50 workstions. Included, typically, are such features as a menu-driven administration interface, tape backup of file-server software, security restrictions, facilities for sharing printers, central storage of application programs and databases, remote log-in via modem, and support for discuss workstations. A network operating system establishes and maintains the connetion between the workstations and the file server; the physical connections alone aren't sufficient to support networking. The operating system consists of two parts: the file server software and workstation software. See LAN memory management program, and NetWare. From QUECID