Windows NT Server. Windows NT, whether it is the NT Server or the NT Workstation, is an Operating System (OS) that users can interface with through a graphical user interface (GUI). Yes, the original versions of NT up through version 3.51 did resemble the Mac84 GUI. I am not political, so I comment NO further.

Windows NT introduces the ability to interface to any process in the system through the GUI.

1. All tasks can be processed through the GUI.
2. All devices can be configured through the GUI.
3. Multiple "tasks" can be processed at the same time.
4. Windows NT "Server" provides a "network" server function, with the ability to register up to 15,000 users in a single domain.
5. NT Server operates as a "client/server" Network Operating System. It can also operate as a workstation in a workgroup.
6. NT provides "security" features at the NSA's C2 level.

Well, lets describe the Windows NT a little more. "NT" is supposed to mean "New Technology". Others have said it means "Next Time" in reference to the marketing technique of introducing new versions relatively frequently. Lets stick with the Microsoft definition of "New Technology".

Windows NT is a multi-threaded, pre-emptive multitasking OS which performs 32-bit memory addressing if desired! It includes integrated networking, security, and administration tools; and, it can run on systems with multiple CPUs. It can be loaded on Intel processors and some RISC processors. It is designed to perform and a Network Server! Ok - what is "pre-emptive multitasking? First, the system can run multiple tasks at the same time. Second, if one job is waiting on something, NT will preempt that job in favor of a job that is waiting. This allows CPU cycles to be devoted to jobs that are not waiting for some input or output to occur. NT controls which tasks are receiving CPU cycles. Some tasks can be given higher priorities than other jobs and the high priority jobs will be given more time than the lower priority jobs.

NT as an operating system has a a number of advanced features, among them are:

1. Networking - you can configure an NT machine into a network at the time of installation. It is based on a "domain" concept. One or more servers will serve as a "master" server for the domain, and any number of other servers can be attached to the domain with the "master" domain server verifying user accounts, rights, and permissions, etc.
2. Networking - you can configure an NT machine into a network at the time of installation.
3. NTFS File Service - NT will run in a DOS FAT file structure, but if you want to utilize the security features of NT, you will convert it to NTFS (NT File System). As long as you have a FAT file structure, you can boot in DOS or NT; when you convert to NTFS, you can boot only in NT.
4. Multiprocessor Support. NT is supposedly capable of running on multiple CPUs without any special configuration effort.
5. Hardware Support - NT supposedly will run on most types of INTEL based hardware from a 80386 up. Don't even think about a 386! You need a minimum of 16 MB to load and run NT. NT is supposed to recognize hardware devices and expansion cards. WARNING: If you have devices that are not on the "Equipment Compatability List", expect considerable trouble. We have to specially load drivers to get it to work with Diamond Stealth 64DRAM video cards. Some of the new plug-and-play (PnP) devices cause minor problems unless your NT was shipped after some of the drivers were included. Our version has trouble with the newer SMC network interface cards. But there is a procedure to configure it before you load NT.
6. Fault Tolerance - It will allow for disk mirroring and disk stripping using a RAID device. It also has a connection for UPS operation NT clients and servers, which warns of power outages, and starts automatic shutdown.
7. System Administration Tools - this is a great feature! It is a separate program group called "Administrative Tools". This is available only to the "Administrator". It is the tool for creating accounts, server administration, disk administrator, event viewer, etc.

Enough said. I recommend you look at a book called "Windows NT Unleashed", Robert Cowart, SAMS Publishing. It is an excellent book!