What do networks use to communicate with resources and manage the flow of data across the network?

In networking, the term that refers to the software system that manages network resources and facilitates communication between devices is the network operating system (NOS). A NOS is specifically designed to support multiple users and devices over a network, allowing them to share resources such as files, printers, and internet access. It provides essential services such as network directory services, resource allocation, data flow management, and user authentication, enabling seamless coordination and communication across various devices and applications within the network.

While other components like routers and switches play crucial roles in data transmission and handling traffic on a network, they do not provide the broader functionalities that a network operating system encompasses. Routers direct data packets between networks and make decisions based on addressing information, whereas switches connect devices within the same network and manage traffic based on MAC addresses. Firmware, meanwhile, is a type of software embedded in hardware components that controls their operations, but it is not responsible for managing network-wide communications like a NOS does.