Computer Network and OS For desktop systems, access to a LAN or the Internet has become such an expected feature that in many ways it's hard to discuss an operating system without making reference to its connections to other computers and servers. Operating system developers have made the Internet the standard method for delivering crucial operating system updates and bug fixes. Although it is possible to receive these updates via CD , it is becoming increasingly less common. In fact, some entire operating systems themselves are only available through distribution over the Internet. Further, a process called NetBooting has streamlined the capability to move the working operating system of a standard consumer desktop computer - kernel , user interface and all - off of the machine it controls. This was previously only possible for experienced power-users on multi-user platforms like UNIX and with a suite of s...