Apple currently has two different Macintosh-based network operating systems - Mac OS X Server and AppleShare IP 6. AppleShare IP 6 is a network operating system that uses TCP/IP to communicate with other Macintoshes. It can be used as a file server, web page server, printer server, and e-mail server in a mixed PC and Macintosh network. It is not nearly as powerful as Microsoft's Windows NT or 2000 or Novell Netware but it is simpler to use. It is mostly found in school districts and small graphic arts and publishing operations.
Macintosh OS X (OS Ten) server is an update of server software from a company called NextStep. (Apple bought NextStep several years ago in an attempt to find a modern operating system.) OS X Server is based on the UNIX operating system. Because of this, it is more robust and full featured than Apple's other network operating system. OS X Server is used mainly on networks that are Macintosh-only.