A system software component that is external to the operating system kernel. If the phrase is used to refer to the operating system itself, it is redundant because an operating system "is" software.

An operating system that is designed for a server. Normally, it is a complete operating system with file, task and job management; however, with some earlier products, it was a separate component that ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Jayshree Pandya is Founder of Risk Group & Host of Risk Roundup. Humanity is at the tipping point, as the technology triggered ...