Just once more - Windows 2003 vs Linux

[biketech]

Hi everyone.

I work at a non-profit of about 20 people, with four or five part-time/remote employees. In the office, everyone is using MS applications on Windows 2000 PCs. Our fileserver runs Samba on a Debian box. Basically peer-to-peer with all Samba users treated as "guests".

As a non-profit buyer, I was recently able to buy a copy of Windows Small Business Server 2003 for...well...REALLY cheap (including all extra licenses).

I've been reading posts everywhere and I just can't decide if moving to an all Windows network is the way to go. A couple of the things that we definitely want:

- VPN access
- Greater control over virus/spam filtering at the server level (currently using POP3 mail)
- Shared Outlook calendars
- Tighter control of user permissions on local file system

SBS2003 seems to make deployment of most of this pretty easy (with the exception of solid virus/spam filtering).

We have limited IT support (basically, just me, and I have plenty of stuff to do all the time and I'm not Linux savvy). I'd REALLY like to hear what everyone thinks of the idea of going with an all Linux network in a smallish organization with limited IT support but a craving for solid technology. Given that I paid almost nothing for SBS2003, initial cost of the software is not really an issue.

My concerns with Windows are:

- getting trapped into using MS products
- relentless claims that Windows servers are not as secure as Linux

My concerns with Linux:

- it's going to be really hard to implement
- "extras" like VPN and a substitue for Exchange which will allow for Calendar sharing are going to be so damn confusing to implement

Any feedback is GREATLY appreciated. Would love to hear stories from similar organizations.

 

[thedaver]

OpenVPN is a free VPN that's damned simple and easy to use for both Win and Linux clients.
Anti-spam and anti-virus are free and pretty reasonable to setup.
Calendar sharing is a bit of a problem unless you get everyone on the same mail client and use a server that supports a common calendar. There are linux products that support this, but they start to look like whole mail servers. SuSE does a nice Exchange replacement product, for a fee.
File permissions on the samba drive are already within your control and you should be forcing yourself to learn how to do it correctly.

Lots of linux "stuff" is well documented, has many how-tos, and support (like Tek-Tips). The Linux community as a whole will generally help someone who is making an honest effort to take time and try the products. Someone who wants a spoon-feeding a la Microsoft won't generally get the answers he seeks.

Linux is generally free, but there is a price to pay by investing yourself in LEARNING what to do.

http://www.surfinbox.com/dir.php

 

[biketech]

Thanks for the reply.

Since I already have the software, cost is not an issue for me. So the fact that Linux is mostly free doesn't really make a difference now (what a luxurious position to be in!!!). If I was in a for-profit and I had to plunk down $3K just to get started with Windows, that would be a different story.

Given that, I guess I'm still trying to get a sense of what are the real ADVANTAGES of going with a Linux network, cost aside. Right now, the biggest advantage I see is that I'll learn a LOT going through a Linux implementation, but I fear it may be at the cost of my organization's network getting upgraded in a timely manner.

Thanks again.

 

[marsd]

Windows is easy to learn,hard to admin properly,and
easy to break.
Linux is easy to admin, hard to learn, and pretty easy to
break.
It's all about your skillset.

Personally I would use all linux gear, including
whitebox routers, for any network I built from
the ground up, excepting switches, simply because
I know it and the contributed software well enough
to be confident.

To be honest with you I think w2k3 is a very decent
server platform, but pricey, and a good linux guy
can beat that investment. A not so good linux guy
is going to hurt himself. ;(

My .02 cents.

 

[LawnBoy]

One other thing to consider: what platform do 99% of all virii and worms attack?