Linux or Windows?

[arfjay]

We are a small business [23 employees - 10 user licenses]running a Server NT 4.0 SP6 with SBS Backoffice to Win 98 PCs on the Lan. We have been very happy with the Server performance. We need to decide in the next 2 days whether or not to spend $2000 which is the most economical way to preserve our option to upgrade to 2000 [and possibly XP after that] for the Server within the next 2 years.

I have heard about Linux - have had no experience with it but have had it recommended. We have a callcentre and will probably be going that route for it ... but just do not know whether or not to go Linux for our office server totally separate from callcentre applications or not. We have no IT professional in house as I have been doing it all for over a year now but I am not a Pro and I am hearing that we would need one in-house if we had Linux.

I would appreciate any input over the next 2 days.

Thank you.

 

[StarTAC]

I am not sure what SBS is, but I think you use Windows for the basic network services, such as e-mail, file and print server, web server e.t.c

The thing with Linux is that, as you've heard, it's much cheaper to operate and maintain, in the long run. Fine, it's not as easy to maneuver as Windows will get you accustomed to, but it's a more stable OS, and gives you full value for money. With Linux, you never have to ever use the words "10 User License" ever again. This is true mult-user, multi-tasking, multi-threaded OS.

Most of the packages you have to pay for on NT, such as Exchange, IIS, MS-Proxy e.t.c, might sometimes cost you more to install and maintain, needless to say, documentation may be a little scanty. On Linux, depending on the distribution you choose, you have a choice of over 2,000 packages, including not one, not two, but more than three mail server, the popular web server Apache, cache server Squid, file and print server Samba and alot more. The advantage with this is all this software is open source, and free to download off of the Internet if you choose. This means you have better bug tracking, patch fixes, better security and better support from forums, mailing lists and distributors.

It takes a while to learn, but it's worth the pay off. A good distribution to start with would be SuSE Linux 8.0 Professional. I have been using SuSE Linux since version 6.4, more than 3 years back, and it's never let me down. It's the most comprehensive, secure and stable Linux OS out there. Once you get comfortable with it, the world of Linux will be at your finger tips, and documentation is excellent too.

Good luck.

 

[LinuXelite]

Great answer. Linux is the best choice. No doubt.

Its fairly simple to learn too. This is what I think. Its easier to resolv a problem with Linux that Windows!

windows is really obscur

Frank

 

[jaymzter]

Your best bet would be to go with your gut. Actually, if all you're paying a license for is the server, I would definitely go w/ Linux, as long as you're not using MS Exchange's more advanced features. I would recommend RH, but that doesn't matter much. In addition, use Samba for maintaining your shares and printer drivers, and openldap for unified network logons. You can use squid or Apache for a proxy server. You might actually have to get someone to help you, but once a Linux box is configured, it just runs, the hard part is over.

 

[Guest_imported]

just my 2 cents,

SUSE Linux is indeed a great distro. I would recommend RedHat Linux and subscribe to RedHat's support services to help keep your system up-to-date and working smoothly. In my opinion, these services are unmatched by anything micro$oft can possibly offer. Also, the great thing about open source software is that because it's open and freely available, it's scrutinized and tested almost on a daily basis by programmers all around the world. This helps keep bad programming practices in check thus making the software much less prone to failing and opening security holes to be exploited.

Hope this helps.

 

[kwilding]

Totally agree with all that. I'm a year old linux fan. That means introduced to it a year ago! It knocks the spots off windows for performance and reliability, but is a little strange to get used to.
All software to get you started is free (to a point), the Apache server is available free and there are lots of resources/books to talk you through every step.
You need a knowledgeable person to get you started though.
Did you know that the DTI has a small business venture called TCS. It enables smaller companies to have a full time research graduate at a fairly low-ish cost and the rest is funded by the DTI.
You get the brains and extra funding, plus we get the extra funding at the University.
This is not a sales pitch, it's a brilliant idea for the govt to invest in industry.
You can get more detail at kevwilding@essex.ac.uk if you are interested in more details, or just want a chat about linux.
best
kev

 

[Norwich]

Hi,

A few more things to think about...:

If you are running network applications, are these file server based (just shared files, database files etc that reside on the server) or is the server providing a client/server type service - such a Exchange MS SQLServer.

The former could be served by A Linux server easily. The latter would need an appropriate application available under Linux. With SBS back office you have Ecxhange - Linux can provide email servers but it's hard to provide an integrated calendering system at the moment (though look at Buinari for somesolutions). There are plenty of SQL Client/Server based databases for Linux but be aware in case you have any apps that 'depend' on specific MS SQL Server functions.


All the domain admin functions provided by SBS can be replicated, DNS, Internet connectivity, mail transports etc.

One issue with NT SBS is if you get to the stage where you need to introduce another NT type server or domain, then you'll need to get rid of SBS and go for the full Back Office products which gets expensive.

Also, Linux is not trivial to administer. People think Windows - especially SBS - is simple... probably more the case is that a lot of the nitty-gritty can be ignored (head in the sand if you ask me) but Linux - and UNIX in general - needs resonable admin training/experience to know where to start.

 

[greadey]

Welcome to the Linux minefield. I say that because as a propesctive newbie, you are bombarded with suggestions from very well meaning linuxphiles from day 0. I have no experience with windows networking and servers myself but I do know that Linux can do it all and more.... One thing to bear in mind though is that Linux is Linux NOT Windows, by which I mean that some things you do in Windows easily, are not so easy in Linux - not because it's hard but because the Linux solution may have a completely different philosophy. One example that springs to mind is the command line, in Linux (or UNIX) the command line is KING and if you do delve into Linux, bear in mind that the command line is quicker and more capable than the GUI (except when it comes to graphics - of course).

That said, fi you go and get yourself a Linux distribution make sure that the vendor will give you 90 days or so of free support - I know SUSE do this.

I would also recommend the book "An Idiots Guide to Linux" as an excellent intro to all aspects of Linux.

And the other thing that you should have realised now is that the precise description of a problem submitted to a forum such as this will get a very quick response. There are also MILLIONS of HOWTOs / tutorials on the web.

So for sanity's sake and your freedom go get Linux - it'll make your computing experience that much richer.

 

[arfjay]

Thank you all very much for your input. We decided NOT to spend the money on Microsoft and will budget it instead for Linux research and programs and hope to implement them within a 2 year period at the Max.

Thanks again.

Ron

 

[jaymzter]

hmmm, what kind of response would he have gotten if he had asked in the Windows forum?

 

[LinuXelite]

We use Linux in our compagny (including on a desktop). We have only few Windows 2000 and they are use for CAO/DAO.

We have 6 compagnies around the globe and nobody complains.
Its not hard to administer.

I'd suggest waiting for Windows .NET if you want a good PDC. For DNS, FILE SHARING, EMAIL, SQL, etc.. linux is just FANTASTIC!

Frank

 

[arfjay]

Again , I appreciate all the input. By the way I did post the same question on the Wiondows side and got 2 replies one of which was anti-linux the other was encouraging towards linux.

 

[flybird]

Why don't you use Lindows?

http://www.lindows.com

 

[LinuXelite]

Lindows? I prefer Lesbian

http://www.lesbian.org

 

[jaymzter]

Duh!!

http://www.linuxforlesbians.com

 

[Guest_imported]

sorry

http://www.lesbian.mine.nu/