Linux vs Windows Servers

“Almost half of the world's large businesses will favour Linux for their mission-critical applications by the end of 2011 … the powerful trend of acceptance and legitimisation of Linux for mission-critical environments indicates that a very large portion of the next generation will be built on Linux.”
- PC Pro Networks/Servers, 2 Jan 2007

Using Linux rather than Windows servers in your organisation can bring you a number of tangible benefits.

• Price - Open Source Software is free!
• Security - Linux systems have consistently proved themselves to be more secure by design than Windows systems
• Reliablility - Server uptimes of over a year have been the norm in the Linux world
• Flexibility - With Open Source Software we can always extend and improve the software without the need for costly licenses

EasySoft's engineers have over a decade of experience in using Linux systems, and have developed complete Linux-based solutions that provide all the same functionality - and more! - used by most organisations on Windows Platforms, but at a fraction of the cost. As an added bonus you also benefit from the reliability and security that the Linux platform brings.

A Detailed Comparison

Below we list the advantages and disadvantages of each solution, so that you can evaluate for yourself which approach best meets your needs.

Linux-based Solution

• Software is completely free
• Generally more robust and resistant to viruses and hackers (if properly configured and updated)
• Performance is often better, particularly on lower spec hardware
• Cheaper Virus-scanners can be utilised
• Remote Administration is far more refined and effective

• There are not as many qualified technical personnel (yet)
• Some Commercial Software Offerings may not be available

Windows-based Solution

• There are many qualified technical personnel who can take responsibility of the system in the future
• Software is widely used
• Well supported by other commercial Software Providers

• Software License fees: There are many aspects to this that must be considered. There are the Operating System licenses, then the Database License, then Anti-Virus Software licenses (which are usually charged per mailbox in a mail server scenario), and then Application Software licenses
• More prone to viruses and security-related attacks
• More familiar to hackers, both from within and without
• Commercial Support can be very expensive
• Remote Administration can be awkward