Feb 11 2008
Archive for February 11th, 2008
Feb 11 2008
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Feb 11 2008
To be or not to be free?
The operating system was the first thing I had to choose for my server. The choice was between Free/Open Source software (FOSS) and a proprietary system (Windows or Unix). Unix systems include Linux, BSD, Solaris, and a several proprietary Unices. Windows variants include servers based on NT, XP, and so on. If you are thinking of deploying a server, this is your first decision, too.
My view is that one should choose the system one knows - or would like to know. Because making the most of the server is more important than the OS used, and skills and knowledge affect security and ease of use much more than the differences between the operating systems. And that's from someone who is both an MCP and a long time user of Windows, Linux and MacOS.
Now, if you are a veteran of the operating system holy wars, you are probably at the boiling point by now, so let me elaborate. Yes, Windows and Unix are not the same. Under the hood are very different beasts. But as a user, I am more interested in what affects me, not in the way the software handles threads on a multicore processor. To me, Unix/Linux is a command line system with grapic user interfaces added on top, while Windows is a graphical system with command line utilities attached to it. Six of one, half dozen of the other. Traceroute versus Tracert.
Proprietary systems cost money, but for that you get documentation and some hand holding and tech support. With open source you have community documentation and advice, so you are dependent on the kindness of strangers, some of whom have pretty rough edges.
Bugs in FOSS are easier and faster to modify and repair. With proprietary systems you are dependent on the vendors, and your bug may be number 328 on the list. But you need to know how to code, or be lucky enough to find a responsive developer involved with the software in question (yes, it CAN happen).
But the most important aspect of running a server is performance and security, and these depend more on the server administrator than on the OS. Securing and optimizing servers require learning the system in depth, applying updates and patches on a regular basis, modifying default configurations, removing and adding components, etc. It takes attention to details, constant vigilance and endless tweaking. You'd better like doing it in your OS, because you'll be doing it - or worrying about it - every day and every night.
So by now you probably wonder which system I chose. Here is an assignment - find it out... The web site is www.words2u.net - use one of the tools that report the underlying OS, or read through the few pages that are already finished - the Tech details are there somewhere.
My view is that one should choose the system one knows - or would like to know. Because making the most of the server is more important than the OS used, and skills and knowledge affect security and ease of use much more than the differences between the operating systems. And that's from someone who is both an MCP and a long time user of Windows, Linux and MacOS.
Now, if you are a veteran of the operating system holy wars, you are probably at the boiling point by now, so let me elaborate. Yes, Windows and Unix are not the same. Under the hood are very different beasts. But as a user, I am more interested in what affects me, not in the way the software handles threads on a multicore processor. To me, Unix/Linux is a command line system with grapic user interfaces added on top, while Windows is a graphical system with command line utilities attached to it. Six of one, half dozen of the other. Traceroute versus Tracert.
Proprietary systems cost money, but for that you get documentation and some hand holding and tech support. With open source you have community documentation and advice, so you are dependent on the kindness of strangers, some of whom have pretty rough edges.
Bugs in FOSS are easier and faster to modify and repair. With proprietary systems you are dependent on the vendors, and your bug may be number 328 on the list. But you need to know how to code, or be lucky enough to find a responsive developer involved with the software in question (yes, it CAN happen).
But the most important aspect of running a server is performance and security, and these depend more on the server administrator than on the OS. Securing and optimizing servers require learning the system in depth, applying updates and patches on a regular basis, modifying default configurations, removing and adding components, etc. It takes attention to details, constant vigilance and endless tweaking. You'd better like doing it in your OS, because you'll be doing it - or worrying about it - every day and every night.
So by now you probably wonder which system I chose. Here is an assignment - find it out... The web site is www.words2u.net - use one of the tools that report the underlying OS, or read through the few pages that are already finished - the Tech details are there somewhere.