Surprisingly, there are still a large number of enterprises using the Windows Server around the world when they could be using a much better alternative. The problem is that Linux, while powerful, is still confusing to many system administrators, though the fault could also be laid on business owners who still believe that the Microsoft brand is still superior.
Often, this determination is made based on the fact that Microsoft holds the majority market share regarding server operating systems, and it also holds a special place in the hearts of those who have used Windows all their lives. If you’re on the fence, however, there are a few things that you need to know about Linux, and you may, in fact, think about switching to it when we’re done.
Top Reasons The Big Boys Use Linux
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Lower Price for Better Value
While the commercial version of Linux, such as Red Hat and Suse can cost, the core (kernel) of the system is free. This means a much lower price overall, and it also means that resources can be directed to more important aspects of your IT department.
In the same vein, many of the programs and software packages for Linux are also free, and we’re not just talking about silly freeware programs. We’re talking about full-featured software suites like Apache Web Server. There are paid programs out there, but for the most part, there is a free or ultra-cheap solution for anything you need to accomplish on your Linux Server. In fact, most Linux distributions come with necessary applications preinstalled.
Ease of Installation
Windows Server is easy to install, but the cool thing about Linux is the lack of licensing. You can install your copy of Linux on as many machines as you need, and you won’t have to pay for additional licenses. For those who are frustrated with Windows Server licenses, this is the way to go. However, you may need some technical support help setting up Linux if you are really not use to installing operating systems.
A Community Effort
Unlike Microsoft, the kernel is open source, and users around the world can modify it. They are compiled into updates and made to meet rigid standards to ensure that they will work properly. These constant updates will make sure that security holes are filled and that all applications function properly at all times.
Finally, Linux has much greater security than other operating systems in that it uses a Root login, and changes to the operating system itself can only be made at the root level. At the user level, nothing can be done. This, along with extensive documentation (man pages) makes Linux the prime choice for companies around the world.
For an operating system conceived by a college student in 1991 as a MINIX clone, it has come a long way, and it has become something that many companies rely on. If you’re on the fence about it, you can trust us when we say that Linux is the way to go, and it’s much less expensive than the alternative to boot.