The Advantages of Linux NOS
Linux has become a key player in the network operating system world due to its low cost of ownership and ease of implementation. This is particularly true in the area of name servers, time servers and Web servers. The various distributions of Linux provide server administrators with a stable and secure platform for the deployment of network services and applications.
Other People Are Reading
-
Cost
-
Many Linux distributions are available as a free download on the Internet or on an optical disk for a small fee. This brings the cost of acquisition to virtually zero, as opposed to Microsoft Server, which can cost thousands of dollars based on specific licensing agreements. With such a low cost of entry, many companies have moved to one of the many flavors of Linux available.
Security
-
Linux is not invulnerable to attack, but when you keep it updated it is easier to secure than Windows Server. Linux is also typically configured to provide only one or two services, such as DNS and DHCP or time synchronization services. This allows the server administrator to secure each server and stop all services except the specific service to be performed by a given server. This is called "hardening" and is easier in a Linux environment than other NOS environments.
-
Support
-
Support for Linux is provided for a fee by the companies that create and provide Linux distributions, but it is also available from a worldwide group of server administrators. These administrators post their discoveries and solutions on various websites and blogs, and provide answers to questions in technical forums. This is free support, in keeping with the Linux history of free software availability.
Flexibility
-
Linux allows a network or server administrator to quickly and inexpensively implement a server and provide network services for his users. In addition, Linux can interact with Windows servers through the Samba application, which provides connectivity between Linux and Windows servers. This flexibility allows you to place user authentication and other resources on a Windows server and network services on Linux boxes for security and efficiency. Linux also runs on older hardware that may have been retired, since the OS itself requires very little resource to load and run efficiently.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Thinkstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images
