What are the advantages of the Linux server over the Windows server? [closed]

I know this is a pretty short and straight forward question, but what are the advantages of the Linux server over the Windows server?

Is linux better than windows? And if it is/isn't, how?

Solution 1:

Is Linux better than Windows? Mu!

This may be a short question, but it's definitely not straightforward to answer. Without knowing what function you are going to put the server to, it's even more difficult to answer (it's like the perennial Mac vs Windows or Emacs vs. vi question).

At the most basic level, all an OS is, is a platform for running applications (i.e., boring); it's the applications that make computing interesting. If the application that you need to run is best supported on Windows, then use Windows. If all of your experience is with Linux, and you have an application that does what you need in Linux, then use Linux.

In general, the initial price of the Operating System is only a small part of the TCO of a server. You must also take into account server Maintenance, Application maintenance, the management cost, the cost of any software you install, etc. And these days, you can't even say that Linux is more stable than Windows — we aren't living in the '90s any more...

As much as some of the more rabid zealots would like to say otherwise, both platforms are equally valid, depending. It's up to the Sysadmin to look objectively at a given problem, and decide what OS/Application combination is best going to solve it.

Solution 2:

Probably the single biggest reason I like UNIX-like servers over Windows servers is that I've found any problems are so much easier to diagnose and fix. I spent much more time beating my head against a wall or on hold with tech support with Windows servers. With OpenBSD, FreeBSD, or Linux the problem is usually in the logs, and if the solution isn't obvious then it usually yields to Googling a bit.

When everything is running smoothly then Windows can be a fine server platform, as can Linux and *BSD. It's when things aren't working that the difference comes in.

As for the cost of admins, you have to take competence into account. Sure Windows admins are plentiful, but to hire a good one will cost you just like hiring a good UNIX admin. If you just need someone to click "Next" on install dialogs it'll be cheaper to go Windows, but you don't want that.

Solution 3:

Well the big one and the most obvious one is the price. Being able to literly be able to buy two servers instead of one if you put linux on them is a major pull (if it can do the job).