Linux vs. Windows NT 4.0 Business Decision Yaping Wu Sept.2, 2000

Factors In Selecting OS Hardwares Softwares(applications) Costs(hardwares, softwars, tech supports) Supports Security Performance Others

Hardware Linux CPU:386 or above Memory: 2mb(min.); 8mb(typical); 12mb(full) Space: 15mb(min.) Video/Graphics: most brand names NT 4.0 CPU: 484 or above Memory: 12mb(min.); 16mb(typical); 24mb(full) Space: 50mb(min) Video/Graphics: most

Linux vs. NT 4.0 Performance NT performs up to 680 percent better as a web server; 151 percent better as a file server. Dynamic web server performance: NT outperforms by 83%(less optimized CGI model) to 650%(highly optimized server API)

E-Commerce Performance To handle secure contents using SSL Using SSL/e-commerce workload in WebBench 3.0, NT Server 4.0 with IIS is up to 680% faster than linux/Stronghold Apache as a secure platform with using the integrated ISAPI programming model and 100% when using less optimized CGI model

Static Web Server Performance NT 4.0 with IIS is 277% faster than Linux/Apache

File Server Performance NT 4.0 outperforms Linux up to 151% as a file server.

Operating System Cost Costs include server licensing costs and client access licensing costs where applicable: Configured as Web Server: NT--$809; Linux--$0 File Server: NT--$2807(pc week); Linux-- $0

Web Server Price/Performance

File Server Price/Performance

Costs Linux Red Hat 5.0(CD): $ Web Server:Apache- -$0 SendMail, UW IMAP, POP3: $0 Telnet Server: free unlimited licensee NT4.0 Server: $ IIS:$0 Exchange 5.0 Enterprise: $ SLNet(4 user licensee): $300.00

Linux vs. NT Costs (continued) FTP: included DB: Just Logic SQL: $ Proxy Server: $0 Total costs: $ Number of users: 100 Cost per seat: $2.68 FTP: included w/ IIS DB: SQL Server6.5: $10, Proxy Server: $ Total Costs: $20, Number of users: 100 Cost per seat: $212.9

Security Comparisons Linux: Inherits the security flaws of UNIX: No resolution path or methodology for fixing bugs w/clear accountability No centralized security: manually synchronize user account across servers and clients More prone to security bugs NT4.0 Single, secure sign-on across multiple servers in a networked environment System services run in a secure context, providing higher levels of security for multi- user service

Some Conclusions A lot of Linux fans and professionals argued that the performance data were biased and believed that Linux is superior than NT. But none of them could provide a solid counter- argument. Basically, the performance data reflects the fact somewhat, though not accurate. Though Linux is much cheaper than NT, it requires at least a developer-level skills to configure the server. The windows NT provides GUI for ease of use.

Conclusions (continued) If you have the budget, you would still recommend you select NT since it supports more applications and has a reliable technical support. If you have a very limited or even no budget, then a Linux can be a good choice. An outdated 386 computer can get your server run well. But you do not have reliable technic support from outside, if you have bugs.