Linux vs. Windows NT 4.0

Business DecisionYaping 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--$0File Server: NT--$2807(pc week);

Linux--$0

Web Server Price/Performance

File Server Price/Performance

Costs Linux Red Hat

5.0(CD): $ 49.00 Web

Server:Apache--$0 Email:SendMail,

UW IMAP, POP3: $0 Telnet Server: free

unlimited licensee

NT4.0 Server: $2950.00

IIS:$0

Exchange 5.0 Enterprise: $6400.00

SLNet(4 user licensee): $300.00

Linux vs. NT Costs (continued) FTP: included DB: Just Logic SQL:

$219.00 Proxy Server: $0 Total costs: $268.00

Number of users: 100

Cost per seat: $2.68

FTP: included w/ IIS DB: SQL Server6.5:

$10,650.00 Proxy Server: $995.00 Total Costs:

$20,995.00 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.