The Linux operating system is gaining popularity as the desired operating system for use in a computer network both in the server and workstation environment. This is due to its attributes that cannot be offered by the other operating systems, the major advantages over other operating systems such as Microsoft is the cost, flexibility, security, stability and its reliability.
The operating system is normally distributed in packages depending on the nature and purpose of use. The business and enterprise packages are three; these are Debian, Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Novell SE/SU. These distributions are entirely commercial distributions that come with their own dedicated corporate support.
These distributions are sold by different vendors in different countries; this feasibility study will compare and contrast three vendors in the world based on the distros/products they supply, service to clients and customers and international shipping of the products.
AVADirect Custom Computers is among the leading vendors of the LINUX operating systems in the United States. It majorly sells the Debian enterprise Linux operating system distros in the United States. It also provides after sale support to its customers. However they do not provide international shipping services.
Emperor Linux in Atlanta supplies both the Debian Distros and the Red Hat Enterprise LINUX; they provide the installation support and one year warranty for the products. They also provide international shipping of their products.
FOR LINUX company in United Kingdom is a known distributor of all Linux products and services in the country. However they are specialized in the supply of LINUX server operating systems including Debian, Red Hat Enterprise, and Novell Destros. Additionally they provide open source solutions to its clients. They also provide shipping services and online security and support.
Network management
Any network administrator would like to have a simple way of managing a network server. There are various ways of managing tasks in windows and Linux. Network administrators schedule tasks that will be performed during the day. Windows has a scheduling capability in the control panel unlike Linux. One way of scheduling tasks is using the inbuilt scheduling programs that are found in the operating systems. In the Windows server operating systems, there are scheduling tasks that are found in the Administrator tasks panel. One will be able to schedule the programs in given intervals and also in the way they like. If one wants a certain program to be started at a certain time, they will get these from the system tools which come with the operating system they have installed. There is the use of scripts in Linux and DOS in Windows. For Linux and UNIX operating systems, there are very good scripts that are able to help in scheduling tasks. One of the examples of scripts commands for scheduling tasks is the use of at command. The at command is used when one wants to schedule one-time tasks. There are two methods of using the at command. The first method is typing at and the time that you want it to run.
Linux server has the possibility of altering the kernel so that it fits the given network. This is not possible with windows server. This means that Linux server is flexible as opposed to windows server. The network administrator has the option to alter some configuration like the protocols that are supported after the network has been installed with much ease.
Performance
Linux servers are known to work for a long time without being restarted so that services can still function well. This is not the case with Microsoft. If there is a program that needs to be added, Windows beats Linux server here as the program can be added without having to shut down or restart the operating systems. In Linux, there will be the need to restart the systems thus affecting the performance time.
References.
Karsten, M. S. (2006, March 21). Distributions. Retrieved September 21, 2012, from Linuxbasics: http://www.linuxbasis.com/distributions.html
LINUX. (2010). LINUX vendors. Retrieved september 21, 2012, from LINUX: http://linux.co.uk/index.php/pages/vendors/vendor-directory/
SPI. (2012, August 29). Computer vendors that pre-install Debian. Retrieved september 20, 2012, from Debian: http://www.debian.org/distrib/pre-installed
