POLL: Linux or Win2K Server ?

[NucleusWDS]

How many guys out there are using Linux over Win2K for server purposes?

I've just received Red Hat 7.0 today wondering whether to install it or not.

I have some Linux experience including setting IP Masquerading and running UT and Q3 game servers.

Your views here please

 

[NFS4]

Win2k Pro SP1 all the way.

 

[GL]

Don't touch RH 7.0 with a ten foot stick. You're asking for trouble. If you're going to use Linux, you a tried and true distro - my personal fav is Slackware 7.1. I could go into the details of why not to use RH 7.0 but I'll save you the boring explanation...just don't.

-GL

 

[Henry Kuo]

I think Linux can give you more reliability. But as a windows user, I never get too used to Linux. So I would go for Win2k with SP1

 

[Wizkid]

For a web server, linux is great, but for a file or printer server, win2k is much better because of the better permissions model. I have never had a problem with either as far as stability is concerned, although I would give a slight edge to linux...

 

[chemos]

I would second (third, fourth?) Win2k Server w/ SP1. Only downside to using it as opposed to linux are 1) linux requires less resources and 2) linux comes with free mail server software.

I'm currently running my web server on Win2k/SP1. All is good.

 

[Henry Kuo]

I don't know if it is hard or not. But is there any way I can obtain information on how to set up web servers or mail servers using Win2k/SP1? I kinda need to know how to do it quick.

Thanks guys.

 

[NaughtyusMaximus]

I'm not sure where you can get information on how to do it, but I can give you a general runthrough.

Before you even attempt anything, you need to make sure IIS is installed (if it isn't, you can find it through the normal method of Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs). Once it is up and running, to get the main (default page) going, go to the start menu, then Programs, Administrative tools, Internet Services Manager.

From here, its fairly straightforward if you're only setting up a single page (not a virtual host). Add new web site should be an option when you right click on your server's name. It will prompt you for all the information that you need to add. Where it says 'host header name' type in the full DNS entry for the site (ie. forums.anandtech.com for this page). Leave the IP unassigned. Adding new sites uses the same procedure. You can point any website to any directory on your computer.

If you need to have the server act as a DNS server as well, it is a little bit more difficult, but most of the time the prompts are self explanitary. If you need some better instructions, you can e-mail me, or ICQ me. I'm sure some other people on this board will have more extensive information to give you if you ask as well.

Adrian

 

[VisionsUCI]

linux

 

[jose]

w2k for workstations &
Linux for Servers.

GL: Why not RH7.0 ? Linux has many distro's , everyone has their preference. I use RH6.2 because of dbms support. 7.0 is different, but all
operating systems change. Look at window XX.

Anyway with Linux you get FREE stuff. Not like microsoft's licensing, 1st get 200 user license for server, then get 200 client license's. etc....

With Linux you get free: firewall, proxy, VPN, Samba, SNP, Apache, etc. All this and it works......

Jose

 

[Henry Kuo]

Thanks for the info! I will look into that.

Couple more questions: Do I need win2k server, or just professional is enough? Also, it is the same way to set up mail server?

 

[NaughtyusMaximus]

You *can* do a regular web server with Win2k Pro, but it doesn't offer as many features. You will be able to host one site (www.something.com), but no DNS servers, etc. I don't think e-mail is included either. The biggest problem with hosting a web site with Win2k Pro instead of Server, is that with Pro, you can only have 10 users accessing the page simultaniously. Because each computer can download more than one object (images, text, etc.) at the same time, one person viewing your page will usually count as 4 users. So no more than 3 people will be able to see your site at one time (without seeing slowdowns, and/or broken images/links).

I'm not too well versed on how to set up e-mail servers with Win2k. I know that SMTP is possible, but on my server I use third party software to host both POP3 and SMTP.

 

[cptnwinky]

professional is fine for a web server, but the IIS that comes bundled with pro can only support 10 simultaneous users. for the mail server you might have to splurge and get exchange server, there isn't any mail server software that comes even with advanced server, at least, none that i've found on my system. exchange is easy enough to find online, though, if you don't want to spend the money to get it. good luck

 

[Sohcan]

jose:

Red Hat Linux 7 Infested With Bugs
libc5 Compatibility in Red Hat 7?
RH7 Crashes In Three Weeks (But Fixed)

 

[Wizkid]

If you want a mail server, I recommend iMail from www.ipswitch.com. I have used it for a while and it is really easy to setup and works great

The mail server that comes with win2k is only for sending messages, it isn't designed to receive messages afaik. Also, I do not recommend exchange server unless you intend to use it for more than email (such as scheduling, etc.). Exchange is slower than iMail and much more difficult to configure, so why spend the extra cash and time on it if you don't need it?

If you need any help setting this up feel free to email/icq me

 

[chemos]

Exchange stuff>



<< for the mail server you might have to splurge and get exchange server >>



No. I wouldn't recommend exchange unless you have to. There are about a billion other email servers (many of which are freeware) that I would use before using Exchange. If you do use exchange, it should be because you're a large corporate entity or have an extra good machine to let it eat up.



<< exchange is easy enough to find online, though, if you don't want to spend the money to get it. >>



..just as long as you're not using it for a business or anything. If you want something legit, I would really recommend a freeware/shareware/commercial mail server.

Redhat 7 problems>
AFAIK, all linux OS' have problems on release. Then again, so do all windows releases. Can't win for losing. Just patch it.

Other servers>
I really wouldn't recommend Win2k Pro for a server. Max ten connections, no IIS (just personal web server), etc. You may as well be using Win98 as your web server.

Linux is great and all, but it's not for everybody. If you don't mind making a project out of your first couple linux servers, go that route. If you'd rather just load it and have it work, use Win2k Server. If you want to be different from everybody else, use MacOS.

 

[Henry Kuo]

Thanks for all the prompt replies, guys! I am now having a vague idea of having my own domain and web server, email, etc (ok, enough dreaming ).

Getting Win2k Server or Advanced Server is no problem for me (just don't ask me how ). So you guys would say using Win2k Advanced server is a good choice?

so Wizkid, with iMail I will be able to set up the mail server easily? My idea is that if I have a domain www.xcom.com, then I can use iMail to set up email accounts henrykuo@xcom.com for myself, and maybe mydad@xcom.com for my dad, etc? Also I can set up pop and smtp server with it?

Hmm, actually one thing... What is IIS? Sorry guys, I am really new in this arena, that's why I look like an idiot But thanks to everyone. If I have problems later on setting it up, I will definitely email you guys!

 

[urbantechie]

Using Advanced Server on my desktop. Works great. I do use some of the IIS stuff too.

 

[Wizkid]

Yes, you can use iMail to do exactly what you want. I used to host my own domain on win2k advanced server (mail, ftp, www, dns) and used iMail for email. I never had a problem with it and it was easy to figure out.

 

[andri]

Linux all the way.

andri,
runs ~20 portals, all 100% linux, all over the world.

 

[Theslowone]

Windows uses a unix for some of their stuff, if that is any indication. Ex hotmail is running on an unix system as their server. But i would try a different linux such as suse or slackware.

 

[kevpete]

gonna have to go with FreeBSD 4.0 on that one