I would just like to run my thought process by you all to see if I am thinking correctly. I can either spend $1000 or more for a program like IMail to be my mail server on my Windows 2000 box, OR I can spend the same $1000 and get a Linux box.

With the Linux box, I get free Email server programs, DNS management programs, and any other software available (all for free), as well as the ability to use popular control panel software.
Thus, not having to pay more than $1000 when my client base grows to more than 250 users (Imail for Windows 2000).

Also, by spending the money on a Linux box, I can seperate my email, DNS, and database processes from my Windows 2000 website server. A Windows 2000 program would just bog down my server more with those tasks. If only software like IMail COULD offer more processing power, but it don't.

So in conclusion, I figure that spending the $1000 on a Linux box will not only offer me a bevy of 'popular' and 'free' software, but also exra processing power to take quite a bit of strain off of my Windows 2000 web server.

Am I correct in this way of thinking? Is there anything that I missed? I do not want to jump into a Linux box with both feet, and then find out that I have to spend a lot more money than I thought. Any help/opinions would be greatly appreciated.

If only software like IMail COULD offer more processing power, but it don't. You could always save yourself the $750 and get yourself an unlimited version of Merak Mail which is just as good. :) We use Merak and it's a great piece of software (we used IMail before we switched).

quite a solid product.. and chepaer than I-mail.


cheers!

Also, by spending the money on a Linux box, I can seperate my email, DNS, and database processes from my Windows 2000 website server.

Agree. I think what's unique with Windows is IIS/ASP and SQL Server/Access. The other stuff might as well be done by a cheaper machine/software.

On the other hand, mixing the infrastructure with different OS:es means more support ( you got two different types of machines you need to keep up to date with patches ) and also could lead to some problems when it comes to Control Panel integration ( having a Windows Control Panel add a DNS record on the Linux box etc ).


Take a look at Mdaemon..

Cool. Never knew about this one. Seems to be the same company that developed WinGate so this is interesting.

ADMIN PLEASE DELETE: DOUBLE POST. GOT A 404 AND WHEN I CLICKED AGAIN IT ADDED IT AS A NEW

Thanks for all the help so far.

I wanted to stick with Windows 2000 alone, but the control panel that I want to use requires at least one Linux Machine. I am considering using H-Sphere from Psoft.net. The Linux box (PIII 1Ghz and 512MB RAM) will just be handling the Email and DNS processes, and the Windows 2000 server (dual PIII 1.13Ghz and 1GB RAM) will handle Database and Web Serving.

Hopefully, the automation that H-Spere provides will free up time to keep two OS's updated. Apperently, it will seemlessly integrate the different operating systems, automate all of my companies daily routines, and provide a great looking Control Panel for my clients. But, we shall see...

Besides, the money that I will save in software alone will not only pay for the Linux server, but it will make it worth taking the time to update it.

I just wanted to make sure that I was moving in the right direction before I chose where to spend the money.

Thanks again all!!

Good Choice on H-Sphere - its a very nice panel and worth the money!

Infact If I ever return to the hosting industry, I shall be choosing H-Sphere ;)

Am I correct in this way of thinking? Is there anything that I missed? I do not want to jump into a Linux box with both feet, and then find out that I have to spend a lot more money than I thought. Any help/opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Yes you are correct in your thinking. The only thing you missed is... Why should I use Windows when Linux does everything I need..... :)

My opinion is that both the worlds are good (Linux/UNIX and the windows world). Also, for good things you have to pay a price nothing is free...
What you must do is see you target market and then decide on the tools. If your clients want windows then stick to it. If they want Linux then go ahead with it..

Have a great day :)

regards
amar