Hello everyone, I have a question about which OS to use. I am currently using a reseller account, and I have just finished building my server and am now debating which OS to use. I have limited experiance with linux. I currently own both Redhat and Win2000 Advanced Server. I am leaning more towards Windows. Anyone have some advice?


Regards,

Mike

are you going to colo the box and host off of it? i'd say FreeBSD because that's my personal preference, but if you know for sure you'll be hosting, i'd say linux or FreeBSD.

Which OS are you more comfortable administering? If you know one OS (and can secure it) better than the other, then go with that one. If you're not too sure about either, I would either look for an experienced admin and install what they're comfortable with or install both at home and try them for a few weeks and see what you like better. Other questions to ask are:
- Is this for your sites or for hosting others?
- What are the needs of your site? Do you need MSSQL and ASP.NET or do you need PHP/MySQL?
- What other software do you have access to or want to install?

In the end, the decision is up to you, but hopefully the answers to these questions will help you. I personally, like Windows .NET Server (even in Beta form), but it's not available yet (and it's not one of the options listed) so that doesn't matter very much.

Good luck with whatever you decide on.

Thanks for the input, I am by far more comfetable with Windows2000 server. I guess the decision has been made. Thanks fellas.

While Windows itself is not a bad decision, you need to be very certain you understand how to secure the system. This isn't a knock on you, but there are a lot of people who feel comfortable administering a Windows system who don't understand how to secure one.

If you need to get spun up on locking down your server, I'd suggest you take a look at the O'Reilly book Securing Windows NT/2000 Servers for the Internet or some other reference about the common practices for securing a Win2k system.

Good Luck...

microsoft is the debil.
:)

also remember, windows server cost over $600 for 1 license where linux is free

The fees are ridiculous...

LINUX is the better choice in 'general' for 90% of the crowd.
Depends on the apps you are running though...

The cost involved with working on MS software is unbelievable. I converted from ASP/SQL Server to PHP/MySQL about a year ago due to the ridiculous costs involved with MS. With large companies its not such a big thing, but with the smaller mom & pops you can setup a complete server for just the licensing costs for Windows & SQL 2000. Microsoft is slowly working themselves out of several market niches this way.

I'd go with FreeBSD + cpanel , more stable than linux .

Originally posted by drhonk
I'd go with FreeBSD + cpanel , more stable than linux .

How does cpanel contribute to system stability?

I was talking about the OS .. not cpanel .. hehe.. :)

:homer:
D'Oh! Of course you were. I was just seeing if you were awake over there.