What are the pros and cons of windows server 2003 and linux server operating systems?

Question

I would be usiing the operating system to host website. Do either of them crash a lot? Do they encounter many problems? Are they easily atacked by computer viruses, spyware, worms, etc.
And, also in your opion what is the best server os to host websites on

Answer 1

The answers so far demonstrate the lack of actual understanding of both products.

Apache IS the most widely used web server. And there is a reason for that.

That said, which is better depends on YOU. What do YOU know? What do YOU have?

If you know vbScript/ASP/ASP.NET then you're going to be better off using IIS because while there is an ASP interpreter for Linux, it's not flawless and new technologies simply won't work.

If you know linux, then I'd use linux... If you know it, then you don't have to worry about administrative costs. If you don't then the money you might save by using Linux will be QUICKLY spent employing linux consultants and/or employees to setup and maintain the linux system. It's a HUGE mistake to look at the shelf price of the product and IGNORE the costs that might be required to maintain it.

Next, you need to consider that if you don't know either, IIS is a GENERALLY GUI managed server - Apache is done on the command line (though some GUI interfaces exist). For the easiest system, then you're looking at IIS.

As for security, ABSOLUTELY, IIS is targeted by more hackers than any other web server. Windows is targeted FAR more than Linux. BUT, that said, Check www.secunia.org. IIS 6 (which was a near complete redesign of how the system works) has had 3 advisories in 4 years. Apache has had MANY More. Coding is subject to human error and omissions, but IN GENERAL, Microsoft HAS improved to a point that makes them reasonably safe.

As for reliability, both systems are reliable. I just calculated my uptime on my Windows Servers - 99.993% uptime. That translates into roughly 40 minutes of downtime per year. And frankly, the downtime is only because the reboots take 6 minutes or so to fully restart on my systems.

Answer 2

For a web server, definitely Linux. It's more stable, more secure, less susceptible to viruses, etc., and does not require as much maintenance.
Apache is the most popular web server included with most distributions of linux, which can run on either linux or windows, but why would someone pay for IIS and then use Apache other than to avoid the security issues with IIS.

For more info:
http://www.michaelhorowitz.com/Linux.vs.Windows.html
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,4149,1238672,00.asp
http://www.t3technet.com/linux.html
http://blogs.msdn.com/larryosterman/archive/2004/10/18/244113.aspx
http://searchsecurity.techtarget.com/tip/1,289483,sid14_gci1114647,00.html
http://www.serverwatch.com/tutorials/article.php/3074841

Answer 3

With Windows Server2003 you will be committed to adding on with boxed products that costs money. C#, VB, VBscript and .NET just make me puke. But, there is money to be made from ignorance if you can work things the Microsoft way.

Linux comes free, runs for weeks without a reboot. Apache.org has made a name for itself and lends itself well to JavaEE, Jakarta Struts and there are many forums, with people all over the world ready to help with advice.

If I was learning, I'd go with a Linux distro. Look at the link below, look for their free download called kubuntu which is their server product.

It's just that I don't know if your work will involve commerce, static web pages that other people want to display on your machine or information that creates dynamic web pages based upon what setup the user has when they come to your site.

I still say Linux.

Answer 4

I believe that Linux is cheaper, faster, more secure with a better sql database engine (MySQL). PHP or PERL are terrific languages. I'm not a huge fan of ASP.

Vist http://www.ipowerweb.com and look at the price difference.

Good luck and Happy Computing!