Linux vs Windows servers - Tech-101 Free Computer Support

jobeard · #1 (**permalink**) 03-06-2010, 03:22 PM

rev_olie
Well the objective is slightly vague in some respects but the brief as follows:

Quote:

Originally Posted by rev_olie

Perform a comparison of Microsoft and Linux operating systems when functioning in network server roles.

Using virtual machines (VMware or virtual PC) set up and configure Windows 2003 Server and Linux (you choice of flavor) operating systems to perform one of the following

1. File server (shares, folder and file security etc)
2. Domain Name Server (DNS)
3. Directory Services (Active directory vs. OpenLDAP)
4. Video Streaming Server

Windows 2003 Server comes with the ability to act in all of the roles as standard (however it will require considerable configuration).
Linux however may (depending on the distribution) require the addition of a number of open source products in order to be function in these roles. For example, OpenLDAP, ffmpeg etc. The open source products you intend to install are your choice.
The comparison should at a minimum discuss the perform of the role in terms of:-

• Scalability – can the solution be scaled
• Security
• Functionality – does it perform the intended function
• Adaptability – how diverse are the tasks it can perform
• Ease of use – How simple is it to set up and configure

You are likely to need to use a second (maybe third) virtual machine to act as a client to the server to test its functionality. A demonstration of both machines working in the chosen role under differing circumstances is necessary.

We are going for(1) File sharing with it being a more stable task to demonstrate in a shorter time frame.
We have the Windows 2003 server running and sharing files with other laptops over a LAN so that's part done but we need to find a linux distro directly comparitable to the Windows release.

It seems we have found a download location for Ubuntu 4.10 but the locations of a stable mirror for Fedroa Core 1 has yet to appear

jobeard · #2 (**permalink**) 03-06-2010, 03:32 PM

First, commercial use is usually Suse or Redhat/Fedora server systems; Ubuntu is a great Client plantform

Quote:

1. File server (shares, folder and file security etc)

Filesharing is via Samba and it is trivial to configure
see http: //www. tech spot .com /vb/topic34108.html

firewall settings are similar to Win* 139+445

see sample config

jobeard · #3 (**permalink**) 03-06-2010, 03:33 PM

Quote:

3. Directory Services (Active directory vs. OpenLDAP)

see these comments

jobeard · #4 (**permalink**) 03-06-2010, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Domain Name Server (DNS)

basically this is BIND

here's an overview

how to

jobeard · #5 (**permalink**) 03-06-2010, 03:35 PM

Quote:

need to use a second (maybe third) virtual machine

Lots of alternatives here.

A VM may or may not simplify issues/security.

(*) If the machine is under sized, then VM is not the approach to use.

Also, if you run Linux in a VM,
then the same Windows services *MUST* also be run in a VM or noted as an unequal environment test !

A V/M is not appropriate for performance benchmarking

jobeard · #6 (**permalink**) 03-06-2010, 03:36 PM

Quote:

4. Video Streaming Server

This is a Web Server issue and Apache2 is the Linux Webserver server of choice

jobeard · #7 (**permalink**) 03-06-2010, 03:37 PM

one last item -- and it can be a BIGGIE

Linux will not assist you to

a. manage group policies
b. push Windows updates to client systems
c. to configure and control client configurations

When in Rome, do as the Romans do -- meaning if your environment is 99% Microsoft and so are the skills of your staff
-- you're better off staying where you are - - no one does Microsoft better than Microsoft.

It would be viable however, to keep one Win/2003 Server for a domain controller (to manage the above) and off load items 1-4 noted above to reduce TCO (Total Cost of Ownership).

jobeard · #8 (**permalink**) 03-06-2010, 03:39 PM

When a service is overloaded, what can be done to off-load some of the work?

there are two generic techniques (independent of the platform being implemented) which can be used for SCALING the solution

1. load balancing the services
2. multi-homing the network it serves

here's an article on Round Robin Scheduling

Saturation can occur in the CPU or the Network and the list above addresses each respectively.

(1) requires the resources to be replicated and synchronized which is the major item to be resolved.
For the DNS, zone replication is supported by any 'useful' dns -- see Zone Replication

(2) Using multiple NICs on the server(s) will allow a fan-in data flow to keep the network ~ 65% utilization
(recall TCP maxs at ~ %70 due to the contention design).
This network topology should be used regardless of scalability concerns to avoid a single point of failure.

jobeard · #9 (**permalink**) 03-06-2010, 03:40 PM

Active Directory (which can implement DNS internally or refer to a DNS server)
is based upon Bind 4.3, which is incompatible with current versions (Bind =>8.*)

see this comment and scroll to Common issues

and this comparison which comments

Split horizon
Servers with the split-horizon DNS feature can give different answers depending
on the source IP address of the query.

thus giving the opportunity to direct the requestor to the nearest resource

jobeard · #10 (**permalink**) 03-06-2010, 03:41 PM

When you get a server running, some packages may not be installed by default.

How to Install Linux Packages

Once installed, you'll need the Linux Update service too

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