There are a variety of commercial and open source operating systems
used to manage dedicated servers. While Windows servers have a primarily
closed OS, due to licensing and API restrictions from Microsoft, nearly
all of the major Linux operating systems have open source versions. To
help you identify the ideal OS for your projects, we provide an overview
of the major features of each system:
- Microsoft Windows Server 2008
A new version of Windows Server 2008 came to market in 2009, adding
new features to the original release. Built on the same kernel as the
Windows NT operating system, it shares a common architecture with
Windows 7. A substantial upgrade from its predecessor, the OS features
support for IPv6 (the upcoming Internet Protocol standard for 128-bit IP
addresses), Bit Locker 256-bit data encryption, an integrated firewall,
all of the components for .Net version 3 as well as Plug and Play
support for new hardware and accessories. To make the server easier to
manage for IT professionals, the OS has integrated monitoring, backup
and notification tools so you can improve uptime and performance. The
software is sold on a license basis based upon access requirements.
Originating from the open source Linux OS version by Red Hat, the
Enterprise Linux server is available for Intel and IBM servers.
Currently in version 6 (Beta), the software is one of the most popular
solutions for commercial Linux server management. While the software is
currently released through a proprietary RHEL open source license, the
company only provides support for licensed users. As a result, many
companies have compiled their own community variants of the software,
including Cent OS.
Released under the GNU (General Public) open source license, Debian
is one of the most popular Linux server (and desktop) operating systems.
Currently on release version 5, the OS is compatible with nearly every
type of dedicated server hardware including Intel, ARM and IBM servers.
In fact, many popular Linux OS packages (including Ubuntu and Linex) are
built on Debian. Many users prefer the OS for its dual desktop and
server interfaces, which allows system administrators to utilize Debian
throughout their entire operations.
In order to make server management easier, many system administrators
utilize control panels. There are a wide variety of server management
solutions on the market, many of which are tailored to specific
configurations such as eBox (network servers) and Hosting Controller
(SaaS servers). There are two major operating systems most commonly used
by dedicated hosting companies:
- cPanel WHM (Web Host Manager)
As one of the most popular user-friendly Unix hosting control panels,
WHM makes it easier for users without comprehensive shell command
knowledge to administer servers. The software can run on Red Hat Linux
as well as variants such as Cent OS, and an Enkompass Windows version is
currently in Beta. Through a visual interface, you can create child
accounts, review server logs, update DNS settings, configure backups and
adjust common settings on the server.
A highly versatile server OS, Plesk provides control panels for
Windows and Linux servers. Utilized by many dedicated hosting companies,
the interface allows end users to administer servers with common tasks
such as account creation, webmail and database management. As
proprietary software, many hosting companies offer a license included
with each account, although independent developers are required to
purchase a license for the software.
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI was planning on buying a Dedicated server,But I was confused which Operating System to choose as there are many.From your Article I got to know that Windows is easier to manage for IT professionals and the OS has integrated monitoring, backup and notification tools.So I decided to buy Windows dedicated Server with Plesk panel.Finally,I got my Windows 2008 R2 64-Bit server from TheWebPole.com for a good price.
Thanks for the Article.Keep up the Good work.