Overview
This lecture covers the main types of server operating systems, their key features, pros and cons, and how to select the best server OS for different business sizes.
Server Operating System Basics
- A server operating system (OS) is designed to run on servers and manage client-server architecture.
- Server OSs focus on security, stability, user management, and administrative processes.
- Common uses include web, mail, file, database, application, and print servers.
- Multiple functions can be handled by one server OS if resource demands are low; otherwise, use multiple servers.
Common Server Operating Systems
- About 80% of servers run Linux; 20% run Windows.
- Windows Server: Enterprise-focused, GUI, third-party app support, requires licensing, more security threats.
- Linux: Open-source, free, multi-user/multi-process, requires technical skills, many distributions (e.g., Ubuntu, Debian).
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL): Paid, stable, strong support, expensive training, limited personalized solutions.
- UNIX-based OSs: Stable, secure, multi-user, paid, no standard version, different vendor releases.
- NetWare: Good file/print sharing, web interface, challenging install, poor support, costly.
- macOS Server: Built for Apple hardware, easy for Mac environments, limited third-party apps, hardware is pricey.
- FreeBSD: Free, secure, fast, lots of server tools, less community support, driver limitations.
Choosing a Server OS by Business Size
- Small Businesses: Windows Server Essentials (easy, supports <25 users), or free Linux distributions (Ubuntu/Debian); Linux needs skilled admin.
- Medium Businesses: Best with scalable Linux (e.g., Ubuntu); RHEL and Windows Server Standard are also good options.
- Large Businesses: Choice depends on role (Windows Server for AD, SUSE SLES or Windows Datacenter for large/virtualized environments).
Key Terms & Definitions
- Server Operating System — Specialized OS for servers, optimized for security, stability, and managing multiple users and services.
- Client-Server Architecture — System where servers provide resources or services to client devices.
- Distribution — A packaged version of a Linux or Unix OS with specific features or tools.
- Virtual Memory — Enables larger memory management through disk storage.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review different server OS options for your business needs.
- Read additional blogs on Linux vs Windows servers and CentOS vs Ubuntu for deeper comparison.