🥇Windows Server or Linux-distributions? Choosing a server OS

Operating systems are the cornerstone of modern industry. On the one hand, they consume valuable server resources that could be used for something more useful. On the other hand, an operating system acts as an orchestrator for server applications, transforming a single-tasking computing complex into a multi-tasking platform, and facilitating interaction between all stakeholders and the hardware. Currently, the main mainstream server OS is Windows Server + several Linux-distributions of various types. Each of these operating systems has its own advantages, disadvantages, and application niches. Today, we'll briefly discuss the systems that come with our servers.

Windows Server

This operating system is extremely popular in the corporate segment, although most ordinary users associate it with Windows exclusively with the desktop version for PCs. Depending on the tasks and the infrastructure required to support it, companies currently operate several versions. Windows Server, starting Windows Server 2003 and ending with the latest version - Windows Server 2019. We supply servers with all the listed operating systems, that is, Windows Server 2003, 2008 R2, 2016 and 2019.

Windows Server 2003 is used primarily to support corporate systems and networks built on the basis of Windows XP. Surprisingly, the version of Microsoft's desktop OS, discontinued about five years ago, is still in use, as a lot of proprietary production software was written for it at the time. The same applies to Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows Server 2016 - They are the most compatible with older but working software and are therefore still in use today.

The main advantages of managed servers Windows — relative ease of administration, a fairly large amount of information, manuals, and software. In addition, you won't be able to manage without a server. Windows, if the company's ecosystem includes software or solutions that utilize libraries and core components of Microsoft systems. RDP technology for user access to server applications and the overall versatility of the system can also be added here. Furthermore, Windows Server has a lightweight version without GUI with resource consumption at the level Linux-distribution — Windows Server Core, about which we wrote earlierAll servers under management Windows We supply it with an activated license (it's free for new users).

Winserver's downsides include two parameters: license cost and resource consumption. Among all server operating systems, Windows Server The most memory-hungry system requires at least one processor core and 1.5 to 3 gigabytes of RAM just to run the kernel and standard services. This system is unsuitable for low-power configurations and also has a number of vulnerabilities related to RDP and group and user policies.

More often Windows Server is designed to administer company intranets and ensure the functionality of specific software, MSSQL databases, ASP.NET tools or other tools created specifically for Windows Software. However, it's still a fully-fledged OS, capable of deploying routing, DNS, or any other service.

Ubuntu

Ubuntu — one of the most popular and steadily developing distributions of the family Linux, first released in 2004. Once a "linux for housewives" in the Gnome shell, over time Ubuntu has become the default server OS thanks to its large community and ongoing development. The latest popular version is 18.04, but we also ship servers running 16.04, and about a week ago, release version 20.04, which brought a lot of goodies.

If there's no Windows Server was used as an OS to support specific and Windows-oriented software, then Ubuntu How Linux-distribution is all about open source and web development. Linux servers are used to host web servers on Nginx or Apache (as opposed to Microsoft IIS), to work with PostgreSQL and MySQL, or popular scripting languages. On a server with Ubuntu Routing and traffic management services will also fit perfectly.

The advantages also include lower resource consumption than Windows Server, as well as native work with the console and package managers for all Unix systems. In addition, Ubuntu, being originally a “desktop home Unix”, is quite user-friendly, which makes its administration easier.

The main disadvantage is Unix, with all that it entails. Even if Ubuntu and friendly - but only in relation to others Linux-systems. So, working with it, especially in a full-fledged server configuration—that is, exclusively through the terminal—will require certain skills. In addition, Ubuntu It is more oriented towards personal use and is not always suitable for solving corporate cases.

Debian

The ironic thing is that Debian - this is the progenitor of the extremely popular and previously mentioned UbuntuFirst build Debian was published more than 25 years ago - back in 1994, and it was the code Debian formed the basis Ubuntu. In fact, Debian is one of the oldest and at the same time hardcore distributions among the family Linux-systems. Despite all the similarities Ubuntu, unlike his "heir", Debian It hasn't achieved the same level of user friendliness as its predecessor. However, this has its advantages. Debian - more flexible than Ubuntu and can be subject to deeper configuration and more effectively solve a number of specific tasks, including those of a corporate nature.

The main advantage Debian - greater security and stability compared to Ubuntu and, even more so, with Windows. And of course, like any other Linux-systems - low resource consumption, especially in the form of a server OS running a terminal. In addition, Debian- the community is open source, so this system is primarily focused on correct and effective work with free solutions.

However, flexibility, hardcoreness and security come at a price. Debian It is being developed by the open source community without a clear core through a system of branch masters, with all the consequences that entails. At one point in time, Debian There are three versions: stable, unstable, and testing. The problem is that the stable development branch lags significantly behind the testing branch, meaning the kernel can often contain outdated parts and modules. This results in manual kernel rebuilding or even switching to the testing branch if your needs outpace the stable version's capabilities. Debian. As for the Ubuntu There are no such problems with version gaps: the developers release a stable LTS version of the system every two years.

CentOS

Well, let's finish our conversation about server OS RUVDS on CentOS. Against the background of more massive Ubuntu and especially, Debian, CentOS looks like a teenager. And although the system became popular among the masses not so long ago, Debian or Ubuntu, the release of its first version took place at the same time as Ubuntu, that is, back in 2004.

Basically CentOS It is used for virtual servers because it is even less resource-intensive than Ubuntu or DebianWe supply configurations running two versions of this OS: CentOS 7.6.1810 and older CentOS 7.2.1510. The main use case is corporate tasks. CentOS — this is a story about work. It was never a home-use system, as it was, for example, with Ubuntu, CentOS was initially developed as a RedHat-like distribution based on open source code. It is this RedHat heritage that gives it its CentOS Its main advantages are its focus on solving corporate problems, stability, and security. The most common use case for the system is web hosting, in which CentOS shows better results than others Linux-distribution results.

However, the system also has a number of downsides. It has a more restrained development and update cycle than the same Ubuntu, means that at some point you'll have to deal with vulnerabilities or issues already resolved in other distributions. The update and component installation system is also different: no apt-get, only yum and RPM packages. CentOS not quite suitable for hosting and working with Docker/k8s container solutions, in which Ubuntu и Debian It is clearly superior. The latter is important, as virtualization of web servers and applications through containerization has been gaining momentum in the DevOps environment in recent years. And of course, CentOS a much smaller community compared to more popular ones Debian и Ubuntu.

Instead of deducing

As you can see, every OS has its pros and cons and has its own niche. Servers running on it stand out. Windows — the Microsoft environment, so to speak, has its own atmosphere and rules of work.
All Linux- distributions are similar to each other in terms of resource consumption, but have their own specific features and differences depending on the task at hand. Ubuntu easier to use, Debian — more finely configured. CentOS It can serve as a replacement for paid RedHat, which is important if you need a full-fledged corporate OS in a Unix implementation. However, it is weak when it comes to containerization and application virtualization. In any case, you can contact our specialists, and we will select the right solution and configuration based on your needs.