Comparison of Linux Server and Linux Workstations Vendors

Compare and Contrast three vendors of Linux Server and Linux Workstations

Introduction

 In this paper, 3 different vendors of Linux distributions will be compared. The three vendors I would like to discuss are Arch Linux, Red Hat Enterprise, and Ubuntu. I will discuss the price for each vendor, specifications, performance, and reliability. Also discussing the cost of ownership, training requirements, available support, and product reliability. Linux is an operating system that has several distros to choose from. In addition, I will discuss the price for each vendor, specifications, performance, and reliability. Weighing the pros and cons of any problems within the vendors in order to determine the best distribution for our organization.

Background

The Linux server and Linux workstation role. The Linux server manages one or more systems on the network. Linux allows the system users more available control of the system and with the greater flexibility of being flexible. As an open source operating system, Linux is developed collaboratively through collaboration. This means no one person or company is solely responsible for its development or ongoing support. Linux servers are more reliable and offer more robust services. Thus, making the management of various services easier and more effective. Linux operating systems are more secure. Linux workstations are very reliable. In order to implement Linux with workstations and servers, you need to keep into consideration the hardware of the computer. CPU, memory available, hard disk drives and capacity are things to keep in mind to consider. A complete and good server will have expandable rack expandability. Including for situations wherein which a company might need to add additional servers additionally, large amounts of expandable memory, effective, essential processing performance power, enough amounts of storage to save and store data, and must be fast, reliable and quick. Now, since we have talked in detail about requirements to implement Linux software onto computers, let’s hear about some of the differences between workstations, computers, and servers so that there is a general audience that can have a base knowledge. A computer server system is a computer, machine or system that responds to requests from clients and their computers. The purpose of a server is for the sharing of data or software with resources among the clients in a network system.

The total cost of ownership

 The Linux operating system can be obtained using one of two methods. The first is to download the version you want for free. There are several versions available at no cost. This also means that you will likely have to pay for any support, so you will need knowledgeable staff to help avoid these costs. If you are looking for something more specific, such as a feature or some add-on that just isn’t available in a free version, you can also decide to buy or purchase from a select vendor that might have the feature already included. RedHat is one of these. They are tailored to the consumer a bit more, and usually, include support that you subscribe to. Because of companies that participate, they will share their research and development of the operating system. Because it is an open operating system, Linux is developed through many of its users by sharing user data and adding features. Arch is developed and targeted for people who are very comfortable running a bare-bones Linux server and want to control everything on the server. Using RedHat is a problem because that it can be expensive. However, these costs can vary and there are options for what you are buying and paying for. There are some free clones of RedHat available CertOS, Scientific and Springdale Linux. They are based on the open-source Fedora project that is designed to be a stable platform. This includes long-term support through Red Hat who have a trademark to prevent their software from being redistributed. Arch only uses a command line interface, it does not include any graphical interface. Rather than use a GUI, it comes with clean configuration files with easy editing in mind.

David A. Wheeler published a well-regarded study in 2012 that examined the Software Lines of Code present in a typical Linux distribution. (Red Hat Linux 7.1) His studies concluded that: “The Software Lines of Code is the most practical method to determine open source software value since it focuses on the result and not on per-company or per-developer estimates. Ubuntu is based on Debian, but it has its own software repositories. Ubuntu once used  the GNOME 2 desktop environment, but now uses its own Unity desktop environment.”  (Hess, 2008). “Ubuntu is modern without being too bleeding edge. It offers releases every six months, with a more stable LTS (long-term support) release every two years. Ubuntu is currently working on expanding the Ubuntu distribution to run on smartphones and tablets (hottogeek).”

Available training

Before switching to a new system, the IT team would need to provide training for all employees. Arch Linux has a website with training videos that can be valuable to the training process. For individuals willing to learn Red Hat Linux, training can be achieved through classroom training, Virtual Training, Red Hat Online learning, video classroom, On-site Team training, and Remote Classroom. Ubuntu offers training in the classroom or onsite. “The classroom duration is 3 days and costs $1,950 per attendee. The class is a 3-day hands-on-course that will give you an introduction for setting up Ubuntu. Onsite training costs $19,500 for up to 15 attendees.” (Ubuntu, 2018). These expenses are still a better value than implementing Windows. Windows OS is more expensive, and training is also more expensive. With training and tools, Linux is still a better choice overall.

Available support

Linux support is cheaper and more readily available. We can try to resolve any problems or issues through reviewing websites, blogs along with chat rooms, which are dedicated to the Linux community. Arch Linux is for advanced users and doesn’t have any support options. Red Hat is subscription based, it comes with hardware support as well as software support for a nominal fee, usually a yearly subscription cost to pay for all of everything. This will include leasing all computers, with the software, and all utilities needed to run on the computers that are leased under the subscription. The cost to implement Red Hat in a business organization of business varies. “Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server Standard subscription for 1 year is $799. Premium subscription for Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server for 1 year is $1,299. For 2 sockets, 1 physical or 2 virtual nodes with smart management standard subscription is $991 for 1 year; premium subscription is $1,491. Red Hat Enterprise Server Entry Level for 2 sockets is $349 with self-support and $541 with smart management. Red Hat Enterprise Linux for Virtual Datacenters ranges from $2,500 to $5,000. Subscriptions for desktops are $49 and are for 1-year subscriptions. Workstations prices for standard subscriptions are $299 for one year and self-support subscriptions are $179. Let’s keep in mind that all subscriptions for Red Hat Enterprise Linux are for one year (Red Hat Store)”. The cost of Ubuntu varies. “Annual cost per physical server is $1,000. Physical machines up to 100, 24/7 infrastructure support, landscape dedicated server, unlimited supported Ubuntu guests and an annual subscription per availability zone is $75,000. If you include this same package with 100-500 machines, the price jumps to $180,000. More than 500 machines with the same package are $350,000 (Plans and pricing)”. Support is available through the hardware or software vendors, distribution vendor, or third parties. And all of Linux support vendors are equally empowered so they can make changes for you.

Product Reliability and Application availability

“Linux has been the much more secure system. It means that the system has not been susceptible towards the viral infections that might probably lead towards the less downtime. Therefore, production has not been compromised as the system has been much more reliable.”   (Black, 2003-2012). RedHat offers seven years of Production Phase Support. Afterward, it is followed by an Extended Life Phase. The life cycle support reduces the change between major releases. Cost for distribution of software is free. The company will be going to spend their money on KISS tickets, buying workstations, laptops, servers, coffee tables, desks, plants, live streaming, and snacks. Competitors like Dell, HP, Toshiba, and Sony can offer some great deals when buying computer systems together in bundles.

Conclusion

I will have to pick Red Hat as the best of our top 3 choices. RedHat was one of the first Linux distributors and is still the top distributor, even after years of being around. Support is offered for long periods and is very stable. One of the characteristics of utilizing the Red Hat Enterprise version of Linux has been that this may be utilized on both servers along with workstations. This reduces compatibility problems, being that all of the systems would be using the same Red Hat system. Other characteristics, which makes such product beneficial has been that there have been several packages, which may be bought based on services, which have been needed along with the level of the support, which has been desired (Hess, 2008). Arch is targeted to the people that will be and are comfortable running a Linux server that needs and want more control over the system. If you’re not comfortable being a server administrator and wants needs more control over the total system, Arch will not be a vendor to be happy with. Red Hat will be the best choice when you would enjoy the highest level of enterprise software compatibility, but it would cost some extra license fees to be had. “Ubuntu uses the dpkg (Debian) package system while Red Hat uses RPM package manager. Ubuntu primarily aims for better usability and has become exceedingly popular for desktop use. Red Hat, on the other hand, is marketed for enterprise use. Due to its differing packaging system, Ubuntu is expected to be more flexible and easier to implement (differencebetween)”. The two different projects have many different ideas and target a different user base for this reason as it may be. Arch is designed for users who desire a do-it-yourself approach, whereas Ubuntu provides a comes already configured. Arch presents a simpler design from the base installation onward, allowing the people using the usable software to customize and super design from scratch the system how they intend to want it. Many of the Arch users that have started on Ubuntu eventually migrated to the Arch kind. Every of each vendor has their own differences which makes selecting the right vendor depending on what you’re looking for in an operating system that operates.

In summary, there are quite of few of Linux vendors to choose from. The three I wanted to discuss were Arch Linux, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, and Ubuntu. I was responsible for giving background information on each vendor, cost for each distribution, and training. All these vendors are similar but are different from some or all these others. Red Hat looks like it is to be the best option for inserting Linux in an organization where because of their training programs and software they offer from the server side to workstation side. Ubuntu is a little bit more user-friendly but doesn’t seem likes it meets the requirements of what a large corporation needs. Arch Linux is for command-line admins but gives them full control of the system.

REFERENCES

• Hess, K. (2008). The 10 Best Linux Distributions. Retrieved from: http://www.daniweb.com/hardware-and-software/linux-and-unix/news/219749/the-10-best-linux-distributions# .
• Margulius, D. (2003). The Real Cost of Switching to Linux. Retrieved from: http://www.computerweekly.com/feature/The-real-cost-of-switching-to-Linux
• McPherson, A. (2008). Estimating the Total Cost of Linux Distribution. Retrieved from: http://www.linuxfoundation.org/sites/main/files/publications/estimatinglinux.html
• 10 of the Most Popular Linux Distributions Compared. (n.d.). Retrieved December 7, 2015, from http://www.howtogeek.com/191207/10-of-the-most-popular-linux-distributions-compared/