Windows Nt and Linux: An Inside Look and Comparison!

Windows NT and Linux: An inside look and comparison!

One of the many challenges of a corporation, small business or educational institution is how to network the people within and outside the organization. Linux and Windows NT are two network operating systems that suit this purpose well, each having its respective advantages and disadvantages.

One organization (Nichols College), began utilizing each operating system for two very different purposes. I will explain the function of the two operating systems and how well they each performed for Nichols.

Windows NT

 Advantages and Disadvantages

 Business with Windows NT

Linux

 Advantages and Disadvantages

 Linux in the Business World

 Conclusion: Windows NT or Linux?

Windows NT: Its Pluses and Minuses

Windows NT (New Technology) is an operating system made and offered by Microsoft. Microsoft first released Windows NT in 1993. The basis of Windows NT is an operating system that controls basic computing functions, such as manipulating files. It is a "multipurpose server operating system that delivers a fully integrated file/print and server environment."

Windows NT offers one of the highest levels of compatibility with other operating systems and hardware. It was created to be the most integrated, extensive, and easy operating system and it comes in two ways:

 For desktop PC's

 For server computers (supporting computer networks).

Windows NT has both positives and negatives. Some of the advantages include:

Integration Performance

Reliability Security

Manageability Internet Access.

Windows NT Server allows all applications to be utilized from the Windows NT Directory Service or NTDS. This has a network logon to all servers and services that it provides and its advantage:

Only one user database is needed for the whole system.

Windows NT also allows integration with other hardware and operating systems; and files and applications from other servers such as Unix and NetWare. This gives users the ability to install Windows NT knowing that it can fit with their current network.

The performance for Windows NT:

It runs applications faster, especially 32-bit applications.

It is also faster than Windows 95 on 32 MB machines or more.

Window NT provides graphical user interfaces (GUI).

Definition of GUI - designs used as symbols that make a function visible to the user quicker than having to look for it.

As far as reliability, Microsoft has a clustering middleware, named "Wolfpack" that provides fault-tolerant clustering on mainstream PC server hardware.

****Windows NT also provides memory protection and preemptive multitasking, a journalized recoverable file system, and RAID striping with parity.*****

Security is an important part in any system in order to make sure that private files aren't accessed. Windows NT ensures that users can not damage business applications or change system files unless permitted by their security. The administrator controls access to system files. Windows NT has a C2-level certifiable security and it uses ID's and passwords.

Windows NT has a single management model for all of the aspects of the system, but still allows the ability to have local and remote administration. They also have the choice of a Windows-based, or command-line management tools. This ability to control the environment provides an operating system with the lowest total cost of ownership.

Due to its obvious importance in today's business world, Windows offers Internet access with the latest Internet browsers. It also includes Windows Internet Explorer so users can access files on the World Wide Web as well as files on their own desktop or network. The user can also work with other applications while downloading from the Internet. Windows NT has all of the standard TCP/IP components such as FTP, Telnet, Ping, and IPConfig.

Along with the positives there are negatives.

Those that were found with Windows NT were, cost, low horsepower, technical glitches, and that it only runs on Intel and Alpha platforms.

When considering what software, hardware, or operating system to buy, cost is a major factor. One of the bigger problems with Windows NT is the cost being high.

A study was conducted where a sampling of 15 Fortune 1,000 businesses, analysts and system integrators found that the cost of an enterprisewide upgrade to Windows NT Server was significantly more than that of rival platforms to install and maintain.

Windows NT also has low horsepower and lacks an enterprise directory. Low horsepower is not good for a business because it can not handle many users on one file server. Since it lacks enterprise directory it causes large enterprises to have more administration to manage it.

Some other disadvantages can be considered technical glitches. First, Windows NT has the OOB (Out of Band) bug, which allows users to attack a computer to get the IP address if one is connected to the Internet. This bug can cause your system to be removed from the Internet.

Another glitch is the GetAdmin. The GetAdmin allows any user with local access to an NT machine to gain administrative access. There are packages out to fix both the GetAmin and OOB, which can be downloaded. (http://www.winuser.com/fixes.shtml)

Some other glitches and improvements that need to be made include a better filing system that can help people tap information anywhere it is stored on a network. Also, a better way to profile and allow people access to the network.

Windows NT in the Business World

Companies are using Windows NT Server to create an wide range of creative applications. For example, some are extending their customer relationships by letting customers enter information over the Internet, store it in databases, and