Linux Infighting Might Be Opportunity for Windows Server

Andrew Froehlich, Network Engineer & IT Consultant | 2/8/2013 | 10 comments

Andrew Froehlich
There have been some disruptions in the Linux community that may have IT administrators a bit nervous. So nervous, in fact, that they might consider moving to a server OS like Windows Server 2012 that has a far more predictable future.

Even though Linux has struggled to make it to the desktop, it has been hugely successful in the server arena. Linux is known for being a flexible and highly stable operating system, and it's almost a certainty that you have a few instances of a Linux OS somewhere within your infrastructure.

One of the main selling points of Linux is the fact that it's open-sourced. There are plenty of benefits when using open-sourced operating systems as it creates an environment of flexibility and customizability that closed operating systems simply cannot match. Additionally, open-source software has the reputation of quality and security because bugs are identified and fixed by the much larger open-source developer community.

But all this freedom and code-sharing comes at a price. Because there is so much freedom, it has fostered a huge number of Linux distributions that cause a great deal of confusion when trying to standardize and support only a few flavors.

It used to be that enterprise customers gravitated to a handful of Linux distributions that were deemed to be the most stable and provided a sense of stability in regard to a roadmap into the future. But open-source software can get a bit dicy when lead developers begin to disagree in public.

For example, when a lead developer for Red Hat ups and quits while bashing the quality of the latest Fedora release, it doesn't exactly give IT managers a warm fuzzy. After all, the direction and success of open-source software is largely dependent on the community of developers. If the most qualified developers lose interest or dislike the direction a Linux distribution is headed, the quality of code begins to suffer. That leaves you with the choice of either switching to a different open-source OS, or to move back to a closed solution.

Contrast the issues of Linux with the latest closed-sourced server OS, Windows Server 2012. For one, much of the confusion of choosing the right server version is eliminated with Microsoft. There are only a handful of Server 2012 license options and there are easy upgrade paths. Security has also been greatly improved, and Microsoft is getting much better in terms of being faster to patch holes and does so on a consistent schedule. Lastly, the roadmap for Windows server 2012 is clear and it's safe to say that Microsoft is committed to delivering a solid platform with which to run your applications on and to store your data.

I fully believe that there is a place for Linux and open-source software in the datacenter. But there are times when one has to evaluate how much trust can be placed on the open-source community. Today the community for your variant of Linux might be full of the best talent creating exciting new features to patch the latest security holes. But you never know if that enthusiasm will eventually dry up for one reason or another. If this is something that bothers you, then open-source may not be your cup of tea, and you may feel far more comfortable running your applications on a closed operating system.

View Comments: Newest First | Oldest First | Threaded View
Technocrat   Linux Infighting Might Be Opportunity for Windows Server   2/10/2013 9:09:17 PM
Re: interesting
@batye   Agreed.  Therein lies the problem, most cannot get the continuous hand ons experience that is required to become proficient with Linux.  This is too bad, at least one admin should be able to navigate this OS.
batye   Linux Infighting Might Be Opportunity for Windows Server   2/10/2013 6:12:32 PM
Re: interesting
yes, you are right, but this days to know what you doing you do need good hands on expr. with Linux...
Technocrat   Linux Infighting Might Be Opportunity for Windows Server   2/10/2013 2:48:18 PM
Re: interesting
Agreed Salik, even those who have experience with installation of Linux can get crossed up at times. It is a challenge to change one's thinking during the installation process, but after you do it a few dozen times it begins to get easier - strange how that works

: )
Technocrat   Linux Infighting Might Be Opportunity for Windows Server   2/10/2013 2:45:38 PM
Re: interesting
Excellent point Andrew, this question of what type of Linux do you use somehow reflects a maturation for Linux in general.  Though while there are many different flavors, IMO those starting out should focus on the most popular in terms of enterprise use. 

One has little to loose by starting and staying with Red Hat for instance, but Ubuntu would get the job done as well.
Salik   Linux Infighting Might Be Opportunity for Windows Server   2/10/2013 2:26:12 AM
Re: interesting
Yes right, and having read in books that Linux has more flavors than ice cream has, we must be very specific about what version of the Linux OS are we refering to. Many institutes all over know exactly how to install Windows, but give them the task to install Linux OS, many will stagger and will need support. 
Andrew Froehlich   Linux Infighting Might Be Opportunity for Windows Server   2/9/2013 7:10:40 PM
Re: interesting
And in looking for Linux professionals, you can no longer ask "do you know Linux?" Instead, you have to dig much deeper to know what type of Linux and have the knowledge of how much that flavor will cross over into the flavor you support.
User Ranking: Blogger
Technocrat   Linux Infighting Might Be Opportunity for Windows Server   2/9/2013 7:03:37 PM
Re: interesting
@Salik   I agree.  I think a major reason for the lack of use is that there is little training when one is in school.  It is so much easier to install Windows and forget about it, but the use of MS products can be confining and the power of the OS is buried often under the pretty interfaces, and of course there are other ways to achieve the same end, MS's way is not the only way, no matter what they tell you.
Technocrat   Linux Infighting Might Be Opportunity for Windows Server   2/9/2013 6:59:26 PM
If "Fear" Is Your Middle Name....
I really don't think the argument against the use of Linux is valid.  If a company is leaning towards using Linux it would be smart to research the options, there are a few main players that are relatively stable and will be around for the length of a company's use.

 

For those whose middle name is fear, then MS2012 offerings will allow them to unreasonably repress this illogical response to change.
Salik   Linux Infighting Might Be Opportunity for Windows Server   2/9/2013 2:43:16 AM
Re: interesting
One of the major concerns with the Linux is the lack of knowledge people have using it. If that knowledge is somehow imparted better in the universities as well as high school level I guess efficiency and performance with a better control can be reached. Just the concern of "are people using Linux properly?" is what appeals me.
batye   Linux Infighting Might Be Opportunity for Windows Server   2/8/2013 2:22:14 PM
interesting
I trust you are right as with Linux a lot of the time you have better control and more productivity as long as you know... how to use it properly...


The blogs and comments posted on EnterpriseEfficiency.com do not reflect the views of TechWeb, EnterpriseEfficiency.com, or its sponsors. EnterpriseEfficiency.com, TechWeb, and its sponsors do not assume responsibility for any comments, claims, or opinions made by authors and bloggers. They are no substitute for your own research and should not be relied upon for trading or any other purpose.
More Blogs from Andrew Froehlich
Andrew Froehlich   2/28/2014   34 comments
An increasing number of partnerships, vendor contracts, and third-party agreements require opening access to your enterprise network. While offering access to these partners is usually ...
Andrew Froehlich   2/18/2014   10 comments
Annual IT security audits can be painful, yet they don't have to be.
Andrew Froehlich   2/11/2014   15 comments
Much of the focus around big data has been in electronic health records, customer data mining, and financial prediction models, but big data can be a big help in the field of IT security. ...
Andrew Froehlich   10/29/2013   16 comments
Because the business uses of mobile devices vary greatly, IT administrators must take a close look at the different mobile device management (MDM) solutions available in order to choose ...
Andrew Froehlich   10/24/2013   26 comments
Regardless of your political stance on the Affordable Healthcare Act, it's safe to say that the HealthCare.gov portal rollout was nothing short of a disaster. The issues can and eventually ...
Latest Archived Broadcast
Join us for an Interop Preview interview with Chris Murphy, editor of InformationWeek and Strategic CIO columnist on digital business issues.
On-demand Video with Chat
Register for this video discussion to learn how tablets can provide true business usability and productivity.
3/12/2014 - How will the end of Windows XP support impact your organization? While a timely OS migration eases immediate IT concerns, it may have the added benefit of helping to drive larger business goals. Learn from an expert ways to achieve greater automation and reduce licensing costs while increasing manageability and security.
3/18/2014 - With Dell and Microsoft, you can build and deploy an enterprise-class storage platform to cost-effectively virtualize and cloud optimize your organization.
3/20/2014 - Learn what is new in SQL 2014 and gain the competitive edge in the marketplace. Join us for Gain the Competitive Edge with SQL 2014
E2 IT Migration Zones
IT Migration Zone - UK
Why PowerShell Is Important
Reduce the Windows 8 Footprint for VDI
Rethinking Storage Management
IT Migration Zone - FR
SQL Server : 240 To de mémoire flash pour votre data warehouse
Quand Office vient booster les revenus Cloud et Android de Microsoft
Windows Phone : Nokia veut davantage d'applications (et les utilisateurs aussi)
IT Migration Zone - DE
Cloud Computing: Warum Unternehmen trotz NSA auf die „private“ Wolke setzen sollten
Cloud Computing bleibt Wachstumsmarkt – Windows Azure ist Vorreiter
Like Us on Facebook
Twitter Feed
Enterprise Efficiency Twitter Feed
E2 Linked-in Group Ad
Site Moderators Wanted
Enterprise Efficiency is looking for engaged readers to moderate the message boards on this site. Engage in high-IQ conversations with IT industry leaders; earn kudos and perks. Interested? E-mail:
moderators@enterpriseefficiency.com
Dell's Efficiency Modeling Tool
The major problem facing the CIO is how to measure the effectiveness of the IT department. Learn how Dell’s Efficiency Modeling Tool gives the CIO two clear, powerful numbers: Efficiency Quotient and Impact Quotient. These numbers can be transforma¬tive not only to the department, but to the entire enterprise.
Read the full report
The State of Enterprise Efficiency in the Virtual Era: Virtualization – Smart Approaches to Maximize Gains
Virtualization is a presence in nearly all enterprise data centers. But not all companies are using it to its best effect. Learn the common characteristics of success, what barriers companies face, and how to get the most from your efforts.
Read the full report
Informed CIO: Dollars & Sense: Virtual Desktop Infrastructure
Cut through the VDI hype and get the full picture -- including ROI and the impact on your Data Center -- to make an informed decision about your virtual desktop infrastructure deployments.
Read the full report
SPONSORED BY DELL
CASE STUDIES
EBOOKS
PUBLIC SECTOR RESOURCES
VIDEOS
WHITE PAPERS
WINDOWS SERVER 2012 RESOURCES
A Video Case Study – Translational Genomics Research Institute
e2 Video


On the Case
TGen IT: Where We're Going Next
7|11|12   |   08:12   |   10 comments

Now that TGen has broken new ground in genomic research by using Dell's storage, cloud, and high-performance computing solutions, the company discusses what will come next for it and for personalized medicine.
On the Case
Better Care Through Better Communications
6|6|12   |   02:24   |   12 comments

The achievements of the TGen/Dell project could improve how all people receive healthcare, because they are creating ways to improve end-to-end communication of medical data.
On the Case
TGen IT: Where We Are Now
5|15|12   |   06:58   |   5 comments

TGen is breaking new ground in genomic research by using Dell's storage, cloud, and high-performance computing solutions.
On the Case
TGen IT: Where We Were
4|27|12   |   06:45   |   10 comments

The Translational Genomics Research Institute wanted to save lives, but its efforts were hobbled by immense computing challenges related to collecting, processing, sharing, and storing enormous amounts of data.
On the Case
1,200% Faster
4|18|12   |   02:27   |   12 comments

Through their partnership, Dell and TGen have increased the speed of TGen’s medical research by 1,200 percent.
On the Case
IT May Improve Children's Chances of Survival
4|17|12   |   02:12   |   8 comments

IT is helping medical researchers reach breakthroughs in a way and pace never seen before.
On the Case
Medical Advances in the Cloud
4|10|12   |   1:25   |   5 comments

TGen and Dell are pushing the boundaries of computing, and harnessing the power of the cloud to improve healthcare.
On the Case
TGen: Living the Mission
4|9|12   |   2:25   |   3 comments

TGen's CIO puts the organizational mission at the heart of everything the IT staff does.
On the Case
TGen Speeding Up Biomedical Research to Save More Lives
4|5|12   |   1:59   |   8 comments

The Translational Genomics Research Institute is revamping its computing to improve speed, storage, and collaboration – and, most importantly, to save lives.
On the Case
Computing Power Helping to Save Children's Lives
3|28|12   |   2:13   |   3 comments

The Translational Genomics Institute’s partnership with Dell is enabling them to treat kids with neuroblastoma more quickly and save more lives.
E2 Editors
SPONSORED: Mobile Security — A Use Case
3|4|14   |   04:27   |   4 comments

New mobile security solutions can accommodate a wide array of needs, including those of a complex university environment.
Tom Nolle
Killing Net Neutrality Might Save You Money
1|16|14   |   2:13   |   11 comments

The DC Court of Appeals voided most of the Neutrality Order, and whatever it might mean for the Internet overall, it might mean better and cheaper Internet VPNs for businesses.
Tom Nolle
The Internet of Everythinguseful
1|10|14   |   2:18   |   19 comments

We really don't want an "Internet of Everything" but even building an Internet of Everythinguseful means setting some ground rules to insure there's value in the process and that costs and risks are minimized.
Tom Nolle
Maturing Google Chrome
12|30|13   |   2.18   |   25 comments

Google's Chrome OS has a lot of potential value and a lot of recent press, but it still needs something to make it more than a thin client. It needs cloud integration, it needs extended APIs via web services, and it needs to suck it up and support a hard drive.
Sara Peters
No More Cookie-Cutter IT
12|23|13   |   03.58   |   21 comments

Creating the right combination of technology, people, and processes for your IT organization is a lot like baking Christmas cookies.
Sara Peters
Smart Wigs Not a Smart Idea
12|5|13   |   3:01   |   46 comments

Sony is seeking a patent for wigs that contain computing devices.
Tom Nolle
Cloud in the Wild
12|4|13   |   02:23   |   15 comments

On a recent African trip I saw examples of the value of the cloud in developing nations, for educational and community development programs. We could build on this, but not only in developing economies, because these same programs are often under-supported even in first-world countries.
E2 Editors
SPONSORED: Is Malware Evading Your IPS?
11|18|13   |   03:16   |   4 comments

Intrusion prevention software is supposed to detect and block malware intrusions, but clever malware authors can evade your IPS in these five main ways.
Sara Peters
Where Have All the Mentors Gone?
9|27|13   |   3:15   |   38 comments

A good professional mentor can change your life for the better... but where do you find one?
Tom Nolle
SDN Wars & You Could Win
9|17|13   |   2:10   |   5 comments

VMware's debate with Cisco on SDN might finally create a fusion between an SDN view that's all about software and another that's all about network equipment. That would be good for every enterprise considering the cloud and SDN.
Ivan Schneider
The Future of the Smart Watch
9|12|13   |   3:19   |   39 comments

Wearing a bulky, oversized watch is good training for the next phase in wristwatches: the Internet-enabled, connected watch. Why the smartphone-tethered connected watch makes sense, plus Ivan demos an entirely new concept for the "smart watch."
Tom Nolle
Cutting Your Cloud Storage Costs
9|4|13   |   2:06   |   3 comments

Cloud storage costs are determined primarily by the rate at which files are changed and the possibility of concurrent access/update. If you can structure your storage use to optimize these factors you can cut costs, perhaps to zero.
Sara Peters
Do CIOs Need an IT Background?
8|29|13   |   2:11   |   23 comments

Most of the CIOs interviewed in the How to Become a CIO series did not start their careers as IT professionals. So is an IT background essential?
Ivan Schneider
The Internet Loves Birthdays
8|27|13   |   3:25   |   69 comments

The Internet has evolved into a machine for drumming up a chorus of "Happy Birthday" messages, from family, friends, friends of friends who you added on Facebook, random people that you circled on G+, and increasingly, automated bots. Enough already.
Tom Nolle
Behold the Future of Linux
8|20|13   |   2:17   |   No comments

Fedora Linux is launching a new model for structuring Linux distributions, a two-ring approach with core functions surrounded by special-interest-group customizations. This could streamline Linux to enhance its role in everything in our tech future.