Other Server Operating Systems


Although Windows Server 2003 is the most popular choice for network operating systems, it isn't the only available choice. The following sections briefly describe two other server choices: Linux and the Macintosh OS X Server.

Linux

Perhaps the most interesting operating system now available is Linux. The free Linux operating system is based on Unix, a powerful network operating system often used on large networks. Linux was started by Linus Torvalds, who thought it'd be fun to write a version of Unix in his free time-as a hobby. He enlisted help from hundreds of programmers throughout the world, who volunteered their time and efforts via the Internet. Today, Linux is a full-featured version of Unix; its users consider it to be as good as or better than Windows. In fact, almost as many people now use Linux as use Macintosh computers.

Linux offers the same networking benefits of Unix and can be an excellent choice as a server operating system.

Apple Mac OS X Server

All the other server operating systems I describe in this chapter run on Intel- based PCs with Pentium or Pentium-compatible processors. But what about Macintosh computers? After all, Macintosh users need networks, too. For Macintosh networks, Apple offers a special network server operating system known as Mac OS X Server. Mac OS X Server has all the features you expect in a server operating system: file and printer sharing, Internet features, e-mail, and others.




Networking For Dummies
Networking For Dummies
ISBN: 0470534052
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2004
Pages: 254
Authors: Doug Lowe

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