Comparison between Linux and Windows Server

This article provides a brief comparison between Linux and Windows Server. You can choose the appropriate server for deployment as needed.

Note: It is recommended to use Windows Server for deploying enterprise services to ensure stability, rather than using Windows system for deploying reporting projects, unless for personal use.

Feature

It is necessary to learn the differences between Linux and Windows Server before choosing the appropriate system.

Linux Server：

It is highly recommended to use Linux server for business due to its free cost, high security, strong flexibility, and high customizability. However, it has high requirements and may be challenging to operate, especially for programmers who are accustomed to the Windows system.

Windows Server：

It offers a graphical user interface and a professional team to maintain the system that regularly provides patches. It is easy to use and learn.

Cost-performance Ratio

As a resource management and operating system, Linux is open-source and free, whereas the Windows system requires payment for a licensed version. Therefore, in terms of cost-performance, Linux servers surpass Windows Server.

Stability

1. As Windows dominates the market for home and office use, most viruses are targeted at Windows systems. For instance, in 2017, the WannaCry ransomware virus caused damage by exploiting vulnerabilities in the Windows system's 445 port. Notably, in addition to some Linux systems being attacked due to sharing connections with Windows, Linux systems have proven to be resilient against the virus.

2. The biggest problem for enterprises to use Windows Server is the need for system reboots to enable some patches, which results in service downtime. In contrast, Linux does not require reboots due to its iNode-based file naming mechanism. This is an important factor for most enterprises.

3. Linux is a multi-user and multi-process system. This means it can handle a large number of concurrently running processes at once, far more than what Windows can handle.

4. Windows Server operates primarily in graphical user interface mode (although command mode is also available). It is generally considered to be less stable than Linux. It is common to see Linux servers in standby mode for five or six years without the need for a reboot, but rare to see Windows Server in standby mode for over a year.

Performance

If an enterprise chooses to build a website with relatively low content and traffic, a Linux server with the same configuration will perform better than a Windows Server and consume fewer resources.

Moreover, Linux servers can run for extended periods without generating system garbage that cannot be eliminated, which can slow down or crash the server. In contrast, Windows requires shutdown and reboot to remove accumulated system garbage due to its highly customized nature. For professional and commercial servers, Linux is preferred.

Usability

When integrating application programs, Windows is usually the easiest option. Additionally, Windows has a well-designed built-in access control mechanism. So you can easily access and control the Windows system without installing any plugins or patch packages.

Both Windows and Linux require system patches. But it is much easier to patch Windows, and all patches come from Microsoft. In contrast, the Linux patching mechanism is more complex, with patches released by software development organizations for specific software and patch collections from Linux distribution vendors. Patching in Linux has a high risk.

Although patching Linux can be challenging, there are several powerful patch management tools available in the open-source software community. In summary, patching a Linux system is a complex process, and can be challenging for beginners. In contrast, it is easier to install system patches in Windows for beginners.

Safety

1. Linux and Windows systems have their own security technologies. The open-source development approach of Linux helps to find and solve problems through collective wisdom, resulting in faster patch updates. This is an advantage that Windows Server does not have. Another disadvantage of Windows is that many applications rely on remote procedure calls, which forces its firewall to be less strict than that of Linux. In contrast, remote procedure calls in Linux are restricted in use.

2. Linux has a much better permission control mechanism than Windows. So it is more difficult and costly to produce Linux viruses. Therefore, there is no need to download antivirus software on Linux systems.

• Linux server is faster and more secure than Windows Server.

• Many software programs can only run on Windows, while software compatible with Linux is currently being developed.

• Linux is more stable than Windows.

• Linux has a more complex operating system than Windows.

• It is recommended that professionals, large enterprises, and users with special server requirements use Linux. Because it has stable system kernels, but require higher levels of skill and maintenance. If there are no professional operation and maintenance personnel, it is recommended to use the Windows Server, which is user-friendly and requires lower levels of skill and maintenance. There are also many excellent learning resources available on the market.