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Server Operating Systems

When the time comes to shop for server software, the operating systems should be at the top of this section of the shopping list. To make it easy on you, you might be pleased to know that the operating system you choose is almost entirely a matter of personal preference. Most of the applications you will want to run on your intranet are available for many platforms. Sometimes you won't have a choice, especially if your server will sit on a preexisting machine. In this case, you must make your choices accordingly, as they must be compatible with the operating system on this machine. If you do have a choice, however, here's the rundown. (For more detailed information on operating systems, read Chapter 7 "Servers: Operating Systems.")

Windows 3.1 (Windows for Workgroups) doesn't offer too much, but it will get the job done if you only plan to run Web and mail servers. Figure 5.3 shows Windows 3.1 running httpd.

Figure 5.3: A Windows 3.1 operating system running httpd.

Stepping up to Windows 95, you'll find a wider choice of software availability and compatibility. Although Windows 95 is no Windows NT, most software that runs on Windows NT will run on Windows 95, as shown in Figure 5.4.

Figure 5.4: A Windows 95 operating system running Netscape FastTrack server.

If you're running a Macintosh house or you're more comfortable with Macintoshes, it's certainly an option to have a Macintosh server, although you probably won't find as many software options on the shelves. Macintosh operating systems offer true multitasking, and they have a RISC processor, which makes them fast servers. Figure 5.5 shows MacOS running httpd and a mail server.

Figure 5.5: MacOS running httpd and a mail server.

Windows NT gets the industry's nod of approval as a good choice of operating system. Microsoft is targeting the intranet for its Windows NT line of products. Windows NT comes with a mail and Web server and give users the freedom to run practically any intranet application needed. Figure 5.6 shows Windows NT running httpd.

Figure 5.6: The Windows NT operating system running httpd and a mail server.

Linux is a strong competitor of Windows NT. (Figure 5.7 shows an X Window Linux desktop with a Netscape browser surfing a page hosted on a server on the machine itself.) In fact, I consider the two to be the choice operating systems. One great thing about Linux is that it is free; however, on the downside, there is no support (other than the thousands of users on Internet Usenet newsgroups, who seem happy to provide ad hoc support), and it's not plug and play. Unlike Windows 95 or Windows NT, you can't just slide the CD-ROM into the machine and it's up and running; Linux makes you do lots of configuring. Linux is infinitely more flexible than Windows 95 or Windows NT, allowing its users to perform almost any function and configure the machine any way they want. Like Windows NT, Linux likely will run into problems finding the right drivers or supplemental software on a less sophisticated machine. I recommend using a big brand-name computer like IBM or Toshiba if you want to run Linux. For example, I'm currently running Linux on one of my mail-order machines, but I can't seem to find the print driver.

Figure 5.7: The Linux operating system with a term window running httpd.

The next level of operating system is UNIX, which Linux is based on. UNIX is very fast and has true multitasking, one of its main advantages. The processor can perform many functions easily at once. If two, or even dozens of users are making requests at the same time, it will keep up. As with Linux, UNIX offers some Internet pluses, such as the capability to establish shell accounts, which neither Windows 95 nor Windows 3.1 offers. UNIX makes it easy to set up user space, but it may not give you a nice graphical interface and an easy plug and play. If you use Sun machines, you'll have to use Sun's version of UNIX, which is Solaris.

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