All things considered, Linux makes a great server operating
system--from the low end up to middle tier. Assuming Linux can run the
applications your customers need, it's very hard to beat in those markets.
On the desktop and in the enterprise arena, however, Linux continues to
have its problems. And, despite the endless reams of hype, we don't expect
that to change anytime soon.
Saint Or Sinner?
Halos:
Horns:
- Limited SMP support
- Lacks JFS/Advanced storage options
- Limited clustering support
Total Cost Of Ownership (TCO)
Data: Cost of a 50-user Windows 9x network that accesses file and print
services via Caldera Linux or Windows NT. Also, minimal server
configuration assumed.
Sources: Caldera Systems, Computer Intelligence, Microsoft and Sm@rt
Reseller research. Though TCO varies from network to network, this
particular comparison is meant to serve resellers that are mulling a move
into the Linux market.
| |
Caldera Linux 2.3 |
NT 4.0 SP 5 |
| NOS Cost |
$50 |
$2,527 (inc. 50 clients) |
| Server Hardware Cost |
$1,000 |
$1,500 |
| One-Year Support |
$75,000 (Single senior certified admin.) |
$100,000 |
| Education Cost |
$5,000 |
$5,000 |
| Network Admin. Office |
$6,000 |
$6,000 |
| Network Admin. Benefits |
$18,750 |
$25,000 |
| One-Year TCO |
$105,800 |
$140,027 |
Reseller Program
| Caldera |
Debian
Reseller
version available only as part of Corel's distribution; retail
distribution available from VA Linux Systems, O'Reilly &
Associates and SGI |
| Red
Hat |
| SuSE |
| TurboLinux |
Education/Certification
| Caldera |
Own; leads to Linux Professional Institute (LPI)
Certification |
| Debian |
None |
| Red Hat |
Own; leads to Red Hat Certified Engineer |
| SuSe |
None in North America; available in Europe.; supports LPI |
| TurboLinux |
See their web
site. |
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