Please explain to me why Linux servers are the best

[Thatdad]

I love Linux with almost all my heart, but I never understood why exactly their servers were and still are considered the best around.

What are the advantages of using Linux servers instead of others?

And what Linux OS is the best for servers? Who would benefit most from using Linux servers?

 

[MoodyBlues]

I love Linux with almost all my heart, but I never understood why exactly their servers were and still are considered the best around.

Uptime. Stability. Security. Speed. History. Proven track record. Features. Control. Etc. Keep in mind that the Internet was built on UNIX, and UNIX was built from the ground up for networking and multitasking--things that other [so-called] OS patched together over the years.

What are the advantages of using Linux servers instead of others?

See above.

And what Linux OS is the best for servers?

In my opinion, that's irrelevant. Any Linux offered up as a server by a hosting company is probably going to be fine. Honestly, I've never even thought about which Linux a company was using when I made the choice to host there. As long as it's Linux and I can do what I need to do on it, that's that.

Who would benefit most from using Linux servers?

Everyone!

 

[Thatdad]

Uptime. Stability. Security. Speed. History. Proven track record. Features. Control. Etc. Keep in mind that the Internet was built on UNIX, and UNIX was built from the ground up for networking and multitasking--things that other [so-called] OS patched together over the years.


See above.


In my opinion, that's irrelevant. Any Linux offered up as a server by a hosting company is probably going to be fine. Honestly, I've never even thought about which Linux a company was using when I made the choice to host there. As long as it's Linux and I can do what I need to do on it, that's that.


Everyone!

Lol okay, fair enough.

Just out of curiosity, does anyone know how many Linux servers there are?

 

[palmtree5]

This might give some idea

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_server

 

[Thatdad]

This might give some idea

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_server

Thanks for the link! Pretty interesting.

 

[7Priest7]

I feel a few more reasons should be mentiond,
Price, No need for GUI, Less Viruses, and again PRICE.

Why spend a few hundred bucks on a OS when Linux can do it for free?

There is one counter point I feel should be pointed out, Some Game Servers are only compiled for windows.
Playing with Wine to get those servers working can be unpleasant.

 

[nickdalzell]

UNIX servers ran for decades without even being restarted. it stands to reason servers would not work very well if they BSoD'd every few days.

As for games (which keeps me clinging to Windows a little bit) yea, Wine just does not cut it for servers or games needing direct access to the GPU or anti-aliasing/acceleration. many sim games are not pretty sights if you want the graphics maxed out. FSX is currently running on an older Kubuntu machine via Wine. it lacks acceleration, anti-aliasing, and the graphics have low textures as it becomes unplayable with them looking their best. there seems to be no current workaround for Direct3D-optimized PC Games, which make about 90% of the market.