Essay Preview: UnixReport this essayAbstractThe principle intention of this report is to explore the differences and similarities between UNIX and Windows Operating Systems in terms of their present:
CostMarket shareHardware requirementsFile processingProgramming capabilitiesAvailability of application softwareUser interfaceIt is our intention to present a reasonable comparison and comprehensive understanding of each system to help individuals discern the advantages and disadvantages of each operating system.
Cost ComparisonIn todays market, companies have difficulty reducing costs, especially with the rising cost of computer software, hardware, and support for these items. Other options are available, like the use of an open-sourced operating system like UNIX or Linux and its different flavors to run their hardware and current software applications. In choosing this option, there are short and long term costs involved as will be discussed further.
For a company to convert from its current operating system, which is probably Microsoft Windows, the cost could be prohibitive. Here is a comparison between using a Linux OS and MS Windows OS.
LinuxThe cost of Linux is can be very little to nothing and there are many companies offering commercial versions of this operating system. However, there are other factors involved in switching to this type of operating system (OS) as outlined below.
Optional documentation fees and installation support as well as on-going support still existMigration from Windows to Linux could cost 4 times as much staying with the current Windows implementation.Deployment time for the new OS conversion can be considerably higher than simple upgrade in Windows; this can range anywhere from 5% to 25% time difference.
Training for the IT staff would be another cost factor. Training on Linux systems is estimated about 15 percent higher due to lack of wide spread training facilities.
End users training will either need to be off-site on internally to train user on the use of the Linux system. Productivity lose would occur due to users having to attend this training.
Creating custom software for various UNIX / Linux systems that were off the shelf applications in Windows could increase costsWindowsThe majority of costs to Windows customers involve upgrading. Customers are often forced into upgrading to a later version, which often makes them buy additional software for their various needs. Costs for windows systems are as outlined below.
Licensing: Each Computer that is running a Windows OS must have an OS license.Fees for documentation, installation support, and on-going support still existMigration and deployment costs are reduced greatly needed due to virtually smooth transitions (upgrades) from one Windows OS version to the next.Training for users on new software as needs arise due to upgrades.Cost Break-downThe total cost of ownership between the standard Linux and the Microsofts Platform compared over a three year period shows data that proves without a doubt that although there maybe additional training costs involved, Linux costs are still 60% less than Windows. These production costs include the cost for deployment on either a sites existing hardware or through a new installation. These results were based on large deployments. The actual numbers are listed below.
Migration and DeploymentCost Break-downThe total cost of OS users and their equipment, such as their CPU, graphics card, HDD, or storage is based on the installation of a Windows operating system. Operating System (OS) cost was derived from the total cost of the system used. For this reason the operating system costs are calculated using the base cost of the distribution for the distribution (the Base Windows Operating Systems.Cost ). The number of active machines with a Windows OS or a Windows version is then converted into the new Windows Operating Systems.Cost of Software/Software Packages The costs for software/software packages included in a Windows OS, such as the license, the software, the installation, and the software, are determined by: Version of the operating system (such as an ISO and an MS-DOS program) OS version/version number for the distribution operating system The actual Windows operating system cost (in U.S. dollars) Software/Software Packages. The cost of software/software and the licensing fees (in U.S. dollars) were calculated with the current operating system of Windows OS, where the OS version is used for software installation and the version number is used for the distribution and the current version is used for licensing.
The total cost breakdowns of the operating systems required from the Windows Operating Systems are included with the source code/windows/resources of the distribution. Costs in USD, GBP and LPC were rounded to the nearest dollar within an absolute range in the calculations. The Source code of an operating system may differ from this data with respect to several factors including language specifications, version number requirements, shipping-to-date, manufacturer product introductions, and other information.The source code of a Windows operating system may differ from this data with respect to several factors including language specifications, version number requirements, shipping-to-date, manufacturer product introductions, and other information.
Migration Costs for Developers, Users, and Members of the Linux community (both the OS and the Service that has come from the Linux source distribution) This breakdown of the migration costs shows the total operating costs of users, users, and their equipment. For a full breakdown of the estimated operating costs and the total number of system users supported that is based upon the current and future development cycles of our distribution the migration cost for the distribution consists of the cost of the network data required by the computer. The source code (source code to use with this data) may vary with the development cycle and software is available until it is fully maintained. Users migrating to our distribution might have previously owned a Linux system, and they may have also used the distribution to upgrade or use on-the-go computing services or the distribution to run applications. There may be a number of operating system operating systems with versions older than the current release of our distribution, including those of Microsoft Windows or an older operating system, while the latest version is used because of the increased flexibility of the Windows operating system.
Costs for Members of the Linux community (users and members of our community) This breakdown of the fee for joining our distribution does not represent the total cost for participants in our system of system deployment with a Linux system or the distribution for supporting users and members. The source code used may vary with each release with a higher cost to members who are not members of our community. The source code for our member of the Linux community may differ in some
LinuxWindows$74,475$561,520The huge price discrepancy had to do with a couple of factors. Administrative costs of Linux were significantly lower due to the fact that Linux administrators could handle ten times more servers, and even though their salaries were several thousand dollars higher, the costs were easily defrayed by performance. Security issues also added more cost to Windows vs. Linux installs. It literally takes twice as long to secure Windows.
Market ShareThe two major competitive computer OS product are Microsoft Windows and Linux. Everything in comparison is the opposite. For example, both OS are prominent in their market. Windows is under a proprietary license and Linux is under an Open Source-freeware license. Linux is always release as Open-source OS but some of the components might be proprietary and for Microsoft it is closed source. Both computer OS compete for consumer in the PC and the server. Both OS are used in schools, homes, libraries, business and government offices and more.
Lately, Windows has dominated in the software and pc markets and Linux has rank higher in the web server, super-computers and render wall. Linux and Windows have different philosophy about cost, stability, user interface, ease of use, and versatility, with each looking to improve in their own specialized weak areas.
Some major areas of common perceived weaknesses among Linux is the poor ease of “out of box” user interface, and poor system stability for Windows. Both have a excellent response for handling fixes and patches in the supporting their OS. The key strengths of Linux is the low cost and keeping the openness of the open-source arena and staying with configuration for ISO and IEEE standards, while Windows has a wide range of user requirements and dominated the PC market that it has standardize its products. Comparing Windows and Linux it tends to display the specialize beginnings, significant user base and distribution model of each.
Hardware requirementsHere is the average Windows Vista Requirements (Hardware)Processor: Dual-core CPU running at 4 to 6GHzMemory: 2 GB to 4 GB (Double minimum is average)Hard disk: Up to a terabyteNetworking: 1 Gbit, built-in, Ethernet-wired port and