A new Linux/Windows TCO study [LWN.net]

A new Linux/Windows TCO study

Posted Feb 13, 2006 17:59 UTC (Mon) by wartstew (guest, #9819)
Parent article: A new Linux/Windows TCO study

"Problem resolution in over 60% of cases, when problems occur in Linux environments they are diagnosed and repaired in less than 30 minutes, over 8 times faster than industry average."

This is the one that really rings home with me.

When a Linux server develops a problem, you simply fix it, usually in a straight forward manor.

When a Windows server develops a problem, especially one where it will no longer boot, it is often very hard to repair. I'm probably one of the few people who even try, but often without enough success. With Windows you are better off restoring the previous backup or rebuilding the whole machine. I think this is an unacceptable solution for any thing considered a "critical server".

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A new Linux/Windows TCO study

Posted Feb 13, 2006 20:55 UTC (Mon) by alspnost (guest, #2763) [Link]

Yep - I can second this as well, now that I work in a mainly Windows support environment. I've fixed a few Linux servers quickly and easily, and they go on to run trouble-free for another 2 years or so, to the point that people forget they are on the network at all! With Windows servers, when they goes wrong, it's a nightmare. Endless meaningless errors in the event logs, fumbling about trying to diagnose them in the Micro$oft knowledge base, and constant maintenance requirements. Windows Server 2003 looks great on the outside, and is fairly solid overall, but it's still a horrible mess underneath, with log files and TMP files just dumped all over the damn place, and the achilles heel of being a monolithic system, wherein one screw-up can bring down the entire edifice. As for Windows PCs, how would we even repair them without our trusty Linux live CDs?!