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Windows Vs Linux server?

I have been asked to figure out the right server requirement for my company. We have decided to go with a Virtual Dedicated Server, but the question now is, is it better to go with Windows or Linux? What should I consider while choosing one or the other? When is Windows an advantage and when is Linux better? Which is better for ecom applications?

Public Comments

1. 1. Determine what you want the server to actually be serving. 2. Determine what systems would succeed in the tasks 3. Determine the relative costs of the options available - take into account set up costs, maintenance costs, and training costs. 4. Go with the best value option.
2. Dear Mr.surajit, the popular that linux has more advantages and is faster than Windows server and its servers are very secure and harmony. But if you use ASP.NET, you must go to Windows, and if you use PHP, you must go to linux. Notice that you can access linux servers from Windows and there is no problem for using linux. Plz if there is any thing not understanded, i'm waiting for your reply. Regards, Mostafa.
3. If you can't speak linux , then you better use windoze
4. Put it to you this way: Linux is a Unix-derived Operating system. That means if you go through a Unix tutorial you can most likely do the exercises on your Linux box. Linux in fact is just the kernel of the OS which runs Unix programs, and was developed just a few years after some worms on Unix led to a redesign of the basic security of Unix. The Internet Itself evolved mainly on Unix machines, and if you've ever wondered why directories are differentiated with forward slashes, that is why. Running an ftp session from a command line on ANY OS is like running a simplified Unix session. If you are a small company which only needs one server, then security is a concern, which actually goes beyond the choice of Operating systems -- what you do on the web is a question and you will find Microsoft tools and ASP do make you SOMEWHAT more vulnerable to bad guys. There are a number of malware programs that do target Linux systems, and I don't KNOW that FreeBSD systems are any safer (that is another alternative you should consider). The argument for Windows is for ease of use with windows machines. The arguments for FOSS are a more integrated approach to security which requires education and a more efficient handling of networking. A major disadvantage for Windows is that you are not encouraged to understand how their tools work, so if they are not doing something you want them to you may not know that (a common complaint of Unix admins in Windows shops). A major disadvantage of *nix is precisely that you ARE encouraged to understand EXACTLY how the tools work and the learning curve can be steep (especially since it is so easy for anyone within the organization to monitor what is going in and out of the organization onto the internet. That is an argument my LUG group hears a LOT -- why don't those Windows Admins understand how much proprietary information is leaking out?). You are probably in a situation where a mixed network might be something to look into, but the answer would probably be to prioritize. If ease of use is more important than Security, for example because your company is too local to attract much attention from bad guys, go with Windows. If security is more important, look into *nix. Probably Linux will be better supported but if you can get your hands on someone with some experience with BSD, that is an EXCELLENT reason to go with either Linux or Unix.