XP or linux? file server/website - Page 2 - Overclock.net

stupid · 05-21-08

Don't listen to the fanboys

It's dumb to say "linux yay!" - It depends on your situation and what you want to do. We deal with both of these environments daily.

Basically you can get most anything done with either of them.

The 2 most important questions will be:
1. Are you familiar with Linux? Starting a server might be a tough place to learn.
2. Do you want to use Microsoft products? Most importantly, do you want to use .Net? Linux has Mono, but lets be serious, it has tons of problems with .net and is NOT up-to-date.

Other than that, you can pretty much use anything that the other server can. I know there are exceptions, but most mainstream technologies can be jumped back-and-forth if it is not strictly Windows.

- That's my 2 cents

rabidgnome229 · 05-21-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by stupid

Don't listen to the fanboys

It's dumb to say "linux yay!" - It depends on your situation and what you want to do. We deal with both of these environments daily.

Basically you can get most anything done with either of them.

The 2 most important questions will be:
1. Are you familiar with Linux? Starting a server might be a tough place to learn.
2. Do you want to use Microsoft products? Most importantly, do you want to use .Net? Linux has Mono, but lets be serious, it has tons of problems with .net and is NOT up-to-date.

Other than that, you can pretty much use anything that the other server can. I know there are exceptions, but most mainstream technologies can be jumped back-and-forth if it is not strictly Windows.

- That's my 2 cents

Quote:

Originally Posted by madcat66

So I was planning on setting up a home file server and attempting to make my own web site over the summer...

Would you guys recommend I use Linux or XP on the server?
I feel fairly comfortable using Linux, so that is not really an issue. I am really just wondering which one is easier to use and has better options in terms of setup and security.

Take into account that I have never done any web programming or anything before, so i am a noob in that dept

...all the coding I have done has been C, C++, hardware design, and robotics programming.

Looking for some opinions, experiences, etc...

For server use go linux - no question about it. The linux box will be lighter, faster, more secure, and easier to remotely administer. The only thing you need to hook it up to is the network - no mouse/kb/screen required - just SSH in and it's exactly as if you are on the physical machine.

Manyak · 05-21-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by rabidgnome229

The only thing you need to hook it up to is the network - no mouse/kb/screen required - just SSH in and it's exactly as if you are on the physical machine.

As if winserver doesn't have remote desktop.

Anyway, I'd only use Windows Server if you want Active Directory for your house or .net on your website. If not, use linux. Or even unix. Whichever you'd be more comfortable with.

rabidgnome229 · 05-21-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manyak

As if winserver doesn't have remote desktop.

Anyway, I'd only use Windows Server if you want Active Directory for your house or .net on your website. If not, use linux. Or even unix. Whichever you'd be more comfortable with.

Of course it does - but no matter how much windows tries it will never have a true terminal

**EDIT**

misread your post

SSH is much more portable and universal than remote desktop. My friend's DS will run SSH so he can do anything on his DS that his linux box can do.

mkdir · 05-21-08

freebsd, samba, lighttpd

madcat66 · 05-22-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by stupid

Don't listen to the fanboys

It's dumb to say "linux yay!" - It depends on your situation and what you want to do. We deal with both of these environments daily.

Basically you can get most anything done with either of them.

The 2 most important questions will be:
1. Are you familiar with Linux? Starting a server might be a tough place to learn.
2. Do you want to use Microsoft products? Most importantly, do you want to use .Net? Linux has Mono, but lets be serious, it has tons of problems with .net and is NOT up-to-date.

Other than that, you can pretty much use anything that the other server can. I know there are exceptions, but most mainstream technologies can be jumped back-and-forth if it is not strictly Windows.

- That's my 2 cents

What would the advantages be of using .net? I am not sure if I want to use it or not, as I have never used it before

stupid · 05-23-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by madcat66

What would the advantages be of using .net? I am not sure if I want to use it or not, as I have never used it before

Not trying to incite a flame war, but .Net is likely the most powerful and universal library out there. The same languages (C# or VB[blech]) can be used for both desktop applications or web applications. The language itself is very easy to learn, but extremely powerful. The most useful IMO. Compared to php (I developed in php for about 4 years) you can get things done in half the time with half the code. The library is just that much larger and more capable.

For example, with the new LINQ architecture I can connect to a database and return a stored query with 7 words in code. The library is so well and constantly developed. There will always be MS hate (hell, I hate them a lot of the time too), but they really got the .Net framework right.

The only downside to asp.net [in my eyes] is that you are tied to a Windows server which everyone here has already gotten their hate out about. There is a Linux .Net framework called Mono (mono-project.com I think) that can do a lot, but it is not fully featured and a little behindso I don't recommend it.

ROR is fast [to develop in], but not as flexible (on rails...) and php is flexible but not that fast. I know that is just two, but most can be grouped in to one or another category.

Bottomline, ease and flexibilty are the advantages to .Net

Ok everyone, flame away

[NOTE: I want to make it clear, I am in no way bashing *nix servers, they are great and completely capable. But I am a strong proponent for .Net architecture in web development. And yes, I have extensive experience in both side of this.]

kyotejones · 05-23-08

This can go on forever and all the opinions in the world will not answer the question you have posted "XP or linux? file server/website". Choose one and learn it both are exceptional and have the tools needed to run a good file server.

Security is only as good as its users so you can just ignore all those people that say *nix is more secure. Linux has some cool scripts/programs that can literally do all the work for you, so you can ignore all the those people that say Windows is easier to use (including me). If you have specific needs like cgi support, file shares, apache support, MSSQL support, etc... for applications you've bought or built then we might have an answer for you.

Windows Server 2k3 is in my opinion the easiest the setup and use. I interact with Windows 2k3, Linux, and Unix servers on a daily basis. At the end of the day its always the same... I am glad to see my TV because I know it will not BSOD on me or give me the most random segmentation faults ever.

metala · 06-02-08

Linux choices:
You can use Debian for anything you want including file server (samba server package) and web server (apache + php + mysql packages).

Excluding Debian(usually it's better to have enough knowledge to work with Debian) you can use Openfiler for a file server, though I'm not sure how can add web functionality. If you choose Openfiler, do not make my mistake and do not create the partitions that will be used for file storage, because later the web interface wouldn't find them. You should partition unused HDD space through the web interface.

Lol, I'll put in my signature : "Debian worshipper"