Most popular server operating systems

The server operating system, as is already clear from the name itself, is the main wrapper for the link between the central software or the hardware / software part of the local or wide area network and the child client terminals. Understanding this term has a broader interpretation, so it is worthwhile to dwell on some theoretical and practical issues. At least, you need to find out the purpose of the server operating system, as well as some aspects of its installation and application in practice. To users who believe that this question is exclusive to the prerogative of system administrators, one should immediately give a little advice: do not be scared, you yourself can make installation and configuration. These processes are not as complex as it might seem at first glance. But first you need to take into account some theoretical information.

Server operating system: what is it?

Let's start with the very essence of this software. Actually, the OS of this type is used exclusively in local or virtual networks, when there is a certain number of child terminals.

The server operating system can be installed in two ways, but its functionality is the same - ensuring the operation of common applications in the network and the interaction of the connected terminals with each other. Accordingly, we are talking about user groups that have access rights to a particular instrument, resource or document.

Features of building server operating systems

In terms of installing the server-type OS, you should consider the scheme of combining computers into a single network. This is the so-called network topology.

The best option is the "star" scheme and the derivatives based on it. Thick and thin client technology can be used when the installation of the server operating system will be performed solely on a central computer that ensures the operability of all other machines and the corresponding software when the OS boots over the network, or there is a partial installation of the OS's daughter components into network terminals. The bottom line is not that.

The main and most basic purpose of the server operating system is precisely to ensure maximum performance of all machines in the network and installed software, plus - full control in terms of administration of local terminals and the entire network as a whole.

Even the use of modern online games involves installing the OS on a central server. Many may disagree with this statement, considering that you can go to the game site from the home terminal and use all the possibilities. This is not true. The fact that the home computer is still connected to the game server, and the load in terms of using the computing capabilities of the local computer falls on it only partially (the basic operations are still made on the central server, and the game client can be partially downloaded to the machine, with Which attempts to access).

Conditional rating

The server server operating system rating below is not absolutely accurate. The problem is that some operating systems are already outdated and are used very infrequently, others are difficult to configure. In general, there are a huge number of criteria according to which priorities in the list can be easily changed

Nevertheless, among all existing OS the most popular are the following:

• Free BSD.
• Windows Server (a family of server operating systems based on Windows NT, 2003, 2008 R2, 2012 and above).
• CentOS.
• Debian.
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux.
• Ubuntu Server.
• Gentoo.
• Fedora.
• OS X Server.
• OpebBSD.
• Solaris.
• HP-UX ;.
• AIX (IBM).
• Netware (Novel).

It goes without saying that the first and last places are not installed here, but only the list of the most popular server systems is given. Further, some of them will be considered in a brief description of their capabilities, advantages and disadvantages.

Free BSD

This OS is, although quite a popular system, nevertheless hopelessly outdated and losing world ratings in terms of usage and performance.

The biggest problem is that for this OS, too few software products have been developed in the form of commercial applications that could function on the basis of its platform. But an undoubted advantage is the ability to fine-tune the kernel and the availability of powerful tools for working with memory, not to mention the I / O system.

CentOS

This server operating system is almost a complete analog of Red Hat, but it has expanded support capabilities.

Its advantage lies in the fact that the system has a sufficiently high-speed package manager, as well as virtually all hosting management panels.

Debian

This system is one of the branches of Linux. It is this OS that has become very widespread due to its versatility.

It is considered to be the most stable of all existing systems and in the installation package, along with KDE and GNOME, also contains an office LibreOffice distribution. In addition, when installing this OS, you do not need to worry about installing additional audio and video codecs and decoders, as they are in the package itself.

Red Hat Enterprise Linux

The popularity of this system is clearly not denied. It can be used as a reliable corporate OS with all the ensuing consequences.

Not surprisingly, even most world exchanges use this system to organize the work of their applications. Here you can also mention financial structures, and telecommunications companies, and animation studios. The only negative with all the pluses is a fairly high cost.

Ubuntu

Another version of Linux (or rather, UNIX-like systems), which is firmly established in the ranking.

Although its use is mostly associated with home computers, it is nevertheless believed to be the best way to install a home server (if the user is limited in financial capabilities). Basically, this system is very similar to Debian, however, unlike the progenitor, in this system the source code has been slightly reworked.

Gentoo

We have one more modification of Linux. This platform is interesting because it is based on an open source code using a GNU license.

With the stability of the work there are no problems. But, as noted by many experts, the system suffers little in terms of security. Even with the use of the LAMP bundle, the system detects security holes.

Solaris

Solaris is considered to be one of the most productive server-type operating systems that have ever been developed at all.

Yes what to say? One has only to look at its possibilities. This OS supports about 576 GB of physical "RAM", about 4 billion network connections, can serve one million simultaneous running services and processes, and also has an open network environment. And this is not all ...

OpenBSD

This system, according to most experts, is the most secure. Perhaps its speed is not as high as that of other Linux or UNIX modifications, but if you learn how to use it, many will find this an interesting solution even compared to the most popular Windows-based systems.

Installation looks a little complicated, use and configuration is also. But provided that the user is at least a little familiar with operating systems of this type, the use of the command line should not be particularly difficult.

Windows Server 2008 R2

Finally, consider the server operating systems Windows. Oddly enough, despite the popularity of desktop versions, these solutions have not received much distribution in the world. The most basic problem is that Windows server operating systems, starting with the NT version, do not have the necessary security features.

And it is recognized by all experts in the field of administration of systems of this type. For example, antivirus for the server operating system Windows 7 should be installed without fail. In connection with the latest hacker attacks, which were aimed primarily at computers that use the seventh version of Windows (not to mention how long various updates were installed that should have prevented the virus from doing so), the same built-in Defender (or Microsoft Essentials) with their duties simply can not cope.

Administration of server operating systems Windows, of course, simplified to the horror. For example, you do not need to be an omniscient system administrator to reassign IP, change DNS or Proxy settings, establish a connection to a child terminal on the basis of downloading over the network, or by monitoring the actions through the RDP client. Sometimes it's enough to even run the built-in network connection diagnostic tool, after which you will receive a notification of a problem or error, if any, in the system.

In other respects, for example, on the server itself, you can use the command console to clear the DNS cache or reset general IP configuration parameters.

For example, the commands you type in the console might look like this:

• Ipconfig / flushdns,
• Ipconfig / registerdns,
• Ipconfig / renew,
• Ipconfig / release.

Note: the command line with commands of this type equally well eliminates the problems on both child user PCs and servers.

What in the end?

The main conclusion is that, alas, Windows-systems and most of the developments created by Microsoft Corporation, in comparison with UNIX-systems and Linux-variations, which they are based on, obviously lose. The same OS of FreeBSD is both in installation and configuration much more flexible, not to mention that it is most fully protected as an open source modification that anyone can change or modify. Actually, the very question arises: "What should I prefer?". I do not want to give any advice, but in principle it is better to give priority to OS based on UNIX (Linux), rather than Windows, for organizing local networks using a central server. It's cheaper, simpler, and safer. However, users who are used to the interface and commands of Windows-systems, this shell may seem, to put it mildly, not quite clear. Nevertheless, it is not possible to understand the interface of labor. But with the setup a little bit to tinker (and how not without this?).

In turn, it should be noted that not all modern operating systems meet the requirements of today, although they have quite a good potential for development and modernization. This is especially true of FreeBSD, which, sadly, is not destined to develop, despite all the advantages. The developers just put a cross on it. But other systems do not lag behind. So, in the near future you can expect even an updated version of Windows 10, which already combines the functionality of both the fixed and server models (after a standard installation, the server can be configured quite simply). Even additional customers do not have to install. It is enough to use one of the components in the OS itself and in the BIOS settings (the same Hyper-V module for creating a virtual machine). With it in terms of resource allocation between the connected terminals, the server OS in general simply "flies".