The Linux server platform is becoming more varied — and more capable, according to a recent report by IDC. The report noted that Linux is already well entrenched as a Web-centric server platform, in IT infrastructure roles and in the high-performance computing arena. In 2005, the report predicted, Linux will take on more workloads in the enterprise, such as hosting independent software vendor applications and databases.
The availability of products such as Oracle. DB2 etc on the Linux platform is welcome. It means that customers can move from more expensive platforms (both HW costs and SW Licensing) onto cheaper platforms like Blade servers.
However, some companies (no names but you know who you are) need to examine their licensing costs. The model of charging on a per cpu basis regardless of the speed of the cpu (and other outmoded models) could become a big negative point in the server wars expecially if the cost of the same product on Windows is far less than on Linux for the same underlying HW platform. To leave that untouched only adds ammo to Microsofts “We are cheaper(TCO)” campaign.
Thats my 0.2sum worth.
“The model of charging on a per cpu basis regardless of the speed of the cpu (and other outmoded models) could become a big negative point in the server wars expecially if the cost of the same product on Windows is far less than on Linux for the same underlying HW platform”
have you actually called up for support agreements or are you doing some heresay criticisms here
What do you mean by that ASHLB?
I get the hardware – install Linux –
install the database – run endlessly.
Why should I go for some freaky expensive product?
“To leave that untouched only adds ammo to Microsofts “We are cheaper(TCO)” campaign.”
You mean they have ammo? I was under the impression that they were yelling *BANG* *BANG* while pretending that they had ammo..
Most Linux server market growth has come at the expense of Unix, not Windows. As long as you continue to see things as a “Windows versus Linux” game, you’re going to miss what’s actually happening.
http://www.enterprisenetworksandservers.com/monthly/art.php/738
<ul><li>Linux server sales grew revenues at 56.9 percent and unit shipments at 46.4 percent, the seventh consecutive quarter of double-growth revenue growth.</li>
<li>Windows servers posted double-digit growth, as revenues grew 16.4 percent and unit shipments grew 26.5 percent in year-over-year comparison.</li>
<li>Unix server revenue declined slightly, dipping 3 percent worldwide year-over-year; but Unix server revenues showed growth in Japan and Asia/Pacific, where Unix-based IT infrastructure and telecommunications are expanding.</li>
</ul>
note that apples XServer and freebsd installations are counted as unix. Thats the reason why the numbers didn’t totally drop.
You know, so many hosting providers started offering windows but it still hasnt grown like it should even with the new offerings. I held out. I want staff focus on UNIX-based platforms rather than windows based platforms.
I think UNIX-based operating systems will eventually be able to run Windows applications much better than ever before and I think it’s improving to push into that direction quickly. When UNIX-based operating systems are able to run windows applications I ask what is the point of using it anymore?
Besides, those reports that Windows TCO is lower is baseless. They do not factor in the costs of the software you install on the machines. I find it cheaper to deploy a unix-based (like linux or freebsd) than windows after everything is setup and managed afterward. License costs add up especially with windows. It all depends on your staff too. If you have well trained staff then unix-based OS’s may cost cheaper to deploy than windows ever-would. Besides, it’s easier to modify and edit open source unix alternatives to better fit your needs and fix problems.
But watch as Linux begins to dip into that desktop market in the next few years. And it will force the competition, Microsoft and Sun, to be fiercely competitive. Unlike we’ve ever seen before. Well, I mean, look at them. They already are. Nobody can afford to be lazy when you’ve got the GNU model to compete with. And good luck to ya, cuz you’ll need all of it you can afford. Competition ain’t cheap.
Us Linux adopters get a lot of free support in the form of bug fixes, patches, enhancements, tools, etc. from some of the biggest players in the field. Does Microsoft give Sun this kind of support? I think not. They’re on their own. They can always give up and join the rebellion. But they won’t. Not until their whimpy deathstar has been destroyed. Then all those Empirial guards will be begging for a job in the new Rebel Alliance. But we’ll know who’s side they were on. We’ll remember this for a very long time. And we’ll hold a grudge.
Windows AND Linux are taking users away from legacy UNIX like AIX, HP-UX, UnixWare, etc.
Windows AND Linux are the only ones it seems that are starting to see new user growth.
I think the percentages are right. they both seem to be growing and linux is growing a lot more than windows!! YAY!
Now take this into account this scenario: I am currently part of a family business, which consists basically of 4 us.. I, lucky for everyone else, have linux skills. Although we only have about 6 workstations on our network, they all access tons of services (mail, web, database, ldap, samba etc. etc.) through this old 400mhz Celeron based machine.
Now taking into consideration administrating the network is pretty much not even my main job, I really just do it as a hobby on the side, although, my mommy would hate to admit, the linux box has really become invaluable to her/our business. What I am trying to say is, at the end of the month their are absolutely no bills for support or services or licensing etc.
A small business need only pay initial hardware costs, and for the installation/config of the system and once in a blue moon if/when something goes wrong a support fee..
That’s all nice, but IDC switched from counting the Linux driven Servers to the business volume. A lot of double installs or servers equipped with free (as in beer) Distributions are not counted.
Are there new analyses focussing this point and counting real Linux installments?
>A lot of double installs or servers equipped with free (as in
>beer) Distributions are not counted.
True, 90 % of servers we installed for our customers are servers equipped with free Distributions
Most companies are not installing free distributions of Linux. They generally either purchase a service agreement as a package when they buy their hardware — or they purchase the service agreement as an add-on from another vendor. Consequently, OS server hardware sales are the best indication of market share and growth.
Yes, it’s an indication, of course.
But according to an IDC-Study from 10/2000(!) 25% of all sold servers were equipped with Linux.
(German source: http://www.heise.de/newsticker/meldung/7935).
It would be very interesting how much Linux-Servers are sold in 2004 or 2005.