The client-server network at Captain Cool, a chain of ice cream stores, currentl
ID: 3747684 • Letter: T
Question
The client-server network at Captain Cool, a chain of ice cream stores, currently depends on one server machine running Windows Server 2008 as its NOS. However, the system was installed five years ago, and the chain is growing. The company's general manager has heard a lot of good things about Linux operating systems-in particular, a type of Linux called RedHat. He asks you to find out how these two NOSs differ in their file sharing, remote access, and mail service capabilities. Also, he wonders how the two compare in their ease of use, reliability, and support. He remarks that he doesn't want to spend a lot of time looking after the server, and reminds you that he is not a technical expert 1. After some research, what can you tell him about the similarities and differences between these two NOSs (be specific)?(15) 2. Do you advise the Captain Cool chain to change its server's NOS to Linux?(5) 3. Why or why not? (5)Explanation / Answer
A brief note about Windows Server 2008.
It is a Server's Operating System by Microsoft. It has been built on the same code as Windows vista, hence share most of its architecture and functionality. Some of It's features are, Server Code, Active Directory, Failover Clustering etc.
A brief note about RedHat.
RedHat is an Operating System assembled by the combany Red Hat. RedHat linux was discontinued in 2003, since then a new distro was released named RedHat Enterprise Linux focused towards commercial market. Red Hat Enterprise Linux is released in server versions for x86, x86-64, Itanium, PowerPC and IBM System z, and desktop versions for x86 and x86-64.
What is NOS?
NOS is an abbreveation for Network Oerating System that is designed primarily to support workstation, personal computer and in LAN's. Through NOS we are capable of printer sharing, common file system and database sharing, application sharing, and the ability to manage a network name directory, security, and other housekeeping aspects of a network.
Comparisions:
File sharing
Windows Server 2008 supports two types of file sharing, referred to as public file sharing and standard file sharing. In public file sharing any files to be shared must be copied to the server's Public folder.Once placed in this folder the files are accessible to any users logged locally onto the machine and, if enabled, to any network users.
Standard file sharing, which is only permitted on NTFS volumes, allows individual folders files and volumes to be shared to specific users. This provides far greater levels of security over network access through a combination of NTFS file and folder permissions and share permissions, and avoids the necessity to move files from their existing location in order to share them.
RedHat's Type Enforcement helps prevent processes from accessing files ment to be used by other processes. eg-Samba cannot read files labeled with the httpd_sys_content_t type, which are intended for use by the Apache HTTP Server.
Files can be shared between the Apache HTTP Server, FTP, rsync, and Samba, if the desired files are labeled with the public_content_t or public_content_rw_t type.
Remote Access
Windows Server 2008 introduces the Terminal Services (TS) Gateway role, which acts as a proxy server between the Internet and your internal network.
The Remote Desktop client uses encrypted Hypertext Transfer Protocol over Secure Sockets Layer to communicate with the TS Gateway. Because HTTPS is primarily used to browse the Web, almost all firewalls allow it. The TS Gateway authenticates the user (via either a password or a smart card), verifies that the user is authorized to connect to the destination computer and then uses Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) to complete the connection on your private network.
On RedHat we may access either graphical or text interfaces for the installation system from any other system. Access to a text mode display requires telnet, which is installed by default on Red Hat Enterprise Linux systems. To remotely access the graphical display of an installation system, use client software that supports the VNC (Virtual Network Computing) display protocol.
In short Linux servers are command-line based. Windows servers come with a Remote Desktop, which is an easier way to manage a server because it comes with a graphical user interface.
Mail server capabilities
Windows 2008 uses SMTP (simple mail transfer protocol) protocol for mail services. We can use hMailServer application for this purpose.
hMailServer is a free, open source, e-mail server for Microsoft Windows platforms. It's used by Internet service providers, companies, governments, schools and enthusiasts in all parts of the world.
It supports the common e-mail protocols (IMAP, SMTP and POP3) and can easily be integrated with many existing web mail systems. It has flexible score-based spam protection and can attach to your virus scanner to scan all incoming and outgoing email.
Red Hat Enterprise Linux offers many advanced applications to serve and access email. This chapter describes modern email protocols in use today, and some of the programs designed to send and receive email.
It uses SMTP, IMAP, POP protocols.
The primary purpose of SMTP is to transfer email between mail servers. However, it is critical for email clients as well. To send email, the client sends the message to an outgoing mail server, which in turn contacts the destination mail server for delivery.
POP (Post Office Protocol) and IMAP(Internet Message Access Protocol) are two primary protocols used by email client applications to retrieve email from mail servers.
Ease of use
Windows Serevr 2008 is easy to use as compared to RedHat.
Windows Serevr 2008 provides GUI features such as Task manager, system tray for users ease of understanding and keeps things simple. While in Linux based systems most of the work is done on command line terminal which is a bit difficult for new users and take considerable amount of time to grasp it completely.
Reliability
Linux is designed to stay up and running, and this is apparent in everyday usage of simply using it. Not only is the kernel very modular in design as I just mentioned, but other things like system services and processes can be paused or reloaded instead of completely restarted and disconnecting users. This is one thing that Windows flat out lacks. Windows system services have 3 options: start, stop, and restart. However in Linux, you have additional options for most services: start, stop, restart, and reload. The reload option is very useful and is usually used for reloading the configuration for a service without actually restarting it so that no interruptions take place. This is just plain smart, especially in server environments.
In order to restart the service, an after-hours maintenance period would probably have to be scheduled for a Windows server. Where with Linux and the option of reloading, maintenance can be done during the day while users are connected and utilizing the service.
Support
While Windows servers and Windows applications come with a cost, they also both usually come with paid support. With open-source software, the business client and the web-hosting company usually have to pay technical experts who understand open-source software. The other alternative is to rely on community support, which can be timely. Often, too, community members can’t answer your particular questions.
This implies that Windows Server 2008 has better support over Linux based RedHat. although RedHat is a open source software it still charges some fee from its users but still that fee is less than what windows server 2008 charges.
Yes, I would advice the Captain Cool chain to change it's server's NOS to Linux as it's current server's support has ended way back on January 13, 2015(Widows Server 2008 R2).
End of support refers to the date when Microsoft no longer provides automatic fixes, updates, or online technical assistance. Vulnerabilities in the operating system that are discovered after this date will not be fixed by Microsoft. Furthermore, after that date Microsoft will no longer off any type of support for the operating system. It won’t be long before those systems are specifically targeted and exploited.
Choosing Linux based RedHat gives the following plus points:
Hope this helps.
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