Mac, Linux, and Windows Servers
Mac, Linux, and Windows Servers Comparison
Apple offers only a few options for server hardware, and only one option for server software. The hardware I looked at was the Mac Mini with OS X Server. With a relatively low starting price point of $999 that includes the software, Apple surprisingly wins the cost category, at least when looking at up front costs (Mac Mini With OS X Server Overview, n.d.). The Mac Mini hardware includes 2TB of storage space, 4GB of Memory, and is backed by Apple’s professional support as well as Apple’s community discussion boards (Mac Mini With OS X Server, n.d.). Unfortunately, they do not sell rack mountable hardware.
The OS X Server software is, as Apple is known for, extremely user friendly. It has to be run on a system running OS X Mavericks, with at least 2GB of memory and 10GB of disk space available ("OS X Server Tech," n.d.). When purchased separately from the Mac Mini or Mac Pro, it’s only a $19.99 add-on to Mavericks. The software is compatible with Windows software and supports all Apple applications (Mac OS X Server Features, n.d.).
There are dozens of servers available that support Windows, Linux, or both. The server I had previously researched for the Cyber Café supports both Windows and some Linux software. The HP ProLiant DL360e Gen8 and the two HP Enterprise 300GB hard drives that would be installed come up to a total of $2254.97 before tax right now on www.PCM.com. The server is rack mountable and is backed by 24/7 HP hardware support. In addition to supporting Windows Server 2012, it also supports Red Hat Enterprise Linux (HP ProLiant DL360e Gen8, n.d.).
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server 6.4 software comes as a package with support starting at $799 per year (Server Operating Systems, n.d.). The fact that this normally free software comes with a price tag of $799 a year indicates that support will be in abundance for this software. Minimum requirements are 4GB of hard disk space and 1GB of memory (Red
Apple offers only a few options for server hardware, and only one option for server software. The hardware I looked at was the Mac Mini with OS X Server. With a relatively low starting price point of $999 that includes the software, Apple surprisingly wins the cost category, at least when looking at up front costs (Mac Mini With OS X Server Overview, n.d.). The Mac Mini hardware includes 2TB of storage space, 4GB of Memory, and is backed by Apple’s professional support as well as Apple’s community discussion boards (Mac Mini With OS X Server, n.d.). Unfortunately, they do not sell rack mountable hardware.
The OS X Server software is, as Apple is known for, extremely user friendly. It has to be run on a system running OS X Mavericks, with at least 2GB of memory and 10GB of disk space available ("OS X Server Tech," n.d.). When purchased separately from the Mac Mini or Mac Pro, it’s only a $19.99 add-on to Mavericks. The software is compatible with Windows software and supports all Apple applications (Mac OS X Server Features, n.d.).
There are dozens of servers available that support Windows, Linux, or both. The server I had previously researched for the Cyber Café supports both Windows and some Linux software. The HP ProLiant DL360e Gen8 and the two HP Enterprise 300GB hard drives that would be installed come up to a total of $2254.97 before tax right now on www.PCM.com. The server is rack mountable and is backed by 24/7 HP hardware support. In addition to supporting Windows Server 2012, it also supports Red Hat Enterprise Linux (HP ProLiant DL360e Gen8, n.d.).
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server 6.4 software comes as a package with support starting at $799 per year (Server Operating Systems, n.d.). The fact that this normally free software comes with a price tag of $799 a year indicates that support will be in abundance for this software. Minimum requirements are 4GB of hard disk space and 1GB of memory (Red
Bibliography: Mac Mini with OS X Server overview [Fact sheet]. (n.d.). Retrieved January 29, 2014, from http://www.apple.com/mac-mini/server/ OS X Server tech specs Mac OS X Server features [Fact sheet]. (n.d.). Retrieved January 29, 2014, from http://www.apple.com/osx/server/features/ Mac Mini with OS X Server tech specs [Fact sheet] HP ProLiant DL360e Gen8 - Xeon e5-2420 1.9 ghz - monitor : none. (686211-S01) [Fact sheet]. (n.d.). Retrieved January 26, 2014, from http://www.pcm.com/p/HPServers/product~dpno~9233076~pdp.hgdcdjj?src=search Server operating systems [Fact sheet] System requirements for Windows Server 2012 Essentials [Fact sheet]. (2012, July 9). Retrieved January 30, 2014, from http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj200132.aspx