Linux Distributions: Whats the difference?

[Administrator]

Outline your Linux priorities before choosing a distribution
Prepared by Gartner Research www.techrepublic.com


Linux has become respected as a significant and increasingly powerful operating system. It stands out because of two unique features: Users have access to the source code, and Linux is available free or at very low cost. Do organizations need to pay for a system when they can obtain one online for free?

In this Gartner Research download, find out what's offered by the top Linux vendors who charge fees. Keep in mind that most of the fees are pennies compared to the cost of other mainstream operating systems.


Gartner Analysis Snapshot
"Customers should choose the Linux distributor whose offerings provide the best fit for their more important criteria: hardware supported, applications verified, and support needed."

Download the full report from our Products Analysis Center, or check out more Product Analysis overviews.


Linux, a UNIX clone, comes with true multitasking, virtual memory, shared libraries, demand loading, shared copy-on-write executables, memory management, and networking. Linux has exceptional networking capabilities and, despite its grassroots origins, is known for being robust and stable. Linux is being run on everything from low-end PCs and embedded systems to multiprocessing computers.

If it's free, is it worth it?
Linux is a product of the Internet, and while most Linux distributions can be obtained online at no charge, a few vendors specialize in creating their own Linux kernels and clustering products. These vendors charge a nominal fee for their products and support services. So when it's time to select a Linux system, the question becomes: To pay or not to pay? Many IT managers may be enticed into thinking that something that's free certainly can't be any good. But if you can get a system that delivers everything you need for free, why pay for it?

However, before selecting any operating system, you should consider what you need the operating system for. Will you be using the OS for business-to-business purposes? Does the OS need to handle a large volume of Internet transactions? Outline the priorities of your organization and then compare the list with what the different Linux distributions offer, and the one you need will show itself.

Linux survey
TechRepublic conducted a survey of Linux users to determine how they thought Linux might fit into their company as an enterprise solution. Figure A shows a breakdown of the 1,772 responses we received.


Figure A
http://www.techrepublic.com/images/c...13ggr01_01.gif Linux's popularity is growing
As a result of Linux's proven performance and reliability, the corporate world is beginning to take the OS seriously. Most of the interest in Linux has been spurred by the sudden involvement of major vendors, including IBM, HP, and Compaq, all of which announced they are strategically supporting the operating system. The major Linux vendors, Caldera, Red Hat, SuSE, and TurboLinux have done their part to push Linux commercially. The next generation of Linux applications will move with the shifts in the marketplace. New Linux applications are emerging around portable devices, network servers, and the Internet. Some features of the top Linux vendors are listed below.

Caldera:
One of the oldest and best-established names in the Linux market.
Offers a complete business solution.
Has a 1,000-member reseller channel worldwide.
Provides consulting services for commercial implementations.
IBM will factory-install Caldera's OpenLinux eServer on Netfinity servers.
Red Hat:
An innovator in installing and upgrading distributions.
Users can use Red Hat to develop in-house consulting services.
Develops its own commercial software.
Compaq will factory-install Red Hat Linux on most of their servers.
SuSE:
Number one distribution for European Linux users.
Has partnerships with IBM, Compaq, and Fujitsu Siemens Computers.
Users can select a canned procedure or pick their own components.
Extensive list of third-party add-on packages.
TurboLinux:
Offers add-on products for business enterprises.
Combines best-of-breed open source software with commercial software.
Outsources most of its support to IBM, HP, and others.
Developed its own clustering products.
All the Linux distributions address the traditional concerns of using Linux in a commercial environment:
Ease of installation
Ease of administration
Extensive suites and tools for software and graphics development
Low-end Web server capability
Operation in a heterogeneous environment (Windows and Linux together)
Significant differences exist in how and where commercial customers acquire Linux support and consulting services. If Linux is going to be deployed on hardware purchased from one of the major vendors, it is possible to have the system delivered with Linux preinstalled. Customers should choose the Linux distributor whose offerings provide the best fit for their hardware, applications, and support needs.