The server operating system, as the name implies, is the main shell for the link between the central software or hardware-software part of the local or global network and child client terminals. Understanding of this term has a broader interpretation, so it is worthwhile to dwell on some theoretical and practical issues. At the very 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. Users who believe that this issue relates exclusively to the prerogative of system administrators should immediately give a little advice: do not be alarmed, you yourself will be able to install and configure. These processes are not as complex as they might seem at first glance. But first, some theoretical information should be taken into account.
Server operating system: what is it?
Let's start with the very essence of this software. Actually, OSs of this type themselves are 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, however, it has one functional purpose - ensuring the operation of common applications on the network and the interaction of connected terminals with each other. Accordingly, we are talking about user groups that have access rights to a particular tool, resource or document.
Features of building server operating systems
In terms of installing 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 derivatives based on it. Here, the technology of a thick and thin client can be used , when the server operating system will be installed exclusively on a central computer, which ensures the operability of all other machines and the corresponding software when loading the OS over the network, or there is a partial installation of child OS components on network terminals. That’s not the point.
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 administering 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 from the home terminal you can go to the game’s website and use all the features. This is not true. The fact is 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 rests only partially (the main operations are still performed on the central server, and the game client can be partially downloaded to the machine, with which is being accessed).
Conditional rating
The server server operating system ratings below should not be considered 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 by which priorities in the list can easily be redefined
However, among all existing operating systems, the most popular are the following:
- Free BSD.
- Windows Server (the family of Windows server operating systems based on NT, 2003, 2008 R2, 2012 and higher).
- 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, and only a list of the most popular server systems is given. Further, some of them will be considered in a short version of the description of their capabilities, advantages and disadvantages.
Free BSD
This OS is a fairly popular system, but it is hopelessly outdated and losing world ratings in terms of use and performance.
The main problem is that too few software products have been developed for this OS in the form of commercial applications that could operate on the basis of its platform. But an undoubted plus is the ability to fine-tune the kernel and the presence of sufficiently powerful tools for working with memory, not to mention the input / output system.
CentOS
This server operating system is almost a complete counterpart to Red Hat, but it has advanced support features.
Its advantage is that the system has a fairly high-speed package manager, as well as almost all hosting control 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 the office distribution LibreOffice. In addition, when installing this OS, you do not need to worry about installing additional audio and video codecs and decoders, since they are available in the package itself.
Red Hat Enterprise Linux
You obviously cannot refuse the popularity of this system. It can be used as a reliable corporate OS with all the ensuing consequences.
It is not surprising that even most world exchanges use this particular system to organize the operation of their applications. You can immediately mention financial institutions, telecommunication companies, and animation studios. The only negative with all the pluses is a rather high cost.
Ubuntu
Another kind of Linux (or rather, UNIX-like systems), which is firmly established in the ranking.
Although its use is most often associated with home computers, nevertheless, it is believed to install a home server (if the user is limited in financial capabilities), this OS is best suited. Fundamentally, this system is very similar to Debian, however, unlike the ancestress, the source code in this system was somewhat redesigned.
Gentoo
Before us is another modification of Linux. This platform is interesting in that it is based on open source code using the GNU license.
There are no problems with stability. But, as noted by many experts, in terms of security, the system suffers a little. Even with the use of the LAMP bundle, security holes are detected in the system.
Solaris
Solaris is believed to be one of the most productive server-type operating systems ever developed.
What can I say? One has only to look at its capabilities. This OS supports about 576 GB of physical RAM, about 4 billion network connections, can serve one million simultaneously running services and processes, and also has an open network environment. And that's 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, it will seem to many to be a very interesting solution, even compared to the most popular Windows systems.
The installation looks a little complicated, the use and configuration, too. But provided that the user is even a little familiar with this type of operating system, using the command line should not be particularly difficult.
Windows Server (2008 R2)
Finally, consider Windows server operating systems. Oddly enough, despite the popularity of desktop versions, these solutions are not particularly widespread in the world. The most basic problem is that Windows server operating systems, starting with the NT modification, do not have the necessary security features.
And it is recognized by all experts in the field of administration of systems of this type. So, for example, an antivirus for the server operating system Windows 7 must be installed without fail. In connection with the latest hacker attacks, which were aimed mainly at computers using the seventh version of Windows (not to mention how long different kinds of updates were installed that were supposed to prevent the virus), the same Defender (or Microsoft Essentials) simply cannot cope with its responsibilities.
Administration of Windows server operating systems is, of course, simplified to the point of horror. For example, you do not need to be an all-knowing system administrator to reassign IP, change DNS or Proxy settings , establish a connection to a child terminal based on network boot or by monitoring actions through an RDP client. Sometimes it’s enough even to run the built-in diagnostic tool for network connections, after which a notification will be issued about a problem or error, if any, in the system.
Otherwise, regarding troubleshooting tools, for example, on the server itself, you can use the command console to clear the DNS cache or reset the general IP configuration settings.
For example, commands entered 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 solves problems on both child user PCs and servers.
What is the result?
As the main conclusion, we can only note that, alas, Windows-systems and most of the developments created by Microsoft, in comparison with UNIX-systems and Linux-variations based on them, clearly lose. The same FreeBSD OS is both much more flexible in installation and configuration, not to mention that it is most fully protected as an open source modification that anyone can change or modify. Actually, the question begs itself: “What to prefer?”. I don’t want to give any advice, but it’s important for organizing local networks using a central server it is better to give preference to an OS based on UNIX (Linux) rather than Windows. It’s both cheaper and easier and safer. True, to users who are accustomed to the interface and commands of Windows-systems, this shell may seem, to put it mildly, not quite understandable. Nevertheless, it will not be possible to deal with the interface of labor. But with the setup you have to tinker a bit (but what about without it?).
In turn, it should be noted that not all modern OSs meet the requirements of today, although they have pretty good potential for development and modernization. This primarily concerns FreeBSD, which, unfortunately, is not destined to develop, despite all the advantages. The developers just put an end to it. But other systems are not far behind. So, in the near future you can even expect an updated version of Windows 10, which already combines the functionality of both the stationary and the server model (after a standard installation, the server can be configured quite simply). Even additional clients 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 the allocation of resources between connected terminals, the server OS generally just “flies”.