Unix And Windows Analysis

UNIX and Windows Analysis

Introduction

The objective of this paper is to provide an analysis on UNIX and Windows. The analysis provided in this paper will be based on Cost, Market Share, Hardware Requirements, File Processing, Programming Capabilities, Availability of Application Software, and User Interface of both systems.

Cost

The following is a comparison in cost for a UNIX and Windows based system.

Windows 2003 Server (Microsoft, 2007):

Product Offering U.S. Price* Description

Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard Edition $999 Available in 32-bit and 64-bit versions. Includes 5 CALs (User or Device, chosen after purchase)

Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard Edition $1,199 Available in 32-bit and 64-bit versions. Includes 10 CALs (User or Device, chosen after purchase)

Windows Server 2003 R2 Enterprise Edition $3,999 Available in 32-bit and 64-bit versions. Includes 25 CALs (User or Device, chosen after purchase)

Windows Server 2003 R2 Datacenter Edition $2,999 Available in 32-bit and 64-bit versions.

Windows Server 2003 Web Edition, 32-bit version $399 Open NL Web Server product, no CALs required. Windows Server 2003 Web Edition is not available in all channels. Open NL estimated price is $399. Contact a local System Builder, OEM, or reseller for actual prices or for more information on how to purchase.

Client Access Licenses (Please refer to the note below for CAL information on Windows Server 2003 R2) U.S. Price* Description

Windows Server 2003, Client Access License 5-pack $199 5 additional Windows Server 2003 CALs (User or Device, chosen at time of purchase)

Windows Server 2003, Client Access License 20-pack $799 20 additional Windows Server 2003 CALs (User or Device, chosen at time of purchase)

Windows Server 2003, TS Client Access License 5-pack $749 5 additional Windows Server 2003 Terminal Server (TS) CALs (User or Device, chosen at time of purchase)

Windows Server 2003, TS Client Access License 20-pack $2,979 20 additional Windows Server 2003 TS CALs (User or Device, chosen at time of purchase)

The following is an example comparison on the Apple Mac OS X Server software (Leopard) Networking System as the cost for operating system:

o 10-client edition: $499

o Unlimited-client edition: $999

According to Michael Horowitz (2007), prices in 2005 for Windows XP were $100 for home edition upgrade to $1100 for a Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition with 10 Client licenses. On the other hand assorted distributions of Linux in a box with a CD, manuals and technical support cost around $40 to $80. Support can be purchased from $35 a year for a desktop version of Linux to $1,500 for a high-end server version.

In other sources the cost of Windows operating systems average $200 to $300 for a typical desktop in contrast to other UNIX or Linux operating systems that average from $80 to $200 for a typical desktop. UNIX / Linux provide greater numbers of operating systems that are free. Windows has no free operating systems.

Market Share

A new IDC report shows that in 2005 the Windows OS servers generated sales of $17.7 billion worldwide. It was the first time Windows has ever held the top spot in server revenue over UNIX in over a decade. Linux also moved into third place for the first time with $5.3 billion in sales, passing IBM's z/OS for mainframes ($4.8 billion).

Most research says that Microsoft Windows has most of the desktop and Laptop Operating System Market share. They are about even with the server market for small and enterprise networks. However, UNIX is said to harness about 90% or more of the Web Server operations on the internet according to an article by Juergen Haas (Haas, J. (2008).

One reason Windows owns a greater market share than UNIX may have something to do with the popularity of its GUI. The GUI in UNIX/Linux has only been introduced within the last few years. Greater market share can also be attributed to Windows since their systems are purposely created to work with other Window programs. This makes migrating to other systems difficult. Windows, unlike UNIX/Linux is considered to be very user friendly.

Hardware Requirements

Windows 2003 Server:

Component Requirement

Computer and processor PC with a 133-MHz processor required; 550-MHz or faster processor recommended; support for up to four processors on one server

Memory 128 MB of RAM required; 256 MB or more recommended; 4 GB maximum

Hard disk 1.2 GB for network install; 2.9 GB for CD install

Drive CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive

Display VGA or hardware that supports console redirection required; Super VGA supporting 800 x 600 or higher-resolution monitor recommended

Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2 Enterprise Edition

Component Requirement

Computer and processor 133-MHz processor required; 550-MHz recommended; up to eight processors supported on one server

Memory 128 MB of RAM minimum required; 256 MB or more recommended; 64 GB maximum for x86-based computers; 2 TB maximum for x64 and ia64 computers

Hard disk 1.2 GB for network install; 2.9 GB for CD install

Drive CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive

Display VGA or hardware that supports console redirection required; Super VGA supporting 800 x 600 or higher-resolution monitor recommended

Apple Mac OS X Server software (Leopard) System Requirements:

It has a Mac server or desktop computer with an Intel, PowerPC G5, or PowerPC G4 (867MHz or faster) processor and 1GB of physical RAM; 20GB of available disk space.

Realistically UNIX Network Operating Systems are numerous resulting in numerous differences in requirements. Windows and Apple Server requirements are about the same these days for running compatible networks.

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