[school] If I needed to decide what Network Operating System to use where would I go

[ThirdWizard]

Holy thread resurrection!

That's a trick question. The answer is: whatever you're most comfortable supporting. If you know Windows, then a windows server is best for you. If you know linux, unix, solaris, openBSD, mac os or whatever, use that. It takes so much more time and effort to support a system that you don't know inside and out, that you may as well just use the one you know, because at least you can fix it fast.

Nothing worse than upper management saying "I want to go with X" where X is a system none of the IT staff knows how to use or has any experience with. If I had a nickel for every time that happens...

 

[Thanee]

Nothing worse than upper management saying...

Heh. Always fun if the guys without any clue make the decisions, just because they can.

Bye
Thanee

 

[XCorvis]

Heh. Always fun if the guys without any clue make the decisions, just because they can.

"But the vendor assured me it would work perfectly!"

 

[ThirdWizard]

"But the vendor assured me it would work perfectly!"

Or "At the company I used to work at, they used..."

Or *shudder* "A friend of mine is an expert on X technology, and he assures me that its just what we need. By the way, he'll be coming on as a consultant."

No conflict of interest there!

 

[wenoc]

Quick and easy solution would be small business server (win2k3) and xp workstations. Voila, all servers & VPN included and cheap too.

Someone said Windows is easier to secure than linux? No.
Windows is far more difficult (read: impossible) to secure.
Pros:
- you've got everything fairly cheap in a easy-to-use package with SQL, Webserver, Mailserver, VPN, webmail, yadda yadda everything childs play to setup. Only one server needed.

Cons:
- You're stuck with MS software for life.
- Your soul goes into the wall outside Kelemvor's mansion.
- You are stuck with some solutions that leave much to be desired (windows mailinglists, zero scripting capability...)
- Linux also offers SQL, Webserver, Mailserver for free. You'd need VPN hardware and a more experienced admin.

Then you need a decent hardware firewall (can't trust windows with that).

OR you could just buy a switch and Macbooks.