Survey says running Linux is cheaper than Windows

[Rick Tomaschuk]

Forwarded message below

NETWORK WORLD NEWSLETTER: PHIL HOCHMUTH ON LINUX
02/15/06
Today's focus:  Survey says running Linux is cheaper than 
Windows

Dear rickl-ZACYGPecefkm4kRHVhTciCwD8/FfD2ys at public.gmane.org,

In this issue:

* OSDL study counters Microsoft's claims about Linux TCO
* Links related to Linux
* Featured reader resource
_______________________________________________________________

Today's focus:  Survey says running Linux is cheaper than 
Windows

By Phil Hochmuth

The Open Source Development Lab (OSDL) this week released a 
study countering claims by Microsoft that running a Linux-based 
computing infrastructure has a higher total cost of ownership 
than operating a Windows environment.

A recent survey of server administrators found that Linux 
allowed server administrators to manage more servers per person, 
resolve operating system problems faster, and spend less time 
patching software for security purposes than administrators of 
Windows servers.

The study - authored by research firm Enterprise Management 
Associates and funded by Levanta, a Linux management software 
firm - surveyed 200 IT professionals, ranging from small 
organizations with around 20 servers, to large enterprises with 
over 1,000 machines in a data center, from such industries as 
finance, manufacturing, retail, education, service providers, 
media, and telecommunications. The survey found, among many 
things, that the average Linux administrator had responsibility 
for 68 servers, while Windows admins handled 32 servers. Over 
80% of the respondents said they used remote management tools 
for controlling their Linux servers.

The study's main goal is to refute the "Get the Facts" campaign 
Microsoft is running, where it uses industry studies and 
research showing that running a Linux-based network is more 
laborious and expensive than running a Windows shop. Both the 
OSDL study and Get the Facts campaign clearly have points of 
view behind their research, which must be taken into 
consideration when comparing Linux/Windows TCO figures presented 
by the two camps.

Today's 10 most-read stories

1. Wacky requests from end users 
<http://www.networkworld.com/nllinux23430>  
2. How do the feds tap phone lines? 
<http://www.networkworld.com/nllinux23431>  
3. The new network switch 
<http://www.networkworld.com/nllinux23432>  
4. Cisco launches security mgmt. platform 
<http://www.networkworld.com/nllinux23433>  
5. Getting a handle on mystery bandwidth use 
<http://www.networkworld.com/nllinux23434>  
6. Security titans ready for showdown at RSA 
<http://www.networkworld.com/nllinux23435>  
7. Is Apple creating the FCC's worst fear? 
<http://www.networkworld.com/nllinux23436>  
8. The IT profession in the year 2010 
<http://www.networkworld.com/nllinux23437>  
9. LANDesk rules the roost in desktop management 
<http://www.networkworld.com/nllinux23438>  
10. Ice cream machine highlights cool stuff at DEMO 
<http://www.networkworld.com/nllinux23439>

_______________________________________________________________
To contact: Phil Hochmuth

Phil Hochmuth is a Network World Senior Editor and a former 
systems integrator. You can reach him at 
<mailto:phochmut-cEZpJekPBX4 at public.gmane.org>.







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