Windows vs. Linux, round infinity
Microsoft released a study (PDF) today placing the Windows server System up against SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES). The study, conducted by Herbert Thompson of Security Innovations Inc., was paid for by Microsoft. As might be expected, almost every result from the experiment favored Microsoft, but readers were warned that the study was ultimately inconclusive due to sample size.
The sample, although too small to provide conclusive statistical comparisons, illustrates the methodology and begins to shed light on some key model differences between the platforms. A welcomed next step would be a more expansive study based on this foundational methodology with a larger sample size, additional business requirement scenarios and that looks at a wide array of platforms.
The one-year study consisted of upgrading and administrating SLES 8 and Windows Server 2000 in an e-commerce scenario. By the end of the study, the Linux system was upgraded to SLES 9 and the Microsoft system was running Windows Server 2003. Each operating system was administered by three seasoned veterans of their respective operating systems. The patching and upgrading process was conducted through the application of monthly patches with business requirement upgrades every three months.
