SearchWin2kManageability: Running Windows applications on Linux could lower TCO
Source: SearchWindowsManageability
Imagine sitting in Austin, TX and managing desktops in Chicago. "With Windows today, that's just impossible," due to Windows' inadequate remote administration tools, said Jim Curtin. Viewing those desktops from the network, however, is possible when Windows is run on the Linux operating system. Linux' strong remote administration is just one of the reasons why hosting Windows desktops on a Linux server can help centralize desktop management, according to Curtin, President and CEO of Austin, TX-based NeTraverse, Inc. NeTraverse's products allow Windows applications to run on Linux. So, searchWindowsManageability asked Curtin to help explain how integrating Linux and Windows works and offer some tips to doing it well.
sWM: Why do companies want to run Windows applications on Linux, or Windows and Linux together?
Curtin: Linux is more efficient in its use of hardware. Those who are running Windows are being forced to upgrade hardware. They're also just spending too much administering and managing. By lifting up Windows applications and sticking Linux underneath, they get better uptime. Linux also has better remote administration tools. It's more easily accessible from the network to do configuration, servicing, support and updating. You also improve security of the overall system by introducing Linux. Linux is as much Unix as you can get, so it has the security and robustness of Unix. So, there's security, reliability, manageability. There are the productivity benefits of starting and stopping faster, and it's less buggy."
