Windows server IIS or Linux setup?

Question

Hi Guys,
I am trying to set up an intranet for my internship and was wondering between the two above setups. The first option would be just installing IIS since the company already has a windows 2003 server. The 2nd option would require me to setup a linux server and do the required steps afterwards to get a webserver going. As of right now I am starting the linux version, but I just did some research on the IIS and that route may be easier? I need your opinion and perhaps a point in the right direction.

Answer 1

Windows is generally less secure than linux, but there are exceptions. One is not really easier than the other. If you go for linux then a quick google search will let you set up a webserver and an ssh server in 5 minutes. IIS is also easy, with the whole MS support behind it. However, Linux is more powerful, but can be difficult for beginners and has no tech support. Windows is easier for you and has tech support, but less flexible and powerful.

Answer 2

IIS is easier to manage for most admins. However Apache is a good choice if you're interested in learning about Linux OS and how to configure websites on it. Either one would be fine for an Intranet site.

Answer 3

I tried IIS and gave up when it came to hosting multiple web sites on one server. I then switched to Linux (never ran it before), and my sites have been running fine ever since.

I used (quite a while ago...):



http://www.howtoforge.com/perfect-server-ubuntu8.04-lts



That installs all the add-on software like PHP, MySQL, email, ProFTP, etc.

and for site management, I used:



http://www.ispconfig.org/



That allows per site access to PHP. SQL, etc...

Answer 4

Or a third option is to install Apache web server on windows server 2003. Keeps existing hardware and software while deploying one of the better web servers.

Answer 5

I am simply starting to learn about Vista myself but i don't believe that you are able to do that. With the Vista/Longhorn iteration of Microsoft merchandise i am considering that the computer OS is purely that, a computer OS and well see in regards to the server OS when Microsoft sincerely releases Longhorn. You would be better off to both set up XP to your laptop.