Tops in the Server Slot
Although SuSE Linux takes our Editor's Choice award, all the server distributions we tested had positives and negatives that must be weighed on an individual basis before implementation. Here are the major review criteria shown in our Linux server report card:
>> Graphical Interface: An organized and efficient interface is key for less experienced administrators who need to maintain their servers from within X Windowębased environments. We judged a graphical interface on its menu organization, customization, and general look and feel.
>> Servers: With all the distributions we tested, we found at least one application in each of the following categories: Web server, e-mail server, database server and firewall. If you have no preference, just about any product will do; however, do your homework if you're looking for a particular package.
>> Administrative Tools: In the Linux world, there are two types of administrators -- those who consider it an insult to be referred to as a geek and those who consider it a compliment. The latter will likely dismiss X-based administration tools as clunky and slow; however, such tools are important for less experienced administrators and those new to the world of Unix. Availability and stability of these tools are essential for widespread adoption of Linux in the enterprise.
In addition, there is an alternative to X-based utilities. Administrators familiar with text-based tools, similar to those employed by Novell for its console, have this option with several of the distributions. Red Hat Linux and MandrakeLinux have the Setup utility, SuSE has Yast, and TurboLinux has about 15 separate programs, including its software-update facility.
>> Authentication Options: Interoperability with other operating systems is critical in today's enterprise environment, and Linux is no exception. We looked at five main authentication mechanisms: SMB (Server Message Block), LDAP, NIS(+), Kerberos and NDS.
>> Support: Many factors must be considered when evaluating the support provided with a Linux distribution. Patch times and patching tools, coverage days and times, response times, and escalation procedures are a few of the more important concerns. All the support departments we tested demonstrated adequate expertise but didn't always provide it in an optimum time frame. Typically, dollars make all the difference, and given enough money you can achieve just about any level of support you feel is necessary.
>> Security: To eliminate distributions that are completely insecure out of the box, many Linux vendors have implemented measures to help network administrators secure their systems at installation or shortly thereafter. To this end, many distributions use predefined scripts to shut down unneeded services, create firewall rules and implement network daemon security with TCPWrappers.
On three of the distributions we tested, these scripts were implemented through a point-and-click interface, where choices ranged from high security to low security. Mandrake and Red Hat let us define our security level during the installation; SuSE required us to do it afterward through Yast. Although these measures aren't perfect, they go a long way toward preventing initial exposure.
One warning: Be careful when using these settings if you're not familiar with Linux firewalls (such as ipchains) because you may wind up removing all remote access to the system you're trying to configure. Enterprises requiring additional security should turn to security-enhanced distributions (see "Locked Down Out of the Box").
>> Stability: Although Linux is lauded for being a stable environment, we found a few exceptions, mostly with X-based tools and applications. Examples include package managers hanging in an endless loop looking for an update source or video configuration tools annihilating our video setup after we'd simply changed our screen resolution. It's important to note, however, that we never had to reboot our server during one of these application glitches because we were able to kill the process manually and continue with our tests. Try that with Microsoft Windows NT!
On to the Workstation
Once again SuSE comes out on top, taking our first-ever Editor's Choice award for Linux workstation distributions. However, Red Hat, Caldera and Mandrake followed close behind, while TurboLinux bowed out of workstation testing.
The workstation report card summarizes the results of our workstation testing, and here are our main criteria (security and stability were covered in the server section):
>> Graphical Interface: End users demand an interface that is both easy to use and easy on the eyes, so we evaluated items such as menu organization, customization and the ability to change display settings. We looked at various window managers and desktop environments, and even though each distribution has its own desktop environment of choice (GNOME for Red Hat and KDE for the rest), the final selection is generally left up to the end user. It's important to try out the various window managers and desktop environments, as they do differ greatly (see "The Mystery of X Unveiled" for a detailed explanation of X Window and its various counterparts).
>> Groupware/Office Suites: "What would it take for Linux to be fully adopted by enterprises as a viable alternative to Windows?" This is a question we hear quite often. The answer is, "A real groupware and office-suite solution." Most of us agree that a Microsoft-compatible solution is needed before enterprises will consider Linux for the desktop. Several alternatives are available, but Ximian Evolution and Sun Microsystems StarOffice are leading the way for groupware and office suites, respectively.
>> Printing: The ability to print and manage print jobs is critical for everyday functionality. We looked at supported printing protocols, printer-driver support and print-queue administration. Finally, we tested printing on a standard Hewlett-Packard HP LaserJet, both locally and remotely, to its JetDirect print server.
>> Authentication Options: The ability for Linux workstations to authenticate to other operating systems is essential for adoption in the enterprise. We looked at authentication -- from a client perspective via SMB, LDAP, NIS, Kerberos and NDS -- to their respective non-Linux operating systems.
Bottom line, SuSE impressed us enough to walk away with the Editor's Choice award in both the server and workstation categories. However, none of the other distributions was particularly shabby, especially on the workstation side, where the margin of victory was less than a point -- just 0.15. Note that the products are listed in order of how they placed in the server tests; on the workstation side the order was: SuSE, Red Hat, Caldera and Mandrake (TurboLinux opted out of our workstation tests).
We list prices for the distributions but not for support, which may end up costing more than the OS. During our testing we discussed support options with the vendors, but the range of offerings was so vast that we feel your best bet is to identify your preferred distribution, then investigate support costs based on your individual needs. We've posted an online chart detailing support info from a variety of providers.
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