Server Operating System

What is Server Operating System?

An operating system is low-level software that performs or supports the basic tasks by a collab with the hardware devices or other software devices, like the computer operating system performs booting, scheduling, gaming, etc.

The operating system can be of various types depending on the task or the machine in which they are uploaded, such as Windows operating system for PCs, android for mobiles, embedded operating systems for traffic signals, etc. Similarly, we have a server operating system that is designed for working on servers and performing server-based tasks.

Server OS is the advanced version of the operating system that consists of more features and capabilities as compared to other versions of the operating system required in the client-server architecture.

Windows, file and database servers, Web servers, mail servers, application servers, and print servers are all supported and enabled by server operating systems. It is a more complex version of the fundamental operating system that handles network requests from server-client machines. It provides all of the necessary features to operate in a client-server computer context.

A server OS is designed from scratch to support features suitable for business-critical, multi-user, applications. Server Os serves as the core interface for managing users, administering security, and performing other administrative tasks. A server operating system's primary focus is generally security, stability, and collaboration.

Key Features of a Server Operating System

There are various features of the server operating system and very beneficial to use. Let's see some of the features of the server os:

• The Server Operating system runs most of the processes from the operating system command.
• It provides a centralized interface for managing users and implementing security and other administration activities.
• A server operating system is designed to execute huge programs and handle complex tasks such as massive data transfers with ease.
• Server OS offers high-level software, hardware, and network configuration procedures.
• It can connect to the server using both a Command-level interface and a Graphical User interface (GUI).
• The server operating system contains all of the administrative tools required to run a variety of applications and functions.
• It is used to install and deploy corporate applications as well as online applications.
• Because servers are vulnerable to infiltration and infection, a server operating system with a built-in firewall and security features is required. When a solid security system is in place, hackers and harmful programs cannot readily enter the client's operating system.

Function of Server Operating System

The main function of the server operating system is to listen to the port for incoming network requests and handle the network requests.

Server Operating System Types

There are many types of Server operating systems, and each of them has there own advantages and disadvantages. Let’s see some famous Server Os:

• Windows Server: Windows Server is developed by Microsoft and it supports data storage, enterprise-level management, and a lot of applications.

  • The advantages of the Windows server OS are the many versions to choose from, great third-party application support, and simple Graphic user interface.
  • Disadvantages of the Windows server OS are virus security threats chances are more as compared to other server os and user-based licensing is required.

• Linux Server OS: Linux is an open-source, multi-purpose, multi-thread, available for free and it requires more technical experience for each step from installation to maintenance. Also, bug-fixing is hard in Linux.

  • The advantages of the Linux server operating system are, Linux server operating system is integrated with open-source software and provides the ability to use GUI to control the system, and gives high security.
  • Disadvantages of Linux are system updates and other operations are really complex to perform and need high-tech support.

• Red Hat Enterpise Linux (RHEL): It is created by Red Hat and is a paid version of the Linux desktop. The source code for RHEL is freely available, but due to strict regulations from Red Hat, there are limits on its official Linux OS version.

  • The advantages of RHEL are it provides high-tech support and there are many solutions for security and upgrades.
  • Disadvantages of RHEL are that there are minimum personalized solutions available and its training courses are expensive.

• UNIX-Based Operating System: UNIX began as a time-sharing operating system for modest computers, but it has now evolved into one of the most widely used client-server operating systems.

  • The advantages of UNIX are it is a multi-user environment, it provides a high level of security and stability, and built with TCP/IP support.
  • The disadvantages of UNIX are that it is paid, and there is no standard version of a UNIX-Based Operating system present in the market.

• Netware: Netware was the widely spread network in the early LANs and it requires a dedicated server to function.

  • Advantages of the NetWare are it supports large-capacity physical memory management and a high class of printing functions and file sharing.
  • Disadvantages of Netware are poor tech support, low support for third-party apps, and price.

macOS Server and FreeBSD are some other server operating systems.

Benefits of Server Operating System

There are various benefits of a server operating system. Let’s see some of the major benefits:

• Higher Efficiency: It contributes to less reliance on physical servers, resulting in larger savings.
• Future-Proofing: It assures long-term sustainability by estimating the corporate network's predicted growth.
• Higher savings with reduced downtime: Reduced downtime translates to higher savings for any firm.
• Increased Performance: A network-supporting system with faster performance can handle more users and storage choices than another.

Finding the Right Server Operating System

Servers are the main key to business growth not depending on the size of the business. Most of the servers work the same but their performance and features may depend upon the operating system they are running. There are many choices present for the sever os in the market based on the size. Let’s discuss some suggestions for choosing a server OS on the basis of business size:

• Small: To choose a server operating system for a small business, budget is the main thing to think about. For a sufficient budget Window Server, Essential is an appropriate choice but can handle only 25 to 50 devices at a time.
• Medium: For medium size companies, the main focus is to get a server that will be more stable can secure, and doesn’t require a very large investment. Linux distributions such as the ubuntu Operating system can be a good choice for Medium size companies as it is highly scalable, stable, and free.
• Large: Large companies don’t have the issue of the budget and can go for UNIX operating system. The main concern of large companies is the type of server os they are going to use and what capabilities it holds.