Microsoft has gone on the offensive against Linux by
announcing the results of tests it commissioned on the reliability
of Windows and Linux.
Microsoft commissioned tests from VeriTest, the independent
testing division of Lionbridge Technologies, and it says the
results show that Windows Server 2003 was more reliable than Red
Hat Enterprise Linux AS 3.0 in a simulated "real-world usage
scenario".
Microsoft is also promoting user case studies of large companies
who have migrated to Windows from Linux-based systems, such as
electric guitar manufacturer Fender Musical Instruments.
Martin Taylor, Microsoft general manager of the company’s
platform strategy group, said: "This study shows that when compared
to Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3.0, Windows Server 2003 is easier to
maintain and [is] predictable, and allows end users to access the
resources they need in a timely manner."
VeriTest assigned to IT administrators a series of tasks
involving upgrading and reconfiguring systems, with the goal of
improving the reliability of the technology environment.
Microsoft said the tests showed that Windows provided a more
reliable end-user service, and that Windows Server 2003 prevented
four-times as many events that would have resulted in end-user
service loss.
Red Hat Linux end users experienced an average of 15% more
service loss time, and Windows Server 2003 was more effective at
troubleshooting, said Microsoft.
Katrina Teague, vice president of marketing and solutions at
VeriTest said: "We simulated a medium-sized business environment
with two independent teams of IT professionals who passed a
thorough screening process prior to the study, so the results of
this study are consistent with the experience of many customers in
the real world."
A recent survey of more than 500 companies by analyst group
Yankee found that respondents said that Windows servers recover 30%
faster from security attacks than Linux servers.
But the Yankee respondents also indicated that the hourly cost
of Windows downtime was three to four-times higher than that of
Linux server downtime. This was mainly because there is currently
more crucial corporate data stored on Windows servers, said
Yankee.
The complete VeriTest study can be accessed at:
http://www.veritest.com/clients/reports/microsoft