IBM has sponsored its own independent research into the
total cost of ownership of Linux-based server systems, when
compared with Microsoft Windows and Sun’s Solaris operating
systems.
The research, conducted by the Robert Frances Group, found that
the TCO of Linux was 40% less expensive than a comparable x86-based
Windows solution, and 54% less than a comparable SPARC-based
Solaris solution.
The figures are based on a three-year period of ownership for a
system supporting 100,000 operations per second using industry
benchmarks for testing.
Robert Frances put together the figures after conducting 20
in-depth interviews with IT staff using a range of Linux, Windows
and Solaris systems at medium- to large-sized companies employing
over 250 people.
Microsoft is currently promoting its own independent research
which claims to show that Windows is cheaper to run.