Terminal Office: Linux vs Windows - holy war: Part I

    Preamble: There is a typical office, for 15 local users + 5 remote, the tasks are simple: 1C + Office + Internet + Mail + Print. The task is to make a sustainable and inexpensive (because the crisis in the yard) decision.

    Actually, there are only 2 solutions: Terminal Server on Windows || Terminal Server on Linux. We do not consider Standalone PC, because this is not a solution, but a continuous hemorrhoid.

    We’ll immediately determine the hardware for the terminal server: CPU 2 Quad Xeon 5405, 6Gb RAM, RAID 1 SATA 1 Tb (I know that it’s bad, but there is no money for SAS, the more so since the database is a separate server). Why such iron is a task to parallel well, the more cores, the better. In memory of 20 users * 200-250 Mb (1C and the office love her) + system. We agree that setting up / supporting Windows and Linux costs the same



    With a terminal server for Windows - everything is clear, there are no options there (do not offer citrix, see the preamble). The only question is the cost, because we need a lot of memory, then standart edition x32 does not fit, you have to take 64 bits. At a cost of about:

    * 26,000 rubles. for Windows Server R2 Standart x64 2003 with 5 CAL licenses
    * 17,000 rubles. for 15 client licenses (CAL, they won’t call a good thing feces)
    * 70,000 rubles. for 20 licenses for a terminal server (TS User CAL)

    TOTAL: only for the OS and the ability to access a bare server, without any software - 113,000 rubles., significantly more than the cost of the server itself.

    The cost of Linux = the cost of the disc on which it is recorded, but the client part of 1C does not work under Linux, you need to install WINE @ Etersoft Network for 5600 rubles.

    TOTAL: OS and software for launching business applications 5600 rubles.

    A few words about WINE @ Etersoft ... This is not a Windows emulator, but provides WinAPI for applications. Previously, I considered it a “crooked divide”, but the guys showed enviable progress and really IT works, that is, it allows you to run a number of applications. Checked by yourself.

    But the choice of terminal technologies under * NIX is wider than under Windows, you must choose:

    * X Window System - a classic of the genre. For those who are not familiar with terminalogy: X Server is where the picture is drawn, i.e. client, and X Client is where the application is running, i.e. server. For a home PC, both the server and the client work on the same machine, but nothing prevents them from working on different machines, as was originally laid down in the X Window System concept. The advantages of this solution: minimal server and client settings, everything is already in almost any distribution kit. Cons: does not save the user session in case of death of the client machine / disconnection; He loves a wide band, via the Internet it is not comfortable to work - only on the local network.
    * X Window + Nomad. OpenSuSE 11.1 introduced a delicious Nomad chip, which is a proxy for X11, and allows you to save sessions and drive remotely heavy applications, such as compiz desktop effects. Moreover, Nomad allows you to connect to the X-itself standard Windows rdp-client.
    * VNC - both the server and the client can work on both Linux and Windows, it is good for remote control, like replacing RAdmin, but the rendering of the screen is rather slow, and this will annoy users. But not picky about the strip.
    * NX Nomachine - a highly modified X-protocol, which on the one hand allows you to work on thin lines, and on the other hand allows you to save the session on the server. Very similar to X + Nomad. In this case, client authorization on the server occurs via ssh. To work, you need a special client. The open and free version of the server is called FreeNX.
    * XRDP - an open version of RDP for Linux, a client or rdesktop or a standard Windows client. Uses server-side VNC as a backend.

    And all of the above - for free!

    About setting up the terminal server itself for Linux and clients for it, in the second part.

    ps
    ported to Linux for all ss hawkered

    Also popular now: