Pros & Cons of of SteLAR Linux Server vs Windows 2003 Server
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SteLAR Linux Server |
Windows 2003 Server |
| General |
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| Hardware Requirements |
 Very low even with all options |
 High especially with mail server |
| Purchase Cost of Operating System |
Nil |
From £350 depending on version |
| Licensing Costs |
Nil |
Up to £65 per user |
| Maximum Users |
Unlimited |
Between 25 and unlimited |
| Stability |
Very High |
Medium |
| Modular |
Yes |
No |
| Requires Regular Restart |
No |
Yes |
| Virus Resistant |
Yes |
Proprietary protection reqd.* |
| Ease of Use |
Easy - via simple web interface |
Medium - Windows interface |
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| Backup and Recovery |
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| Automatic Daily Backup |
Included |
Via proprietary software* |
| RAID |
Level 1 or 5 plus hot swap spare |
Level 1 or 5 |
| Auto shutdown on power failure |
Included |
Via proprietary software* |
| Auto restart on power recovery |
Included |
No |
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| Email |
|
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| Included |
Yes |
Depending on version** |
| Number of email domains |
Unlimited |
Unlimited |
| Number of sending domains |
Unlimited |
1 |
| Anti-Virus scan of email |
Included*** |
Via proprietary software* |
| Anti-Spam scan of email |
Included |
Via proprietary software* |
| Webmail Interface |
Included |
Included |
| Webmail access to other mailboxes |
If allowed by other user |
No |
| Email backed up on server |
Included |
Via proprietary software* |
| Email client for full capability |
Any IMAP or POP3 client or web |
MS Outlook only |
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| File Sharing |
|
|
| Available |
Yes |
Yes |
| Limit to certain users |
Yes |
Yes |
| Easy to configure limitations |
Yes - via simple web interface |
No - ACLs required |
| Automatic file backup |
Yes |
Via proprietary software* |
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| Printer Sharing |
|
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| Available |
Yes |
Yes |
| Printer Types |
Network capable only |
Network capable only |
| Ease of setup |
Medium |
Easy |
| Print driver install |
Medium |
Easy |
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| Groupware |
|
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| Included |
Yes |
Depending on version** |
| Web Based |
Yes |
No |
| Shared Contacts |
Yes |
Yes |
| Shared Calendars |
Yes |
Yes |
| Sharing via web interface |
Yes |
No |
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| SQL Server |
|
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| Included |
Yes - MySQL |
Version dependent - MS-SQL** |
| Automatic backup |
Included |
Via proprietary software* |
| ANSI SQL Compatible |
Yes |
Yes |
| MS-SQL Compatible |
No |
Yes |
* Additional proprietary software must be purchased to fulfil this role.
** Microsoft Server 2003 does not include Exchange (required for email and groupware) or MS-SQL and these items must be purchased additionally. Microsoft Server 2003 Small Business Edition Standard includes Exchange but not MS-SQL which cannot be added to this version. Microsoft Server 2003 Small Business Server Premium includes Exchange and MS-SQL.
*** Provides anti-virus scan of emails. Anti-virus protection for workstations is required in addition.
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