[Solar-general] linux en empresas, informe

[Diego Saravia]

 http://www.butlergroup.com/reports/linux/


Linux in the Enterprise
    A Viable Alternative for Server and Desktop Operating Systems?

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Introduction
Management
Summary

Contents

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Introduction

Although many organisations make use of operating systems (OS) such as
Microsoft Windows, in its various flavours, or the enterprise-level variations
of UNIX, in recent years a new OS has appeared to challenge the market
domination of these systems – the open source platform, Linux. Linux has a
mixture of advantages and disadvantages in comparison to its more well
established competitors, for example whilst it is lower in cost to run and
more adaptable in terms of being modified to respond to changing conditions
(such as being modified to prevent a hacker attack), it can also be more
difficult to operate, requiring a higher level of knowledge from administrators.

In recent years, Linux has begun to win support from some of the largest and
most influential hardware and software providers in the world, including IBM
and HP, and in spite of fierce resistance from Microsoft has gradually begun
to take its position as a credible and useful enterprise platform.
One of the key messages of this Report is that although Linux is a credible
enterprise platform, businesses should be closely assessing their own needs to
see exactly what pieces of technology should be fitted where – in some cases,
Windows is still superior to Linux, for example, and organisations must always
be careful never to deploy technology on a ‘must have’ basis. The Report looks
in depth at some of the leading Linux offerings in the market today, and also
assesses associated services, in order to inform organisations considering a
Linux evaluation (or looking to expand on a test) of their best course of
action going forward.

The key findings from the Report can be summarised as follows:

    * Linux is a credible alternative now for the core of the data centre, and
for the client within two years.
    * The most important attribute of Linux is the independence afforded from
the hardware platform.
    * Linux is a cost-effective UNIX replacement, and a worthy competitor to
Microsoft Windows Server in many areas.
    * Linux on the client is gaining credence, with offerings available from
Red Hat, IBM, Novell, and Sun.
    * Ignore generalised Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) evaluations, the TCO of
Linux varies dependent on an individual organisation’s circumstances.
    * The Linux ecosystem is developing quickly and is a major driver of the
adoption of Linux, especially for the main enterprise distributions from Red
Hat and Novell.
    * The public sector is showing leadership in this area, and beginning to
embrace Linux and Open Source in a major way.
    * Open Source software tends not to be innovative, but does produce
efficient, secure, and robust code.
    * For many that already using Windows, it remains the best strategic
choice, as does proprietary UNIX at the very high end.

Report Structure:
Section Two – Introduction

Following the Management Summary, the Introduction sets the scene, giving an
overview of the considerations, concepts, and business benefits of Linux in
the Enterprise.
Section Three – Technology Features

This section describes the main features, standards, and technologies
appropriate when using Linux in the Enterprise.
Section Four – Architectures and Models

This part of the Report takes a closer look at the architectures pertinent to
the adoption of Linux in the Enterprise.
Section Five – Deployment

This section uncovers the issues and advantages of Linux in the Enterprise,
along with why the OS is relevant to the public sector and SMEs. Assistance
and advice is also provided for the migration to Linux.
Section Six – Market Analysis

This section gives an overview of the market, providing an examination of the
drivers, along with an investigation of the future direction, and including a
review of the approach adopted by a selection of businesses that have deployed
Linux in the Enterprise.
Section Seven – Tables

This section first presents Butler Group’s Features Matrix, which allows the
selected Linux distributions to be seen side-by-side in terms of features and
capabilities. A number of supplementary tables are also included in this section.
Section Eight – Comparisons

This section includes comparisons of the vendors and services featured in this
Report.
Section Nine – Technology Audits

This section contains in-depth Technology Audits for the vendors and solutions
reviewed in this Report.

These are as follows:

    * Computer Associates
    * Debian
    * HP
    * IBM
    * Mandrakesoft
    * Novell
    * Novell SUSE LINUX
    * Oracle
    * Red Hat
    * Sun Microsystems

Section Ten – Vendor Profiles

This section contains brief profiles of a number of relevant vendors and
technologies not covered by a Technology Audit. 

-- 
Diego Saravia 
dsa en unsa.edu.ar