What is Linux?
Linux is a free, mature and open source complete operating system solution that is based on the UNIX system. There are multiple suppliers of Linux that provide several different versions of Linux to run on various types of hardware such as desktop PCs, high powered servers or mobile phones (the Android OS is based on the Linux OS).
Currently Linux is used in just about all sectors, everywhere! For example, Google, IBM, NASA, banks, stock exchanges, supercomputers, mobile phones and nuclear submarines all use Linux as the basis of their systems.
Costs
Linux, plus a number of the common tools and associated programmes used on Linux, are free and can be used without having to pay any additional licencing fees.
Performance
One of the major benefits of a Linux system is server side performance. Linux is fast, scalable, and robust. It is not unusual for a Linux server to have an “uptime” of more than a year.
Security
Linux, like most UNIX based systems, is one of the most secure operating systems available. Compared to other operating systems Linux has:
• A relatively low incidence of malware
• More granularity of user control
• More granularity of file access
And the controls can be extended to add even more security if required.
Additional tools and programs
There are numerous tools, applications and programs on Linux that are supported. In fact most software vendors will provide a Linux version of their software. As a very general rule of thumb, if a tool exists on Windows, a similar one will be available on Linux.
Support
Linux has a very large support base, both community-based and as a service provided by software vendors (for example Oracle or Red Hat).
SFW believes Linux can offer:
- Robust, high performance, scalable solutions – from a single server to a massively clustered server farm
- Low licensing costs
- The opportunity to leverage multiple free tools and solutions to give additional value to the final solution
What SFW can offer
SFW have a highly experienced team of Linux Developers whose background covers all aspects of Linux support; from real-time financial trading systems through to grid based systems. As such SFW has the skill and knowledge base to develop the best solution for each individual client and project.
For more information on how SFW can use Linux operating system technologies to help you solve your business problem,
call us on 01483 722219 or use our
Contact us page.