Does the Solaris OS Really Cost Less Than Linux
Friday, May 2nd, 2008So you still think Linux is less expensive than the Solaris Operating System (Solaris OS)? Even for web infrastructure? Well, Sun’s Robin Goldfarb has a few basic points she’d like you to consider:
Basic Linux vs. Solaris
Example #1: A study by Crimson Consulting Group highlights why Solaris OS is actually more cost effective then Linux. When doing a cost analysis, you must compare all costs including acquisition, support, implementation and administration. Solaris OS comes out ahead, and this is even without considering OpenSolaris.
Example #2: UNIX Author Paul Murphy explains why SWaP (Space, Watts and Power) impacts the cost of the Solaris OS.
Example #3: Now consider OpenSolaris vs. Linux
Example #4: With x86 platforms, the Solaris x86 is priced competitively with other choices, like Linux, Windows, etc.
Web Infrastructure
Example #5: “…once you’ve accepted that the costs can be the same or lower than Linux,” Goldfarb writes, “you must also include the benefits of using Solaris over Linux for your web infrastructure.” She lists the following Sun references to demonstrate:
- Why use Solaris 10 for your web infrastructure.
- SAMP and More SAMP
- Sun’s MySQL Acquisition
- Sun Startup Essentials offers deep discounts on hardware, storage and hosting, as well as free software and services for startups.