In the business world, few things are as important as the smooth running of logistics.
A critical component for a seamless workflow is the operating system you use in company computers.
Until a few years ago, Linux operating system was mainly a choice for servers and not considered suitable for use on desktops in the office. However, the steady improvement of the user interface and ease of use now makes Linux user-friendly enough to replace Windows.
Today, the best business computers are running on Linux, the most secure and fastest operating system. So, how do you use Linux for business?
What is Linux?
On its own, Linux is not an operating system, but it offers the critical snippets that allow creating operating systems.
Linux operating systems demand only a few hardware resources–the number one reason businesses prefer it. For startups, Linux is an excellent free operating system. Further, the operating system lets users read and amend changes to the source code.
In 2000, The Linux Foundation, a non-profit tech consortium, was established to standardize Linux, foster its growth, and promote its use in the commercial setting.
How Linux works
At its base, Linux is a kernel that becomes an operating system once you add other components. The different levels of Linux are:
- The Kernel — The key component that communicates with the hardware. This unit controls memory, processor, disk space, and any other devices on a system. Because updates appear periodically, upgrade the kernel to improve system performance.
- Daemons — These are background services that manage the file system, network connections, user logins, USB devices, and many others.
- The Shell — Provides the textual interface that allows users to run programs via Linux commands. The shell provides total freedom and administration over the operating system.
- X Window Server — The component that allows you to use a Linux operating system with a graphical environment. The component processes input from devices such as the keyboard, tablets, and mouse.
- Window Manager — Responsible for managing windows and drawing the window border. Some popular Linux window managers include Kwin, Xfwm, and Metacity.
- Desktop Environment – A collection of programs that provide a graphical user interface.
- File System – For managing data storage to and retrieval from solid-state drives (SSDs) and hard disk drives (HDDs). Common Linux-based file systems include Ext3, BTRFS, and ReiserFS.
What Linux can do
For the regular user, Linux works like any other macOS or Windows operating system.
You can run Office applications, read PDF files, browse the internet, check email, listen to and watch multimedia files, and much more. The operating system also lets you play video games!
Even for the advanced user, Linux is suitable as a server.
Use the Linux environment as an alternate network element or as a router for bringing together different networks running dissimilar protocols. Best of all, you can use the operating system as a firewall to improve business network security.
Linux vs. Windows
Businesses considering making a change from Windows to Linux want to know the advantages of each operating system. Below is a simple breakdown of some of the biggest differences.
Ease of use
Modern Linux for business distributions (more on this later) have a GUI, like Windows, to allow ease of use for the average computer user. Many GUI distributions do not have bloatware associated with Windows.
The primary design characteristics of Windows make it one of the easiest operating systems to use. However, proficient users find this oversimplification frustrating for lack of capability to fine-tune the system itself.
Reliability
Linux is famous for its security and reliability. The strong focus on uptime, process management, and system security ensures users have fewer issues.
While a good deal of reliability improvements have been made to Microsoft Windows, it is still not as secure as Linux. Some features for improved user-friendliness also make Windows more vulnerable to attacks and system instability.
Software
Linux offers users a vast array of easy-to-install programs—and most are free! Even complex applications such as OpenOffice, GIMP, and Star Office are free. Plus, you can also run business-critical Windows programs on Linux using layers such as WINE.
The Windows platform has the highest number of users, so naturally it also offers the largest selection of software. It also offers the largest selection of business-oriented programs. However, most of the software is commercial and costs anywhere between $4 and $99.
Use cases
Linux is the preferred OS by academic, scientific, and corporate organizations of any size. It is the engine that drives servers and machines at big-name companies, including Google, the US Department of Defense (DoD), and CERN.
Windows is the choice of OS for novice users, gamers, and businesses that depend on Microsoft software.
How Much Does Linux Cost?
The Linux kernel, utilities, and libraries that accompany most distributions are open source and free.
This means anyone may study, run, change, and even redistribute the Linux source code. However, selling copies of the changed code is strictly controlled under the GNU Public License (GPL).
Plus, Linux is currently the largest open-source software project worldwide. Hobbyist and professional programmers are contributing to the kernel, finding and fixing flaws, and adding extra features. Some companies provide paid support for Linux distributions they sell, but the underlying software is always free for download and installation.
Conversely, Microsoft Windows costs up to $199 per licensed copy. The free upgrade offer for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 computers to switch to Windows 10 ran out on July 29, 2016.
Which Linux Distribution Is Right for You?
A Linux distribution is the operating system that includes the Linux kernel, GNU tools, extra software, and a package manager. Sometimes, the distribution might include a display server and a desktop environment.
The term Linux distribution (distro for short) is used because distinct entities include all the required utilities and software to be used as operating systems. Plus, these distros also take the responsibility of offering updates that help maintain the kernel and other utilities.
The best Linux distros offer the stability, support, and much more that businesses require. Here are some of the best distros out there.
Ubuntu
This is the most popular Linux distribution with a reputation for offering stability and flexibility for end-users. The free Ubuntu Server version can also handle your backend data-processing tasks.
A vast user base means that there is plenty of technical documentation available and a massive community with answers to just about any question you have.
Newer Ubuntu versions come with long-term support (LTS), which guarantees five years of general and security maintenance updates. This distro is also popular for integration with cloud computing services, suitable for anyone who wants to improve their long-term business IT skills.
Linux Mint
This is an excellent option for anyone new to the Linux world.
The distro includes plenty of software you would require when switching over from Windows or macOS, including LibreOffice. Linux Mint offers several customization options, so all you need to do is download a couple and boot as a Live CD before installing to find which works best for you.
Fedora and RedHat
Fedora is a famous operating system brand that is Red Hat-backed and offers a massive number of modern features. The distro continuously receives software updates, Linux features, and driver updates.
Users of Linux enjoy the advanced security features in Fedora that include accessing rules such as permission rights management. Fedora seamlessly supports devices such as cameras, scanners, and printers from different merchants straight out of the box. A simple user interface, lack of compatibility annoyances, and great support make Fedora one of the fastest Linux distro out there.
Debian
Debian Linux is one of the most established and oldest Linux distros in the open-source and free world. Its stability ensures that you will not run into any nasty surprises every day you open your computer.
Long release cycles make Debian the ideal distro to power your server. The distro provides different installers to support 32- and 64-bit Intel computers. Other architectures supported include ARM, MIPS, and even 64-bit PowerPCs.
How Can I Have Linux Installed for My Business?
It is great that you want to implement Linux systems for your business, but proper installation can be an enormous challenge.
An IT support New York team of experts can help ensure your business Linux computers and servers perform at peak levels, with the right settings and configurations. The team of professionals carries out a thorough analysis of your computing requirements and then delivers a cost-effective Linux installation and implementation plan.
A proper installation plan guarantees enhanced efficiency, fast data access, and maximum security.
Other benefits of professional Linux installation for your business include:
- The company’s experience in installing hundreds of Linux-based systems offers a solid foundation.
- A scalable service model lets you pay for only the services your business needs.
- Certified Linux professionals are always on call to handle frustrating problems.
Conclusion
While Linux for business might seem like an intimidating option at first glance, it will help you in the long-term. Linux is free, so don’t worry about licensing fees, and a growing number of virtual machine software platforms let you test different Linux distros. If moving your entire operations to Linux is your best foot forward, get in touch with the experts.
Are problems with your computers and network boggling your operations? Triada Networks has an expert team eager to ensure that your IT systems provide high-performance, seamless service to your business. Contact us today, and let’s get your system running again!
