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Jimsmithkka
Asked: 2009-08-15 07:43:27 +0800 CST

UNIX differences, and which is best for what applications?

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I am a Linux user, I mainly use RedHatArc and ubuntu/debian. I want to start using Unix's for servers instead of Fed/Cent. I have tried but never successfully installed FreeBSD. I haven't tried NetBSD yet (DLing the ISO now), and have not gotten a copy of OpenBSD in my hands yet.

I was hoping to get some input from various Unix users here on the applicable differences with the free Unix's. Not so much the differences in the actually implementations, but more the best end uses for each one.

linux unix

3 Answers

  1. Um...depends on what you're trying to do. What server are you trying to set up?

    99% of the time the best answer is "whichever you're most comfortable administrating that also fits your needs".

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  2. Why?

    Do you have needs that Linux can't fulfill? Do you simply want the perceived prestige of running a true Unix? Is a PHB trying to tell you how to do your job?

    The only true Unixes left in the marketplace are HP-UX, SCO, AIX and Solaris. The BSD products listed in this thread are not Unix -- they are merely "Unix-like".

    In all fairness, all of the Unixes have been so deeply impacted by Linux and other GNU code, that they are much less "True Unix" than they were 10 years ago.

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  3. Best Answer

    Well, it's a super generalization but:

    NetBSD if you need to support an uncommon platform, high network performance.

    FreeBSD for a "balanced" system: desktop/server, probably the biggest community, lots of information about it.

    OpenBSD: security, maybe not the pinnacle of performance.

    Generally all three share innovations amongst themselves so this is kind of a forced answer.

    Cheers

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