Microsoft Windows Gets a New Look

Users will notice that the newest version of the Windows Operating System looks fairly different than previous years. The classic-looking interface has taken obvious inspiration from the other major operating systems like iOS, Android, and Chrome OS. The taskbar is now centered, which might be hard to get used to for some purists out there. The corners are also more rounded. The new Start menu also feels similar to the Android application launcher.

Besides being centered, the Start menu has also been streamlined by removing the Live Tiles. These widget-Esque information tiles have been around since Windows 8 but now have a cleaner look to them. Users will be able to see their applications and documents easier than ever.

If you prefer the taskbar icons and start menu on the left like previous iterations, this can be switched back to the traditional left side of the screen. This part of the new operating system can be customized and finding the settings that work the best for you might take some time to learn.

What Are the New Features of Windows 11?

There are several notable new features in Windows 11. The first one may or may not make that much of a difference to some, but Windows 11 has more of a Mac-like look and feel to it. The design of the new interface has a cleaner design with more rounded corners. As mentioned earlier, the Start menu and the Taskbar are both centered making the design visually similar to Apple’s iOS.

Windows 11 will also be more user-friendly to those using Android applications. Android apps will soon be available to Windows 11. These applications will be available to download in the new Microsoft Store through the Amazon Appstore.

Widgets can now be accessed straight from the Windows Taskbar. The widgets can also be customized so you can see the ones you want to see. This can be very useful for those who use Widgets daily.

The global pandemic has changed the way many companies work together. Applications like Microsoft Teams were vital to the way remote workers communicated and stayed organized. Windows 11 has now integrated Microsoft Teams directly onto the new Taskbar. This can be opened easily and more conveniently. Microsoft Teams will also be accessible from other operating systems like Mac, iOS, and Android.

Gamers will appreciate the upgraded technology in Windows 11. Microsoft will incorporate some features from their Xbox consoles. These features include DirectStorage and Auto HDR. These features will improve the overall gaming of users using a Windows computer for gaming.

Another feature that can be found in Windows 11 is better virtual desktop usability. Windows 11 now allows users to have multiple virtual desktops that they can use different tasks. For example, users can use one desktop for personal usage, one virtual desktop for work, and another for gaming. This can be beneficial if you are using many different applications daily. Users can also change the wallpaper on the different virtual desktops which can help delineate their various work environments.

Windows 11 also allows for an easier transition between laptop and monitor. The usability, multitasking, and transitioning help users that use their laptops but also have a workstation at home. Snap Groups and Snap Layouts make switching tasks and work environments more convenient. Previous versions of Windows made the transition between a laptop and connecting to a monitor less finicky. Users can now plugin and unplug without losing where the windows were previously.

Strengths and Weaknesses of Windows 11

Although we are still in the early stages of a new operating system—there are some strengths and weaknesses of Windows 11. With the first impressions of the latest operating system out of the way, we can say that Windows 11 seems to be the most refined-looking version of Windows to date. Although some Windows users might prefer the look of previous iterations of the operating system, the inspiration was taken from Mac OS, iOS, Android, and Chrome OS seem to make Windows 11 the most refined-looking version to date.

Another strength of Windows 11 is its speed. Even with all of the new features and tweaks that will be done in the next coming months as with all new operating systems, Windows 11 is still as fast as Windows 10, and with all the additional features and benefits users will be pleased with its speed. Windows 11 could potentially be the best operating system for business and personal use.

For users that are already using Windows 10, upgrading to Windows 11 is free. Microsoft is rewarding loyal customers and users for being users of their operating system over the years.

Another aspect of Windows 11 that is improved from Windows 10 is the stronger security features. We rely on digital communication for just about everything, and better security for your operating system will be beneficial for all users.

With all of the new features that are found in Windows 11 users will need some time to get used to the new system. This is especially true with the Taskbar and Start menu. The customization that Windows 11 allows for will take some getting used to for many users. Although the new operating system will be free for Windows 10 users. There are upgrade restrictions for older hardware. Some users may not be able to upgrade to the latest operating system if their hardware is too old. Lastly, for users to be able to set up their operating system at home—the Internet and a Microsoft account are essential.

Conclusion

Windows 11 is the latest and so far seems to be a substantial upgrade from the previous operating system. If you are currently using Windows 10 and your hardware isn’t too old, upgrading to Windows 11 can be beneficial. It offers considerable upgrades and new features that can be advantageous for its users. There are vast improvements on many different levels including security. Microsoft launched Windows 11 on October 5.  

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What Is Microsoft Windows Server?

There are many different server operating systems available (which we will discuss later in the article), but Microsoft Windows Server is still one of the best in the market. Microsoft Windows server is built from Windows 10 OS, which is specifically designed to offer everything you need built right into the system, and like all Microsoft applications, installation is made easy through the Microsoft application store. One of the built-in features of Microsoft Windows Server is being cloud-ready (Azure-ready). This makes the package easier to use for users compared to most Linux based systems that don’t offer a cloud-ready connection.

Photo Source: Network World

What’s new in Windows Server 2019?

Windows Server gives a major update approximately every four years. Since the last major update was in 2016, many people are excited to see what Microsoft has in store for Windows Server users. There are many new features to Windows Server 2019.
Hybrid Capabilities with Azure
For the first time ever, Windows Server is offering Storage Migration Service, which helps keep inventory during data migration. It also keeps track of security settings, and configurations from legacy systems to the Windows Server and/or Azure. Microsoft created the cloud computing service, Azure, for building, testing, and managing applications through a global network of Microsoft data centers. Azure Network Adaptor helps users easily connect to Azure virtual networks. The Admin Center automatically configures the Virtual Private Network and connects it to the Windows Server system.
A predictive analytics feature called, System Insights is also new to Windows Server 2019. Using machine learning, system insights can analyze your Window system to see how it’s running and help predict how the system will run. This helps users optimize their system in order for it to run efficiently.
Another new feature exclusively offered on Windows Server 2019 is the Enhanced Azure AD Authentication, which allows the computer to be used for authentication in the cloud.

Photo Source: Microsoft

Hyper-converged Infrastructure
Windows Server 2019 also helps evolve data center infrastructure to achieve greater efficiency and security. The first one is an improvement for Storage Spaces Direct is Nested Mirror Accelerated Parity, which is resiliency specific for the 2-node S2D cluster. This helps the system survive multiple simultaneous failures.
Windows Server 2019 also supports USB Thumb drive (as a cluster witness), which allows 2 node HCI deployments with no additional dependencies.
Deduplication for ReFS is now fully supported to optimize free space on a volume by examining the data for duplicate portions.
There are more monitoring capabilities with Cluster-wide monitoring. This new fully supported feature monitors CPU usage, memory, storage capacity, IOPS, throughput, and latency in real time. This new feature also alerts you when something is wrong.
The new server OS also lets one create large scale-out clusters with greater flexibility without sacrificing resiliency with Cluster Sets.
There is now validated faster reboot time with Kernel Soft Reboot. This reduces application downtime significantly.
Another feature added is the support for Persistent Memory, which offers byte-level access to non-volatile media while also decreasing the latency of storing and recovering data.
Virtual Network Peering is another new feature that delivers high-speed connectivity between two virtual networks. The traffic between the two networks goes through the underlying fabric network with no gateway, but the virtual networks must be part of the same datacenter stamp.
Improved SDN Gateway makes speeds up to 3x as fast for GRE tunnels and IPSec site-to-site VPN.
Precision Time Protocol (PTP) makes time samples more accurate than Network Time Protocol. Allowing devices to add the latency introduced by each network device into the timing measurements allows these more accurate time samples.
The new Server OS supports Leap Second, which are occasional time adjustments in one-second increments made to UTC or Coordinated Universal Time. This helps keep earth time in sync with solar time, which then increases system accuracy, compliance, and traceability.
Network congestion control provider, Latency Optimized Background Transport, is now being used in the new version of Server OS. This helps automatically yield bandwidth to users and application when needed, and saving bandwidth when not in use.

Photo Source: Techy Great

Enhanced Security Capabilities
There are new security measures protecting data center operating systems. A new set of host intrusion prevention capabilities known as, Enhanced Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection (ATP), been implemented within the new version of Server OS. This precautionary protection measurement includes attack detection and zero-day exploits.
There are now Shielded VMs for both Windows and Linux systems. These protect each system from attacks and compromised administrators using BitLocker to encrypt the disk.
Another added security feature HGS offline mode for shielded VMs. This allows Virtual Machines to turn on when HGS cannot be reached.
New Cluster Hardening will not require NT Lan Manager. This completely removes the requirement of Active Directory for clusters in Windows Server.
SDN encrypted Subnet, this virtual network encryption delivers the ability for virtual network traffic to be encrypted between VMs that communicate with each other by subnets.  
Faster Innovations for Applications
There are also new features that help developers and IT professionals to design and build cloud-native applications and modernize traditional applications using containers and microservices. The first new one is Linux Containers. This allows app admins to manage both Windows and Linux apps in one system, which reduces overhead costs regarding management.
Server Core Base Container Image will shorten download times to help optimize time and performance.
There are significant improvements in computing, storage, and networking components with the new Kubernetes Platform Support.
App developers and administrators can now use tools in Linux ecosystems with Command Prompt and PowerShell with the new Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) feature. WSL also allows a way to run a Linux userspace, such as Ubuntu, on top of Windows. This feature will help those who are experienced with Linux hosting, both a Virtual Private Server or Windows dedicated servers.

Photo Source: Microsoft

How Does Windows Server 2019 Compare to past Version?

The last major update to Windows Server was in 2016, which wasn’t the game-changing update that Server users were looking for. But Windows Server 2019 can be what users were looking for fours years ago. The enterprise-grade hyper-converged infrastructure, the improvements in security, and the more efficient smaller containers are all upgrades that users have been waiting for. But maybe the most impressive update is the ability to run Linux and Windows together within the WSL feature. This can eliminate costs by reducing the need for multiple infrastructures. One can run the new Windows Server and their Linux based systems all within one setup.

How Does Server 2019 Compare to the Most Recent Linux Server OS Editions?

There are a couple notable Linux Server operating systems we should discuss. Ubuntu Server is one the most well-known in the business. It’s user-friendly, secure, fast, and cost-effectively upgradable. Because of its reputation, it is also one of the most trusted options when it comes to business use. Using an Ubuntu OS with an Ubuntu dedicated server enables the server more customization than a commercial-based system.
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server is another Linux Server OS that is noteworthy. Red Hat is one of the leading companies when it comes to software. This server OS provides open source solutions for many different industries.

Photo Source: Neowin

Unix Server OS is also reliable and secure. Unix is a very powerful operating system that can aid in multitasking, time-sharing, and is made for multiple users, file and password encryption. Just like the Linux Server, it is very customizable for different user needs.
What sets the Windows Server 2019 apart from all of these Linux based server operating systems is the ability to run a hybrid setup. As mentioned earlier, Windows Subsystems for Linux can run both at the same time, which is a game changer to many users. This new feature makes it easier for a user to use either a Windows dedicated server or a Linux dedicated server with no hassle. 

Conclusion

There are many new features to Windows Server 2019. This article only covered the completed new and fully supported features, but there are more updates and additional features that were once partially supported that are fully supported in this new version. This Windows Server 2019 a very substantial upgrade to the user experience, and makes this Server OS the best in the market.

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Windows is an OS that most people know because it usually comes installed on pre-assembled computers. Linux, on the other hand, is a free OS that allows you to modify your OS to your liking. Within the Linux system, there are many distributions or distros (as it is commonly known) that one can choose from. A distro is an OS based on the Linux kernel. Some of these distros are Red Hat, Ubuntu, Fedora, Kubuntu, Arch Linux, Deepin, and Mageia just to name a few.

These operating systems can give you the freedom to modify the OS in many ways, but the learning curve can be very high. This article will focus more on answering the specific question—Which server OS is best for you?

What’s the Difference between a Server OS and an Everyday OS?

Understanding the difference between a server OS and an everyday OS is crucial. There are very specific differences between a server OS and an everyday OS. An everyday OS runs programs including Microsoft Word and Excel, Adobe Photoshop, and one’s favorite computer games. There are also applications that make browsing the web and checking email easy. It also uses connections such as LAN and Bluetooth. Every day operating systems are also cheaper than a server OS.

Aside from being more expensive, a server OS platform typically has unlimited user connections, a greater amount of memory, and can act as a web server, database server, and email server. It is also optimized for a network instead of for a single user, which means a server OS can handle multiple desktops. A dedicated server that is built to a company’s specification and needs is what recommended. This ensures support, management, and the lack of downtime.

What OS Is Best for a Home Server and Personal Use?

When it comes to an OS for everyday personal use—I believe that a Windows OS or a Mac OS is a great choice, especially if you’re doing simple tasks and don’t need much customization. It’s easy to use which makes it perfect for everyday use. For gaming, Windows OS is better than Mac. Games are usually optimized for Windows and their hardware.

But when it comes to a home server—Windows and a Linux are probably the options you will need to decide between. In simple terms, a home server is a setup of two or more computers that make-up a local area network within a home. One personal computer can serve as a home server if it has enough storage and memory. Home servers are often used to share multimedia content between all devices. If you want to be able to access all of your movies, photos, etc. from all of your devices, a home server is a good idea.

Within Linux-based servers—there are many different distros to choose from when looking for an OS for a server. We will highlight some of the best servers to help you decide which is best for you.

Ubuntu

We will start this list with maybe the most well-known Linux operating system there is—Ubuntu. If you’re new to Linux, this could be the choice for you. While Ubuntu is not specifically a “server distro”, and while you still need to install server software on your own—many people still use it as such because of its user-friendliness. Ubuntu does make a server-specific version called Ubuntu Server (easy enough). This is a great choice for personal use and is perfect for those who are new to Linux-based systems because of its user-friendliness.

Debian

Along with Ubuntu, Debian server is also one of the oldest Linux distros available. Like most distros, Debian is community-based and ships with free software and drivers. There are only a few distros that are not free. The Debian warehouses have thousands of applications and are available for many different hardware devices. One downfall to Debian is the ease (or lack thereof) of installation. It’s one of the harder distros to install if you’re unfamiliar with Linux, and there are a number of steps you need to go through after you install the system to get the hardware working properly. Debian can be used as a server or general OS.

Fedora

A newer and interesting OS within Linux is Fedora. Based on and supported by Red Hat, Fedora Linux Server is another community distro. Fedora was designed to be on the cutting edge and always comes with the newest software and drivers. Fedora is also one of the easier distros to install and use. One could also have a Fedora Dedicated server, which has many benefits including high speeds, 3D graphics support, and automatic updates. Fedora would be good to use for a beginner or intermediate level of knowledge in a Linux system. Because it is always trying to be on the cutting edge, one of the downfalls of Fedora is it could be volatile and unreliable because not all packages are stable.

What OS Is Better for a Business Server?

There are hundreds of Linux-based distros currently available. But if you are looking for an OS that is suited for server use there are a couple of standouts. All of these server operating systems offer increased security, and fast cloud-ready tools, which make it ideal for a business server.

Microsoft Windows Server

We’ve been discussing different Linux-based options, but Microsoft still has one of the best server operating systems for business and personal server use as well. Microsoft Windows Server is developed from Windows 10 OS and is purposely designed to offer everything one needs to build a server. Like many Microsoft applications—it is easy to install and is available through the Microsoft official store. Microsoft Windows Server is also a cloud-ready OS, which makes it user-friendlier than most Linux-based systems. Although it may be more user-friendly than a Linux-based system, there may still be a learning curve when it comes to Windows Server edition. Many people are already familiar with Windows but may not be familiar with Windows Server.

Ubuntu Server

Just like Ubuntu OS, Ubuntu server is user-friendly. It also has many of the same benefits. It is secure, fast, and cost-effectively upgradable. It also supports most popular hardware and software that are available. Because of Ubuntu’s reputation—Ubuntu Server is also a trusted option when it comes to business and server use. Using an Ubuntu OS with an Ubuntu dedicated server enables the server allows more customization than a commercial-based operating system.

CentOS Server

Another well-known community distro is CentOS. Just like Fedora, it is based on Red Hat, but unlike Fedora—it is built more for the same audience as openSUSE. Because it uses the same installer as Fedora, it is easy to install and there is a fairly good selection of applications. Like many distros, CentOS is free and is a community enterprise with a group of contributors and users working on developing new applications and projects.

Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server

Red Hat Enterprise Linux is one of the world’s leading software companies based in America and is a well-known and widely used Linux distribution OS. It provides open sourced software solutions and products to many different industries around the world. Specifically designed for businesses, RHEL can also work on servers or desktops. Redhat and Fedora are two of the most used Linux distros in the world.

Unix Server

The Unix server OS is the reason we have Linux, but Unix is still a central part of the server industry. Having a Unix Dedicated server is advantageous for e-commerce businesses. Having a Unix server OS and a Unix Dedicated Server is reliable and secure. Unix can be used as a multitasking OS, time-sharing OS for multiple users, file and password encryption, and more. Just like Linux, the system is customizable to the user’s specifications.

What’s the Best OS for a Small, Medium, and Large Business?

By now, you probably realize the extent of how many OS choices you have. There are nearly 300 different operating systems to choose from. We highlighted some of the best operating systems for personal use and for business use, but now we are going to break it down even further. Because there are so many to choose from—it may all come down to preference, but we have decided on the best operating systems for small, medium, and large businesses.

Small Business

Microsoft Small Business Server is a great option for a small business. It is a combined server suite that is perfect for companies that have fewer than 75 users. This system is tightly integrated to allow small businesses easy and better connectivity. Microsoft Small Business Server includes tools like e-mail, internal websites, remote access, support for mobile devices, file and printer sharing, backup, restore, and more.

Medium Businesses

For medium-sized businesses, Ubuntu OS and Ubuntu Server are great options. It’s free, easy to install, and the name is a trusted name when it comes to operating systems. Because it is open-source, it can be customized and easily tailored to fit your business needs. The development community is always working on new ways to improve the system and is helpful when users have questions regarding any problems or concerns. Ubuntu can work for both small and medium-sized businesses, but because of its scalability, it is a great choice regardless.

Large Business

For larger businesses, I believe that a Windows 10 OS is still the way to go. It is still the popular choice for many businesses. Not all software is compatible with Linux operating systems, which makes it difficult to use at times. Most people are familiar with Windows so there is no issue trying to learn a new system. It’s also easier to set up compared to some Linux-based distros. Not all computer hardware will work with the latest software, but using a Microsoft OS may make it easier for compatibility.

Windows 10 also offers different operating systems depending on your needs. Windows 10 Enterprise E3 is designed for larger businesses and offers privacy and security across all devices. Windows 10 Enterprise E5 is the newest OS and is designed for companies that need advanced threat protection.

What’s New with Linux in 2024?

In 2024, Linux celebrates 33 years and continues to push the boundaries with new releases like Rhino Linux and Linux kernel 6.7.

Why Choose Rhino Linux?

Rhino Linux is a fresh Ubuntu-based option that stands out for its modern Xfce “Unicorn” desktop and its rolling release model that ensures your system stays current more easily. It leans on command-line tools for managing software, introducing rhino-pkg for easier software installs. While new users might find it a bit advanced, those familiar with tech will enjoy the customization and control it offers.

What’s Special About Kernel 6.7?

Kernel 6.7 is a major update, bringing in Bcachefs for improved reliability and performance, and better support for the latest hardware. This update keeps Linux at the forefront and ensures it supports the newest CPUs and GPUs while boosting security and efficiency.

These 2024 updates highlight Linux’s dedication to pushing technology forward. Rhino Linux and Kernel 6.7 bring new features and improvements, making Linux even more powerful for both beginners and experienced users.

How to Choose the Best OS for Your Needs in 2024?

Selecting an OS means looking at what you need and comparing it to what’s available. For personal or home server use, Linux options like Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, and OpenSuse are versatile and strong. With 2024’s updates, including Rhino Linux with its advanced features and the upgraded Linux kernel 6.7, Linux can potentially be more appealing for those looking for enhanced performance and reliability.

In a business setting, whether you’re running a small operation needing something like Microsoft Small Business Server, or a large company where Windows 10’s familiarity is key, choosing the right OS matters. Ubuntu Server is a good pick for medium-sized businesses due to its ability to scale and its security features.

In the end, the right OS for you depends on your specific needs and what you want to achieve with your tech setup. Whether you’re drawn to a Linux dedicated server for its innovation and open-source benefits or prefer a dedicated Windows server for its ease of use and compatibility, there’s an option that fits your requirements.

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RAID stands for “Redundant Array of Independent Disks.” Yeah, I would use the acronym too. Also, it’s not the bug spray. Just clearing that up.

There are multiple levels of RAID which all do different things, but it all boils down to one thing: data redundancy. Getting you your data faster and/or backing up your data in the case of emergency. https://www.youtube.com/embed/eE7Bfw9lFfs

Now that that’s out of the way, it’s good to know that RAID was invented back in 1988 to combat the costs of the high-performing disk drives back in the day. The argument was that an array of more inexpensive disks can outperform a single expensive disk.

Before we get into the “nitty-gritty,” you can click here to view a list of unfamiliar terminology that could help you understand RAID just a little bit better.

Raid Configurations

RAID 0

TL;DR: – minimum of two disks – fantastic, striped, performance – no redundancy – not for critical systems

RAID 0 is intended for fast read and write speeds giving the user terrific performance. RAID 0 is a bit different because despite its name, there is no redundancy. Instead, the data is “striped” across the drives which means each disk holds a piece of the overall information.

While this does allow for faster read and write speeds, it also means that if one of the drives fail, there is no way to recover any of the data on any remaining working disks.

RAID 0 is the preferred RAID configuration for gamers, where speed is of the utmost importance.

RAID 1

TL;DR: – minimum two disks – good performance – redundant (through mirrored blocks)

RAID 1 is a setup of at least two drives that contain the exact same data (as seen in the image above). RAID 1 provides what’s called “fault tolerance” meaning when one drive fails, the others will still work.

This is therefore a favorite for those who need high reliability.

The downfall, as you might have guessed, is that it doesn’t offer even close to the same write speeds as a RAID 0 configuration. When data is saved, it must be written to each drive, which, as you might have guessed again, means the write speed can only be as fast as the slowest drive in the array. Subsequently, storage space is also dependent on the smallest drive in the array.

Think of RAID 1’s efficiency as the number of drives divided by the number of drives. Two divided by two is one (one for storage and the other for backup). A five drive configuration still only has one drive’s worth of information (but four backups—talk about redundancy!).

RAID 5

TL:DR: – minimum three disks – good, striped performance – good redundancy (distributed parity) – most cost-effective option for performance and redundancy

The most popular setup, RAID 5 uses a similar striping method as RAID 0, and also has a “parity” distributed across the drives.

Using a logic gate known as Exclusive Or (XOR), data is pieced together in the event of a single drive failure, using the parity information stored on the other drives.

This function runs while the other drives continue their normal operations which means zero downtime in the event of a drive failure. This is why RAID 5 requires at least three drives.

RAID 5 loses 33 percent of storage space (using three drives) for that parity, but it is still a more cost-effective setup than RAID 1. The most popular RAID 5 configurations use four drives, which lowers the lost storage space to 25 percent.

RAID 10

TL:DR: – minimum of four disks – mirrored striping means excellent redundancy and performance – the best option for extremely critical applications (like databases)

RAID 10 consists of a minimum for four drives and has all the advantages of RAID 0 and RAID 1 (albeit at a slightly higher cost).

RAID 10 has the performance characteristics of a RAID 0 configuration, but instead on relying on single disks for striping, a mirrored array is used which provides that all-welcoming redundancy. This means that RAID 10 can provide the speed of RAID 0 with the redundancy of RAID 1, which is why you’ll sometimes see it written as RAID 1+0 (or 10).

How Does RAID Work?

RAID can be created using several different technologies which not only creates them, but manages them.

Hardware RAID

Hardware RAID is dedicated processing system, using controllers or RAID cards to manage the RAID configuration independently from the operating system.

Advantages: Performance and availability.

Since its on its own dedicated hardware, the RAID controller doesn’t take processing power away from the disks it manages. Which means more space and speed can be used to read and write data. Because of that, the RAID managing system should always be ready at bootup making it available more often than not.

Disadvantages: Proprietary and cost.

If the system fails, you’re usually locked into the vendor. Meaning you’ll have to get the exact model again to ensure the RAID system performs according to how you set it up. Thusly, those systems are not cheap, so you’ll have to factor cost into the RAID equation if you go with hardware RAID.

Software RAID

Unlike hardware RAID, software RAID does use the processing power of the operating system in which the RAID disks are installed.

Advantages: Flexible, open-source, cheap.

Since the OS manages nearly everything, you don’t have to reconfigure any hardware. Especially for Linux systems, RAID is open-sourced meaning there’s little divulgence between operating systems. Oh, and open source means that software RAID keeps your costs down .

Disadvantages: performance

Since some processing power is taken by the software, read and write speeds of your RAID configuration can be affected by it. It’s usually minimal, but it is something to consider.

Hardware-Assisted Software RAID

There is a third option called hardware-assisted software RAID which is really just fake RAID. HASR uses a type of firmware on the controller or card within the motherboard to manage RAID, yet uses the CPU to handle most of the processing.

Advantages: Not many.

Really the only advantage to HASR is that RAID is brought up early in the boot process, which may not have been possible with software RAID.

Disadvantages: performance and support.

Much like software RAID, the RAID process must share resources with the rest of the OS. The effects performance, but that’s not the real problem here. HASR really only supports RAID configurations of RAID 0 or RAID 1. The higher classes of RAID aren’t possible with HASR. This is why most try to avoid it, but it can be useful in home media storage or other personal RAID configurations.

Terminology

Below are some common, yet probably unfamiliar terms when dealing with RAID:

• Striping – the process of dividing the disk-writes to the array over multiple underlying disks. This splits the data into “chunks” and each of those “chunks” are are written into at least one of the underlying devices.
• RAID Level – RAID levels refer to the common relationship of the storage devices. Drives can be configured in many ways, leading to different performance and redundancy and they all have a name (RAID 0, RAID 5, etc.).
• Parity – parity is the redundant data that’s recovered from other disks when one drive fails. Parity is distributed across available drives which increases performance and redundancy. In other words, parity is used to reconstruct the data on the array with a drive fails.

Choosing the right RAID configuration for your needs is solely dependent on your business wants and goals. You’ll have to factor in things like redundancy, cost, speed, and reliability, but hopefully this guide can help you along the way. If you have anything to add or have any questions please feel free to comment below.

Note: Most images come from esds

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If you’re familiar with our business then you already know that the majority of business servers use some type of Linux OS. And if you’re not familiar with our business then you probably had no idea what a Fedora dedicated server was and your interest was piqued.

Well, for the uninitiated, Fedora is a particular distribution of the Linux kernel that is most famous for its GNOME and KDE environment on top of being 100 percent free. Like ONE HUNDRED PERCENT free, including all of its software and applications. Fedoras are also a type of hat. But that’s for another blog and another career comedy shouldn’t be for this humble blogger.

What Is Fedora Linux?

There are mountains of information on Fedora Linux out there, common for open-sourced OS. If you have any questions or wish to find more information, trust me, it’s not that hard to find. The Fedora community is quite knowledgeable and willing to help those unfamiliar adopt the OS.

Fedora is most famous for the aforementioned GNOME and KDE environment, but it’s also known for tremendous innovations, quick adoption of new technologies running on a sixth-month release cycle.

In fact, once a particular version of Fedora is deemed “stable” it becomes the next officially licensed Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). This is significant because RHEL is a paid version of Linux mostly used with large enterprises with little to no knowledge of Linux.

This makes Fedora one of the most popular Linux distributions and perfect for a dedicated server—here’s why:

Why Use a Fedora Dedicated Server?

There are many reasons to use Fedora, some we mentioned above and some that plain just make sense.

Fast Boot

Fedora is very fast. Most boots take only 20 seconds, some in much less.

Graphics

Support for 3D graphics cards and programs to work to utilize them make Fedora a great platform for designers and video editors.

Automatic Updates

Rolling Fedora updates keep bugs squashed and ensure you’re running the most secure and fast version of Fedora possible.

Virtualization

If you’re operating an enterprise and need virtualization, there’s really not a better platform to do so than Fedora. The Fedora community loves virtualization and improve it with almost every release.

Enterprise Level Flexibility

A Fedora dedicated server is always kept up-to-date on its software. The Fedora community frantically tests Fedora software before it’s released into the world—that way IT staffers don’t have to go through an “experimental” stage.

Fedora Dedicated Server Security

Fedora is the leader and innovator in the latest Linux security endeavors. The Fedora team and its engineers have developed many cutting edge features that other Linux distributions emulate in order to keep up to date. The following list of features are all Fedora server developed:

• Exec-shield: Automatically attempts to determine if data memory is executable or non-executable, and program memory is writable/non-writable. Exec-shield also randomizes the root address locations of running programs, in order to block buffer overflows. Compatible with x86 systems.
• ELF (Executable and linkable Format) Data Hardening: Increased file security through file data structure reinforcement
• Position Independent Executables (PIE): Allows programmer to make executable load at different memory addresses upon initiation. This prevents any potential infiltrators from being able to read where the application will load up, making the data hard to exploit.

Being an enterprise level operating system, Fedora has many security measures in place to keep system files and vital business data secure. The security measures in a Fedora Linux server are:

• System firewall to protect the server from virtual threats
• Separated user accounts with their own level of permissions and access
• Network services can only access part of the system
• Protected software installation that detects untrusted sources
• Perform system and software update with one command
• Prevention features that stop software from modifying parts of the system

What Are the Requirements for Configuring a Fedora Linux Web Server?

As an added benefit, check out how easy it is to set up Fedora:

Like most Linux distributions, Fedora can be installed on just about any Apache web server. This is generally done after the installation of Fedora on a server.

To see if Apache has been installed on your Fedora web server, open a Terminal window and run the following command:

rpm -q httpd

If the output response is the following (or similar) Apache has already been installed:

httpd-2.2.4-4.1.fc7

If not, then you should being the installation process by using the “Add/Remove Software” tool under “System → Administration” on the desktop menu.

Click the “Find” field and search for “httpd” and the Apache HTTP server should be listed in the search results. Click on it and then hit “Apply” and the installation should being.

Alternatively you can install Apache using a terminal window by entering this command line:

su –

yum install httpd

Testing the Web Server

Once Apache has been installed you should verify that the server is running.

To check the status you can use the default Internet browser (typically Firefox) and type 127.0.0.1 in the address bar to bring up the Fedora Test Page.

The post What Are the Benefits of a Fedora Dedicated Server? appeared first on Colocation America.

There are some who are still Windows 7 loyalists—and that’s fine—but any new computer that you buy starting today will almost certainly have Windows 10 installed, so you best become familiar with it eventually. To view a little more about Windows 10, please enjoy the video below:

But if you’ve been paying attention to Microsoft’s famous operating system (OS), you might be wondering why you had Windows 8 (or 8.1) installed and suddenly you’re downloading (for free!) Windows 10.

Like, what happened to Windows 9?

Many people are wondering the same thing and while there’s not an official explanation from Microsoft, there are still an abundant amount of theories on the Internet as to why Microsoft decided to skip Windows 9.

So…

Why Did Microsoft Skip Windows 9?

Let’s just ignore all the crazy conspiracies on the matter, like the German word for “No” having strong WWII connotations and my personal favorite that 7 ate 9 and focus on some that actually make a bit of sense.

Photo Credit: dailymotion.com

Microsoft’s Legacy Code

Let’s start wondering if whether or not Microsoft had Windows legacy code implemented into their OS. This one is the most plausible to me. Basically, the theory states that Microsoft couldn’t name the new OS Windows 9 because (if you’re old enough to remember) there have already been a few versions of Windows that started with “9.”

Windows 95 and Windows 98 to be exact.

Basically, lazy developers added shortcode to some third party softwares and applications that check for the Windows version name for only the “9” preceding the “5” or the “8.”

In fact, a Reddit user claiming to be a Windows developer posits the same idea:

I guess Microsoft noticed enough of these legacy shortcuts that it pushed them to rename the entire OS to something that couldn’t be construed by it. Or at least, as the theory goes.

Marketing To Combat Apple

Another theory floating around out there is that Apple’s newest OS is named Mac OSX and Microsoft’s Windows 9 would seem like an inferior, or a-year-behind OS.

This theory has some credence from a marketing perspective and Microsoft could have even done this before.

Microsoft’s Xbox gaming console’s main competitor is Sony’s PlayStation. Unfortunately for Microsoft, The PlayStation was already on version 2 (aptly named PlayStation 2) when the first version of the Xbox was released. When both consoles were ready to move on to the next generation, Microsoft didn’t want to have an Xbox 2 to Sony’s PlayStation 3 and such they named their new console the Xbox 360.

Therefore the same tactic could be said for Windows skipping Windows 9 and naming it Windows 10 to match Apple’s OSX.

Makes sense, right?

Windows 10 Is Just Too Far of a Leap

Another theory that can be construed from this Windows article detailing Windows 10 is that it’s just too far of a leap from Windows 8 to simply be called Windows 9.

Granted, there are some cool new features (detailed a bit in the video above) in Windows 10, but nothing that would really warrant the skipping of an entire number.

If anything, the leap from Windows 7 to Windows 8 could be seen as a larger leap but Windows decided to name it Windows 8 anyways.

There might be some warrant to this, but as far as I’m concerned this one just doesn’t hold enough water for me.

The Windows One Theory

Windows 10 is supposed to forefront Microsoft’s idea for Windows 8 being available on all of Microsoft’s devices (syncing perfectly, etc.). However, this really didn’t come to pass with Windows 8, but allegedly Microsoft wanted to call Windows 10 “Windows One” because it was one OS across all of their devices.

Unfortunately, Microsoft already had a Windows One—their very first OS. Instead they named it Windows 10, a nice whole number that could portray a feeling of “one” being that the number 1 is in there, I guess. This theory is nice, and there is some water to the idea that Windows 10 just sounds more authoritative than Windows 9. Ten is just a better sounding number. Whether or not that was Microsoft’s reasoning or not is another thing all entirely.

We may never know the reason why Microsoft skipped Windows 9 and went with Windows 10 after Windows 8. It could be for the reasons above (especially the 7 ate 9 theory, right?) or it could have something to do with Windows 10 having rolling updates for the near future and ten was just the perfect number.

Who knows? We’ll be sure to let you know if Microsoft announces anything official on the matter. Until then, we’ll keep our eyes out for more theories and speculations on the matter.

In the meantime, let us know what you believe is the reason Microsoft chose Windows 10 over Windows 9 in the comments below!

The post What Happened to Windows 9? appeared first on Colocation America.

To go along with, but not simultaneously, Windows 10—I guess you could call it personal since it’s for desktop, tablet, and phone—OS, Windows Server 2016 looks to improve upon and innovate the well-received Windows Server 2012 R2.

Windows Server 2016 is expected to release to the public early in 2016 (there are some technical previews available for those who would like to test it out) but there’s already much to learn about the new features and improvements, so let’s get started.

What Are the Best New Features of Windows Server 2016?

A Microsoft Windows Server has always been known for its “basically-complex” interface where advanced server administrators can determine the proper settings for office usage, and front-end users can operate the OS with little-to-no difficulty. It’s part of what makes the Windows Server operating system so popular and with Windows Server 2016 that is no different.

As with every new OS new features are added and older features are improved upon (or worsened depending on who you ask), but what makes Windows Server 2016 stand apart from its predecessor? Let’s list a few new and improved features below.

Windows Nano Server

Built under the codename “Tuva,” Windows Nano Server is “a purpose-built operating system designed to run born-in-the-cloud applications and containers.” Basically, it’s designed to be fully managed remotely, or what’s called “headless” in the server OS world. That means that there is no Graphical User Interface (GUI) which drastically cuts down on the OS’s VHD space.

In fact, Microsoft is claiming a 93 percent less VHD size than the full Windows Server OS. Allegedly, and I have no reason to doubt this, Windows Nano Server will also result in 80 percent fewer required reboots (hello, Linux).

Not having a GUI does have its drawbacks, however. There will be no command prompt, PowerShell, or even a local login. More regrettably, perhaps, is that Windows Nano Server won’t even allow the use of traditional Windows applications.

But that’s quite alright—Nano Server isn’t intended for all of that and it’s especially not intended to replace Windows Server. From Nano Server you can remotely transfer your files, write scripts (again, remotely), and debug from Visual Studio. And while it can’t run PowerShell from itself, it’s managed through PowerShell, so the two are mutually exclusive, so to speak.

Windows Nano Server offers the opportunity to perform basic server maintenance without weighing down multiple machines. It’s an exciting prospect and one of the best-looking new features of Windows Server 2016.

Hyper-V Rolling Updates, Add and Removal of Virtual Memory Network Adapters

Hyper-V, one of Windows Server’s most popular applications, is getting beefed up in Windows Server 2016 to the tune of rolling updates for faster support of other operating systems.

That means that a server administrator can hook up a Windows Server 2016 node-cluster to an already existing Hyper-V node-cluster running Windows Server 2012 R2 or earlier—or many other operating systems for that matter.

This will be updated regularly (hence “rolling updates”) to allow for Hyper-V node-clusters to work with new operating systems as they hit the market—a feature that took some time (if ever) in previous versions of Windows Server Hyper-V.

Aside from rolling updates, Hyper-V is getting even more new features—most notably is the ability to add and remove virtual memory as needed while the running the virtual machine. To do this in the past, one would need to use dynamic memory to change those specifications while in use, but in WS 2016 this can be done while using static memory.

And, for good measure, you can even add or remove network adapters while in use. Hyper-V’s new features will make it tough to beat for competitors.

For more new features of Windows Server 2016 click here.

How Windows Server 2016 Is Upping Security

The release of WS 2016 will bring with it a host of new security improvements. While Microsoft has been moot about many of the details (probably a smart move) they have announced a new “Host Guardian Service” that will protect Virtual Machines (VM) like never before.

Virtual machines typically run in shared environments which allow for many avenues for security flaws to happen. Microsoft’s Host Guardian Service will only allow access to these shared VMs from completely trusted sources.

Security in these shared environment has always been a major concern for Windows Server users and hopefully there will be more details regarding such in the next technical preview.

As always, we’ll keep you updated.

While not Earth-shattering (as of yet), Windows Server 2016 will hope to piggyback off of the success of Windows 10. New security measures coupled with promising new features aim to please server administrators and front-end users alike.

If you’d like to try it out, you can visit Microsoft’s technical preview download page here and if you’re using it already, please let us know of any awesome new features that you enjoy in the comments below.

*Main photo credit: thewindowsbulletin.com

The post What to Expect in Windows Server 2016 appeared first on Colocation America.

The community is over 300 developers large, and thousands of users have adopted the platform for their OS of choice, whether for working or for gaming. Their wiki introduces the architecture and the bare bones of Gentoo, but the discussion forums are where you really get to learn the ins and outs.

The most exciting part of Gentoo Linux is that security is at the forefront. The security team responds to issues and bugs in a timely manner, recruiting “Padawans” who want to help out the cause. There are tips on installing Gentoo properly, and announcements called GLSAs (Gentoo Linux Security Announcements) that are distributed if something is on their radar. GLSAs include the issue, possible workarounds, and the resolution once the vulnerability has been defeated.

Remote desktop computing is probably the best use of Gentoo, but it’s also been proven to be a reliable secure server tool as well. There are data centers that offer it to their dedicated server clients because of its positive reputation.

Original:

Truth be told, there are at least a dozen Linux based distributions that can be configured to run applications on a dedicated server.

The beauty of the Linux based operation system is that it can be optimized to run multiple distributions. Gentoo Linux is yet another fine distribution that can run on Linux. A Gentoo Linux Server is highly configurable and packs a punch in the security department.

Best Linux Server

Truth be told, there are nearly a dozen Linux based distributions that can be configured to run applications on a dedicated server. To some, the best Linux Server is the Gentoo Linux server. This is because much of the Gentoo community is obsessed with security and the confidentiality of the user. Gentoo developers often work directly with third party vendors making sure that problems are addressed promptly and correctly the first time around. Gentoo.org posts security updates often as well as tips on how to keep your Gentoo Linux Server secure at all times.

Gentoo at a glance

The Gentoo community is comprised of 300 developers, all of whom are dedicated to the long term support and development of this Linux based distribution. Like all other Linux distributions, Gentoo relies on the support of the community ensuring a user friendly experience. A Gentoo linux server is well suited for remote desktop use, web development as well secure server configurations.

Gentoo Linux Servers run a designated software distribution called Portage, which simplifies desktop computing functions for each individual user. With Portage users can customize their settings and fine tune the hardware on their machine on the fly. Of course, like every other Linux based OS, Gentoo is actively updated by the community of users and developers alike, ensuring server performance stays consistent, especially on the enterprise level.

The post UPDATE: Enhanced Security with Gentoo Linux appeared first on Colocation America.

More information:
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security-updates/SecurityBulletins/2014/ms14-066?redirectedfrom=MSDN

Affected systems:
Windows Server 2003

Windows Server 2008

Windows Server 2008 R2

Windows Server 2012

Windows Server 2012 R2

Windows Vista

Windows 7

Windows 8 and 8.1

Windows RT

Windows RT 8.1

Windows Server Core

Impact:

This vulnerability allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code on a target server by sending specifically crafted packets to a windows server.

Resolution:

Microsoft has released a patch to fix this issue described in KB2992611 https://support.microsoft.com/kb/2992611. This patch should be installed on all servers.

If you have any more questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at:

Colocation America Support
800-296-8915

213-928-6929

The post How To Protect Yourself From Microsoft’s Schannel Security Vulnerability appeared first on Colocation America.

Rejoice!

And get ready to work out your restart finger for whenever you inadvertently change a setting and the confounding user interface is a tar-pit of frustrations to wiggle through to find the function you’re looking for.

But seriously, Windows 9 promises to go back to the glory days of when people actually liked Windows. Because, if it ain’t broke—make enormous, clunky (see: Charms), silly changes, right?

For the .0001 percent of you out there who actually like Windows 8 (I’ll admit, it’s grown on me now that I can actually close an app buy clicking a “x” button at the top right of my screen) say goodbye to ahead-of-an-ambiguous-time-period features like the charms menu and hello to an old friend: the start menu.

Now, of course, these are all unconfirmed rumors—but good ol’ Microsoft can’t be that stupid, right?

Anyways, Windows 9 is rumored to be in the developer-testing phase starting around late-September or early-October.

What does Windows 9 mean for you?

This:

That’s right—that’s the rumored-and-potentially-leaked image of the Windows 9 start menu. Wooooot!

Now everyone can get back to just hating all the freezing and crashing instead of complaining about that extra keystroke/menu they had to suffer through in 8.

Has Microsoft Finally Learned From Its Mistakes?

Hopefully they have as the proof is in the buggy pudding.

From a touch interface standpoint, Windows 8 was okay, but I believe they totally miscalculated the amount of people who would actually use the OS on a touchscreen. Which is why Windows 8.1 happened where they tried to make it way more mouse and keyboard friendly.

It’ll be very interesting to see what Microsoft has in store for their new operating system. With Apple’s OSx and Google’s Chromebook (which is increasingly being found in classrooms), Windows has some legitimate competitors.

Maybe changing the entire, well-liked (for the most part), familiar interface of Windows won’t be such a great idea this time.

For more information please contact QC Crea 

The post Frustrated Monday: Get Ready for Windows 9 … Coming Soon appeared first on Colocation America.