Solution #2
Linux Server
Rather than paying cash for server software and additional cash for
client access licenses, small businesses can also opt to adopt
opensource solutions like Linux.
It provides:
- file and printer sharing to
Windows desktop clients with
optional domain security (through Samba)
- optional email services
(through opensource mail
servers)
- optional shared
fax allows users to fax from their
desktop
- software firewall support
(through IPTABLES)
Samba has the ability to emulate a Windows-based Server through the use
of the SMB protocol. The desktop computers think they are
connecting to a Windows-based server and the users themselves will not
likely ever know the difference.
For a truely opensource solution, it is possible to use Linux desktops
to connect to the server rather than use desktop computers based on
Windows 2000/XP.
