Windows Server 2012 vs NethServer

Struggling to choose between Windows Server 2012 and NethServer? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

Windows Server 2012 is a Network & Admin solution with tags like server, operating-system, virtualization, storage, networking, security, cloud-computing.

It boasts features such as Hyper-V virtualization, Storage Spaces, NIC teaming, IPAM, Powershell 3.0, Active Directory, Group Policy, DFS, Failover Clustering and pros including Built-in virtualization, Efficient storage management, Improved networking, Enhanced security, Powerful automation, Role-based access control, File replication, High availability.

On the other hand, NethServer is a Network & Admin product tagged with linux, centos, server, file-sharing, dns, dhcp, mail.

Its standout features include Web interface for server configuration, Modules for common server functionality (file sharing, DNS, DHCP, mail, etc), Based on CentOS and RHEL, Support for virtualization platforms like KVM and Xen, Centralized authentication via LDAP and Active Directory, Firewall and bandwidth management, Web proxy and content filter, Mail server with anti-spam and anti-virus, Nextcloud integration for file sync and share, Backup solutions like Bacula community edition, and it shines with pros like Easy to use web interface simplifies server management, Good selection of built-in modules for common tasks, Stable base of CentOS/RHEL, Active open source community support, Free and open source software.

Feature	Windows Server 2012	NethServer
Overall Score	N/A	N/A
Primary Category	Network & Admin	Network & Admin

Product Overview

Windows Server 2012

Description: Windows Server 2012 is a server operating system released by Microsoft in 2012. It includes features for virtualization, storage, networking, security, and cloud computing. It aims to provide an efficient and flexible platform for running business applications and services.

NethServer

Description: NethServer is an open source Linux distribution based on CentOS that is optimized for use as a server platform. It simplifies server management through a user-friendly web interface and modules that provide common functionality like file sharing, DNS, DHCP, mail, etc.

Key Features Comparison

Windows Server 2012 Features

• Hyper-V virtualization
• Storage Spaces
• NIC teaming
• IPAM
• Powershell 3.0
• Active Directory
• Group Policy
• DFS
• Failover Clustering

NethServer Features

• Web interface for server configuration
• Modules for common server functionality (file sharing, DNS, DHCP, mail, etc)
• Based on CentOS and RHEL
• Support for virtualization platforms like KVM and Xen
• Centralized authentication via LDAP and Active Directory
• Firewall and bandwidth management
• Web proxy and content filter
• Mail server with anti-spam and anti-virus
• Nextcloud integration for file sync and share
• Backup solutions like Bacula community edition

Pros & Cons Analysis

Windows Server 2012

Pros

• Built-in virtualization
• Efficient storage management
• Improved networking
• Enhanced security
• Powerful automation
• Role-based access control
• File replication
• High availability

Cons

• Complex licensing
• Steep learning curve
• Expensive
• Frequent updates

NethServer

Pros

• Easy to use web interface simplifies server management
• Good selection of built-in modules for common tasks
• Stable base of CentOS/RHEL
• Active open source community support
• Free and open source software

Cons

• Less flexibility compared to manually configuring services
• Limited scalability compared to commercial solutions
• Requires some Linux/sysadmin knowledge for setup and maintenance
• Not all modules are open source

Pricing Comparison

Windows Server 2012

• Subscription-Based
• Custom Pricing

NethServer

• Open Source
• Free