Best operating system for a server computer?

[jailz]

What operating system should I use to host games such as Minecraft, Gary's mod, and other games that I may want to host in the future?

What are the reasons one operating system is better then the other? I've heard that linux is good for servers, I don't know about anything else, Is linux the best option? If so what version?

 

[ahnilated]

Linux is free and very stable. You just need to know how to use it and set it up.

 

[TechyInAZ]

Linux has a lot of flavors. I recommend Linux Ubuntu because it is the most popular and most widely used Linux OS.

 

[ronintexas]

It really depends upon what operating system(s) the games you want to host are written in. From what I understand, most games that are server based will run on any operating system - but there are a few that require either Linux, MAC or Windows based OS. Linux & Microsoft are going to be the two most stable environments - with Microsoft being the more familiar to Windows users. Linux servers host a majority of the web and gaming platforms - due to cost and resource management.

Linux servers will run on virtually anything out there - from an old PC to any server based hardware. Microsoft Server (2008, 2008R2, 2012, 2012R2) are going to run best on server based hardware - but will run on virtually everything.

Windows Server will run about $600 (you can find some on eBay for less) - and Linux is free.

Server hardware - specifically a Dell 2950 with 32GB or less of RAM are going pretty cheap - eBay is littered with them for about $200-$300 - and some come with the OS license.

It comes down to money in most instances - are you willing to spend the money for the Microsoft solution, or do you want a "cheap" (not meaning loss of quality) solution.

 

[jailz]

Linux is free and very stable. You just need to know how to use it and set it up.

I see, so if I used linux on the same pc I have windows 8.1 installed (Can't remember but I thought I heard somone talking about a dual boot thing) would I be able to use Linux to start the servers and then switch over to windows and play on those servers? Thanks.

 

[jailz]

Linux has a lot of flavors. I recommend Linux Ubuntu because it is the most popular and most widely used Linux OS.

I see, so if I used linux on the same pc I have windows 8.1 installed (Can't remember but I thought I heard somone talking about a dual boot thing) would I be able to use Linux to start the servers and then switch over to windows and play on those servers? Thanks. p.s So is Linux Ubuntu the best for making servers on linux or just the easiest for beginners?

 

[jailz]

It really depends upon what operating system(s) the games you want to host are written in. From what I understand, most games that are server based will run on any operating system - but there are a few that require either Linux, MAC or Windows based OS. Linux & Microsoft are going to be the two most stable environments - with Microsoft being the more familiar to Windows users. Linux servers host a majority of the web and gaming platforms - due to cost and resource management.

Linux servers will run on virtually anything out there - from an old PC to any server based hardware. Microsoft Server (2008, 2008R2, 2012, 2012R2) are going to run best on server based hardware - but will run on virtually everything.

Windows Server will run about $600 (you can find some on eBay for less) - and Linux is free.

Server hardware - specifically a Dell 2950 with 32GB or less of RAM are going pretty cheap - eBay is littered with them for about $200-$300 - and some come with the OS license.

It comes down to money in most instances - are you willing to spend the money for the Microsoft solution, or do you want a "cheap" (not meaning loss of quality) solution.

I see, so if I used linux on the same pc I have windows 8.1 installed (Can't remember but I thought I heard somone talking about a dual boot thing) would I be able to use Linux to start the servers and then switch over to windows and play on those servers? Thanks. P.s If I use the system I have now with 8gb, would the people on the servers get much lag? And if I do buy more ram would that stop the lag, or would I need to upgrade my internet?

 

[ronintexas]

Dual boot is one or the other - not both at the same time. You can do virtual machines with Windows 8.1 (this will take away CPU cores, memory and hard drive space to support the virtual machine).

My suggestion if you are going to be serious about hosting games is to build a "budget PC" (around $500-$600) or get a Dell 2950 used off eBay to host the games. 8GB of RAM isn't much to do virtual machines, and upgrading your current machine to run the server may end up costing you $200-$300, and your machine would be slower while hosting....

 

[jailz]

Dual boot is one or the other - not both at the same time. You can do virtual machines with Windows 8.1 (this will take away CPU cores, memory and hard drive space to support the virtual machine).

My suggestion if you are going to be serious about hosting games is to build a "budget PC" (around $500-$600) or get a Dell 2950 used off eBay to host the games. 8GB of RAM isn't much to do virtual machines, and upgrading your current machine to run the server may end up costing you $200-$300, and your machine would be slower while hosting....

Thank you for the help. Also thanks to everyone else that helped.