Operating Systems

Fastup prefered operating systems are FreeBSD, CentOS and Ubuntu. We use FreeBSD, CentOS and Ubuntu Server Edition as our prefered guest operating systems. We have CentOS as our prefered host operating system for our virtualized environment (host operating system).

FreeBSD

FreeBSD® is an advanced operating system for modern server, desktop, and embedded computer platforms. FreeBSD’s code base has undergone over thirty years of continuous development, improvement, and optimization. It is developed and maintained by a large team of individuals. FreeBSD provides advanced networking, impressive security features, and world class performance and is used by some of the world’s busiest web sites and most pervasive embedded networking and storage devices.

Centos

CentOS is a free Enterprise-class Linux Distribution derived from sources freely provided to the public by a prominent North American Enterprise Linux vendor. CentOS conforms fully with the upstream vendors redistribution policy and aims to be 100% binary compatible.

CentOS is developed by a small but growing team of core developers. In turn the core developers are supported by an active user community including system administrators, network administrators, enterprise users, managers, core Linux contributors and Linux enthusiasts from around the world.

CentOS has numerous advantages over some of the other clone projects including: an active and growing user community, quickly rebuilt, tested, and QA’ed errata packages, an extensive mirror network, developers who are contactable and responsive, multiple free support avenues including IRC Chat, Mailing Lists, Forums, a dynamic FAQ. Commercial support is offered via a number of vendors.

Ubuntu

Ubuntu is an entirely open source operating system built around the Linux kernel. The Ubuntu community is built around the ideals enshrined in the Ubuntu Philosophy: that software should be available free of charge, that software tools should be usable by people in their local language and despite any disabilities, and that people should have the freedom to customize and alter their software in whatever way they see fit. For those reasons:

• Ubuntu will always be free of charge, and there is no extra fee for the “enterprise edition”; we make our very best work available to everyone on the same Free terms.
• Ubuntu includes the very best in translations and accessibility infrastructure that the free software community has to offer, to make Ubuntu usable for as many people as possible.
• Ubuntu is released regularly and predictably; a new release is made every six months. You can use the current stable release or the current development release. Each release is supported for at least 18 months.
• Ubuntu is entirely committed to the principles of open source software development; we encourage people to use open source software, improve it and pass it on.

Ubuntu server has a lean, efficient architecture. This allows you to deliver more services with less computing power and less resources required. Ubuntu Server’s streamlined, built-for-purpose technology means there is less to go wrong.

For skilled administrators Ubuntu Server is easy to maintain, making administration a refreshingly simple process. Many standard services can take just 15-30 minutes to configure.

After the initial configuration, maintenance and security updates are automatic so the system can simply run and run, providing vital services without the need for intervention. Even upgrades are managed seamlessly, with Ubuntu’s twin path of short and long-term support periods offering a choice between the latest technologies and the stability of five-year support.

Applications are often referred to as packages in Ubuntu because, unlike other Linux systems, the application and the dependencies required to run it are ‘packaged’ together. This means applications can be manages with simple commands.

Ubuntu Server is provided free of licensing and subscription fees. The Ubuntu security team provides vital maintenance and security updates for free. So subscription and licence fees can be reassigned to pay for services such as Landscape, consulting and technical support that add significant value to your organisation.