Difference between Linux and UNIX operating systems?

Linux Is Just a Kernel:

• Linux is just a kernel. All Linux distributions includes GUI system + GNU utilities (such as cp, mv, ls,date, bash etc) + installation & management tools + GNU c/c++ Compilers + Editors (vi) + and various applications (such as OpenOffice, Firefox).

• However, most UNIX operating systems are considered as a complete operating system as everything come from a single source or vendor.

• As I said earlier Linux is just a kernel and Linux distribution makes it complete usable operating systems by adding various applications.

• Most UNIX operating systems comes with A-Z programs such as editor, compilers etc. For example HP-UX or Solaris comes with A-Z programs.

License and cost:

• Linux is Free (as in beer [freedom]). You can download it from the Internet or redistribute it under GNU licenses. You will see the best community support for Linux.

• Most UNIX like operating systems are not free (but this is changing fast, for example OpenSolaris UNIX). However, some Linux distributions such as Redhat / Novell provides additional Linux support, consultancy, bug fixing, and training for additional fees.

User-Friendly:

• Linux is considered as most user friendly UNIX like operating systems. It makes it easy to install sound card, flash players, and other desktop goodies.

• However, Apple OS X is most popular UNIX operating system for desktop usage.

Security Firewall Software:

• Linux comes with open source netfilter/iptables based firewall tool to protect your server and desktop from the crackers and hackers.

• UNIX operating systems comes with its own firewall product (for example Solaris UNIX comes with ipfilter based firewall) or you need to purchase a 3rd party software such as Checkpoint UNIX firewall.

Backup and Recovery Software:

• UNIX and Linux comes with different set of tools for backing up data to tape and other backup media. However, both of them share some common tools such as tar, dump/restore, and cpio etc.

File Systems:

• Linux by default supports and use ext3 or ext4 file systems.

• UNIX comes with various file systems such as jfs, gpfs (AIX), jfs, gpfs (HP-UX), jfs, gpfs (Solaris).

System Administration Tools:

1. UNIX comes with its own tools such as SAM on HP-UX.

2. Suse Linux comes with Yast

3. Redhat Linux comes with its own gui tools called redhat-config-*.

However, editing text config file and typing commands are most popular options for sys admin work under UNIX and Linux.

System Startup Scripts:

Almost every version of UNIX and Linux comes with system initialization script but they are located in different directories:

1. HP-UX - /sbin/init.d

2. AIX - /etc/rc.d/init.d

3. Linux - /etc/init.d

End User Perspective:

The differences are not that big for the average end user. They will use the same shell (e.g. bash or ksh) and other development tools such as Perl or Eclipse development tool.

System Administrator Perspective:

Again, the differences are not that big for the system administrator. However, you may notice various differences while performing the following operations:

1. Software installation procedure

2. Hardware device names

3. Various admin commands or utilities

4. Software RAID devices and mirroring

5. Logical volume management

6. Package management

7. Patch management

UNIX Operating System Names:

A few popular names:

1. HP-UX

2. IBM AIX

3. Sun Solairs

4. Mac OS X

5. IRIX

Linux Distribution (Operating System) Names:

A few popular names:

1. Redhat Enterprise Linux

2. Fedora Linux

3. Debian Linux

4. Suse Enterprise Linux

5. Ubuntu Linux

Common Things Between Linux & UNIX:

Both share many common applications such as:

1. GUI, file, and windows managers (KDE, Gnome)

2. Shells (ksh, csh, bash)

3. Various office applications such as OpenOffice.org

4. Development tools (perl, php, python, GNU c/c++ compilers)

5. Posix interface