Server-side Windows vs. Linux: Considering today’s differences

I know that these comparisons are generally to be taken with a total grain of salt. Regardless, it does provide for a good read.

Not long ago, choosing Linux in the data center meant a tradeoff. You had to give up some capabilities in exchange for freedom from Microsoft lock-in. But that has changed. These days the features of Windows and Linux stack up against each other very competitively. For the most part, administrators can choose Linux or Windows today without losing out. Some differences, however, must be considered. In this article, I look at several of those differences.
Management

One of the most broadly touted strengths of Windows is the uniformity of its presentation and its management tools. This is even truer with Windows Server 2003, in which the vast majority of the server’s administrative functions can be handled from one console window, and a whole slew of servers can be similarly overseen.

The administrative tools available for different Linux implementations vary widely depending on what you’re administering. You can easily find a plethora of management tools for any given aspect of Linux. The management tools available for the Apache Web server, for instance, include both a commercial product (Hyperic HQ) and a number of free and open source tools (e.g., Webmin, which can be used to administer not only Apache but just about any Linux service as well). Because the protocols and behaviors of almost everything in Linux are documented openly, it is fairly easy to create management tools for Linux…. Source: searchopensource.techtarget.com