I have noticed on these forums the fair majority seem to run Windows based servers either using the Server OS (WHS 2011, Server 2012) or some are even using Windows 8.1 as home server OS
I have been struggling to decide lately i am about to build a new server and i am wondering which direction i should go should i try a Linux Distro (I don't know much about linux but has spent some time trying things out on different distro's mainly ubuntu based)
Or if i should simply install perhaps Windows 8.1 Pro (I cannot afford the Server 2012 version and i don't use all the extra stuff i mostly share files and backup my other desktops)
so i have a couple questions
1. Have any of you tried or are currently running Linux Based Server and if so how have you found it in terms of reliability and ease of use
2. Same question as above for Windows 8.1
3. How stable is Windows 8.1 can it be run 24/7 for at least a month at a time (until new updates are released)
4. Is Windows 8.1 Light on resources and power usage
5. Have you run into any major issues using either in terms of hardware incompatibility or failures like crashes or data corruption
My Server will be the following
CPU - Intel i5 3330
Mobo - Asrock B75 Pro-3-m
Ram - 4gb DDR3 1600mhz
Storage = 6 x 2TB, 2 x 1TB, 1 x 3TB + OS Drive initially a Toshiba 2.5 laptop drive 160gb & eventually a Samsung 840 Evo SSD 120gb
I am leaning towards the Windows build as it is more familiart but i am curious about linux as i hear it rarely needs reboots, no antivirus protection needed, and very stable, and Light on resources
I was wondering how windows 8.1 stacks up in terms of Reliability, Stability and Performance