Why are so many gaming servers running Linux?

[WynnM3]

Hey I am in a Linux Administration (Server) course and I am thinking about writing my final paper on why so many gaming servers(BFV, UT2004) use Linux. My own BFV clan {WC} run 2 Linux servers, as well as about 60% of all BFV servers. Can anyone tell my why? What are the advantages of this over Windows?

Thanks,
Wynn

[primesuspect]

stability, mostly. and security.

[^Ben]

Cheaper to set up?

[primesuspect]

And faster out of the box. Linux has a smaller footprint than windows.

[GrayFox]

Hey I am in a Linux Administration (Server) course and I am thinking about writing my final paper on why so many gaming servers(BFV, UT2004) use Linux. My own BFV clan {WC} run 2 Linux servers, as well as about 60% of all BFV servers. Can anyone tell my why? What are the advantages of this over Windows?

Thanks,
Wynn
stability security
less maintnence

[primesuspect]

I don't know about the less maintenance part. I think linux is more maintainance than windows.... And I run a hosting company.... :-/

[Thrax]

The biggest thing game servers need is RAM, then a good connection; Linux's smaller memory footprint frees up the precious commodity of RAM for the game.

[GrayFox]

I don't know about the less maintenance part. I think linux is more maintainance than windows.... And I run a hosting company.... :-/
You set it up turn it on then leave it till hardware fails :p
on windows u need a reset @ least once a week for optimal proformence :p

[primesuspect]

Totally not true. We have two windows servers, one 2000 and one 2003 that both have months and months of perfect uptime :rolleyes:

When I say maintenance, I mean security updates and software patches. If I operated my business under your philosophy:

You set it up turn it on then leave it till hardware fails

Then I would be out of business. Ask some of the old timers what happens to unpatched linux servers.

[EMT]

Also Linux is very easy to administrate (or just run plain old shell account) remotely.