Spotlight: Migration and interoperabilityHere's your fast guide to SearchOpenSource.com's most-read how-tos on Windows-Linux relations. These tips can either help you migrate from Microsoft's operating systems and applications to Linux and open source software or make them peacefully coexist. Get the scoop on Knoppix, using Excel with open source databases, file sharing with Samba and more.
Top interoperability/migration tips:
- Tip: Middleware application servers: Loosening the constraints of proprietary lock-in
Consider Red Hat's Java EE-based JBoss as the open source, enterprise-ready answer to your Windows-to-Linux migrations. This application server comes with migration program support services and certified system integrators to facilitate enterprise-level migration.
- Tip: Knoppix, other tools that ease Windows-to-Linux PC moves
Get insights on software and resources for assessing the fitness of a specific hardware configuration before you commit to doing away with Windows in favor of Linux.
- Tip: Smart formatting for better compatibility between OpenOffice.org and Microsoft Office
An office suite expert describes how to format documents in OpenOffice and Microsoft office using program features that will make ease compatibility headaches.
- Tip: Server-side Windows vs. Linux: Considering today's differences
Not long ago, choosing Linux in the data center meant you had to give up some capabilities in exchange for freedom from Microsoft lock-in. Although that has changed, and the two operating systems sport comparable features these days, some differences remain.
- Tip: RHEL4 and Windows integration using Samba-3
Follow Ken Milberg as he sets up Samba-3 on RHEL4 server, so that clients can access file and print services like Wintel servers.
- Article: PostgreSQL vs. SQL Server: PostgreSQL is right for the Microsoft stack
Is open source database PostgreSQL ready to replace Microsoft's SQL Server in the enterprise? Web application developer and author W. Jason Gilmore tackles the question in this column.
- Column: Golden's Rules: Migrating from SQL Server to MySQL
Learn the keys to migrating your apps, operations and data in this column.
- Tip: Running PostgreSQL in a cross-platform environment
PostgreSQL is a great open source database management tool that's compatible across platforms. This article by Robert Treat explains how PostgreSQL facilitates cross-platform development and points out various tools within PostgreSQL that help database administrators get the job done.
- Tip: Switching the enterprise to OSS: Directory services (part one)
This two-part article by writer Frank van Wensveen describes how to migrate directory services to open source. Part one covers the necessary components and OpenLDAP configuration.
- Tip: How to switch an enterprise to OSS, part two
Learn the right way how to plan for worst-case scenarios, assessing system inventories and rollouts when you migrate your commercial software to OSS in a corporate environment..
- Tip: Migrating applications from Linux/Unix to Windows (or vice versa)
If you're planning a Win-to-Lin migration, it's important to consider how factors like platform-specific and -independent apps and source-ported apps will affect your future.
- Tip: Using Excel to analyze MySQL data
Connecting to an Excel database from open source MySQL isn't hard if you've got MyODBC driver. Learn how to install and configure MyODBC, and link to specific tables and databases in this tip.
- Tip: Enterprise open source migrations: Dealing with file services
File services look simple enough, but file services are probably the most critical networking service of all, save directory services. Get an overview of the file service options in the open source world and learn how to use them to replace their traditional commercial counterparts.