Linux and Unix Essay

Linux and Unix are two operating systems, which are considered to be very close to each other to the extent that Linux is viewed as a clone of Unix. However, such a view on both operational systems is erroneous and there are substantial differences between them. In this regard, the backbone of the difference is the free access of users to Linux, whereas they have to pay money for Unix and use of this operational system.
Costs of Linux and Unix for users
In fact, unlike Unix, Linux is free for users that makes this operating system very attractive for users, who want to save their costs. On the other hand, it is worth mentioning the fact that Linux is just a kernel, which comprises applications from different developers and suppliers. As a result, Linux does not look as homogeneous as Unix is. Instead, Unix is a complete operating system, which applications and elements are products of the company and have one developer or vendor. In this regard, Unix is more convenient because it makes the system really solid and homogeneous that decreases the risk of malfunctioning of the system and its failure.
At the same time, license and costs of using operating system is one of the key factors that determine the substantial difference between Linux and Unix. As it has been already mentioned above Linux is free, where Unix is a licensed operating system that implies certain costs customers have to spend on its purchase and maintenance.
User-friendliness of Linux and Unix
Furthermore, Linux is considered to be the best user-friendly Unix-like operating system. What is meant here is the fact that, even though Linux and Unix are different, Linux resembles Unix and what is more outpaces operating systems developed by Unix in terms of its user-friendliness. As a result, users often prefer Linux instead of Unix because the former is more user-friendly than the latter.
Security firewalls of Linux and Unix
Today, the security firewall software is very important because it affects the security and protection of users. In this regard, Unix is in an advantageous position because Unix operating systems come with their own firewall product. This means that Unix develops exclusive firewalls to ensure the high level of protection of its operating systems from intrusion or unauthorized access to the private information of users. As a result, users feel more secured, when they use Unix compared to when they use Linux. In contrast to Unix, Linux comes up with open source firewall.

Backup and recovery software
In addition, it is worth mentioning the fact that Linux and Unix come with different backup and recovery software. Basically, there is no substantial difference in the backup and recovery software but still it differs. In this regard, the difference in file systems used by the two operating systems is more significant. To put it more precisely 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 (Stallings, 2005).
The difference in file systems
The difference in the file systems used by either operating system raises the problem of the compatibility of different file systems with different operating systems that naturally makes it inconvenient to use different operating system in workplace, for instance.
Conclusion
Thus, it proves beyond a doubt that, in spite of seeming similarity of Linux to Unix, these two operating systems are different in many aspects.