However, distributions packaged by enterprise distributors are not free. There is 

usually a per seat pricing model for enterprise distributions. And this fee usually 

includes a support mechanism for the installed machine for one year. It may also 

be possible to purchase extra levels of support from the enterprise distribution 

vendors.

Given the open source nature of the Linux operating system and related 

software, it is also possible to use it completely free of license and support costs. 

For support the organization is then completely dependent on the open source 

community and well trained personnel within the organization.

Hardware cost

Most Linux distributions can run well on older hardware. Depending on your 

client application requirements, it is even possible to re use hardware that has 

already been retired because it cannot support the latest Microsoft Windows 

performance requirements. 

However, the newer enterprise distribution offerings for the desktop have 

minimum memory (MB) requirements that approach the same requirements of 

Microsoft Windows. Since this is a memory requirement only, you may still be 

able to use existing or even retired systems to support these distributions.

Application cost for the base desktop client

The Linux distributions include a large number of basic applications like editors, 

imaging software, browsers, e mail applications, instant messaging applications, 

and even some office productivity tools like word processing, presentation, and 

spreadsheet applications. This means that the cost for these basic applications 

when using a Linux client is small to none.

Even if an application needed is not included in the distribution, chances are that 

there is an OSS equivalent that can be installed free of cost.

Management and support costs related to the client

Keeping any production desktop client operational and free of bugs and security 

exploits is usually one of the larger cost factors. This is also the case for the 

Linux client. The fact that the operating system is Unix like enables a lot of 

cost saving options. For example, since the client can be remotely connected to 

and managed using telnet or ssh protocols, it is possible to install scripts on the 

client that can easily be remotely executed.

Using remote scripts it is possible to monitor the clients for problems and to 

execute a task on all clients from a central server. For example, it is possible that 

a bugfix can be implemented on all clients by remotely executing a script on the 

client that is able to fetch a patch and install it, without end user interruption.

 Chapter 2. The case for migration 

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