FreeBSD UNIX

FreeBSD is an open source free operating system with monolithic kernel developed by Berkley Software Distribution under UNIX license in 1993. FreeBSD’s license is the most liberal license of all free software as the BSD source code can be redistributed with or without any modification only with the mentioning of its developer.

One of the main benefits of using FreeBSD UNIX is the high up-time which makes this operating system very reliable. A long up-time indicates that kernel updates were not needed as a new installation of a kernel reboots and rewrites the system. It also has a very useful and effective feature related to storage as the latest updates guarantees file’s integrity and restoration. A big disadvantage, though, is its hardware support as there are only a few processors that can run this system, mostly from Intel x 86 classes. The architecture of the system is much flexible than other free software distributions with a very effective firewall which makes it a great choice for servers.

For beginner users of the FreeBSD, the company created a well developed handbook which guides you through the operating system’s main applications. FreeBSD handbook also includes useful information regarding upgrading methods. Although it is much less popular than any Linux distribution, the FreeBSD has a complete and good technical support.

All UNIX commands are very easy to learn and to use and FreeBSD is a conclusive example. It has a very simple and friendly installation and it does not require many system resources. FreeBSD is known to be an intuitive operating system with many useful applications.

The last stable version, 8.2 was released on February 24 2011 and the latest unstable version, on March 23 2011. FreeBSD enjoys a large community of users because of its free usage and redistribution policies but mainly for its application packages, its free license, and its complex technical support and for the high up-time.