Unix Box

What Does Unix Box Mean?

A Unix box is a computer, typically a desktop or server, that runs any of the several flavors of Unix-like operating systems (OSs) such as Linux, Solaris or Mac OS X. The term came about in order to distinguish computers running Unix-like OSs from the more common Windows PCs when talking about them online in forums or in person.

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Techopedia Explains Unix Box

Unix box is a term used mainly by IT professionals and administrators to refer to computers running Unix-like OSs. This typically refers to servers running a Unix-like OS since, when talking in forums, especially for administrators, there is a need for a quick way to differentiate the different servers and the easiest seems to be naming the OS instead of the model of the server. Therefore, instead of saying “I need help with security administration in my Dell XX server,” which could get confused with the same models running Windows Server or other types of OS, they can simply say “I need help with the security administration of my Unix box”. It avoids confusion, and since Unix-like OSs share many of the same functionalities, the discussion could go right into the details instead of inquiring about the unit and the OS it runs.

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Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical, business audience. Over the past twenty years her explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…