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Choosing Windows or Linux for the MID Server

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In this lesson, you will learn:

  • Why the host OS matters
  • When you need a Windows MID Server
  • SNWR’s choices

🔁 Quick look back: Last time: What the MID Server Actually Does. You learned what the MID Server does, and why it only connects outbound.

1 The Problem: The MID Server OS Limits What It Can Do

Priya prefers Linux for everything. But SNWR has Windows servers, and:

  • Windows discovery over WMI needs a Windows MID Server.
  • Nmap credential-less Discovery needs a Windows MID Server.

🎯 The problem: The MID Server’s OS limits what it can do.

👉 The fix: Choose the host OS from what each MID Server must scan.

Compare Windows and Linux MID Servers.
Figure 1. When to choose a Windows or Linux MID Server.

2 Rules of thumb

  • If it scans Windows servers, use Windows.
  • If it only scans Linux, network and cloud, Linux is fine.
  • A Windows MID Server can scan Linux too.

💡 Good to know: Check the current MID Server documentation for your release. Supported features can change.

3 SNWR’s choices

MID Server OS Why
snwr-mid-mum-01/02 Windows Windows servers, Nmap fallback
snwr-mid-lon-01 Windows Six Windows servers in London
snwr-mid-aws-01 Linux Cloud APIs and Linux EC2

4 Project Clear View: How We Implemented It

📍 Situation: Priya wanted Linux hosts only.

🧭 Decision: Choose each host’s OS from what it scans, and explain why to Priya.

🛠️ Steps we took:

  1. Listed what each MID Server scans.
  2. Chose Windows where Windows servers are scanned.
  3. Kept Linux for AWS.
  4. Explained to Priya that Windows hosts are needed for WMI and Nmap.

✅ What we verified:

  • Priya agreed.
  • The host OS matches DD-D01.

📁 Evidence: Host OS choices, recorded in DD-D01.

5 Quick recap

  • Windows discovery over WMI needs a Windows MID Server.
  • Nmap credential-less also needs Windows.
  • Linux is fine for Linux-only, network and cloud work.
  • A Windows MID Server can scan Linux too.

6 Check yourself

Think of your answer first. Then tap to check.

1 Why are SNWR’s Mumbai MID Servers on Windows? Show answer

They scan Windows servers over WMI and run the Nmap fallback.

2 Why is snwr-mid-aws-01 on Linux? Show answer

It handles cloud APIs and Linux EC2, which don’t need Windows.

3 Can a Windows MID Server scan Linux servers? Show answer

Yes, over SSH.

Nice work! Each SNWR MID Server has the right OS. 🎉
Next up: Installing the First MID Server

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