I apologize if this is too broad or belongs on Super User (please vote to move if it does).

I'm in the process of creating requirements for an internal PHP web server to submit to our architecture team and would like to get some insight whether to use a Windows or *nix platform and what applications would be required. The server will host a small PHP application that will be connecting to SQL Server. The application will need to send mail. We would also like to incorporate a FTP server to allow files to be dropped in.

From what I've read regarding a Windows platform using IIS, it seems as though IIS would only be advantageous if using a .NET or ASP application. Does IIS have mail functionality? Or how is mail traditionally configured (esp. on *nix)? Also, does IIS have directory configuration functionality like Apache does with .htaccess?

For a Windows based solution;

1. IIS (comes with FTP)

2. Apache (has mod_ftp module)

For a *nix based solution;

1. Apache