Both stop the server from doing it's job. Not really a consequential difference. Anyway, you can tell IIS not to run in kernel mode if you want to.
One stops the server from serving web pages but still permits the problem to be rectified by remote access. Heck… you could probably code something that detects the hung Apache daemon, kill it, and re-start Apache automatically without user intervention.
The other stops the server from performing ANY functions. The only thing you can do is get someone to walk up and press the reset button. The alternative is having the box rigged up with lights-out management cards or having remote-controlled power switches.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
