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Article : Windows Hosting
versus Linux Hosting
The matter of
choosing between the operating system (OS) running
the web server hosting your web site as old as the
web hosting business. The OS controls all the
functions of the web server hosting your site, so it
comes naturally to pay special attention when
choosing one over another. But what are really the
options you have?
Mainly you can choose between web hosting based on
Windows, Linux or Unix operating systems. A brief
description and analysis of the different systems
will narrow the list of options to only two.
Microsoft’s Windows server operating systems
(NT/2000/2003) have a rather friendly and familiar
user interface, making IT teams to easier in this
aspect. Another plus is given by it’s excellent
integration capabilities with other applications
developed by Microsoft and let’s face it their range
is absolutely impressive. The main key point of
Windows based hosting is its support for .ASP
(Active Server Pages) or the advanced ASP.NET. This
language for web development was created by
Microsoft to facilitate the creation of dynamic web
pages linked to SQL databases. It also provides
capabilities for integration with other systems.
It can be said that Unix is the OS that powered the
beginning of the Internet era and due to his
qualities is still used today. Linux OS was
developed having Unix as starting point and this is
how the two share many features. Today the Linux
version of the Unix system is more common on web
servers and this has to do with the higher licensing
costs and with the rather specific hardware
requirements for Unix. This is why we will continue
with Linux only, but Unix is taken into account as
well. Linux hosting has its strong points in
fulfilling one’s requirements for a good web server
and Web serving, file serving, mailing, and
streaming are only a few. It proves itself is a very
cost-effective choice from using hardware
efficiently, and allowing an increased web sites per
server ratio, this ultimately resulting in a
decreasing the cost of hosting per account.
So here are our two choices Windows and Linux.
Reliability:
In the past Linux OS were seen as more reliable over
Windows. However with the release of Windows 2003
server Microsoft has gone a long way and closed the
gap in this area. Linux servers are compatible with
certain Microsoft extensions and applications and
the same is true for Windows.
Web Programming
Even if trying to host a simple personal web site,
your might want add some simple scripts to spice up
your pages. The issue gets bigger when you are
looking to host an e-commerce site supported by some
serious server-side programming. So how are our two
contenders doing in this aspect?
Supporting java scripts is not a topic to be argued
upon as they are executed on the client side (the
user’s web browser) and both Linux and Windows have
no problem feeding this content to your visitors.
It is a whole different matter when discussing
server side scripting. For web site owners trying to
implement forms on their site it is common knowledge
that ASP is supported by Windows and PHP is the tool
to do just that under Linux. However both developed
solutions to support each other’s programming
language for web development. This support is not
perfect and its limitations recommend Linux for a
good PHP support and Windows for ASP, especially
when it comes to hosting web sites that require the
full use the advantages offered by PHP or ASP.
Linux offers a support for FrontPage extensions.
Windows has a weak point in offering only limited
CGI/Perl support, so if Perl is the scripting
language of your choice, you should opt for Linux.
Databases
Dynamically driven web sites require some sort of
databases. Beyond sites employing databases, most
frequently you will encounter mySQL or MSAccess. If
your web site is relying on mySQL, then you’ll have
no problems hosting it on either Windows or Linux.
For MSAccess databases, look your only option is
Windows.
Price
Linux web hosting is cheaper. The reason must be
searched in licensing costs, that are lower that for
Windows, and in the ability of Linux web servers to
support a higher web sites per server ratio without
compromising the quality of service.
Although Windows hosting cost a bit more, you will
get something for your money. It’s reduced
development time and functionality As the option of
one over another depends basically of your actual
needs and of the plans you have made for the future
of your web site. For example will it move from a
rather static web site to one relying heavily on
server side scripting? And if it is so what would be
the programming language used: PHP or ASP?
Consequently your web site will be set up on a Linux
or on a Windows web server.
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