Comparison Windows Web Hosting
- Linux Web Hosting
Most
of the people think that since
their PC is has windows installed, they need to have
windows hosting servers --- This is completely incorrect
perception.
When it comes to Web
hosting, Unless you have specific script to run on the server (asp, .net for windows, and php for linux ) or unless you have some kind of data base which only runs on windows there is harldy any issue what kind of server your site is hosted on.
Linux has, for some time, been widely considered
the best OS for Web servers. Its typically found to
be the most reliable, stable and efficient system
and, as such, its commonly used for the demanding
environment of Web and mail servers and it is traditionally
known to be more stable..
what application
are you looking to use for your hosting? Consider
scripting languages you plan to use – if you use
HTM, html which shall be the case for most web developers,
you can use any of OS in that case ie Linux as well
as Windows.
If you are intent using
free scripts like guest books, chat applications, forums,
blog, image/ picture libraries etc, You shall understand
that, one these are mostly in PHP which is due to the
free nature of php. Even incase you like to purchase
one such applications, you will find that these are
mostly available in php. For PHP, Perl or MySQL, Linux
is the way forward.
If your site, like most
web sites, is what might be termed “brochure-ware”
then Linux servers are ideal. By brochure-ware I mean
a site that offers the kind of information that in the
past might have been provided on paper in the form of
brochures, newsletters or data sheets. Brochure-ware
sites will offer some interaction through enquiry forms
and can certainly incorporate online purchasing and
other routine e-commerce functions.
If however your site
incorporates an online searchable database or interactive
chat facilities then Windows 2000 or NT can be used,
though linux cal also be. Windows in most cases shall
have a bit higher cost implications.
Advantages of
using Linux based web server compared to Windows based
web server :
Stable:
Linux/Unix operating systems has traditionally been
believed to be very stable and robust which in turn
means comparatively more uptime.
Low cost:
The Linux OS comes free of cost (or at very insignificant
cost, usually cost of distribution). Also, it has full
fledged server, and desk top applications that comes
free along with the OS. These applications being free,
are more cost effective..
Ease of use : The process of uploading and hosting is almost same
for both Linux and Windows web servers. However, using
front page for publishing sites poses more issues compared
with ftp application. In certain hosting panels and
servers, there are slight issues here and there for
uploading files using ftp on windows servers.
Easy to move
between hosts : A web site designed to be hosted
on a Linux based web server can be hosted on a Windows
web server easily, where as the reverse is not always
true.
Most widely
used : Linux/Unix based web hosting is most
widely used compared to Windows based web hosting.
On the downside, Linux
based web server is not fully compatible with Microsoft
technologies. If you are using any specialized applications
or VB for development of your web site, it is preferable
to host with a Windows based web server.
