What is the Difference Between Unix and Windows Web Hosting?
So you're finally ready to publish your finished website and you're searching through the myriad of web hosting plans and providers. You may have noticed that most hosting companies use Linux or Unix operating systems on their web servers. Microsoft Windows is less commonly offered as a choice. So what's the difference?
Most people are familiar with Microsoft Windows having used it at home, work, or at school. It is very easy to use for novices and it doesn't require command-line knowledge. In Windows Home and advanced Server editions, you can simply point and click your way to a different folder using your mouse. Unix and Linux are open-source – meaning that the operating system is free and the source code is well documented and easily distributed. There are no major differences between Unix and Linux. Unix is much older and cannot run on x86-based personal computers (like the one you're using now). In contrast, Linux can run on both high-powered servers and x86-based computers.
Linux is available in many flavors, though most hosting companies use Red Hat Linux, or Mandrake Linux, which are proven workhorses able to handle hundreds of websites and millions of hits per day. FreeBSD and OpenBSD are versions of Unix which are also available. While ease-of-use is very important for a home or work computer, it is generally not a big issue when working with a web server. After all, you are doing most of your website design offline on your own computer. Unless you have very advanced programming or operating system-specific modules, you will not notice the difference between Windows and Unix servers.
Both Linux/Unix and Windows can handle high traffic websites and add-ons such as chat rooms, email and website statistics with ease. The biggest differences are price and software compatibility. Because Windows must be purchased and licenses renewed continuously, Windows hosting plans are usually more expensive than Unix-based plans. Also Unix-based plans often come with free email, databases (MySQL), statistic, and community programs. While Windows plans come with Microsoft software (MS SQL, for example) that must be purchased by the hosting company.
Both Linux and Windows platforms can run popular programming languages such as php, perl, or java. If your website uses active server pages, then it will be less risky hosting it on a Windows server. Well it still may function on a Unix server, there may be small glitches that are not immediately apparent. Similarly, if you are using with Microsoft SQL databases, these databases will be supported by most Windows plans. However, Linux or Unix plans often include MySQL which would require that your databases be converted to this format in order to function properly. If you are currently using any Microsoft programming (especially active server pages) or third-party applications (MS SQL 2000), you may want to play it safe and choose a Windows hosting plan.
From the average web designer's standpoint, there isn't much difference between hosting on Linux/Unix or Windows web servers. However, before signing up for a hosting plan, ensure that all facets of your site's design, programming, databases and the like will work with that plan. If you are unsure, ask the company's sales or technical staff before you commit.
(ArticlesBase SC #72668)
Article Tags:
Web Hosting
,Linux
,Unix
,Windows
,Difference
,operating Systems
,web programming
,platforms
Web hosting may be defined as renting space on a web server in its simplest form. One should keep in mind that a website is a collection of files linked together by HTML code to display text and graphics on a computer.
You have your new business and you are planning to set up your website and tell the whole world about your business and that you have a lot of products and services that you want to share. You also have in mind the design of your site and a catchy domain name. So what will be the next step? The answer is, to find a web hosting provider that will host your website. Puzzled? Let us start with the basics.
Have you designed your website? That means you are ready to launch your website.
The options available with a web hosting package are very wide ranging, and can be a bit confusing to understand – especially since the options are presenting in a large number of ways, and condensed in various ways, while shopping for a package online. Hopefully I can give you a breakdown of the categories these features fall into and help you to focus on the features that are important to you.
Microsoft Windows is the most popular operating system (OS); thus, most web hosting companies cater to sites running on Windows, as expected. However, there is an increasing demand for hosts that can support websites running on other platforms such as Mac OS and Linux, just to name a few. For this article, we will focus on Linux web hosting.
Choosing your first Web host is an important decision. You will, hopefully, have a long relationship with whatever host you choose. To make a decision, first you need to decide that what you need and then visit the sites of several hosting providers and evaluate what they are offering in regarding your requirements
In case one is a newbie and his site is non-revenue generating with static HTML pages created from boxed software, then it is most probable that he is hosted on a Linux server.
Cheapest reliable web hosting service. Only $1.99 /month.
Would You Like To Get Free Hostgator Coupons ? Get Your Free Hostgator Coupons Here
Entertainment world has witnessed a brand new scenario after the arrival of Internet into our lives. It has created an integral position of its own within a short span of time. It has got everything in its realm right from photos, videos, wallpapers and the latest entry to this field is the live radio. One might get shocked at the very first sound, but it is very true that now anyone can enjoy their favorite radio stations right through the Internet.
To make the process of communication easy and comfortable, newer means have been developed through which one can have hassle free connection worldwide.
With changing pace of time, we have become used to lead a very comfortable life due the dynamic development of new systems and gadgets.
To provide each and every comfort to mankind, technology has been introducing many inventions that let to the betterment of people. There are various advanced technologies that are growing fastly for elevating the lives of individuals. In terms of communication, technology has given great innovations- Internet phone service, helping millions of people in long distance communication by paying a less amount of money.
With the growing scope of making international calls through internet, now technology has introduced a highly fashionable trend of sending messages that is helping people in quicker communication. Calling has been the popular medium of communication but these days, individuals prefer sending SMS to chit chat with their friends over mobile phones. This is an another effort of technology that has resulted in SMS service.
Any business these days requires a website. It has become an expectation. Herewith, a list of 24 questions that you should ask your web hosting company before you purchase web hosting.
The best way to increase the Google PageRank of your site and its ranking in the search results is to increase the number of backlinks to your site. However, links should be built up steadily using multiple methods to give the appearance of organic link growth.
Google relies heavily on the text that is used to link to your site. Webmasters can and must take advantage of the anchor text that is used to link to their sites.
Social bookmarking is a free and effective way to supplement your Internet marketing campaign.
Submitting articles is a great way to improve your position in the all-important search results. But what exactly do you get?
Participating in an online forum is a great way to promote your website and increase traffic.
Submitting articles to a free directory is an excellent way to increase backlinks to your site.
You can use a free article directory to increase targeted traffic to your website cheaply and quickly.
This article defines and outlines the purposes of the free article directory.
1