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.
Almost all serious web-hosting providers will offer you
the choice between Linux and Windows.
There is no winner of this contest, at least not yet. In
today's terms, your preference of one system over another
should be given only by your requirements and the needs
of your visitors.
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