Thursday, August 4, 2011

The Windows Vs Linux Controversy

By Matt Ewing


Web hosting should offer more advantages than disadvantages, and should address and answer queries and needs rather than create problems, hence, it is very important to choose what the host to trust and one of the major point in this choice is the platform that it uses in web hosting. Which platform is better --- Windows or Linux?

Basically, without regard to the provider chosen, hosting services are meant to give you and your website the ubiquitous presence that you need in making your service, your product or your business known. It is supposed also to give you that needed storage space for the pictures, music and videos in your website. The measure of storage space given depends upon the value of the package taken, which ranges from a gigabyte to hundreds or more.

In terms of server access, both Linux and Windows web hosting feature FTP access to files. However, only Linux will most likely offer ssh or telnet access. Though it is okay to set up telnet access on Windows, the fact is very administrators include it in their hosting package. For beginners, FTP is a mode of data transfer of hard drive files to the server. Telnet and SSH provide ways in opening windows directly on the server and manage files there.

In terms of writing pages, both serve Java Script and HTML pages. Usually, servers that are Windows based utilize files *.htm named while Linux servers use files *.html, but the same is a matter of preference, actually. Frontpage extension are likewise not exclusive to Windows servers as is typically believed, for there are also servers that are Linux-based that include such service in their package as well.

In terms of CGI, CGI and Peri access is more on the Linux side, than Windows. Depending on your needs, make sure that your web hosting service has them.

All of the above must be considered in making the decision between Linux or Windows for your hosting needs. Linux is said to be one of the more famous OS on the WWW, primarily due to the fact that is cheap and easy to install. However, if you plan to develop or utilize many Windows-based apps for your site, it Linux obviously will not work for you.

A site that desires to be dynamic must have a database. The databases that are popular are mySQL and Access. While mySQL and Access can be found on Windows servers, Linux-based hosting cannot offer Access.

As to Security, some will suggest that Windows servers, compared to Linux ones are more at risk, but the same is misleading. Strictly speaking, both Windows and Linux web hosting are not exempted from security issues. More importantly, security is a concern that is addressed at the administration level of the host. In the event that problems arise, however, it is more widely believed that the Windows platform is more adept in providing support, compared with hosting using Linux. In sum, that is the advantage that Windows based hosting can give over its competitor.

Macintosh on the other hand is very uncommon. Unix services, on the other hand is akin to Linux but is uncommon due to the fact it is more expensive. Finally, the Windows platform is the more popular and the most reliable OS for hosting because unlike the above, it offers a lot of support, and in running a website, you need all the help you can get when you need it.




About the Author:



No comments: