When it comes to hosting, the main question most people ask is: “Should I go for windows hosting or linux hosting?” In this post, we will explain the difference and hopefully help to inform you in your decision on which hosting server type to choose.
Let’s start with a brief introduction to servers. A server is a computer that is used for hosting websites and just like your home computer or laptop, it needs software, known as an operating system, to be able to run. You will most likely be using an operating system called Windows Vista, Windows 7 or even MacOsx on your personal computer, but when it comes to servers, there are two main options: linux hosting and windows hosting. There are advantages to both of them and we will go through those now to help you choose one over the other.
Microsoft designed its own operating systems specifically for servers, so they are different from the versions you might be familiar with on personal computers. The main advantage to using a server using Microsoft Windows operating system is that it has full integration with other Microsoft products such as Ms Access and Ms SQL. Also, if your project will be using ASP (Active Server Pages) a Windows server will be necessary. Here is a list of some of the more important features that a Windows server supports, if your project will involve one or more of these technologies, then a Windows server would be the most appropriate choice for your web server.
- ASP Support
- ASP.NET Support
- Powerful SQL Server Database
- Access Database Support
- PHP and MySQL Compatible
- IIS Web Server
On the other hand, servers using Linux support some different technologies and because of its large development community, has a plethora of features and tools available. Like a Windows server, it is also compatible with PHP and mysql. In addition, Linux servers in general cost less because the software is mostly free. If security is a concern, Linux servers are widely regarded as being more secure and safer by many web hosters than a Microsoft server. For more experienced administrators, a Linux server offers more control through remote shell access.
- PHP and MySQL Support
- Apache Web Server
- Mod Rewrite Support
- Chmod file permissions
The question you must ask yourself when choosing Linux or Microsoft hosting is therefore, not which is better, but “what am I doing and what does my project require”. Both server operating systems are very powerful options however depending on your project and its specific requirements, one operating system will appear a stronger choice than the other.
Always need better hosting, Thanks