UNIX Hosting Services
The process of uploading website files is almost exactly the same for both Linux and Windows web servers. But many people wonder when choosing a hosting provider if it makes a difference what kind of operating system is used to develop their web site on and what software should be used on their own computer. Both UNIX hosting and Windows hosting servers are universally accessible, since the data they access is the same. The only difference is in the software that these two types of hosts use to serve that data.
The vast majority of website hosting providers use various versions of UNIX based software, making UNIX hosting services more common across the board. These operating systems most often used on UNIX servers are Linux and FreeBSD, which are both free and without licensing fees. As a result, the cost of a hosting operation based on UNIX servers is lower. The Windows operating system costs thousands of dollars, so some web server hosting companies charge extra for accounts on a Windows server, if they even offer both options.
The biggest difference that is seen when comparing these two operating systems is in the actual kind of software that each is able to run. The Windows web servers are most appropriate for the line of software applications offered by Microsoft, such as MS Access, and APS and VBScript for handling dynamic content. The UNIX hosting servers are not able to handle these specific Microsoft applications.
If it is absolutely essential to be able to run MS Access, ASP, or a VBScript, then it will be necessary to choose Windows web servers for hosting. UNIX is able to deliver dynamic content similar to the Windows programs by utilizing other software options such as PHP, CGI and MySQL. These software technologies are also available on Windows servers.
Because of the additional cost that is required to set up and run a Windows web host, many hosting companies only offer this option with a Windows dedicated hosting service. This usually makes the additional cost of the Windows operating system more justifiable, as the hosting services charge more for managed dedicated services, whether it is UNIX or Windows hosting.
Most of the low cost hosting and free webhosting services that are available will be UNIX hosting providers. Again, this is because of the fact that the UNIX web servers can run completely free software and that savings is passed along to the customers of the hosting provider, in the way of low cost hosting and even free hosting accounts, which many companies make available for websites with small disc space needs and low traffic demand.
There is one big advantage that the UNIX platform has over the Windows platform for hosting. There are many more web server hosting providers that offer UNIX hosting than there are that offer Windows hosting. This also means more competition, which also helps to keep the prices lower. The other important advantage is that when looking at the track record of uptime reliability, UNIX seems to be consistently more reliable.
By Business Online Editor
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