What is Linux Hosting?

Linux hosting simply refers to a web host running the Linux operating system on their server along with the database and other software.  The functionality and flexibility of Linux has made it a viable alternative to Windows and even other Unix-based systems, the platform it is designed after.  Linux is world renown for its capability as a reliable system built for the network server environment.  Linux web hosting is often referred to as a LAMP, a server model based on the Linux operating system, the Apache server software, a MySQL database and the PHP programming language.  Over the years, Linux has consistently been the preferred choice for serving web pages and powering web-based applications.  Currently, nearly 50 million websites are being hosted on this platform worldwide.

Inside the Lamp Server

Apart from the power and stability of the Linux operating system, the LAMP configuration plays a major role in the efficiency of such a web hosting package.  Here are more details on these essential components:

Linux: The Linux operating system was originally created in Finland by a young student named Linus Torvalds.  With a keen interest in Minix, a small variation of the Unix system, Torvalds was determined to create a system that exceeded the functionality of Minix.  The youngster began the project in 1991 and continued through 1994 with the release of a kernel in Linux 1.0.   The core of all Linux-based systems, this kernel was included as a part of the GNU General Public License, making the source code freely available to developers.  Today, hundreds of developers have released their own systems based on the original Linux kernel.  Popular variants used by web hosting providers include RedHat and Fedora among others.

Apache: Apache was developed to maintain an open-source HTTP platform for modern systems such as Windows and Unix variants.  The goal of the project is to provide an efficient, secure, extensible server that facilitates HTTP services in accordance to existing HTTP standards.  Research shows that more than 60% of the websites functioning on the internet are powered by Apache servers.   

MySQL: MySQL is the most widely used database management system today, said to have more than 10 million installations worldwide.  MySQL is preferred by many businesses along with numerous internet powerhouses including The Associated Press, NASA, Sabre Holdings, Suzuki and Yahoo.  Offering scalability, reliability and award-winning speed, MySQL makes an excellent choice for high-powered corporations and is one of the premiere features of a web hosting plan.

PHP: PHP is one of the oldest programming languages on the web.  Though it is mainly implemented into server-side applications and used to create dynamic web pages, it can also be executed from a command line interface and even in standalone graphical programs.  PHP is predominant in the LAMP server configuration though languages such as Perl and Python can be used as well.

The advantages of Linux hosting is an attractive combination of technical benefits and cheaper costs.  This platform offers reliability, readily available scripts and programs along with a greater level of control.  If stability and functionality is something your business requires, you stand to gain a lot with Linux hosting.

Share this article:

(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

 Loading ...

Sep 30, 2008 : Linux Web Hosting No responses yet

Ensim Control Panel Overview

The pro editions of Ensim offer benefits for both Windows and Linux platforms.  This award-winning control panel comes with all the features and tools needed to manage professional hosting accounts for resellers, shared and dedicated server clients alike.  Whether you are running a small business or a powerful corporation, the Ensim control panel is one you simply can’t go wrong with.

Ensim is often compared with other popular control panels such as cPanel and Plesk.  However, this software comes with its own set of exclusive features and can provide benefits in the following ways:

• Protecting your private data and web content

• Accurately measuring your bandwidth usage

• Offering a number of features to help you reach a targeted audience

• Providing an intuitive interface that’s both professional and easy to use

• Reducing the level of expertise, time and money required to manage a hosting account

Some control panels are more suited for personal sites, the Ensim software has been specifically designed for the professional hosting environment.  This program is packed with features that exceed the norm and include the following:

Security - In the midst of bandwidth capacity, uptime and support, many people often overlook the security of their hosting plan.  A web host offering the Ensim software provides additional security with its powerful spam filter and server-side virus scanner.  This combination keeps  both the server administrators and end-users protected against email-born viruses.  The use of a virtual private file system has the ability to lock down a shared server and prevent inside attacks.

Tools - Ensim offers some of the industry’s best integrated features with detailed bandwidth reporting that is useful for end-users and resellers.  There is also a number of self-help wizards and quick-start guides to get you off on the right foot.

Script Support - This control panel comes ready with support for PHP and PERL and features a dynamic script installer that can tremendously enhance the functionality of your website.

Email Support - An efficient email system is critical in today’s online business.  Ensim offers various options for managing your email from POP3 and IMAP servers to SMTP support and Webmail powered by Squirrel Mail.  You are also provided with autoresponders, email forwarders and mailing lists.

Web Building Tools - Before capturing any business your website must first be created.  Ensim makes this easy with support for Microsoft Page and dynamic scripting languages such as Perl, PHP and Python.

Database Access - The database isn’t only limited to server administration.  Web hosting companies offer access to this essential component while the Ensim control panel makes it easy to manage.  This software offers support for multiple MySQL databases and PHPMyAdmin for easy web-based administration.

DNS Management - The DNS (Domain Name System) server is a critical element of web hosting.  Ensim enables an automatic setup of your domain when creating a new site.  You can also delete entries and access remote DNS servers.

Like competing software, Ensim has a few minor setbacks.  For instance, the lack of skins make it more difficult to brand your interface for business purposes.   However, even this can be overcome with a bit of practice.  While this control panel isn’t flawless, its knocking hard on perfect’s door.

Share this article:

(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

 Loading ...

Sep 29, 2008 : Control Panels No responses yet

The Most Popular Myths Pertaining to Colocation

For most small and medium sized businesses, colocation hosting is unchartered waters, a vast ocean filled with uncertainty.  Along with the fact that this solution offers a totally different environment, the vast amount of misconceptions also attribute to a clouded decision making process.  In this article we will detail some of the most widely spread colocation myths and debunk them accordingly.

Colocation is just another name for managed hosting: This is far from the truth.  In a conventional managed arrangement, your site’s programming language resides on someone else’s server which is also owned by the web hosting company.  In the colocation environment, you own the hardware and software components and physically locate them on the grounds of another company.  Instead of sharing server space with hundreds to thousands of users, your website has it’s own server and associated components.  This setup prevents you from competing for critical resources such as bandwidth, storage and CPU.

Colocation makes it difficult to manage your systems: The overall convenience of colocation all depends on the host you choose and where their data center is located.  When upgrades and maintenance needs to be handled, members of your IT staff can make the trip and take care of them.  For most daily operations, an offsite data center isn’t any more convenient than having your equipment stored in-house.  However, a colocation facility is likely to provide more space with better organization and security than the small area you designated as a server room.

Colocation isn’t as secure as onsite hosting: While this depends on the security implementations of one’s in-house environment, colocation hosting tends to be much more secure.  These data centers house your equipment separately from the hardware of other clients, keeping it secure in monitored cages.  The facilities are equipped with a wide range of security technologies from firewalls and intrusion detection systems to solid physical security.  They often provide a level of security that most small businesses can’t afford. 

Colocation is not reliable: Here is another off-based misconception.  Most colocation centers employ redundant backups, internet connections and power sources.  Some of them run at minimal capacities so competition for resources isn’t an issue.  A reputable company will keep trained IT professionals on-site day in and day out to handle outages and other technical problems that arise.

Colocation is less flexible than managed hosting: Although some offer servers and associated components, for the most part, all you are leasing with colocation is physical space for your equipment and internet connectivity.  All the hardware and software is owned by your company, giving you complete control of what runs on your servers and how powerful they can actually be.  In a managed environment, server speed and available software is only as efficient as what the company offers. 

Colocation provides limited support: Contrary to some beliefs, most colocation services provide their clients with exceptional support in the way of physical and network security, data recovery, cooling and power systems and much more.  Best of all, they typically offer customer service in the form of email and phone support where professionals can be reached to address all of your concerns.  In regard to assistance with your systems, colocation support is only limited by what you’re willing to pay.

Share this article:

(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

 Loading ...

Sep 26, 2008 : Colocation Hosting No responses yet

Understanding the Domain Game

Domain names serve many benefits to the internet business.   Some use them simply to do away with the unprofessional email domain supplied by their ISP.  Others do so to add more credibility to their website, giving the impression that they are their own brand and independent entity.  There are exceptions, such as when a company wants to present a form of affiliation by showing that they are a part of an existing site, whether its connecting them with a specific organization or region.  Even in this instance, autonomy is more assured when having a domain of your own rather than using a page on a third-party site.

Domain names are classified by extensions.  The most sought after domain extension by commercial organizations is .com with .net being the most popular alternative.  Other endings such as .biz and .edu are generally unfamiliar to web surfers, mainly because they tend to be harder to remember.  Even the webmaster building their site for personal reasons goes after the .com extension as it is usually the way most people refer to a website.  The part of the domain that proceeds the extension is typically based on the company’s name or niche.  There are exceptions such as if the name has already been registered, a factor that is becoming more likely these days.

Registering the Name

After finding a domain that is just right for your site, registering the name is pretty easy.  The actual registration process can be done online with the aid of an ICANN accredited registrar, a web hosting company or even your ISP.  The price on domain names has dropped significantly over the years, costing $5 or less with some services.  In most cases, the more you buy, the cheaper they become.  Many domain registrars will entice you with different variations of your name such as .net, .biz, etc.  After the initial purchase, domain names generally have to be renewed every one to two years.

As mentioned before, if you have come up with something clever, there is a possibility that the domain has already been registered.  You can save yourself the trouble and frustration by doing research on the name in question.  WHOIS is one service that allows you to check the ownership of a particular domain.  Keep in mind that this service and others are usually 48 hours behind the actual registration, which is typically how long it will take for your domain to become active.

Once the domain has been registered, you then have the option of leaving the name parked for use later down the road, or pointing it at the server on which your website resides.  This can be achieved by changing the DNS (Domain Name System) settings so that the domain points to your web host.  Almost all domain registrars provide a free user interface to make adjustments to these settings.

If you are looking for a domain, there are numerous services to choose from.  GoDaddy is the most well known service but names are also provided by a number of web hosting companies and resellers as well.

Share this article:

(3 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

 Loading ...

Sep 25, 2008 : Domain Names No responses yet

Basic E-Commere Strategies

E-commerce offers tremendous opportunities for getting online and selling your own products and services. If you are still running your business offline, you stand the chance of losing your customers to competitors that have already hopped on the thriving Internet bandwagon.

Getting into E-commerce isn’t complicated at all, but making your venture a success takes a lot of time and dedication. However, when laying out and following a basic strategy, you will find that running your online business is fairly easy.

Creating Your Online Presence

Whether you choose to create an E-commerce site yourself or hire professional designers, you need to be prepared to make an investment. If you decide to build the site on your own, it will undoubtedly require a lot of time. With little to no experience in web design, you just might have a hard time getting things started. This is where a web hosting provider comes in handy.

The best way to build your E-commerce site and a strong online presence is to get the backing of a reliable web hosting company. These services offer numerous benefits, including the following:

• You can create a website for a fraction of the cost required to build an E-commerce business
• You can design your online storefront from a variety of available templates
• Easy web creation and management tools allow you to run the store by yourself with little experience
• You can accept payments in various ways (credit cards, eChecks, etc.)
• Your online business can be up and running and a matter of days

• Fusing relevant keywords into your web pages to attract search engines
• Submitting your website to online and article directories
• Email campaigns
• Link exchange programs
• Social networking

In the process of promoting your website, you should combine several strategies to determine what works. The more traffic you drive in, the better chances you have of making sales from your online store.

Share this article:

(No Ratings Yet)

 Loading ...

Sep 24, 2008 : Ecommerce No responses yet