The Advantages of Linux Hosting
Choosing a web host is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. Hopefully, you will select a company that encourages you to stick around for a while. It is a good rule of thumb to first determine your needs and then get out on the hunt for a web host. There are several questions that must be answered when looking for service. Do you want shared or dedicated hosting? Do you prefer cPanel or the Plesk control panel? Another decision you will be faced with is what platform you want to host on – Linux or Windows?
What is Linux Hosting?
In web hosting, the Linux operating system enables a server to perform various operations. For years, Linux has been considered as one of the most stable and reliable platforms in the web hosting environment. The system offers a level of functionality, flexibility and speed that towers over many competitive platforms. Because of this, Linux is often a first choice among small businesses and corporations who require web hosting.
With Linux hosting, you will enjoy a number of advantages including the following:
Stability – Traditionally, Linux is known as one the most robust and stable operating systems available. When hosting on this platform, you typically get exceptional performance along with the maximum uptime. In fact, there have been documented cases where Linux servers have run for nearly a year without experiencing a single moment of downtime.
Cost Efficiency – As an open-source system, the Linux operating system either comes free or at a very inexpensive price. This allows the web hosting company to save money on licensing fees and therefore offer a much cheaper service.
Ease of Use – Though considered complex, a Linux-based server is fairly easy to use in the shared hosting environment. Control panel software and comprehensive management tools allows even non-technical users to excel on a Linux platform.
Considerations
If you prefer the Linux operating system, keep in mind that you may be restricted to certain technologies. For example, Microsoft products found in a Windows hosting package may not be available on a Linux platform. Some of these technologies include server-side programming languages such as ASP and ASP.NET as well as databases like MS SQL and MS Access. For the most part, you can easily find a Linux web hosting plan that supports FrontPage, a web design program developed by Microsoft. On the other hand, the Linux operating system supports a wide range of technologies to make up for this minor deficiency. Some of the technologies you will generally have access to are PHP server-side scripts, MySQL databases and a variety of open-source programs.
You really cannot go wrong when choosing a Linux web hosting plan. Keep in mind that if you want to enjoy all the benefits, you must find a reliable host able to support your needs. If a company cannot provide you with fast servers, a respectable uptime and responsive technical support, all the power and flexibility of Linux will not mean a thing.
