Archive for the 'Linux Web Hosting' Category

Why Choose Red Hat Linux?

There are many different flavors of Linux to choose from.  Some are very popular while others are less well known but as just as efficient.  Choosing a distribution can be quite overwhelming, but in this article we will explain why you may want to pick Red Hat over everything else.

Smarter Support System

One of the biggest knocks on Linux, particularly among business users, is its lack of official support.  Some operations are of such a mission-critical nature that waiting for a return from the community forums becomes unacceptable.  Red Hat gives you the opportunity to avoid this by offering subscription based services that allows customers to obtain faster support from the community experts.  This system lets you leverage the best of both worlds to ensure that your distribution is a as flexible and secure as it can be.

More Compatible

When choosing Red Hat, you can rest easy about compatibility issues because they are almost non-existent.  This is often a major concern for uses migrating from Windows.  In most cases, these users must not only transition to the new operating system, but new office applications, web browsers, mail clients, codecs and much more.  Having the ability to access the features you need is a great reason to choose Red Hat.  For the most part, whatever you require from an OS can be obtained in one version or the next.

Enterprise Support

If you require a Linux distribution for corporate business needs, Red Hat could be the most ideal of them all.  This OS gives you access to enterprise-class support that makes the system much easier to user and maintain.   Most importantly, it makes it easier to integrate the system with your existing applications.  Unlike other flavors, this one does not stick you a manual in your hands and leave you alone to figure everything out.  Red Hat will help you get your systems up and running quickly while spending little to no time in the forums.

Strong Community

Red Hat is a growing company that has developed strong partnerships in a wealth of business markets, which can make any learning curves far less painful.  Chances are that you can now find vendors and support for the system right in your area.  This includes dealers that sell and resell hardware, as well as those who provide software solutions and training.  There are even special network partners who exist solely to help your integrate your existing systems with Red Hat Linux.

Red Hat offers many advantages that set it apart and above other distributions of Linux.  These distinct advantages can make sure you meet your personal or business needs.  Qualities such as a high level of compatibility, the luxury to integrate your existing systems, and great support that will help you stay a little more sane really allow this flavor to stand out on its own.  While the best Linux distribution is really a matter of preference, Red Hat is one the enthusiast or experienced user can’t go wrong with.


What is the Best Distribution of Linux?

Linux comes in a wide variety of flavors, better known as distributions.  Such an array can make choosing between them very difficult for both the experienced administrator as well as the new user migrating from a different operating system.  Making a decision isn’t easy, but we will do our best to simplify the process of selecting the ideal Linux distribution for your needs.

What’s Your Style?

Before deciding on a Linux flavor, it would probably be wise to give some insight into the type of style you have as a user.  This is very important because whatever the answer is will have a huge impact on the future of that particular distribution.  For example, if you have your eye on strictly open-source versions, you may choose a system that comes packaged with proprietary drivers and codecs.  If you will be using Linux for a network of people, your choice becomes even more crucial.  More than likely, some members of the group will be totally new to the operating system, so whatever you choose can impact their perception of the platform as a whole.  There are many Linux distributions and the differences can be substantial.

The New User

Linux has always been perceived as an operating system for geeks and IT experts.  However, that outlook has dimmed over the last few years.  With common features and applications such as Flash and media players, even the new user can come to embrace it.  One of the best distributions for the job is Ubuntu.  Among the most widely used flavors, Ubuntu is perfect for new users, offering ease of use and all the visual goodies of a modern desktop system. The system is very compatible and can run on most hardware without flaw.  If this is your first run with Linux, Ubuntu is definitely the way to go.

The Migrating User

If you are a user with a knowledge and would like to migrate to Linux because of the limitations imposed by commercial operating systems, Mint could be the distribution for you.  Mint was built on the solid architecture of Ubuntu, which gives it many excellent qualities.  This distribution offers great hardware comparability, an easy installation and improvements on some of Ubuntu’s weak spots.  Mint supports a number of codecs and comes with both Abode Flash and Sun’s Java pre-installed.

The Business Professional

If you are the person who is responsible for picking a Linux distribution for the office environment, the selection process gets a little more difficult.  If you would like something that resembles the simplicity of Ubuntu and the high degree of reliability needed to ensure availability, OpenSUSE would make a fine choice.  OpenSUSE is a highly scalable system with excellent support from Novell and various third-party providers.  It integrates seamlessly with OpenOffice.org into the desktop environment of your choosing, which is also configured for compatibility with Microsoft applications.  In fact, OpenSUSE is capable of running several applications native to the Windows environment.

Conclusion

We haven’t even touched the surface on Linux distributions but hopefully this info will aid in your decision.  Once you narrow down the list and choose the right flavor for your needs, you will likely enjoy many perks that were absent in your previous OS.


Choosing a Linux Platform for Your Hosting Needs

If you are the least bit familiar with the web hosting business, then you have probably heard of a piece of software called Linux.  Originally created in 1991, Linux quickly became one of the most widely used operating systems on the market, emerging as a viable alternative to popular options such as Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X.  Linux is adored by its fan base for many reasons, and among them is an open-source license that makes it cost efficient and highly customizable.  A global community of developers are constantly working to improve the software, which adds to its power and stability.  There are a number of Linux distributions available, and below we will examine some you might encounter when looking for a hosting package.

Ubuntu Hosting

The first distribution we will discuss is Ubuntu.  This flavor of Linux is very popular because it offers several features that are comparable to Windows web hosting, which makes the system much easier to use.  The biggest downside to Ubuntu is that it is better suited as a personal desktop operating system rather than a server platform.  Therefore, this particular distribution is not as widely used as its counterparts in the hosting environment.  That does not mean it cannot be used because Ubuntu makes a viable option for various types of server configurations.

Kubuntu Hosting

Just by the name, you can probably tell that the Kubuntu distribution is quite similar to Ubuntu.  In fact, these two platforms are nearly identical in terms of operation and functionality.  The most notable distinction is that they utilize two different types of file systems.  Apart from that, these operating systems offer the same level of stability, performance and reliability, making both ideal for website hosting and desktop use as well.

Debian Hosting

Debian hosting revolves around a server platform based on both the Ubuntu and Kubuntu operating systems.  It is currently the most widely used Linux distribution in the web hosting industry.  While it is considerably more complex and difficult, Debian offers the superior flexibility and reliability needed to keep a multitude of websites up and running.  Despite its complexities, this software is ideal as both a server and desktop operating system.

Fedora Hosting

Fedora is another common Linux distribution and one that is often bundled with dedicated server hosting plans.  It is based on RedHat Linux, which is a commercial distribution and the Linux platform designed to compete with Microsoft Windows.  Though prevalent on the hosting marketplace, Fedora is primarily used as a server platform for older machines due to its limitations and ability to thrive exceptionally well by using fewer system resources.


The Linux OS: Perfect for the Hosting Environment

Linux is a prime example of how the open-source revolution has reached the pinnacle of software development.  Based off the Unix operating system, its source code is freely available, meaning it can be used, modified and redistributed at no cost.  The main kernel at the heart of every Linux system today was developed by Linus Torvalds, a student who attended the University of Helsinki in Finland.  In the beginning, the system was primarily but sparingly used by die hard fans and experienced users due to its complexity.  However, it was not long before it was adopted and used in server hardware produced by IBM, Hewlett Packard, Novel and Microsystems.  Today, Linux is a dominant force in the web hosting industry and steadily gaining a sizable marketing share as a PC operating system.

The Flexibility of Linux

Throughout the years, Linux has established itself as a cost effective, highly configurable and flexible operating system that is currently used in everything from television set top boxes to cell phones as an embedded platform.  Some of the common hardware components it programs include Linkysys routers, switches and firewalls, the popular TiVo digital video recorder and most notably in 2005, two of the worlds fastest supercomputers.  In fact, a whopping 88.6% (443) out of 500 supercomputers rated use the Linux operating system as their platform as of June, 2009.  This system has built up such an impressive track record that it has become the preferred choice for servers in the business environment.  Its popularity can be attributed to processing power and availability many other systems have a difficult time competing with.

Linux and Web Hosting

Linux web hosting came about due to a need for enhanced stability, performance and reliability for servicing a domain.  When it comes to hosting a website, there are very few operating systems that can compare to the power and reliability of this platform.  The internet itself is based on interconnected networking computers, something that comes naturally for Linux.  This is mainly because a large majority of the networking protocols and technologies used to enable the internet are based on Unix, the system from which Linux gets most of its traits.  The incorporation of these protocols and technologies has resulted in the unrivaled adaptability, stability and security that has made Linux one of the most powerful operating systems available today.  In addition, its seamless compatibility with Apache and MySQL are more examples of how it helped to power and lead the way in the open-source software phenomenon.

Perhaps the greatest advantage of Linux hosting is that software has been developed to support the platform at an explosive rate.  This again, is coupled with the fact that is capable of running just about any protocol or web service, which makes it an ideal choice for hosting.  The market for server operating systems is growing fast and while Microsoft Windows will likely continue to be a worthy competitor, Linux will always be a major player in the world of web hosting.


What Type of Linux are You?

Originally released in 1991, Linux is becoming an increasingly popular choice as a desktop operating system.  More home users are coming to discover that it makes a solid alternative to Windows and Mac OS X.  While Linux is just making its way into homes, it has been used as an academic and server solution for years.  Unlike commercial operating systems, the source code for the Linux kernel is open-source, actively contributed to by a community of developers who are always working to improve the overall product.  The result of this is many different variations of the operating system.  There are various Linux distributions and while similar, each is distinct and designed to suit specific needs.  This article will take a closer look at some of the more popular distributions you may encounter when shopping for Linux web hosting.

Ubuntu

Ubuntu is the most popular and widely used consumer distribution of Linux.  This is mainly because the platform is designed to be more of a desktop operating system than a server solution.  In fact, it has many features that are comparable to Windows.  With that said, Ubuntu still makes a solid choice for in the hosting environment and truly thrives as a server operating system.

Kubuntu

As you may have guessed, Kubuntu is quite similar to Unbuntu in terms of operation and functionality.  The major difference between these two platforms is that they utilize different files systems.  Aside from that, both systems perform all the same functions and are far easier to use than other distributions of Linux.  This simplicity comes in handy for an administrator who frequently has to deal with the complexities and challenges of server management.

Debian

Debian is another widely used distribution of Linux and perhaps the most common in the web hosting environment.  It is also a distribution that is more difficult to use.  Though both Ubuntu and Kubuntu are based on this platform, Debian isn’t nearly as easy to use.  However, this particular platform is highly scalable and very flexible it has the ability to function exceptionally well as both a desktop and server operating system.

Fedora

Fedora is a lightweight distribution of Linux that often comes included free in many dedicated server hosting plans.  This system is based on and sponsored by RedHat Linux, which maintains the commercial distribution that is the most competitive with Microsoft Windows.  When it comes to desktops, Fedora is mainly used in older computers for the simple fact that is has limited system requirements and uses less resources.  However, this system unleashes its power in the server environment.

CentOS

Short for Community Enterprise Operating System, CentOS is another distribution based on Red Hat Linux.  Although the source code is freely available under the GPL, because of Red Hat, CentOS has benefitted greatly from commercial development in terms of stability, performance and security.  An increasingly popular option, CentOS often forms the backbone of cPanel and WHM reseller hosting solutions.


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