The ASP Advantage

There are numerous advantages to building your website with ASP.  Perhaps the most obvious is the presence of dynamic elements that will make your site look more appealing to visitors.  This is a winning quality for the online business owner who wants to enhance the browsing experience while trying to entice potential customers with their products or services.  In fact, more and more businesses are investing in Windows hosting merely because of its ability to help them better engage the consumer and market their products.   This is not only made possible from the use of ASP, but several other Microsoft technologies bundled in the Windows Server operating system and IIS web server.

A dynamic, content-rich website is generally easier to maintain, and this is especially true when your pages and applications are powered by ASP.  The ASP framework encourages good programming practices, which empowers the knowledgeable developer to work with clean code that produces compliant output.  Due to the fact that it is tightly integrated with IIS and the Windows platform, your visitors will be able to enjoy feature loaded web pages in the way they were meant to be viewed regardless of what type of browser they use.  ASP makes one of the best options for providing rich, dynamic content that jumps off the screen at your visitors.

Getting the Best ASP Solution

As with any type of solution, there are many factors that must be considering when opting for a Windows host that supports ASP.  Any server, regardless of the technology it uses, it is susceptible to downtime and other technical issues.  For this reason, you want to seek out a provider that provides a reliable service able to assure you as little downtime as possible.  It is also highly recommended that you find a host using the latest version of software applications and dependable hardware.  Old software and equipment often have vulnerabilities that can result in security breaches and other problems you don’t need.  For this reason, you may also want to consider using ASP.NET as it is the most current of Microsoft’s Active Server Pages technology.  Paying attention to these factors will help to ensure that your site stays up and running online and your dynamic can be viewed in the manner it was meant to be.

What is Silverlight?

Silverlight is a browser plugin that supports major web browsers such as Internet Explorer, FireFox, Safari and many others.  As a cross-platform technology, it is not only compatible with Windows, but other operating systems such as Mac OS X, Linux and Unix.  Silverlight is viewed as Microsoft’s alternative to Adobe’s Flash technology.  This is because similar to Flash, it allows users to view media applications directly from their web browser in a streaming fashion that lets you listen to music and watch videos in near real-time.  Perhaps the greatest advantage of Silverlight is its ability to be integrated with existing web applications thanks to a robust development framework that supports a number of programming languages.  Whereas using Flash on the .NET Framework is messy at best, Silverlight was made for this powerful environment, giving it the ability to deliver unrivaled results.

Silverlight 3 Features and Benefits

Silverlight 3 was officially released on July 9, 2009.  This version is bundled with many improvements and new features that enable developers to take the rich media experience to the next level.

Enhanced User Experience – The newest version of Silverlight comes included with new 3D graphics, text enhancement, font support and animation features, all of which provide developers and designers with a way to create next-generation web browsing experiences for the end-user.

Deep Linking Capability – Silverlight 3 offers support for deep linking, allowing for the bookmarking of pages within rich internet applications.

SEO-Friendly - With Silverlight 3, users can deal with a number of SEO-related tasks dues to its seamless compatibility with a number of different tools.  By combining business objects on the server with site maps and ASP.NET controls, you can mirror the content of your applications into HTML format that can be indexed by the search engine bots, thus providing for better ranking in the SERPs.

Giving Silverlight a Test Drive

These features and benefits do not even scratch the surface because Silverlight has much more to offer.  Hosting this amazing technology is incredibly easy since there are no significant requirements due to its cross-platform capabilities.  However, there are some factors you want to keep in mind.  Silverlight can be a resource hogging feature, particularly if your plans require a large entertainment or multimedia site.  For this reason, you may want to consider hosting it on a virtual private server or dedicated server.  If you want to give Silverlight a test run, you can try it out with Microsoft Silverlight Streaming.  This is a free alternative that allows you to experience Silverlight for yourself before giving up your existing rich media technology.

1.) Tailor Made For Web Users

Windows Server 2008 is integrated with IIS 7.0, a powerful application that greatly simplifies server management.  Server administrators are provided with comprehensive management interfaces that enable a higher degree of cross-site control and grants more authority to the end-user.  When used in conjunction with the Microsoft .NET Framework, IIS ensures that you can share data on a much greater level and deliver content to your audience in a more efficient manner.

2.) Powerful Virtualization Technology

If VPS hosting is something you have been considering, Windows Server 2008 makes the ideal platform for your web needs.  This software offers robust virtualization capabilities, allowing you to virtualize multiple operating systems, be it Windows, Linux or Unix, on a single server.  Due to the enhanced flexibility in licensing policies, you can leverage all the cost savings and advantages virtualization has to offer.  With the aid of Windows Server 2008, administrators can work fluently in dynamic environments where they are able to quickly and seamlessly adapt to evolving business needs.  Deploying applications can now be done in a convenient and secure manner without the need for a virtual private network.

3.) Reliable Security Features

Windows Server 2008 is easily the most secure server operating system ever developed by Microsoft.  The platform has been hardened with features such as NAP (Network Access Protection), read-only domain controllers and Federate Rights Management, all of which help to ensure adequate protection for your data, network and mission-critical functions.  Even if a website, server or even the network is compromised, this the security features built into this rock-solid OS will help to isolate the threat and greatly minimize the damage.

4.) An Ideal Choice for Business

Windows Server 2008 is one of the most flexible and scalable server operating systems  available, increasing Microsoft’s market share and giving Red Hat Linux a run for its money.  With enhanced clustering and networking technologies, choosing to host your site on this platform ensures you a versatile and reliable environment to support your application requirements and dramatically boost productivity within your organization.

5.) A Solution You Can Count On

When it comes to web hosting, reliability should be your primary concern in making a decision. Windows Server 2008 can provide the reliability you need, standing out from the competition with a foundation tailored for success. With a code base that is even stronger than the previous version and a host of powerful features, this platform makes an excellent choice for creating, delivering and managing the dynamic applications and rich user experiences needed to help you succeed online.

Tremendous Power and Less Complex

Most Windows hosting packages today are based on either Microsoft Windows Server 2003 or 2008 operating systems.  Designed after Windows NT, these powerful systems enable end-to-end server management with features that provide for scalability and enhanced security.  It also offers a fully integrated environment for web development where the .NET Framework and other Microsoft technologies can be used to create dynamic web pages and applications.  The architecture of Windows has made the platform an efficient tool for integrating various business functions with the internet.

A Microsoft-Friendly Solution

If your website requires the use of Microsoft products like ASP and FrontPage, then Windows hosting makes the perfect solution.  Though officially replaced by Expression Web , the FrontPage clients remains one of the most widely used web design and management tools.  Designed with the novice in mind, this program is very easy to use yet loaded with enough features to help you create an interactive, dynamic website.  While ASP isn’t necessarily geared towards beginners, it tends to be easier to use than other server-side scripting technologies and integrates seamlessly with a wide variety of programming languages.  These features and more attribute to the reputation Windows has earned for being a user-friendly hosting solution.

Wide Ranging Support and Compatibility

The major advantage of Windows hosting is that the platform easily integrates with various Microsoft products.  For example, all components from IIS (Internet Information Services) to the SQL Server database system are designed to support one another.  Due to its immense popularity, several developers have created a number of applications and technologies that are compatible with the Windows platform.  In addition to this, open-source products such as PHP, Perl and MySQL can all be run efficiently on Windows.  The same cannot be said when trying to run ASP or MS SQL on a Linux or Unix server.

Surprisingly Cost Efficient

In terms of cost, Windows hosting has traditionally been a more costly solution than those based on Linux.  This is due to proprietary software licenses owned by Microsoft.  With that said, Windows hosting is generally affordable these days and a feature-rich plan can easily be found for under $10 per month.  In fact, unless you require your own server, this type of plan can actually be just as affordable as the price of a Unix-based package.  Factor in the power and high performance you get from the platform and your money is well spent.

Conclusion

Windows hosting makes a viable option for a broad range of needs.  This platform can provide virtually all the same functionality as Linux and a little more when considering integration with other Microsoft products.  Although you might have to pay a little more, the power and efficiency of the Windows platform outweighs the cost disadvantage by far.

Unix Pros

The Unix operating system was made to perform demanding tasks, giving it the ability to run multiple sites on a single machine with ease.  It is extremely flexible for programming environments and provides a tremendous level of administrative control.  Unix handles CGI scripts perhaps better than any other system, making it ideal for hosting operations that require a lot of automation.

Unix Cons

The disadvantages of Unix do not have much of a bearing on end-users or shared hosting customers, but to the server administrator, they can be a determining factor.  Thriving off raw DOS-like commands, it can be incredibly difficult to learn as there is no GUI to simplify management tasks.  In fact, it can take administrators years to fully grasp all the basic commands of the Unix operating system.

Windows

A relative newcomer to the web hosting arena, Microsoft got its start in the market with the introduction of its NT server operating system.  Windows NT was beloved instantly for its ease of use and seamless integration with the FrontPage web authoring tool.  This niche variation really appealed to users who lacked the ability to code with scripting technologies such as HTML, CGI and PHP.  Despite its popularity, Windows NT quickly gained a bad reputation for being vulnerable to exploits and stability issues.  The platform improved greatly with the introduction of Windows Server 2003 and got even better with the release of Windows Server 2008 in 2007.

Windows Pros

Windows offers a user-friendly setting that is quite familiar to its desktop environment, making it easier to use for administrators.  Instead of complex commands, management tasks can be handled from a GUI boasting icons and easy to use tools.

Windows Cons

Now far more stable and secure, the Windows disadvantages have been reduced significantly.  The biggest drawback would be cost, which stems from licenses tied to the Microsoft SQL Server, Exchange and even the Windows platform itself.

Conclusion

When it comes down to it, both Unix and Windows have demonstrated their ability to perform efficiently in the web hosting environment.  Both are traditionally more expensive than Linux so cost may not be as big a factor as you may think.  Perhaps the best way to decide is to base the decision on your experience with server software and most importantly, your particular needs.

1.) Excellent Cost Value

The cost for a virtual private server is almost always less expensive than a dedicated server.  The unique advantage is that it offers many of the same benefits.  Rather than purchasing or leasing a costly physical server to run your applications and host your site, you can go with a VPS and enjoy significant cost savings.  Because the Windows server platform is designed to tap into existing computing resources, the customization and performance benefits makes this type of hosting solution quite valuable to most users.

2.) Convenience Factor

A Windows VPS hosting plan enables convenience in a number of ways.  With benefits such as guaranteed system resources and burstable RAM, developers can separate critical tasks into simpler assignments.  For example, with the right software tools, you can easily separate images and text for genuine content management.  In addition, this type of account provides for optimal resource usage and management when compared to the shared hosting environment.  Even if you find yourself in a situation where you are approaching the limits of your guaranteed resources, a VPS package that offers burstable RAM can make up for that capacity and allow you to continuously flourish.

3.) Applications Galore

One factor that draws many webmasters and developers to VPS hosting in general, is the ability to configure and install their own software applications.  In regard to Windows, you typically receive a package equipped with ASP or ASP.NET, both of which are web application frameworks that can help you create a dynamic, feature-rich website.  Aside from these programming environments, a Windows VPS hosting account can also be integrated with technologies such as JavaScript, Python, PHP and Cold Fusion among others.  The Windows platform and virtualization make a great combination for highly functional, data-driven websites.

Why Go With Windows?

There are numerous reasons to consider Windows as your VPS hosting platform.  Aside from the benefits listed in this article, you also have the ability to install and utilize a host of free, open source applications right alongside the native Microsoft technologies.  These tools can go a long way in helping you reduce complex tasks and increase productivity.   Although you can purchase a VPS hosting account on platforms such as Linux and Unix, Windows makes a solid choice due to its power, flexibility and exceptional value.

An All-in-One Solution

Although Linux is still a very popular and viable platform, many resellers are switching over to the Microsoft system because it offers exclusive advantages as well support for many open-source technologies.  Windows can be viewed as an all-in-one hosting solution.   Maintaining multiple separate accounts to meet the demand of customer requirements is a thing of the past as this platform makes it possible to host a variety of applications right alongside one other.   This means that you can cater to client who prefers an ASP scripted application and MS SQL back-end database as well as the customer who needs a PHP-based script backed by a MySQL database.  This is something most Linux and Unix-based reseller hosting packages just can’t offer.

Diverse Line of Products and Services

The Windows platform gives you the opportunity to capitalize off a broader range of services. For example, you can target the Linux audience with the offering of open source technologies like PHP and Perl while still meeting the needs of your Windows customers with ASP, ASP.NET and other Microsoft products.  You can label your hosting packages how you see fit based on the needs of the customers.  Additionally, intuitive Windows-based control panels like Plesk and DotNetNuke give you the ability to enhance your selling points by placing emphasis on the quality and variety you have to offer.  All of these factors increase your chances of enjoying financial success as a reseller.

The Hottest Technologies

Windows reseller hosting provides resellers with the opportunity to leverage the latest innovations available and apply them to their portfolio of services.  Highly sought after managed services such as Microsoft Exchange, ActiveSync, Windows Mobile and Sharepoint greatly boost a reseller’s potential profits as the market for these services has grown tremendously in recent times.  Customers from various industries are increasingly looking to outsource their-IT related needs and the power of Windows hosting and its array of complimenting technologies can enable them to work with greater efficiency while adding to the value of their business.

Conclusion

There are many reasons to consider Windows as your reseller hosting platform of choice.  The system is ideal for seasoned developers and also contorts to less experienced users who are already familiar with the Windows desktop and Microsoft Office environment.  The technologies offered in this setting make it a viable option for clients who simply want to create a personal site or blog as well as those who are looking to make an impact on the business level.  Best of all, Windows reseller hosting allows you to reach out to a wider audience all without losing clients who prefer technologies commonly associated with the Linux platform.

]]> http://webhostingrating.com/articles/2009/04/the-benefits-of-windows-reseller-hosting-3/feed/ 0 http://webhostingrating.com/articles/2009/04/the-benefits-of-windows-reseller-hosting-2/ http://webhostingrating.com/articles/2009/04/the-benefits-of-windows-reseller-hosting-2/#comments Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:55:05 +0000 CommunicateBetter http://webhostingrating.com/articles/?p=318 Some may ask the question: why choose a Windows hosting package when Linux is much cheaper?  Well, Linux hosting isn’t always the most cost effective solution and the Windows platform has many advantages, benefits that are extended to reseller hosting as well.  This article will introduce you to some of the key benefits of Windows-based reseller hosting and explain why you may want to consider it for your reseller business.

An All-in-One Solution

Although Linux is still a very popular and viable platform, many resellers are switching over to the Microsoft system because it offers exclusive advantages as well support for many open-source technologies.  Windows can be viewed as an all-in-one hosting solution.   Maintaining multiple separate accounts to meet the demand of customer requirements is a thing of the past as this platform makes it possible to host a variety of applications right alongside one another.   This means that you can cater to client who prefers an ASP scripted application and MS SQL back-end database as well as the customer who needs a PHP-based script backed by a MySQL database.  This is something most Linux and Unix-based reseller hosting packages just can’t offer.

Diverse Line of Products and Services

The Windows platform gives you the opportunity to capitalize off a broader range of services.

For example, you can target the Linux audience with the offering of open source technologies like PHP and Perl while still meeting the needs of your Windows customers with ASP, ASP.NET and other Microsoft products.  You can label your hosting packages how you see fit based on the needs of the customers.  Additionally, intuitive Windows-based control panels like Plesk and DotNetNuke give you the ability to enhance your selling points by placing emphasis on the quality and variety you have to offer.  All of these factors increase your chances of enjoying financial success as a reseller.

The Hottest Technologies

Windows reseller hosting provides resellers with the opportunity to leverage the latest innovations available and apply them to their portfolio of services.  Highly sought after managed services such as Microsoft Exchange, ActiveSync, Windows Mobile and Sharepoint greatly boost a reseller’s potential profits as the market for these services has grown tremendously in recent times.  Customers from various industries are increasingly looking to outsource their-IT related needs and the power of Windows hosting and its array of complimenting technologies can enable them to work with greater efficiency while adding to the value of their business.

Conclusion

There are many reasons to consider Windows as your reseller hosting platform of choice.  The system is ideal for seasoned developers and also contorts to less experienced users who are already familiar with the Windows desktop and Microsoft Office environment.  The technologies offered in this setting make it a viable option for clients who simply want to create a personal site or blog as well as those who are looking to make an impact on the business level.  Best of all, Windows reseller hosting allows you to reach out to a wider audience all without losing clients who prefer technologies commonly associated with the Linux platform.

Windows Prevalence

The Microsoft Windows operating system is installed on over 90% of home-based personal computers.  And even though Linux and Unix are more common in the web hosting arena, the prevalence of Windows in the home and business setting makes it a popular choice for those who come in already familiar with the system.  When coupled with the enhanced functionality, user-friendliness and rich set of features it offers, it is clear to see why more customers are opting for Windows hosting.

Windows Programming

Windows hosting offers an entirely different programming environment than Linux and other Unix-like systems.  The major technologies involved in Windows-based hosting packages are ASP and ASP.NET.  These server-side programming languages allow you to create dynamic web pages and applications that will serve content to your visitors in a more efficient manner.  The unique quality of Windows hosting is the fact that it not only supports Microsoft programming environments, but open-source technologies such as PHP and Perl as well.

Windows Databases

Windows hosting sets itself apart from the average solution and this is made evident by the databases.  A Linux-based package generally comes included with open-source databases like MySQL and Postgre SQL.  A Windows hosting plan typically offers MS Access or MS SQL, an enterprise-class database system used in many corporate applications.  The power of MS SQL alone is often enough to sway business customers in choose Windows over Linux hosting.

Windows Control Panels

Although cPanel, the leading control panel software, is specific to the Linux platform, there is also a nice selection of control panels available for Windows.  As of now, the most popular Windows control panel is a software application known as Helm.  Other control panels that support the system include Ensim and H-Sphere.  These programs are different in terms of presentation and features but all give you the ability to effectively manage your Windows hosting account.

Windows Hosting in Summary

The Windows platform makes an excellent choice for web hosting, especially if your site has specific requirements for Microsoft technologies like ASP and MS SQL.  As with any solution, the key to succeeding with Windows hosting is finding a reliable provider.  This means doing business with a host that can ensure a respectable uptime and quality service.  Without reliability, it will be difficult to enjoy all the functionality this environment has to offer.  The market for Windows hosting is growing rapidly, making it easier to find a good provider that meets your needs.

Simple and Dynamic

Microsoft products are known for their ease of use and the components you will find in the Windows hosting environment are no different.  One of the major features of Windows hosting is ASP.  Short for Active Server Pages, ASP is a server-side scripting technology based on Microsoft’s Visual Basic client-side language.  Hence the name, Visual Basic is a basic programming language that caters to beginners, a factor makes ASP easier to work with than alternatives such as Perl and even CGI.

Windows hosting offers an ideal platform for creating data-driven sites that allow your visitors to enjoy enhanced interaction.  This dynamic content is enabled by languages such as ASP and ASP.NET with SQL Server and MS Access databases on the backend.  Because the tools are so user-friendly, Windows hosting makes a great choice for learning the basics of web development.  The learning curve with ASP tends to be shorter than other server-side languages while Access is merely a desktop application bundled with the Microsoft Office suite.  Access is easy to use, offering numerous wizards and comprehensive tools that allow you to quickly develop fully functional databases.  The best part about Windows hosting is that Microsoft technologies seamlessly integrate with one another.  This means you can easily convert the content created with ASP and MS Access to ASP.NET and SQL Server for the ultimate in scalability.

Great First Choice for Developers

After developing on a Windows-based platform, there is a great chance that you will have the knowledge to move up to more advanced projects.  Many developers have started with ASP, MS Access and SQL Server databases to work their way up to open-source technologies such as PHP, Perl and MySQL.  This is made possible by the fact that the Microsoft’s IIS web server is compatible with most of the components commonly found on Linux and Unix hosting platforms.  Such knowledge will come in handy when you get a hold of open-source software that can be modified with the backend databases of your choosing.  When choosing a host that offers the best of Windows and open-source, you have the flexibility needed to get your dynamic website up and running efficiently.

The Ideal Business Solution

Windows hosting is often the preferred choice for professionals as it allows you to focus more on running the business rather than worrying about all the technical aspects.  The implementation of highly functional Microsoft technologies enables you to deliver the products and services best suited for your audience.  Though traditionally more expensive than other hosting solutions, the power and flexibility Windows offers will help you have both time and money over the long run.  Whether you are familiar with development languages or not, all it takes is a basic knowledge of Microsoft desktop products to excel in this environment.