The Benefits of Linux Hosting

Websites are developed using various programming languages and platforms.  One of the most widely used platforms is the Linux operating system.  People have their own reasons for choosing one platform or another, yet in this article we will discuss why so many have chosen to build their site on the Linux operating system.

The Linux Platform

Linux web hosting offers many benefits to the webmaster.  One of the major advantage is its extreme compatibility with open-source programming languages such as PHP, Perl and Python.  Cost in another factor that has led developers to this platform.  Because Linux and all of its LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP, Perl Python) components are of an open-source nature, providers are able to access these essentials for next to nothing, enabling them to offer a more affordable hosting solution.  The operating system also supports a wide range of permissions and special tools including Mod Rewrite and the .htacess file.  Linux hosting is designed in a way that allows users to implement a variety of scripts and programs according to their needs

Another major advantage to Linux hosting is the higher level of security it provides as the system itself is very secure away from the network server environment.  Often compared to Windows, Linux is known to be far more secure with fewer occurrences of viruses, worms, successful intrusions and other exploits.  Closely tied with security is stability, another benefit of this hosting solution that ensures a near flawless performance.  These factors help to ensure that your website will experience minimal downtime and remain available for visitors to access.

Extreme Usability

The Linux platform has evolved significantly over the years.  Upon first being introduced, the operating system was extremely complex and a huge turn offer for new users.  Because of this, Linux was mainly used in the server environment by IT professionals.  Thanks to the demand of more powerful and reliable solutions in the web hosting industry, the Linux platform has become more user-friendly and can even be administered by those with little to no experience.  Despite being more comprehensive, the system is still preferred by IT professionals who appreciate the control and stability it provides.  Once primarily used in the network environment, Linux is becoming more accepted as an ideal desktop solution for home users as well.

In a League of its Own

While Linux is indeed based off the Unix platform and has spawned many variations of its own, the system remains unique with capabilities that can’t be duplicated.  It has the ability to run multiple processes at one time without enduring performance issues and also allows the user to the get the most out of the server its installed on.   The power and functionality of the Linux operating system makes it a viable option for a range of hosting needs.

Conclusion

There are several factors that need to be considered when choosing a web host, but any provider using the Linux platform already has a major plus going for them.  Aside from being more affordable, this type of hosting is also likely to be more secure and give you a much better performance.

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Dec 15, 2008 : Linux Web Hosting No responses yet

Linux Hosting for Your Small Business

With so many providers offering service, getting a smooth performance out of your website is simple and more affordable than ever.  When it comes to your small business, these factors are extremely important.  There are many different plans available suited for different business purposes.  Although choosing a service all depends on your individual goals, you are likely to get everything needed to succeed with a Linux hosting plan.

Cost Factor

A Linux plan is easily one of the most economical hosting solutions on the market, something that matters vastly to the small business owner.  When hosting on this platform you will get a plethora of features for a low price, resulting in an excellent value for your money.  Some of the basic features of a Linux hosting plan include numerous MySQL databases, a variety of email options, e-commerce tools, the ability to host multiple domains and quality support.  If you’re looking for an affordable solution that doesn’t compromise on features, then Linux hosting could be the move for you.

Extreme Compatibility

An open-source software, the Linux operating system is extremely compatible.  The source code is freely available, enabling programmers from all over the world to make contributions to its development.  Linux hosting is most often powered by a LAMP server, consisting of other open-source solutions such as the Apache server application, the MySQL database and the PHP programming language.  This factor alone makes the Linux hosting plan quite powerful, offering a higher level of functionality and performance.

The compatibility of Linux extends into its ability to support a variety of programs and web-based scripting languages.  Aside from PHP, some of the languages that can be used to create your site include Java, Perl and Python.  While using these scripts takes some familiarity with each language, its good to know that you have several options for putting things together.

Reliability and Security Factor

On and offline, Linux is known as one of the most stable and reliable operating systems available.  This means that you are more likely to get a website that puts out great performance and experiences minimal issues.  Because the Linux system is very secure, it is less susceptible to instances such as virus infections and intrusion, common ailments associated with the Windows platform.

Speed and Experience

Although Windows is perhaps the most well known operating system, until recently it was most commonly used as a desktop solution.  Linux however, has been used as a server solution for years.  When it comes to speed, it’s hard to determine which system is faster though it is believed that Linux is a tab bit quicker when it comes to loading standard web pages.

An Efficient Hosting Solution

There are many reasons to choose the Linux platform to host the website for your small business - its cost-efficient, feature-rich and reliable.  More important is the service being offered by the company you choose to do business with.  Be sure to do your homework and find a provider that offers various means of customer support and a respectable uptime, preferably about 99.9%.  This will better assure that someone will be around when you need assistance and that your site will always be accessible to potential clients.

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Nov 06, 2008 : Linux Web Hosting No responses yet

Linux or Berkely Software Distribution Hosting?

Unix is one of the oldest computer operating systems.  Though still in use, this system has ironically been overcast by a wide range of variants it helped to inspire.  Two of these platforms are BSD and the most popular variation, the Linux operating system.  In this article we will overview each and explain how they perform in the web hosting environment.

BSD

BSD (Berkely Software Distribution) is a system based on the source code of the original Unix operating system.  This system has been very influential as it is behind the concept of TCP/IP communications and the internet itself.  There are currently four different BSD systems available: NetBSD, OpenBSD and Free BSD.  The Mac OS X that runs on Apple’s Macintosh computer makes up the fourth as it is built with a layer of BSD.  Forks of these systems include OpenBSD Clone, FreeBSD Clone and PC-BSD.  These different variations are very similar yet distinguished by features and their level of dependence on one another.

Linux

Linux is also based off the Unix system, often going by the name of its distribution packages such as Mandrake Linux and Red Hat Linux among others; all which thrive from the Linux kernel.  The system began in 1991 when developer Linus Torvales had ideas of a more efficient, free version of Minix.  While it is mainly based on Unix, a number of system utilities on Linux were actually derived from the BSD source code as the two systems both became open source around the same time.

Linux vs. BSD

Choosing a winner between Linux and BSD is difficult as there are many similarities.  The best way to distinguish these systems is determining what you need in a web hosting solution.  In the desktop environment, Linux offers a user more applications.  As a server platform, BSD is known for being more reliable and secure.   A major distinction is the fact that BSD and its variants are based on the original source code of Unix while Linux systems are based on the Linux kernel.  Here are more ways the systems differ:

Licensing

BSD licensing allows companies and users to alter a program’s source code without releasing those changes to the public, meaning it allows the incorporation of the code into proprietary software products.  This is how Apple is able to earn money from the Mac OS X via FreeBSD.  The Linux system uses the GPL license.  This software license allows anyone to modify the source code, but calls for them to share it with the community of open-source developers.

Control

Powered by the underlying operating system, a particular web hosting package will typically grant you with capabilities found on that platform.  BSD hosting offers the core system which consists of tools and utilities such as SSH and commands like CHMOD.  Other essential functions are usually viewed as add-ons.  A Linux hosting plan often comes with many standard features of the system, granting more authority over your hosting account.

Conclusion

All in all both systems are pretty reliable, though Linux is the more popular solution when it comes to web hosting.  However, some have regarded BSD as being more secure.  You will find that both are competitively priced and make a great option for your personal or business hosting needs.

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Oct 03, 2008 : Linux Web Hosting No responses yet

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.

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Sep 30, 2008 : Linux Web Hosting No responses yet

Linux Hosting: The Perfect Solution For Your Small Business

Technology has evolved to such a state that dynamic websites with professional appeal can be easily created for next to nothing.  Web hosting is incredibly affordable these days.  All it takes is a reliable company to provide a portion of their server, along with the key features required to give you a great presence on the web.

When it comes to finding a provider, you generally have two choices for a hosting platform.  The first option is Windows, a common name in technology we are all familiar with.  The other option is Linux hosting, not quite as popular but known as being one of the most stable operating systems on the market.  Both of these solutions come with their advantages and disadvantages.  In this article, we will focus more on the Linux platform and will detail how it is more suited for the success of a small online business.

Affordable and Easy to Manage

The simplicity and cost efficiency of Linux hosting makes it the preferred choice for many startup businesses.  This environment in general has a reputation for it’s stability and scalability.  The Linux system was designed on a security-first structure, whereas Windows is more known for being feature-rich and less secure.  In a day and age where malicious software is a grim reality, the overall security of the Linux environment is more than enough to sway small business owners.

You will find that affordable Linux hosting is abundant.  This is very attractive to a small company working on a strict budget.  Linux is often categorized as cheap web hosting but the benefits are plentiful.  Standard packages come with all the features needed to get your site off the ground including domains, email accounts, MySQL databases, web building tools and much more.  This hosting environment certainly exchanges great value for the services provided.

Open-source

The source code of Linux is freely available to developers and anyone who can make use of it.  This is made possible by it’s open-source nature under the GNU Project.  Linux components have been enhanced by it’s large community of developers who make contributions to the code.  When issues need to be addressed and patches distributed, actions are taken much faster than the Windows environment.  This is a factor that will ensure the smooth operation of your business.

Scripts

Programming languages are very essential to the process of web development.  There are a number of different scripts available including PHP, Perl, Python, Javascript and many more.  These scripts are used to create your web pages and have the ability to significantly enhance functionality.  Linux web servers support the most commonly used programming languages and tend to be more comprehensive than Microsoft technologies like ASP.NET.  These powerful building blocks will give you a great web presence with interactive functions and e-commerce features as well.

Linux hosting comes in many different variations.  You can choose to purchase service with a company offering shared hosting, dedicated or fully managed hosting, all of which are designed to support each level in the growth of your business.  If you’re looking to bring your business to the web, Linux hosting is something you just can’t go wrong with.

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Aug 07, 2008 : General No responses yet