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

How Affordable is Cheap Hosting?

Many web hosting providers throw around the word “cheap”, but you will find that even those prices tend to vary widely.  The purpose of this article is to provide general information on the prices you should expect for today’s affordable web hosting packages.  These are tips you will certainly want to keep in mind when shopping for a provider to host your website.  If anything, they will help to determine whether you are being quoted a fair price.

Web hosting packages come in many different forms.  However, there are essentially three major categories that will enable you to calculate approximately how much a plan should cost in their respective arenas.  These categories include budget, Linux and Windows web hosting.

Budget Hosting

When it comes to web hosting, the terms “budget” and “cheap” are virtually interchangeable.  This is without a doubt the most popular type of hosting as so many individuals are looking to get online with a personal site or start up business.

In most cases, someone looking to start a business doesn’t have a lot of money to invest, a factor that makes budget hosting very attractive.  This type of hosting is cheap and often cost-efficient when considering all the perks you are provided.  Budget hosting plans average from around $5 to $8 per month, with a few under the $4 mark.  Although it may not sound all that expensive, anything over $10 per month cannot be considered cheap.  A company advertising their service as so is very misleading and one you might want to avoid.

Linux Hosting

For most, the issue of cheap hosting often boils down to the choice of Linux or Windows.  While both could fall under the budget category, they require a spotlight of their own due to performance and features.  As it goes with the ongoing comparison between the two operating systems, Linux hosting is generally cheaper than Windows.  However, there is no set price for Linux hosting.  Depending on the features, you could pay anywhere from $5 to $15 per month.

An affordable plan at around $6 to $8 should be sufficient for most personal users and small businesses offering adequate bandwidth and disk space, multiple email accounts, web building tools and database access.  Linux is regarded as one of the most reliable hosting platforms available.  At the same time, you should always base your decision on the stability of the host itself to assure that you’re getting what you paid for.

Windows Hosting

Cheap and Windows didn’t always go hand in hand.  In fact, there was a time when this platform was more geared towards bigger businesses as they were generally the only ones who could afford it.  In an industry that has become extremely competitive, the price of Windows hosting has dropped significantly.  Plans can range from $10 to $15 per month, but with some extensive research, you can easily find a Windows-based plan for under $10.  This will get you a variety of Microsoft technologies such as ASP, Frontpage extensions and MSSQL databases; features that may not be offered in a Linux plan.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the price you pay for hosting all depends on the requirements of your site.  The good thing as that making your way online doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg as cheap web hosting plans are abundant.

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Sep 11, 2008 : Cheap 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

Linux vs. Windows Hosting - What to consider

Contrary to popular belief, it does not matter what operating system you have on your computer when choosing where to host your site. If your computer runs Linux, you can choose a Windows hosting platform and vice versa. Of course, it would be ideal to have matching operating systems, but you can still enjoy many of the same benefits. Both servers support FTP (File Transfer Protocol) and other technologies which allow you to publish content from your hard drive to the web. Both offer encryption features such as SSL to encrypt your online communications along with compatible email accounts, databases and more.

Knowing the similarities, it is also important to make yourself familiar with the vast differences as well. For instance, if you intend to use Microsoft branded technologies such as ASP, FrontPage, MSSQL or Windows Streaming Media, your website would be much better suited for Windows-based hosting. Trying to operate server-specific scripts and programs on a different platform is often difficult and costly, though it can be done. Fortunately, the most prevalent web technologies such as PHP, POP3 and MySQL are supported by both systems.

In the way of stability, Linux is regarded as being more stable than Windows. This dates back to prior Windows systems such as 95 and 98 that were infamous for the “blue screen” of death. Though annoying, the most severe impact of this common error called for users to restart their machines. Later editions such as 2000 and XP were designed more with servers in mind, adding stability to the Windows brand.

You may enjoy better performance with Linux hosting as well as their servers are rather efficient. There is not a huge difference, but the application processes of Windows have been known to run somewhat slower. Experts believe this is because Windows loads a variety of features into single packages while the implementation of Linux is more simple yet flexible.

Another major benefit of Linux is its open source nature. This allows vendors to use several Linux components for no cost and offers a cheaper web hosting service. Both platforms have had their share of bugs, yet Linux tends to receive fixes quicker because of its large community of designers and users. Windows has to analyze these issues through the entire Microsoft bureaucracy which tends to take longer.

Regardless of what platform you choose, security is always a major concern. Many times this involves the security implemented by a host as well as the website administrator. While Windows has made notable strides with their security, Linux is better known for it’s security-first approach to development.

The Winner Is …

When money becomes an issue, most people tend go with Linux hosting as their first option. The system has established a solid reputation for its reliability and security. The choice of which platform is the best all depends on the needs of your site. In the end, you want a web host that is best suited for the goals you plan to achieve. With that said, the operating system being used should be one of the last things you consider for web hosting - Linux and Windows both provide exceptional service.

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Jul 02, 2008 : Linux Web Hosting No responses yet