WBC Web Hosting

Linux and Windows 2000 are the types of software also known as operating systems that web servers use to perform, the kind of thing that web servers perform.

The following are the guidelines to assist in the decision making as to choose which among the two: -

It’s not compulsory to opt for Windows web hosting if one is using a windows desktop PC and the reverse is also true. Web host choice has very less to do with the operating system one is using. The only requirement is having knowledge of using FTP or web publishing software and then anyone can opt for any of the operating system. The most important factor is one must be fully aware of the functions of his/her website and also the purpose for which it is designed. That will help in determining the type of web hosting that will be most fruitful. Usually, interactive websites rely on ASP, PHP, or Perl type languages.

How to choose between Linux Web Hosting and Windows 2000 Web Hosting?

In Web hosting, Linux was for some time, been widely considered the best OS for Web servers. Due to several factors like reliability, stability and efficiency it is most widely used for the demanding environment of Web and mail servers. In fact due to traditional stability most of the client’s websites of aalpha NET runs on the Linux OS in particular.

However the most important question is what application one is searching for? One must consider the tools and scripting languages that he/she is planning to use i.e. if one is using PHP, Perl or MySQL then Linux is the best option. But if applications are Microsoft-specific, then Windows is what is needed.

If one’s site is what might be termed as “brochure-ware” then Linux servers will serve best. Brochure-ware means a site that provides sort of information that in the past might have been provided on paper in the form of brochures, newsletters or data sheets. Thus brochure-ware sites offer some interaction through enquiry forms and can certainly incorporate online purchasing and other routine e-commerce functions.

However if one’s site incorporates an online searchable database or interactive chat facilities then Windows 2000 or NT is considered best in most of the cases. It is little bit expensive but in return it provides reduced development time and better functionality.

Thus compensating the extra cost.

Advantages of using Linux based web server compared to Windows based web server:

Stability: Traditionally Linux/Unix operating systems were considered to be very stable and robust. With up time as high as 99.9%, a web site housed on a Linux operating system was considered best. While talking in reference to maintaining the system up time other factors like power supply, network admin skills, and network load etc. also matters a lot.

Reduced cost of ownership: In terms of cost the Linux OS comes absolutely free of cost or at very insignificant cost that too mainly cost of distribution. In addition it is well equipped with full-fledged server, and desktop applications that are free along with the OS. The server applications like FTP, Web Server, and DNS Server, File Server etc are free as well as very stable.

Easy to use: In case of Linux web hosting it is quite easy to host on Linux web servers. There is no major difference between uploading process and hosting in case of both Linux and Windows web servers. One must make sure that the Front Page extensions are enabled while using a Windows based tool such as Front Page for uploading a web site on to a Linux based web server. However this is only required if one is uploading using HTTP feature of Front Page. Also it is possible to upload a web site using FTP, as Front Page makes it possible. Just one needs to select an address with ftp for up loading using front-page FTP option. However one must take care that while selecting “Front Page Extensions” during web site design, he/she must enable Front Page extensions on a Linux web server also. Now days, all Linux web servers comes with installable Front Page extensions, making hosting on a Linux platform easier. One can almost use all types of file extensions or scripts while using Linux web server. The following are some of the commonly supported extensions-.cgi, .html, .htm, .pl, .php, .shtml, .xml,etc.

That means one can host web sites with different types of server side scripts including .cgi, .pl, .php, and .asp along with plug-in.

Easy movements between hosts: It’s quite easy to shift to another server in case of Linux based web server. A web site designed to be hosted on a Linux based web server can be easily hosted on a Windows web server but that facility is not available in case of Windows based web servers.

Wider Use: Linux/Unix based web hosting has wider use in comparison to Windows based web hosting.

Scalability: A web site designed is quite dynamic and needs modifications from time to time as per customer’s requirement. Therefore it is preferable to design a web site keeping the requirement of scalability in mind. A web site designed for compatibility with a Linux/Unix based web server fulfills this requirement easily without making any site wide design changes.

In against to that, Linux based web server is not fully compatible with Microsoft technologies. So if one is using any specialized applications or VB for development of his/her web site, it is preferable to host with a Windows based web server.

Usualy , the choice to host your website depends upon the scripting language that is used in your website.

If languages are PHP, MySQL, or Perl , Linux web server hosting is preferable.

But if you are thinking for ASP Dot Net scripting language and MS SQL database , you should chose only Windows Based hosting.

If you would like a few interactive facilities similar to chat or searchable database, Linux may not be the best choice. Also, a Linux-based web server is not fully acquiescent amongst Windows technologies. If you are using any Windows-centric technologies like Visual Basic, then Windows-based servers might be the required opportunity for you.

Advantages of Linux server hosting

Linux is an open source software product and so it does not need the high endorsement fees that other operating systems do; you can freely download and use it at no cost. A Linux website can easily be converted to a Windows website without much hassle. Also, the website can easily be changed as the necessity of the user grows. Linux web hosting is acutely cheap as Linux is a cost free operating system. Usually, merely the cost of distribution is borne by the host or owner. When the scripting language covet PHP, MySQL, or Perl etc. are required for your website then Linux server hosting is the most reliable and cost effective solution for you. Unless heavy load of scripting language, presently ought to not be traceable. There are multiple kinds of databases that run on Linux hosting, but the various widespread most likely among web host providers are mSQL, MySQL and PostgreSQL. These databases are relational by nature, and permit vastly optimized communication with your website for rapid reclamation of data. By lots of circles Linux hosting is supposed to be much securing than Windows hosting, and for that reason only Linux server hosting is also the more popular option for web designers and programmers.



Advantages of windows server hosting

.NET technologies like ASP dot net VB dot net are obtainable on this platform. If you have a website built with Microsoft .NET technologies then you ought to have to select a Windows server hosting plan. If you need an enterprise class database there are some different features so run on a Linux platform but if you desire Microsoft’s MSSQL database, a Windows hosting bill will be your best choice. Access Databases are only obtainable provided a Windows server hosting plan. Access can easily run on a Microsoft Windows platform and thus it is unavailable on a Linux hosting. If your site needs particularly this feature then you will undergo to accept windows server hosting. If you are using some of the Microsoft’s Sharepoint services a Windows Hosting guidelines is sole reliable choice for you. Windows plans typically significantly costly due to the fact that of the license price compulsory by Microsoft.



Normally, Linux server hosting plans are at least 20% cheaper than windows server hosting plans.

If you need not to undergo any unique features for your website, covet cart, searchable database etc, Linux server hosting is a finest non&wshyp;traditional for your needs.

When you are required for specific Microsoft technologies, Windows hosting plans generally is planning to be your favorable think. But for all miniscule business owner needs Linux hosting plans will generally perform quite perfectly for its cost effective features

Web hosting service is a type of Internet hosting service that allows individuals and organizations to provide their own website accessible through the World Wide Web. The requirements of the application are used to decide which type of hosting is to be employed. The factors which are considered include database server software, scripting software, and operating systems. The use of Linux-based web hosting offers a wide range of different softwares. A typical configuration for a Linux server is the LAMP platform: Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PHP/Perl/Python.

The webhosting clients can also have other services, such as an email for their business domain, databases or multi-media services. There is also the option available to choose Windows as a hosting platform. The clients can choose from PHP, Perl, and Python and may also use ASP .net or Classic ASP. The web hosting services include personal control panel for easy administration and dedicated IP address. It extends support to PHP, MySQL, SSH Access and CGI-Bin. There is POP, SMTP, IMAP and Webmail Email service availability. Anonymous FTP connections are provided for the web hosting. There are Front Page Extensions as well as Protected Directories to create as many password protected areas as required without the need for any programming.

 Windows Hosting provides complete reliability, scalability and back-end support required for today’s demanding web sites. Windows hosting supports all the popular windows-specific web development technologies, empowering an individual to create a website or web application in the language of ones preference. In windows hosting using the control panel one can make up to hundred DSNs (Database Source Names) for connecting to Microsoft Access, Excel, SQL Server or MySQL. There can be deployed unlimited number of Microsoft Access Databases within a windows hosting. The support is offered for all the .net technologies. The data can be uploaded and files can be transferred to and from the server using FTP Based Clients, Drumbeat and Macromedia DreamWeaver.



Windows Hosting