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What Are The Differences Between Unix And Windows Web Hosting? |
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Written by Dhruv Patel
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Tuesday, 20 October 2009 09:10 |
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If you are a web site designer you should know that the differences between Unix and Windows web hosting is very little. Once you are ready to publish a site you have designed and you are faced with the decision of hosting, you might have noticed that there are a lot of Linux and Unix options, but less Windows based server options.
by DhruvPatel
If you are a web site designer you should know that the differences between Unix and Windows web hosting is very little. Once you are ready to publish a site you have designed and you are faced with the decision of hosting, you might have noticed that there are a lot of Linux and Unix options, but less Windows based server options.
Because we use Microsoft Windows at work, in the home and even in schools, most people have become familiar with it, the same applies to Windows Home and advanced Server editions. It is an incredibly easy system to use and this is the reason for its mass popularity. This is the goal was intended when it was designed, and Windows has certainly achieved this goal big time!
No knowledge of command line is required to operate Windows based server hosting, novices can use it as you do is point and click. There is very little fuss required to access various folders.
Both Linux and Unix are open source operating systems, which means source codes are free, well documented and easily distributed. Unix is the older of the two and is unable to run with x86 PC's and this the only real difference. Linux is obviously more modern and is able to function with high powered servers.
Linux is a proven workhorse and is available in different flavors too. For example Mandrake Linux and Red Hat Linux are able to manage websites in the hundreds and millions of daily hits. Unix versions such as OpenBSD and FreeBSD are also available.
Home and office PC's really do have to provide ease of use; this is not really an issue when working with web servers. Designing a site generally takes place when you are offline, and on your PC. Very advanced programming which is system-specific is another matter completely and it is when this is necessary that you notice a between working with Unix or Windows based servers.
While they can both handle web sites with add-ons such as statistics, email and chat rooms as well as heavy traffic, the main differences are price and software compatibility.
Windows base web hosting has to continually be purchased and re-licensed and this makes the costs more expensive. Unix offers better value for money, and offers more added value also. These plans often come with free MySQL databases, community, statistics and free email. Windows based servers on the other hand have add-ons that have to be purchased and this adds to the cost and subtracts from value.
Both of these systems run with PHP, Java and Perl as well as other popular computer languages. With the Windows server hosting, active pages are generally more secure, they also run with Unix but barely noticeable glitches may be experienced.
If you are making use of Microsoft programming, in particular third party applications such as MS SQL 2000, or active server pages, you may want to play it safe and select a Windows based hosting plan. But before you sign up for any plan, ask all the relevant questions before you make a commitment. If you are still unsure, the technical or sales staff will help you to ensure that every facet of your web site's design will work with the plan they are selling you.
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