The Main Differences Between Unix And Windows Web Hosting?

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!

With Windows web hosting there is no need for the programmer to have command-line. Just as with all other Microsoft programs, a simple point the mouse and click will suffice for accessing folders!

As open source operating systems both Unix and Linux are easily distributed, well documented, free source codes. Out of these two web hosting server option, Unix is the oldest and therefore has some limitations. For example it cannot run with x86 PC’s. But on the whole, this is the only real difference, Linux being more modern compensates for this gap and runs with these 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.

When working with web servers, office and home PC’s are fine, they are easy to use and website design is generally completed mostly offline. System-specific programming that has to be undertaking whilst online is very advanced, and in this instance a difference between Windows and Unix based servers can be quite noticeable.

Both systems handle statistics, add-ons, chat and email, and can cope with websites that receive heavy traffic, the only very noticeable difference is in compatibility and the price.

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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