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Article #20: What is the Difference Between Unix and Windows Web Hosting?

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So you're finally ready to publish your high traffic websites and add-ons such as
finished website and you're searching chat rooms, email and website statistics
through the myriad of web hosting plans with ease. The biggest differences are
and providers. You may have noticed that price and software compatibility. Because
most hosting companies use Linux or Unix Windows must be purchased and licenses
operating systems on their web servers. renewed continuously, Windows hosting
Microsoft Windows is less commonly plans are usually more expensive than
offered as a choice. So what's the Unix-based plans. Also Unix-based plans
difference? often come with free email, databases
Most people are familiar with Microsoft (MySQL), statistic, and community
Windows having used it at home, work, or programs. While Windows plans come with
at school. It is very easy to use for Microsoft software (MS SQL, for example)
novices and it doesn't require that must be purchased by the hosting
command-line knowledge. In Windows Home company.
and advanced Server editions, you can Both Linux and Windows platforms can run
simply point and click your way to a popular programming languages such as
different folder using your mouse. Unix php, perl, or java. If your website uses
and Linux are open-source - meaning that active server pages, then it will be less
the operating system is free and the risky hosting it on a Windows server.
source code is well documented and easily Well it still may function on a Unix
distributed. There are no major server, there may be small glitches that
differences between Unix and Linux. Unix are not immediately apparent. Similarly,
is much older and cannot run on x86-based if you are using with Microsoft SQL
personal computers (like the one you're databases, these databases will be
using now). In contrast, Linux can run on supported by most Windows plans. However,
both high-powered servers and x86-based Linux or Unix plans often include MySQL
computers. which would require that your databases
Linux is available in many flavors, be converted to this format in order to
though most hosting companies use Red Hat function properly. If you are currently
Linux, or Mandrake Linux, which are using any Microsoft programming
proven workhorses able to handle hundreds (especially active server pages) or
of websites and millions of hits per day. third-party applications (MS SQL 2000),
FreeBSD and OpenBSD are versions of Unix you may want to play it safe and choose a
which are also available. While Windows hosting plan.
ease-of-use is very important for a home From the average web designer's
or work computer, it is generally not a standpoint, there isn't much difference
big issue when working with a web server. between hosting on Linux/Unix or Windows
After all, you are doing most of your web servers. However, before signing up
website design offline on your own for a hosting plan, ensure that all
computer. Unless you have very advanced facets of your site's design,
programming or operating system-specific programming, databases and the like will
modules, you will not notice the work with that plan. If you are unsure,
difference between Windows and Unix ask the company's sales or technical
servers. staff before you commit.
Both Linux/Unix and Windows can handle






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