UNIX vs. Windows Web Hosting
By
Richard Lowe
Unix
Unix is the
oldest and one
of the most
widely used
operating
systems for the
web hosting
platform. It is
the basis of the
internet and
most web servers
originally ran
on a version of
Unix. Unix is
know as a
multitasking
operating system
which means that
it can run many
applications at
the same time
without them
affecting each
other. This is
very important
when you
consider that
hundreds of
websites,
running
thousands of CGI
scripts, all
receiving
thousands of
hits could be
running on one
web server. Unix
is usually more
reliable than
Windows hosting
and more
companies are on
UNIX than
windows simply
because it is
faster and open
source (meaning
it is completely
free unlike
Windows which
has hefty
license fees).
Why Use It?:
It's reliable
Ability to host
many websites on
the same
machine. Almost
all CGI scripts
run better on
Unix.
Programming
flexibility.
Much more
administrative
control.
With Unix,
webmasters can
really tweak
their websites
(assuming they
know what they
are doing) to
run at optimal
levels.
Developers can
run CGI scripts
and create
applications
specific to
their needs.
Cons:
Is case
sensitive. It is
not an easy
operating system
to learn. Must
use telnet or
Ftp to make
changes.
Also, there is
no graphical
user interface
which makes it
easy to get used
to or learn. It
can take system
administrators
several years to
understand the
basics of the
UNIX operating
system
Windows NT or
Windows 2000 or
Windows 2003
NT is a relative
newcomer to the
web hosting game
but it is fast
gaining a large
share of the
business. NT was
built to
integrate
seamlessly with
Microsoft's web
authoring tool,
FrontPage. As
such, it is
often the
perfect solution
for newcomers
who do not want
to learn HTML or
CGI programming
or deal with the
day to day
hassles of
administering a
web server.
Nowadays, most
Windows web
hosting
providers
utilize Windows
2003 because if
its improved
security,
reliability and
stability.
Why Use It?:
Can use
Microsoft Front
Page to publish
your website as
opposed to using
Ftp or telnet.
Can use Cold
Fusion. Somewhat
easier to
administer
(especially for
the average
webmaster). Is
not case
sensitive.
If you do not
plan on learning
the in's and
out's of the web
and
administering
your site, NT is
probably your
tool of choice.
Cons:
Provides poorer
security than
Unix. Because of
the security
issues, the
hosting provider
will usually
institute
tighter security
measures. Cannot
run all CGI
scripts although
this is
changing.
Your needs as
the webmaster
and your
visitors needs
will determine
the type of web
host and the
platform you
need. Windows
web hosting is
usually more
expensive than
UNIX web hosting
but offers a
much better ease
of use. A common
misconception is
that users who
are using
Windows
operating
systems at home
are required to
purchase the
Windows version
of web hosting.
You can use
either operating
systems
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