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Confused about which web hosting service to choose from or which hosting suits you best? Do not despair, here is an insight about different hosting platforms like UNIX, Linux and Windows hosting.

Web hosting companies provide a lot of offerings in the field of web hosting. UNIX and Windows tops the list among most of the web hosting companies. Linux is a Hosting Platform solely made from UNIX, however, the advantages and disadvantages of Linux Hosting, are given separately for easier differentiation.

Choosing the most suitable host does not depend on what OS you work daily on your computer, or what OS you used for developing your website. All operating systems servers are accessible globally since they provide identical data. The difference lies on the software used for hosting the web page. There is a lot of advantages and disadvantages in using these basic servers of UNIX, Linux and Windows. Choice of which server you need, for web hosting solely depends on your individual needs.

UNIX Hosting

UNIX enjoys wide-spread popularity worldwide due to a number of reasons. Cost effectiveness, stability and flexibility, to name a few are the main reasons spotted by members for choosing UNIX as their web host. UNIX hosts are always reliable and have the remarkable ability of running without rebooting for years. UNIX, being an open-source software can be altered by any person who knows how to use the source code properly. Updating, improvisation, and software additions are always done by a lot of members in a regular way on UNIX. Media files such as real, MP3, shock wave flash etc can be hosted using both Windows and UNIX. CGI scripts run better in UNIX hosts than in Windows hosts.

UNIX hosting, has a multitasking command line interface, and this lets the user use the device with optimum stability even with 64 or 32 bit RAM. If you do not relish frequent rebooting and need a more economical server, then obviously hosting in Windows is not an option for you. UNIX needs less rebooting and has a reputation of being more reliable than Windows for hosting purposes.

In the case of performance, the three hosts perform comparably equally in low-stress conditions but in high-stress areas, UNIX hosts outruns others by a margin. Speaking about the cons on hosting in UNIX, the main problem about UNIX hosting is that it is not an easy hosting language to learn. Case sensitivity hounds the programmers in UNIX. Telnet or Ftp should be used for making changes in UNIX hosts. Lack of proper graphical interfaces makes it even tougher for programmers to learn the language.

Disadvantages are there while using all Web servers, may it be a lack of graphical interfaces in UNIX servers or absence of free tools and software when compared to the corporate giant Windows. UNIX does not have a specific organization which updates and provide services or software tweaks in a regular manner as Windows hosts does.

Windows server is commonly used by persons who use Microsoft technologies, which are explicitly, aimed at Windows. Complexity in UNIX hosting gave rise to popularity in usage of Linux. Cost effectiveness is yet another factor which Linux hosting enjoys.

AT&T Web Hosting is a web hosting service provider of UNIX. There are three packages, which can be, availed from this service provider: Basic, Enhanced and Premium. All plans include easy website designing, email forwarding, anonymous FTP, spam filtering, virus scanning, dedicated IP address etc.

Linux Hosting

Web hosting has always considered Linux as a suitable platform. Linux hosts top the charts in the field of reliability, stability and efficiency. It is a provider which a user can entirely depend on, for web hosting needs. If the applications used for hosting are Perl, PHP or MySQL, then Linux is the right choice for you. When it comes to Linux, hosting operations have become a lot cheaper. If you are not interested in spending a lot of bucks for your hosting needs, then Linux or UNIX should always be your first choice. For delivery of dynamic contents using apps like VB Script and Microsoft Access, Linux hosts cannot be used since they are Windows exclusive software.

Technology and Networking protocols used for Internet hosting are formed from UNIX. Unrivalled stability, adaptability and security, is provided by Linux hosts since it incorporates most of the networking protocols from UNIX hosts. Red Hat Linux is the most widely accepted and used variant among various other competitors within Linux itself. Smarter support system and an extensive support community are the main reason for this.

Conversion of a Linux website into Windows website is an easy task whereas conversion the other way around is quite challenging. Also, Linux site can be easily changed according to user requirements.

In the realm of Web hosting, Linux holds the position of King even-though Windows is the most popular name. Always Linux has the slight edge over Windows in the case of performance. Speed wise, Linux hosting provides 50% faster uploading rate than Windows. Linux provides superior stability and needs fewer resources for its working as a Web host compared to Windows. Linux hosts are independent and work well in cPanel (Control Panel) which is the most user friendly console in Web hosting Servers.

For small-scale needs, Linux is preferred most since it is an affordable option. An interesting feature of Linux hosts is that Linux servers can be used in a sophisticated manner. If there is an old junk computer available (thrown into the garage or something) which has a bare memory or processing speed, then by installing Linux, the host system can be used as a backup server, firewall or simply as a file server.

Hosting in Linux provides you better control of your files than Windows hosting. There is a number of versions of Linux available in the market right now for different hosting needs. Consoles in Linux host allow clients to view the programs that are run in Linux servers. This makes Linux hosting much more user friendly. Even-though it may look subtle at first glance the Linux language for hosting is more difficult for programmers.

Ecenica is one of the providers of Linux Web Hosting. Unlimited bandwidth allocation and noble Web space are provided by Ecenica. Support for the latest PHP5 and MySQL5, support for any FTP enabled HTML editor etc are the highlights of this web hosting site.

Windows Hosting

Windows have always been a strong competitor against UNIX and Linux in the field of Web Hosting. Its user friendly nature lures any programmer to opt for Windows as their Hosting platform. Always we need to be reminded that the applications which are used, is more important when it comes to selection of servers for web hosting. If you use Microsoft Front Page or Cold Fusion for publishing and editing needs, then Web Hosting using Windows is the best choice for you.

In the case of reliability Windows servers have always handled the pressure beautifully but still lies behind UNIX in Hosting. However, modern demands of web hosting have been successfully undertaken by Windows. Windows have never been an open-source OS and due to this very own reason hosting on windows server have been always expensive. Windows can never be updated by any member alone as it is not a free software. Clients and users have to wait for software updating and improved version release. For the hosting of windows media files, Windows Hosting is the only option available.

A layoff about Windows Hosting is the compatibility factor. Most of the applications which are supposedly based to run on UNIX Host, also work fine on Windows Host. However, vice versa is not always true. This makes hosting in UNIX smarter compared to hosting in Windows. Even-though providing appropriate security measures is a concern of network admin, as a whole it also relies on the ease with which the admin is able to provide security. Windows is a step backward in providing security than UNIX servers. UNIX servers are considered more secure than Windows by programmers throughout the world.

Another disadvantage of using Windows as a Web host is that all CGI scripts cannot be run on Windows Platform. However, this trend is seen to be changing. Windows is always fine-tuning to lead the industry of web hosting against its rivals.

Performance is another field in which Windows is a step backwards. UNIX servers apparently run faster than Windows Servers in a prominent manner. For quick performance and to serve in a rapid basis Windows Hosting is not the best alternative. Also, if SSH or Telnet is used to administer your site then Windows cannot be used as your web server. More RAM, More Bandwidth and More Disk-space gets used up if the server is Windows. This is yet another setback for Windows.

A big advantage of using Windows hosting is that.NET technologies: ASP. NET, VB.NET easily works on these Hosts. If, the website is built using these technologies then opting a Windows server is most suitable for you. Also, Access databases are only available in Windows servers. Access databases cannot be run on Linux or UNIX platforms. So if you need a website which uses Access, then using a Windows web hosting plan is most appropriate. Microsoft Sharepoint is yet another application, which needs exclusive, Windows hosting. The only option available for users using this application is Windows server.

ASP hosting technology is the real cut through in web hosting. This has always been an ace for Windows Hosting. Users which are more familiar and comfortable using ASP are recommended to use Windows Hosting, since it is an application, which is more, updated and backed up for technical snags by Windows professionals.

Quadrahosting.com is a site providing windows Web hosting service. It is based on Microsoft Windows 2003 OS with IIS as its web server. Different web packages are available now according to customer discretion.

Which webhosting platform should you choose?

Different web hosts offer different services, even-though the basic content provided by these hosts are the same. May it be Linux, UNIX or Windows? All servers help users host the same content which is universally available through World Wide Web. HTML or XML standard languages are used by all servers, which browsers like Internet Explorer, Firefox etc can read. The question is not about which OS is used in the computer for programming or which OS is more comfortable for the user to use, but which host can run the applications used in the website.

If the user needs a cheaper option in Hosting his/her site, then UNIX and Linux is the best option. Economy wise, 20% cheaper option is UNIX and Linux compared to Windows. Also if the user needs to have distinctive apps like search able database, carts etc Linux is more suitable for your needs.

When you need specific Microsoft apps, Hosting in Windows will be the best alternative for you. Windows is found to be much easier to use, even though it is more expensive than the other two open source hosts whose scripts are readily available.

UNIX hosts tops in reliability, security and stability with savings. In addition to these features, UNIX community gets a lot apps and tools mainly written by enthusiasts for UNIX itself. Open source folks are `more helping than Windows professionals and on a lighter side sticks to you if you are free bird vouching against Windows. When a problem arises, Windows users require more time and money to rectify the problem and Windows associates does not let you see how they have repaired the problem. However, using Freeware and dedicated enthusiasts have its own merits. They help you gladly with your problems and find solution quicker than Microsoft and after all helps you look under the scripts hood.

Linux hosts are generally preferred economy wise and when it comes to providing challenging tasks. In recent years the trend of using Windows is seen to have reversed and Linux is most favored than Windows for web hosting. 99.9% up time maintenance is provided by Linux web servers compared to Windows. Website host can be easily changed from Linux to Windows in an economical manner since; the only hidden cost is cost of distribution borne by the web host.

I hope this article provides a clear review on the three Web hosting platforms. The ultimate decision to choose which platform you need depends on what applications you need to be run on your host. On a personal note, I would go for Linux and enjoy its uniqueness and style. Linux is a clear winner for me. Choose your Web host, which suits you, wisely.

Which Hosting Platform do you Use & What made you Choose it? Please Share Your Comments Below.