The Facts You Should Know About Unix Or Linux Server Hosting
If you are thinking about hosting your web site in the Unix/Linux server hosting environment there are a few things that you need to be conscious of. Unix is an operating system that was designed from the ground up to be a multi-user operating system. It can handle the needs of advanced users and servers with ease.
Early releases of Unix were very expensive, which was something that hindered it’s uptake. However, there are free Unix compatible operating systems, for example Linux that carry out the same job, but without the large price tag. Linux started life as a university project by Linus Torvalds and has grown to be a main force in web server operating systems.
When considering which server OS to opt for you will commonly discover that servers using Linux will be cheaper that those based on the proprietary and expensive Microsoft Windows. Linux usually has a smaller system footprint and less overhead than Microsoft Windows. The cost savings from all of this are typically passed on to the consumer in cheaper prices.
If you decide to go with Unix / Linux server hosting then you will also benefit from the vast choice of free software, most of which is open source and can be personalized to meet your specific needs. There is also a wealth of developers for these free and readily available software packages and tools.
So what disadvantages are there to selecting Unix or Linux? One of the downsides are that it is quite a complex operating system and requires more technical experience to correctly administer it than Microsoft Windows. There are however loads of knowledgeable and experienced Unix experts and resources that you can fall back on.
A further disadvantage is that unless you are running your own server you are likely to find that your web host will tightly control the environment and may limit how you can access your account through Telnet or SSH.
So, your decision to select Unix / Linux rather than Microsoft Windows will come down to price, availability of free and readily available software, and how confident you feel about getting your hands dirty in what may be to you a potentially alien OS environment. However, your budget and desire for a cheap host may ultimately be the decisive factor.
One thing is certain though and that is that if you are searching for a cheap host then going down the Linux path will ensure that you should be able to pick up the cheapest deal available. You will also be in great company when choosing linux web hosting as it is the operating system of choice for many of the biggest web sites on the internet. So you can be certain that if it has the power and stability to meet their needs then it should be OK for yours!
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