Web Hosting Operating System: Windows VS UNIX
In shared or virtual web-hosting, there are two basic operating systems: one is Windows of course, the other is UNIX. Both OS come with specific features. Given below is an overview of both.
UNIX is the OS of almost half the websites today. This is much simpler, user friendly platform with less complicated technical requirements as compared to those of Windows. One of the many advantages of this platform is that it has “shell environment” along with a good, breathable connection and handles heavy traffic as well as server load. This is ideal for business web hosting. It allows owners to have complete control without there being any need for much expensive additional software.
On the other hand, Windows Server web hosting OS, developed by Microsoft, focuses mainly on their own advanced applications, which include MS SQL, Front Page and Access etc. It is aptly accessible when the website has a web hosting package allowing administration through a GUI-program or control panel and that too if the server is controlled.
Windows Server also links up the data application to the web through programs like Visual Basic script, Acute Server Pages (ASP) and Cold Fusion. One of the positive aspects of the Windows Server is its manageable and dynamic feature. Perhaps this feature is more due to the development in the NET Technology in web hosting.
If you are not interested to subscribe to the shared server, Windows Server is perfect for you. However if you are a beginner and cannot put hours to manage the system, it is not your cup of tea. Nonetheless, Microsoft is the leading industry in providing customer support for keeping the clients happy is their basic aim. And all that makes Microsoft great.
UNIX on the other hand, offers features with great efficiency which makes it far superior to the Windows Server. The biggest plus for UNIX web hosting OS is simultaneous data-transfer ability to multiple sites, all of which can be done at a lightening fast speed. Most webmasters are up for the UNIX because Microsoft system needs special tweaks to match the upload speed of UNIX.
UNIX being less complicated and rather suitable for cheap web hosting is recommended to the new webmasters. UNIX OS runs most of the software without causing any trouble, where as Microsoft Server will only support the software designed to be compatible with the Microsoft system. A big thumbs up to UNIX for its user friendly web hosting OS!