Linux vs. Windows Hosting — What’s the Difference?
Just because your PC runs on windows does not mean you need to buy a hosting package that uses Windows servers. There are other options out there—the primary one being Linux-based hosting. In this article, we’ll take you through the differences between Linux and Windows hosting so you can decide which system works best for you.
Access to the Server: The methods you will most likely use to access your account are FTP and control panel, and both Linux and Windows hosting support these methods. Between the two servers, there are some FTP commands that are slightly different and are designed for that particular system in mind. These differences are few and far between, but be aware that typing an FTP command into the wrong system will cause an error message will appear. In sum, whether access is through control panel or FTP, both systems are comparable.
Security: Linux and Windows both have developers that are working to improve security, so the differences between them in terms of security will be slight. If security is a huge issue for you, worry less about whether your server is Linux or Windows and more about what hosting company you are using. Search for a hosting company that has a skilled staff and is reputable for consistent security and go with whatever server they recommend for your needs.
Writing your pages: Both Windows and Linux servers will serve HTML pages and JavaScript. In most cases, Linux servers use files named *.html while Windows servers use files named *.htm, but there is no essential difference between these names. If you have a preference, go with the Linux or Windows server that best suits your needs.
Scripting: The real difference between the two systems lies in the scripting languages that Windows and Linux use in webpage production. PHP scripting is more often found on Linux systems, while ASP scripting is more often found on Windows. While CGI and Perl access are often found on both Windows and Linux servers, it is more typically found on Linux. Bottom line; you should choose a Linux Hosting account if you’re going to use PHP, Ruby, Perl, Python, or CGI scripting. Or, choose a Windows Hosting account if you’re going to use ASP, ASP.NET, or ASP.NET 2.0.
Databases: The two most popular databases are mySQL and Access. MySQL runs on both Linux and Windows, but is more associated with Linux servers because Linux servers more commonly use them. Meanwhile, Access is a Windows product that is only available for Windows. Look into the various databases available, and if you feel Access is the right database for you then choose Windows. Other than that, however, both Linux and Windows hosting tend to offer comparable database products.
In sum, the differences between Linux and Windows hosting is much less than you might think. Whether a hosting package works for you really boils down to the features and services of the web host you choose, rather than the operating system on the host’s servers.
Category: Web Hosting
