Linux Web Servers– There are myriad choices to make when choosing web hosting. One important one is choosing between Linux web servers and Windows web servers. Learn more about the pros and cons of Linux web servers in this article and who Web Host Ranking recommends for cheap Linux web hosting.
Pros of Linux Web Servers
There are at least six key features and attributes that lead many people to choose Linux web servers over their Windows counterparts. But first, a note of clarification. A “Linux Web Server” means “a web server that is running a Linux distribution.” Linux distributions can run on several different servers, including Apache, Google, lighttpd, and nginx. It does not, however, run on Microsoft servers, which use Windows software, as one might expect.
The first factor that many people find persuasive about Linux actually has to do with a particular one of these servers: the Apache web server. It is standard to find Linux used in combination with an Apache web server, MySQL databases, and a web scripting language beginning with the letter p, whether Perl, PHP, or Python. This combination of open source software is known as LAMP, and has become valued by web developers, who often use it to build software on a desktop installation, porting it to the Internet when it is complete.
Another point is reliability. Netcraft reported in June 2010 that 455 of the leading 500 super computer sites (91%) had a Linux distribution as their operating system. Additionally, Linux web servers were used at 29 of the top 42 (69%)web-hosting providers considered the most reliable in their performance.
There is only one Windows, but there are a number of different Linux distributions, each one featuring slightly different qualities that may be valuable, depending on the use. Some of the names you may find include:
• Asianux • CentOS • Cobalt • Debian
• Fedora • Gentoo • Mandriva • Oracle Enterprise Linux
• Red Hat Linux • SuSE • Ubuntu
Some are newer than others and may be described as “cutting edge.” Some more use friendly, while others are more appropriate for experienced users. Some are known for their community of helpful users, some for stability, and some for regular release of updates.
Speaking of updates, the open source nature of Linux means that its international user base are working constantly to expand its functionality and fix its bugs—unlike Windows, which operates on a development cycle and scheduled market releases.
Continued research shows that a difference in cost between Linux and Windows web servers is widespread in the web hosting industry. This may be accounted for by the fact that the Linux kernel and the accompanying GNU elements of a Linux distribution may be entirely open source, eliminating the licensing fees found when using proprietary operating systems, such as Windows. While some web hosts offer the same specs as far as memory, storage, and bandwidth for the two servers and post a higher price for the Windows services, others offer services at the same price, which—on close examination—prove not to be comparable: the Windows offering will have less memory, storage space, and/or bandwidth. Often the two systems are offered on different pages, so customers are not encouraged to make a direct comparison.
Security is important to many. In a telling comparison, it was shown in 2004 by the IT publication called the Register that in a comparison between Microsoft’s 40 most recent patches or vulnerabilities were compared to the most recent 40 of Red Hat, the Microsoft issues were more critical. Also in 2004, a report found that the administration of Windows Server 2003, which was often done locally at the server, opened it to more risk than the administration of Linux servers, which is more often carried out remotely.
Cons of Linux Web Servers
The main reasons to choose a Windows web server over a Linux web server have to do with software development. Some proprietary Microsoft products, such as Access databases, FrontPage, and the .NET environment are best used on a Windows server, although ASP can now be used on web servers not running a Windows OS with the help of third-party software. The other key element is the developers. If you employ or work with a web developer who is most comfortable (or only comfortable) in a Windows environment, that’s like a good enough reason to go with that choice.
Costs of Linux Web Servers
The cost of Linux web servers depends on the type of hosting one is seeking. Shared hosting costs less than VPS (virtual private shared) hosting, which costs less than dedicated hosting. Web Host Ranking likes iPage web hosting for their Linux shared web hosting. It only costs $3.50 a month and you get a ton of unlimited web hosting features all on a Linux server.
