Website Hosting Directory and Information
Windows Hosting ExplainedFinding a hosting solution for your precious website can be an overwhelming process, especially if you are not quite sure what options are available to you or if you are not sure which options suit your needs best. For shared hosting and dedicated hosting, you basically have to determine whether or not the increased stability, reliability, and control over your website warrant the sometimes considerable increase in cost per month. This is somewhat of an oversimplification, but when it comes down to it, this is what will ultimately determine which option you need. With Unix hosting and Windows hosting, we can similarly simplify the choice to not only stability, but which web languages and software you will be needing most. In terms of reliability, Unix is the winner in many people's eyes. Unix simply does not require the degree of server resources that Windows does. Many users see Windows as having unnecessary extras that really don't add much in terms of functionality. For others, however, certain aspects of Windows, such as the recognizable graphical user interface that has helped make Windows so user friendly, is a great benefit to many users. By virtue of its text-based and streamlined “business only” nature, Unix does not get bogged down with high traffic or during high server loads. Unix can therefore run comfortably on less expensive machines. Windows servers will generally require more horsepower, and therefore a greater financial investment, to run smoothly. This all depends, of course, on your website's needs and how much traffic you expect, as well as what kind of calculations you will need your server to run. So, with a relatively busy Windows server you will probably need a dual processor running at 1GHz and with approximately half a gigabyte of RAM. Again, you can probably get by with a computer with less impressive specifications depending on how much traffic you anticipate. In comparison, a Unix server with similar traffic expectations will require a single 500 MHz processor (not a dual processor) and 256 MB of RAM. |
On the software side, there are also some considerations you will want to take into account as you choose between a Windows hosting solution and a Unix hosting solution. For example, certain applications and scripts used for adding functionality to websites run better on certain platforms. Simply enough, applications designed for Unix will run more smoothly on a Unix server and applications designed for Windows will run more smoothly on a Windows server. Additionally, there are literally thousands of scripts available on the internet that you can use to help setup your Unix host or add functionality to your website. The sheer breadth of available applications and scripts is also a function of Unix being an open source operating system. This makes it that much easier for programmers to improve Unix hosting.
Nonetheless, Windows hosts still have a bit of an advantage in this case because Windows servers tend to have an easier time using Unix scripts than vice versa. That is to say, for example, that Windows hosts are more compatible with the Unix-based database MySQL and the programming language PHP than Unix is with Microsoft based .NET, ASP (Active Server Pages), and Virtual Basic. If you will need to use both Unix-based and Windows-based languages, applications, and scripts, then you may be better served by a Windows host. Additionally, websites designed for Unix will run well on both Unix and Windows hosts. It is therefore safest to design all pages for Unix servers, but to be safe you can run a Windows server since it is compatible with pages designed for both Windows and Unix.
Another advantage that Windows hosting has going for it is its ease of use. Microsoft has obviously been bringing the GUI and user-friendly operating system to personal computers since the inception of Windows, and that is also what you get with their server platform. For those unfamiliar with Unix, Linux, and text-based operating systems in general, running a Unix server will prove difficult. One would have to rely on a knowledgeable system administrator to setup and maintain their website. A Windows host, on the other hand, is much easier to pickup and start using right out of the box so to speak. One could probably get a relatively simple site up and running under Unix, but without having any prior knowledge you will want to stick with Windows for the more complex websites.
In order to do this you will need some software in addition to the server platform. For example, a good program to code your pages is essential. Microsoft will obviously recommend the Frontpage program. In addition to that, you will need a database program such as Microsoft Access or SQL, and then Active Server Pages to round out your website development suite. All of these programs are designed to run with Windows Hosts easily. More than that, you will be able to have a functioning and relatively complex site online with relative ease. Furthermore, Microsoft Access and SQL can generate robust databases that are relatively easy to handle and manipulate, but just like with anything, there is still a learning curve to contend with. For most individuals, however, learning Windows is generally less difficult than learning Unix.
One other substantial consideration to keep in mind is whether you will be utilizing .NET frequently. To simplify, .NET is essentially a language or platform that was created to integrate systems. It is a virtual machine that translates intermediate language into machine code. The crucial aspect when selecting a hosting solution is that .NET is generally only compatible with Windows operating systems. So if you're using .NET, you are pretty much locked into a Windows host rather than a Unix host.
As with any hosting or server decision, you will have to determine which applications serve your needs and your business best. Neither Unix nor Windows is necessarily the “right” choice all of the time. Several factors will always come into play and you will have to decide which trade-offs you can live with and which you cannot live without. You may also contact your Unix hosting or Windows hosting provider to see if they have any advice for the website you intend to have hosted. Many hosts will be able to guide you if you are unsure of where or how to proceed.
Partner Links: