web hosting

Unix Hosting Vs. Windows Web Hosting – Factors to Consider

Choosing the right web hosting plan for you can be difficult at times, especially if you are not sure what each plan entails. With so many different types of web hosting plans, it seems as if there is an endless sea of web hosting solutions to choose from. The main differences between web hosting solutions is the amount of server resources that are allocated to you, as well as how much total control over the server you have. Aside from limits, there are also basic differences in the visual and functional aspects of the server environment. When referring to web hosting solutions that use certain operating systems, there are some key fundamental differences that should be weighed before making your decision. The most common forms of web hosting are Windows and Unix based web hosting plans.

Cost

The first thing most people look for when shopping for a hosting solution is cost. When comparing Unix and Windows based web hosting solutions, Unix is most definitely the cheaper option. This is because there are free Unix operating systems available, like Linux. Windows server software is nowhere near free, so therefore the overall cost of Windows web hosting is higher.

Software

Since Windows is manufactured by a Microsoft, a Windows based web server is guaranteed to be compatible with all Microsoft software such as VBScript and Microsoft Access. Unix web hosting does not provide compatibility with Microsoft software, which means it is not a viable solution for websites that require the usage of Microsoft applications.

Reliability

Although both Unix and Windows web hosting are considered to be reliable, Unix based web servers generally experience less downtime and therefore are slightly more reliable than Windows based web server. However, the actual reliability of a web hosting service will ultimately be determined by the competence of the web hosting company itself.

Support

When an error occurs in a Windows based web sever due to Microsoft software, the only people that can usually fix the bug in the software is Microsoft. Unix on the other hand is an open source software, which means that anyone with the skill can write code for it and repair any bugs for it within a very short time.

The Final Decision

Before you make the final decision, you need to consider the above comparison, and think about what feature s you’re going o be enabling on your website. If you will need to have Microsoft software on your website, then you can definitely rule out Unix web hosting. If you are not concerned with the type of software, but instead would like to have your own custom solutions made and enjoy more server uptime, then you may want to consider Unix web hosting. You’ll also want to consider the price of each hosting plan. If you;re on a strict budget and Microsoft software is not a concern for you, then you may want to consider a Unix web hosting plan. In the end the final decision is up to you, and should be based on the knowledge you have acquired here and the needs of your website.

The Difference Between Managed Hosting and Colocation Hosting

There are many types of web hosting plans available in today’s market, thus it can be difficult to decide which one would be best for you. As soon as you think you have finally narrowed down your choices, that’s when you find out about another type of web hosting plan that could possibly suit your needs. With so many choices, making that final decision can be a very confusing process.

Even after you have decided upon a specific kind of web hosting plan, you then have to consider the sub-types of each type of web hosting. For example, you may choose dedicated hosting, however you then have to decide whether you want managed or unmanaged web hosting. Some of the web hosting types are very similar, and to the untrained eye there is seemingly no difference. If you;re having trouble deciding between colocation and managed web hosting then this article may help you make an educated decision that you won’t regret after the fact.

Managed Web Hosting

Managed web hosting is actually a form of dedicated web hosting. With managed web hosting you’ll have a dedicated server that is used only by you, however you will not have full administrative control over this server. In other words, the web hosting provider will be responsible for maintaining the integrity, performance, and reliability of the server. Since you will not be responsible for the administration of your server, you’ll have an added cost as you will essentially be paying for the continual service of the web hosting company. Many people choose this solution since it is much more convenient than having to manage the server themselves. This solution is especially optimal for novice users. Managed web hosting is considered one of the most expensive types of web hosting plans, right behind colocation hosting.

Colocation Hosting

Colocation is similar to dedicated hosting, as you will also have a server that is used only by you. However, the main difference is this server will actually be yours and will not be leased by you but will be owned by you. In other words, you will have to actually buy your own server which will cost thousands of dollars in startup capital. With dedicated hosting you’ll be leasing the server which is far cheaper than colocation hosting. Colocation hosting lets you store your private server at a facility that is specifically designed for server security. Therefore, colocation hosting is basically a server storage solution for larger corporations and businesses. For this reason, colocation hosting is the most expensive kind of hosting available.

The Main Differences

The primary difference between colocation and managed hosting is the amount of control you have over your server. With colocation hosting, since you actually own the server, you’ll have complete control over the server, however you’ll also need the ability to do so. With managed hosting you’ll be leasing the server and you won’t have to worry about the hassle of maintaining it. For most people managed hosting is the desirable solution between the two.

Managed Web Hosting – A Variety of Options to Consider

Managed web hosting is the perfect web hosting solution for novice users, as it lets them enjoy the benefits of a web hosting account without having to deal with the administrative tasks that are commonly associated with maintaining your own web hosting account.

Why Are There Different Types of Managed Web Hosting?

There are various types of managed web hosting plans available, all of which give the end user a certain degree of control. For the highly inexperienced user on a lower budget, there are completely managed plans that involve little to no administrative work. Depending on the package, the amount of work that needs to be done by the end user will vary greatly. For the users that demand the least amount of work, there is fully managed hosting, while other more experienced webmasters may opt for partially managed web hosting.

Fully Managed Web Hosting

Fully managed web hosting may sound as if it web hosting on autopilot, however this is often not the case. Therefore it is important to make sure you know what you are paying for before deciding on a particular plan. In general, fully managed web hosting is the easiest type of web hosting you could purchase. Users usually need only to specify their needs and make whatever adjustments they see fit, and the server is autoconfigured to take care of the rest for them. As mentioned before, this is most definitely the most beneficial form of web hosting for novice users.

Partially Managed Web Hosting

Partially managed web hosting is a bit different than fully managed web hosting, as the end user will need to perform more administrative functions to keep their website performing optimally. While this may sound as if it is a disadvantage to fully managed web hosting, ultimately the user has more control over the server with this kind of web hosting. While inexperienced users may not want the burden of control, more capable webmasters will find it absolutely necessary to possess full or at least partial control over their web server.

Control vs. Convenience – Which is Right for You?

If you can’t decide which kind of managed web hosting would be right for you, you may want to use this simple  comparison to decide – control vs. convenience. If you need as more control then you may want to consider partially managed web hosting. However if you are looking for the simplest web hosting plan available, then you will undoubtedly benefit from fully managed web hosting. If you are going to purchase a fully managed web hosting plan then you should make sure you are paying for a fully automated service. Likewise, if you decide upon a partially managed web hosting solution, you should make sure you fully understand what aspects of your web server you’ll be able to control.

Regardless of the decision you make, be sure it is an informed decision that you will not regret after the fact. Making the right decision the first time around will save you a lot of time, money and frustration.

Web Hosting Plans: Disk Space and Bandwidth – Are They Really Unlimited ?

Web hosting plans include many features, and often times the feature lists can be difficult to compare since there are so many aspects to consider. Perhaps the two most important attributes of a web hosting plan are the bandwidth and disk space. The bandwidth capacity determines how much information a website can send to their visitors during their viewing of the site. The disk space determines how many files you can store for your website. The bandwidth is usually limited by a network line that has a measurable transfer rate capacity due to it’s size. Likewise, the hard disk space is also limited by storage space and other technological limitations.

The problem with most web hosting plans is that they claim to offer unlimited bandwidth and disk space, however they simply cannot truly offer this as they are not equipped to do so. Even Internet Service Providers don’t make such claims, as they know it is not possible to give this type of service to every customer. So then why do so many web hosting companies promise unlimited features that they cannot accommodate for?

All You Can Eat?

Think of it this way – when you go to a buffet, you are promised all you can eat. This means you are entitled to an unlimited amount of food, as long as you can swallow it. However, this does not mean that you are going to eat all of the food! In fact, most of the people at the buffet are not going to eat more than two plates! The buffet advertises unlimited food, even though both the restaurant manager and the diners know that this is not truly possible. How does this relate to web hosting? Because it is the same concept- web hosts offer unlimited bandwidth and disk space to attract customers. At the same time, they know these customers cannot possibly use all of their bandwidth.

Competition and Marketing

Due to the competitive nature of the web hosting industry, web hosting companies will do whatever they can to outbid the competition for your business. Web hosts know that most users are not going to uses even half of their allocated bandwidth, so they can offer unlimited bandwidth plans since there are so many server resources left over all the time. The sad part is, if the customer does happen to go over this hidden bandwidth limit, the hosting company may shut down their website without warning. While this kind of unlimited plan may be suitable for some webmasters, a rapidly expanding business should know their bandwidth limits to prevent from receiving warning letters and abrupt termination of service  from their web hosting service.

Conclusion

The saying “nothing is free” may be just as relevant as “nothing is unlimited.” When a web hosting company says they offer unlimited features, it may be best to speak with these web hosting company’s support staff to assure yourself that the features are actually unlimited.

An Introduction to Linux Web Hosting – Linux Vs. Windows Web Hosting

Searching for web hosting companies will return a variety of results, displaying the various types of web hosting plans available. You may have done this before and encountered a few Linux web hosting plans. I am sure most of your are familiar with the Linux operating system, but for those of you who are not, Linux is the leading alternative to the Windows operating system, and is used by many companies around the world. Developed by Linus Torvalds in 1991, Linux is a Unix-like operating system that was originally meant to replace the Minux operating system. Linux is considered an open source operating system, as each user receives a source code with their copy of the operating system. Linux comes in different “flavors” such as RedHat and Ubuntu.

LAMP

All Linux web hosting plans include the LAMP software bundle. LAMP stands for Linux-Apache-MySQL-PHP/Perl/Python. Apache is a widely used open-source, multi-platform web server. Most Linux hosting plans use Apache servers. MySQL is a database that provides multiple users access to several online databases that are used to comprise the data of a website or network of websites. Any webmaster trying to utilize advanced website design of any kind will need a database of some sort.

PHP/Perl/Python

PHP/Perl/Python are all programming languages used in the production of advanced web applications. Almost all Linux web hosting solutions support PHP, while Perl and Python are not fully supported by all web hosting service providers. In fact, few web hosting companies actually provide support for the Perl and Python languages.

Linux Hosting Vs Windows Hosting

Without knowing the difference it can be a difficult decision to choose between Windows and Linux -based web hosting. The fact is, there is no major visual difference between the two on the surface, and most average users would not even notice the difference at first glance. However, there are some fundamental differences between the two that could affect your ultimate decision. For example, if you’re planning on using any Microsoft applications and programming tools likes Visual C++, Frontpage, or ASP.Net, then you may want to consider Windows-based web hosting.

Security and Performance

As far as security is concerned, Linux web hosting is considered to be safer than Windows-based web hosting. Therefore users can expect greater reliability and more uptime when using a Linux  hosting service. Linux servers can also run for a very long time without the need for a reboot, whereas Windows servers need to reboot after almost every upgrade.  Performance-wise Windows and Linux are neck and neck and there is no considerable difference.

Price

The most noticeable difference between the two for the average consumer is price. Linux web hosting is generally cheaper than Windows web hosting. If you are looking for a cheap deal on web hosting combined with reliability then you should consider Linux web hosting. If you absolutely need Microsoft application functionality, then perhaps Windows-based web hosting would be best for you.