web hosting

Choosing a Hosting Platform for Your Business

If you are looking to make your mark as an online business owner, one of the first things you need to do is find yourself a web hosting solution.  The web has grown tremendously over the years and so have your choices.  Web hosting services are not hard to find as companies have the industry covered from every angle of the market.  While there are many critical factors involved in choosing a service, one of the most important is the platform your business site is hosted on.

What is a Platform?

In web hosting terms, a platform refers to an operating system like Mac OS X or even an something older like DOS.  This type of software stores critical files, gives basic commands, tells the server how to interact with applications.  In the early days of the internet and World Wide Web, most servers ran on the Unix platform, a very powerful system that while flexible, has always required a considerable amount of technical skill to administer.  Though still a popular choice, hosting customers now have a greater variety to choose from in platforms such as Linux, Windows and FreeBSD.

Linux

Linux is a newer version of Unix and perhaps the most popular variation.  This platform is incredibly versatile and made to perform in the server environment.  It is makes an ideal solution for demanding tasks and activities such as messaging and multimedia streaming. Unlike Unix, Linux is an open-source system under the GNU General Public License, making it a cost effective solution for both web hosting providers and their customers.  Perhaps the greatest advantage of this platform is its compatibility with various open-source technologies.  A Linux hosting package typically means you also get the benefit of tools like Apache, PHP and MySQL.

Windows

Often regarded as the main competitor to Linux, Windows is the server version of the popular Microsoft desktop operating system.  Upon first entering the server environment, these platforms were powered by systems like Windows NT and 2000.  Most plans now are based on either Windows 2003 or 2008.  What makes this system so popular is the user-friendly interface that gives IT teams a familiar environment to work with.  Not only is it supported by a large number of applications, but also Microsoft technologies that were specifically designed to work with the platform.  Some of the main selling points of Windows hosting include ASP or ASP.NET programing, the SQL Server and other services like Exchange and SharePoint.

FreeBSD

The FreeBSD platform is based on the BSD system, which is one of the many Unix variants.  Similar to Linux, FreeBDS offer cost efficiency as an open-source system.  Extremely well integrated, this platform is well known for its speed and stability, making it an excellent choice for mission-critical operations.  FreeBSD is becoming increasingly popular and offers support for a growing number of technologies.

Choosing a Platform

All the platforms mentioned in this article are great for business hosting, Windows especially.  The key is finding a web host that delivers a reliable infrastructure and enables the chosen system to effectively meet your needs.

Introduction to Webmin

The number of control panels on the market keeps expanding into an even greater variety.  Almost everyone is familiar with cPanel along with rivals such as Plesk and H-Sphere.  One control panel you may not be familiar with is Webmin, a super-functional application that certainly warrants a closer look.

What is Webmin?

Webmin is a software tool designed to simply the process of managing Unix and Linux platforms.  The program is compatible with virtually any web browser, permitting various administrative tasks through a cleanly designed, user-friendly interface.  Webmin provides the ability to manage various aspects of the web hosting environment from setting up a web server and creating accounts to maintaining FTP and mail servers.

Webmin Features and Capabilities

The Webmin control panel allows you to do the following:

• Use NFS protocol to exports files and directories to other systems
• Set up quotas to control how much disk space is allocated to users
• Install, manage and delete software packages in formats such as RPM
• Modify the systems’ DNS settings, IP address and routing configuration
• Set up firewalls for added security or to provide LAN access to the internet
• Create and configure virtual servers on Apache
• Manage databases, tables and fields on MySQL or PostgreSQL database servers

These are just some of the capabilities offered by the Webmin software.  Because it is accessed via a browser, you can login from any system connected to your own through a network.  There is no difference between running Webmin locally or remotely.  The software is built on a modular design, meaning each of its functions are contained in a module that can be installed or uninstalled independent of the rest of the application.  This structure alone makes Webmin very distinctive of your average control panel.

Although Webmin is primarily used on the Linux platform, it also integrates with Unix flavors such as FreeBSD, HP/UX and Solaris.  One of its greatest strengths is the ability to adjust its behavior and interface in accordance to the underlying platform.  For example, Webmin can conceal the obvious differences between Linux and other Unix variants by presenting an interface that is either identical or quite similar regardless of what system you are using.

Webmin Disadvantages

Webmin offers many advantages but is not very useful on its own accord.  This is because unlike cPanel which acts as a server, Webmin is merely a configuration tool and therefore, it depends on other applications to perform.  For instance, in order to user the Apache module, the actual Apache web server application must be installed on the system.  The good thing is that all of these servers and services it relies on are included standard with Unix-like distributions or can be freely downloaded and implemented.

Who Needs Webmin?

The Webmin control panel is designed for users with a familiarity of Linux commands but are not all that familiar with the intricacies of server administration.  This software assumes that the user is familiar with basic networking concepts such as DNS servers, IP addresses and hostnames as well as the layout of the Unix file system.   Those who possess these capabilities can enjoy everything from the power to set up FTP accounts and simple website management to root privileges and custom software installations.

What OS Should You Host With?

When it comes to web hosting, many people make a big deal about operating systems.  Does it really matter?  Some answer yes, others say no.  The truth is that the operating system a company uses to host your site plays a huge role in regard to flexibility, something that is needed to compensate for its growth.  While trying to narrow your options, be sure to follow the tips in this article.

Microsoft Windows

One platform you are sure to come across during your search is the popular Microsoft system, server editions of Windows NT, 2003 or 2008.   These systems offer the intuitive graphical user interface found on desktop versions of Windows.  This platform is easy for IT professionals to work with as a wide variety of commercial applications are available.  Many designers are attracted to Windows because of its integration with other Microsoft technologies such as ASP, FrontPage and the MS SQL database system.

Linux

If Windows is not offered, it’s usually Linux.  Linux is a variation of the Unix system, a platform well known for its reliability and stability.  It is especially useful for common internet functions such as messaging, multimedia streaming and file serving.  As the Linux source code is freely available, this system tends to be the most cost effective solution in comparison to Windows.  When hosting your site on this platform, you are likely to receive other open-source technologies such as the MySQL database, the Apache server application and the PHP scripting language among others.  Linux is also compatible with a few Microsoft products such as FrontPage and MS SQL.  Many experienced developers prefer Linux because of the flexibility, security and authority it provides, able to offer root access depending on the hosting plan.

FreeBSD

Often compared to Linux, FreeBSD is a variant of BSD which is based on the original Unix system.  FreeBSD offers excellent flexibility, stability and performance to its users.  The system is proven and well designed with a wide variety of supporting applications available.  As an open-source solution, FreeBSD hosting tends be one of the most affordable options on the market.

Sun Solaris

Sun Solaris is one operating system you will not find offered by a shared host.  This platform is quite powerful and makes for some of the most robust web servers available.  With a proven track record, the system is primarily used by large Fortune 500 companies. Sun Solaris has been around for a considerable period of time and is supported by a large amount of programs and development tools.  Due to it’s high capacity and stability, this platform is ideal high traffic servers and mission-critical tasks.

Colbat RaQ

RaQ is deployed by numerous VPS (Virtual Private Server) hosting providers.  VPS hosting with this platform is simple with a clean interface that offers root access and allows you to share administrative functions among your employees.  Cobalt RaQ makes a great option for someone new to server management.

How Do You Choose?

Your requirements will certainly become greater as the business grows.  Although many platforms will give you a good running start, not all of them are scalable.  The best move is to anticipate the explosion you’re looking for and find a system flexible enough to support it.