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.

Parallel’s Plesk: Flexibility and Functionality

Plesk is quickly becoming recognized as a competitor to cPanel due to it’s compatibility and simplicity, being one of the only control panels compatible with both Windows and Linux. Plesk is also compatible with virtually any hosting environment, making it a suitable solution for many online business owners looking to expand in the near future. Learning to use a control panel efficiently can be difficult, so many users would rather stick with one control panel when they transfer to a new web host. Plesk gives users the ability to do so, saving them the time and frustration of learning to use a new control panel.  Due to this flexibility, Plesk is being adopted by many web hosts as their default control panel.

The Simplicity of Plesk

Plesk is  suitable solution for the shared hosting environment because it incorporates the functionality of a mutli-tiered administrative interface with the simplicity of a single module. Web hosts find these features particularly useful because they can manage the demands of infinite domains within a single  management interface. Even the most novice administrators can create and manage accounts on the server with ease, which decreases the need for customer service on behalf of the web hosting provider. Both the user and the host benefit from this simplicity, as the user can also perform administrative tasks without the aid of a server administrator. Plesk’s expandability and unlimited control make it a perfect solution for the shared hosting environment.

The Complexity of Plesk

A simple installation and segregated modular interface make Plesk an easy to use software that can be used form the start by users with absolutely no experience. With such an incredible design, one would assume that the price of Plesk would exceed the budget of most small businesses. However, the affordability of Plesk is another reason why it is suitable for users of the dedicated hosting environment. Dedicated hosting is typically more expensive than other hosting services, so it is relieving to find an affordable control panel that can accommodate the administrative needs of a dedicated server. Plesk also lets you put all of your server space to use, by giving you the ability to expand the software through the simple installation of unlimited third party applications. Although Plesk does not cost an exuberant amount, it does provide a plethora of features for high end users and large corporations.

The Flexibility of Plesk

Users of Virtual Private Servers also see Plesk as a viable solution because it is a compact software that doesn’t use a lot of system resources. Plesk also gives you the ability to change the design of the control panel itself with a software called Vitruozzo. This software lets users incorporate unlimited design templates into Plesk’s administrative interface, making the control panel completely customizable. Many users find that this visual adaptability decreases Plesk’s learning curve substantially.

It’s customizable nature, combined with it’s supreme compatibility with multiple operating systems and hosting environments, make Plesk a capable server management solution for almost any company.

Understanding Permission Types for Website Security

If you are running a website on a Unix or Linux server, it is important to know that many of your files and directories must be provided with the right permissions in order to function properly.   In the world of Unix-like platforms, the process of giving permissions is known as change mode or simply, CHMOD.  While you definitely want the files and directories of your website to work properly, it is also imperative to set the right permissions for security purposes.

CHMOD Permission Types

There are three types of permission in the Unix environment: Read, Write and Execute.  Below is an explanation on what each type of access means:

Read – This permission provides access that allows files to be read.  When applied to directory, it allows the names of files in a particular directory to read.  However, it does not disclose the type, size, permissions or any other information about the files.

Write - This permission provides access that allows a file to be modified.  When applied to a directory, it allows files in a particular directory to be modified.  This includes creating, renaming and deleting files.

Execute – This permission provides access that allows a file to be executed.  The execute permission must be set for shell scripts and executable binaries in order for them to be run on the underlying operating system. When applied to a directory, it provides access that allows files and subdirectories to be accessed, but not read.  Files and subdirectories can only be viewed if the directory that contains them is set to read.

CHMOD User Types

The above permissions apply to three types of users: the User, Group and Other. The User is the owner of the file and the one that has complete control.  The Group is the group of users that own the file.  This permission can be useful for a website that has group of people working on a project.  In this instance, you could give access to those users and restrict it from others.  Other refers to anyone that does not own in a file or belong in a group of users associated with the file.   So if you set a file to this permission, it will automatically affect everyone else.  For this reason, Other is often referred to as “the rest of the world”.

Defaults and Warnings

Files on a Unix server are usually set to 644 by default.  This simply means that the owner of the file has the ability to read and write to it, while everyone else only have read access.  Directories in the Unix environment are usually set to 755.  This means that the owner has complete authority over the directory while every else can only read and execute the files it contains.  One permission you definitely want to be careful with is CHMOD 777.  When applying this setting, anyone will have the ability to read, write and execute your files or directories.  This is equivalent to leaving your website open to the world and making it easy for hackers to compromise.

CHMOD Tools

While a shell prompt can be used to set permissions, many website owners choose to take the easy route by using an FTP client.  The CHMOD option can usually be accessed through menus or by hovering the mouse over a file or directory and choosing the correct option.  How you access it all depends on the FTP software.  In most cases, you simply check the properties, or enter the corresponding permission numbers in the provided text box to set permissions.

The Power of Cube Panel

Cube Panel is a unique control panel application that makes managing your domain and server functions an extremely easy process.  While there are many control panels available, some of them being extremely popular like cPanel, Cube Panel carries all of the same features of the other more popular control panels. In fact, Cube Panel is better than most of these control panels in some areas.  Here we will discuss just how capable Cube Panel is by highlighting some of it’s key features and attributes.

Compatibility

Cube Panel supports all three major operating systems; Windows, Linux and Unix. This is a very important feature because even the famed cPanel is not capable of this!  Even though Plesk is compatible with all three of these operating systems as well, it is not nearly as efficient as Cube Panel in it’s basic functions.  This attribute is listed first because it alone puts Cube Panel ahead of nearly every other control panel.

Simplicity Combined With Power

Even though Cube Panel is loaded with incredible features, it is also extremely easy to use, with a maximum learning curve of only a few hours. The user-interface is lined with simple navigational screens that make using this control panel a breeze even to the most novice users. Almost every feature you would need is located conveniently on the main page. You can also find crucial domain statistics to the left in a well designed statistic panel. Even though Cube Panel licenses cost $100, they are so confident in their control panel that they allow user to trial the Lite version for free. This free version is still highly capable of carrying out all of the basic functions of an efficient control panel.

Domain Statistics and Options

There are two main domain option categories; Domain Limits and Domain Permissions. The Domain Limits category concerns all of the options that regard your the limits placed on your domain at any given time. Here you’ll find information like how much free disk space you have, how many email accounts you can have, and how much bandwidth your account has been allotted.  On the other hand, the Domain Permissions area displays information concerning your hosting account, such as the kind of programming support available to you, and your FTP access details. Both of these features allow you to monitor the status of your hosting account, so it will be easy to recognize when an upgrade is needed.

Easy Backups

Of course backing up your data is very important to the existence of your website, and Cube Panel makes doing so very easy. Cube Panel contains an integrated backup utility that when used regularly will prevent you from ever having to worry about losing data due to unforeseen events. Backing up data in Cube Panel is as easy as clicking the “backup data” button.  After you have clicked the “backup data” button you can then select from a list of options that will allow you to make a one time backup or arrange for weekly/monthly backups to occur automatically.

The features above make Cube Panel a formidable contender for the best control panel on the market today, and it would not be surprising to see it competing with cPanel in the near future.

Top Three Control Panels to Consider When Choosing a Web Host

Selecting the right control panel for your web hosting account is imperative. This decision will affect the overall productivity of your online business. Depending on your goals, you’ll want to choose a control panel that is both user-friendly and feature packed, to ensure you get the most out of your web hosting experience. Choosing the wrong control panel can result in countless hours of frustration and confusion, so it is important that one reviews their options carefully before making a final decision.

This article will allow one to make the most informed decision possible, by providing a detailed summary of the top three web hosting control panels .

cPanel

cPanel is likely the most common control panel used today. It’s popularity can be attributed to its user-friendly interface and wide array of features.  The standard cPanel account comes equipped with two different hosting interfaces that make it ideal for managing an online business. These two interfaces are the WHM and cPanel itself.  WHM (Web Host Manager), is the software used to create new hosting accounts and packages.  The WHM is used to perform various management functions, such as adding/spending customer accounts, monitoring resource usage, changing passwords, parking domains, and installing SSL certificates . One of the biggest advantages of a cPanel account is the included  third-party application “Fantastico” that allows one to enhance their site’s overall quality by incorporating a wide array of useful add-on applications.

H-Sphere

H-Sphere is a highly versatile control panel that supports both Windows and Linux platforms. This control panel lets administrators manage several different servers from one computer.  H-Sphere behaves much like a server itself, offering a variety of turn-key features like payment processing, account configuration,  domain name registration and email notification.  It also includes support for more than twenty payment gateways, and it even comes with a built-in billing module. Since H-sphere is equipped with  so many useful features it is often considered much less user-friendly than most of the other control panels available. Although the overall design of H-sphere gives it a steep learning curve,  this control panel can still be mastered with very little foreknown knowledge in PHP, HTML, or FTP.

Plesk

Plesk is well-renowned as one of the most secure and stable control panels on the market today.  Many of it’s users appreciate it’s easy-to-learn navigation, well designed interface, and overall appearance in general.  Plesk offers a variety of beneficial features, including an automated application installer that is much like Fantastico. Plesk also comes equipped with a site builder and a powerful spam filter, Spam Assassin.  This particular control panel also works well with other solutions offered by its developer; SWsoft. The most notable application that Plesk integrates well with is HSP. HSP fully automates the process of administrative tasks such as payment processing and email notification.

Regardless of which control panel you decide to use, all of the control panels mentioned here are a viable solutions for all of your web hosting tasks.