Linux vs Windows Hosting

The following discussion gives insight into our opinions regarding which platform should be used for virtual server hosting. For UNIX, we use a modified version of Linux. Unlike Windows, UNIX comes in many different flavors, such as Solaris, Red Hat Linux, and FreeBSD. This discussion examines the difference between these two operating systems from various perspectives, all of which should be considered when determining which platform you should use for virtual server hosting.

Important: One of the biggest misconceptions is that you have to run UNIX on your own computer in order for you to host your site on UNIX platform. That is not true. Which operating system you run on your computer is irrelevant in making your decision. This means that if you are running Windows98 or Windows®2000/XP/Vista on your computer, you can still choose UNIX.

Linux Hosting

Easy to set up
Server Reliability
Speed
Functionality
Server Costing
Software Costing
Security
Support
Integration with Microsoft solutions
Free/Open Source Software
Server Administration
Portable
Free Database
Command-line oriented

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Windows Hosting

Easy to set up
Server Reliability
Speed
Functionality
Server Costing
Software Costing
Security
Support
Integration with Microsoft solutions
Free/Open Source Software
Server Administration
Portable
Free Database
Command-line oriented

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User Friendliness

While the consensus holds that UNIX based webhosting is more user friendly than Windows, it is our belief that with our Control Panel's for both the UNIX and Windows platforms make both user friendly. However, UNIX does have some features, such as Telnet/SSH that makes it easier to administer your webhosting account.

Stability

Without question, we feel that UNIX is far more stable than Windows in a shared-server, or multi-user environment. Given the background of UNIX, which dates back into the early 1960's versus Windows birth in the 1990's, UNIX has had far more time to improve in efficiency and stability. It is our opinion that Windows was not developed for the multi-user, shared-server hosting environment (which can be a high demanding environment at times) where UNIX kernal has been developed under these conditions.

Functionality

Many commercial applications, especially e-commerce packages, are developed for the Windows environment. While UNIX does have commercial support for popular application such as Real Networks G2, Miva and now WebTrends, the history of UNIX software development is Open Source, or GNU software (non-commercial). Therefore, many more commercial applications for e-commerce and web development are developed for the Windows environment. On the flip side, may open source applications which have gained tremendous popularity, such as Perl, PHP, and mySQL were developed for UNIX operating systems under the GNU license. Commercial applications versus GNU software can easily distinguish which platform should be used when considering functionality.

Our Experience

SysolHost has been working with Linux for over 5 years now, and general UNIX OS's including Open Source software (Slackware, Open BSD, Free BSD) for about 6 years. However, we have been working with Windows for only 6 years now, so our experience much heavily weighted towards UNIX, especially the Linux Operating System.

Price

Here UNIX holds a slight edge due to the fact that the most of the software licenses are free and that it’s easier to maintain UNIX servers than Windows® servers for the same level of reliability and performance. You will see that our hosting prices reflect this. Unless you specifically plan to use Windows® platform specific features (see below), it probably makes sense to choose the UNIX platform.

Linux Features

Apache
MS FrontPage 2000,2002
Multiple FTP accounts
Flash
Shockwave
RealAudio/Video
Cgi-script
Perl
PHP
SSH (Secure Telnet)
MySQL
ASP (active server pages)
MS Access
MS SQL
Visual Basic Scripts
Windows Media

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Windows FEATURES

IIS (Internet Information Server)
MS FrontPage 2000,2002
Multiple FTP accounts
Flash
Shockwave
RealAudio/Video
Cgi-script
Perl
PHP
SSH (Secure Telnet)
MySQL
ASP (active server pages)
MS Access
MS SQL
Visual Basic Scripts
Windows Media

View Windows Plans

Specific features supported by both UNIX and Windows platforms

Control Panel - advanced web based hosting control
Knowledge Base
Site Statistics
Web Based Email

Our Final Opinion

It is our opinion that the Linux platform is much more suited for multi-user functionality than the Windows platform. For clients looking to create a simple website with little experience or dynamic features with GNU software (Perl, PHP), we recommend a UNIX-based virtual server. However, clients looking for custom scripting and e-commerce add-ons for their virtual server or with high-end databasing or development needs, we recommend the Windows platform.

What Client Say?

We are proud to be the IT hosting home. No matter the size of the company, to us, every customer is important and unique. Government agencies, non-profits, educational institutions, online retailers, gaming companies and web designers all count on us to host their IT infrastructure.

We recognize that although our customers may have different IT needs, at the end of the day, they just want it to work. That's why they rely on Codero and when it comes to their mission-critical applications and websites.

"Great support. Really fast, polite and with the right knowledge. Even in weekends and in the evenings they are ready to help you. So much better than my previous host. Really super value for money. Keep up the good work!"

Frank Client

"I have been with SysolHost for about 6 months after transferring from another company. I am so pleased with the communication SysolHost has provided. Their customer service is super nice, and technical support is always quick to respond to site issues."

Samantha Ricci Client

"Amazing service, good quality hosting! The team is always willing to help. I have been using their services for over 4 years and I have never had any problem! Really satisfied with SysolHost!"

H. David Client

"I have recently implemented two Websites with SysolHost and your support team by far has been the most responsive, helpful and easiest to work with group that I have encountered to date and I will surely recommend SysolHost in the future."

Tom Ricci Client

"I'm especially impressed with SysolHost's support and support team. Their support is 24/7, response time is very fast and the team is generally helpful and knowledgeable."

Robert Client

"Making the switch to SysolHost has been great for our company. Their customer service has been excellent. They are quick to respond to problems we have and always follow through to make sure issues have been resolved to our satisfaction. Having all our web and email administration under one roof has been very convenient."

Benjamin Doe Client

"We recognize that although our customers may have different IT needs, at the end of the day, they just want it to work."