What is meant by a web hosting platform?Just the way a personal computer runs on an Operating System, the web server hardware systems too need a platform to run. This is nothing but the web hosting platform. The personal computer OS are usually Windows variants. Macintosh systems use their own integrated OS called the Mac OS.
Similarly web server systems too need specialised web server software platforms which provide an interface between the server hardware and the external queries. These server platforms are also called 'Server Operating System' or the 'Server OS'. HOW TO CHOOSE A WEB HOSTING PLATFORM?
Of the many platforms available, there are a few platforms which are popular and most widely in use.
1. Windows : 'Windows Server'is the software product for web server management owned by the popular Microsoft Company. Of all the versions, 'Windows Server 2003' is the most popular and 'Windows Server 2008 R2' Beta being the latest. All of Windows platforms are licensed OS, in the sense that server management needs to purchase this OS before using. CONS : . Windows platforms often turn out to be expensive as compared to open source platforms like Linux. The reason is that it needs huge initial investment for purchasing valid license and hence the cost is often borne by the customers.
When compared to Linux and Unix, Windows servers are more vulnerable to security threats and are less stable under complex environments. PROS : . It is a commercial product designed keeping users in mind and hence is very user friendly. Most of the operations do not need specific codes to be written.
It supports ASP and Microsoft technologies like .Net, Sharepoint and Database technologies like MS SQL. 2. Linux:While every four out of five computers use Windows as the OS, it is not the case when it comes to web server OS. Linux is an Open source server OS and is the most widely used server OS. CONS :. Just like the Unix, it requires specific expertise in handling the OS.
Though it can support Perl, PHP, databases like Mysql and similar technologies as supported by Unix, popular scripts like .Net and MS SQL are not supported. PROS : . It is relatively cheaper as it requires no investment for licensing.
Highly reliable and stable like the Unix platform and can deliver performance under complex environments.
If server security is the concern, then Linux is the solution.
It is relatively cheaper as it requires no investment for licensing.
Other Server Platforms like FreeBSD and Unix are also among the most popular. Also there are a few points to be remembered before choosing a server platform :
The server OS platform you choose need not be same as the OS of your computer at home. You can have a Windows at home and still opt for a Linux server OS. What matters is the language in which your website has been built.
In case your website is not built on any of the above technologies, for example a Flash website, then you may choose any web hosting platform of your choice.
Similarly web server systems too need specialised web server software platforms which provide an interface between the server hardware and the external queries. These server platforms are also called 'Server Operating System' or the 'Server OS'. HOW TO CHOOSE A WEB HOSTING PLATFORM?
Of the many platforms available, there are a few platforms which are popular and most widely in use.
1. Windows : 'Windows Server'is the software product for web server management owned by the popular Microsoft Company. Of all the versions, 'Windows Server 2003' is the most popular and 'Windows Server 2008 R2' Beta being the latest. All of Windows platforms are licensed OS, in the sense that server management needs to purchase this OS before using. CONS : . Windows platforms often turn out to be expensive as compared to open source platforms like Linux. The reason is that it needs huge initial investment for purchasing valid license and hence the cost is often borne by the customers.
When compared to Linux and Unix, Windows servers are more vulnerable to security threats and are less stable under complex environments. PROS : . It is a commercial product designed keeping users in mind and hence is very user friendly. Most of the operations do not need specific codes to be written.
It supports ASP and Microsoft technologies like .Net, Sharepoint and Database technologies like MS SQL. 2. Linux:While every four out of five computers use Windows as the OS, it is not the case when it comes to web server OS. Linux is an Open source server OS and is the most widely used server OS. CONS :. Just like the Unix, it requires specific expertise in handling the OS.
Though it can support Perl, PHP, databases like Mysql and similar technologies as supported by Unix, popular scripts like .Net and MS SQL are not supported. PROS : . It is relatively cheaper as it requires no investment for licensing.
Highly reliable and stable like the Unix platform and can deliver performance under complex environments.
If server security is the concern, then Linux is the solution.
It is relatively cheaper as it requires no investment for licensing.
Other Server Platforms like FreeBSD and Unix are also among the most popular. Also there are a few points to be remembered before choosing a server platform :
The server OS platform you choose need not be same as the OS of your computer at home. You can have a Windows at home and still opt for a Linux server OS. What matters is the language in which your website has been built.
In case your website is not built on any of the above technologies, for example a Flash website, then you may choose any web hosting platform of your choice.
Comments
Post a Comment