Web developers often have to choose whether they want the website to be hosted on a Windows or a Unix or Linux operating system. There are certain key features within a web server operating system that one needs to investigate before making a decision on this:

• Permanence: The operating system should be able to support a heavy load in emergency situations, to ensure the smooth running of all websites on the server.

• Security: The operating system should also be developed so that it can face viruses or other major threats without being vulnerable to hackers.

• User-friendly Administration Tools: The administration tools should be easy to use for trouble-free management of the operating system.

• Software and Features: The operating system must have all the necessary features and software in order to administer the web hosting server.

• Availability and Integration of Third Party Applications: The operating system should support software from other vendors to enhance its features from time to time, the integration of which should be trouble-free.

Your choice of operating system need not necessarily be the same as the one you use at home. , Your decision should instead be based on the type of website you want and the applications you intend to run on it. Mainstream web operating systems can be classified into four known categories, namely,

• Windows Web Hosting Servers
• UNIX, Linux and FreeBSD web hosting servers
• Macintosh web hosting servers
• Novell web hosting servers

Windows operating systems for web servers, although exposed to hackers and viruses, can easily integrate Microsoft applications, such as MS Access, MS FrontPage, etc. On the other hand, UNIX and Linux servers are well-known for their stability and 99% uptime capability during heavy web traffic. These are best for beginners craving virtual web hosting services, and are also comparatively cheaper. If your website has been developed using ASP technology, you should use a MS Windows operating server.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010 at 9:13 am and is filed under Website Hosting. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.