Dedicated Linux Hosting

Dedicated Hosting allows you to rent an entire Server. You do not share a Dedicated Server with anyone unless you want to. Dedicated Servers are also more flexible than Shared Servers, because you have full control over the Server – you can choose the Operating System, and what hardware and software is installed.

There are several benefits to having a Dedicated Server. You have total freedom over what software and applications are installed. If you feel your Server isn’t fast enough, you can upgrade it. You can also Host as many Domains on one Server as your hardware will allow, and your website/s can grow without the restrictions of a Shared Server.

Dedicated Linux hosting has become a popular choice for many webmasters. A Linux server can be used to host both managed and dedicated websites. This system is preferred by experienced web designers and administrators. It is also widely used by end-users with little to no experience in web designing or server administration.

Most web hosting companies provide managed service for their clients. With dedicated Linux hosting, these tasks are typically turned over to the client when requested. This is often preferred by companies who want to keep the core of their business close and personal. Linux makes for the perfect platform as it offers client control and cost-efficiency in one package.

The price for managed dedicated hosting varies but usually runs anywhere from $300 to $1000 per month for a number of different packages. This mainly depends on the size of the business that requires service. Dedicated Linux hosting typically includes a server, CPU, RAM, a hard drive, one or more IP addresses, a specific amount of monthly bandwidth and storage along with the monitoring of up to three ports. It offers everything the modern day business requires to establish a positive web presence.

Linux and Microsoft Windows are two different operating systems. Windows is a well-known household name and does not require much introduction. Linux is a new version of the Unix operating system. Both these operating systems make excellent environments for web hosting. However, there are some differences between them.

To help you decide whether Linux or Windows hosting is better for you, we look at the following elements:

Cost: Linux is known as an "open source" operating system. i.e. there is no licensing fees to pay. Therefore, compared to Windows, Linux is very cheap. Starting with Windows XP, Microsoft has begun enforcing software activation. This means that a single copy of Windows can only be installed on one computer. With Linux, once you own a copy, you are free to install it as many times as you wish on any number of computers.

Reliability: Linux is reputed to be very stable and reliable. This means that a Linux server is much less likely to crash than a Windows server. Subsequently, a Linux server will mean more 'up time' for your website.

Experience: Linux has many more years of experience than Windows in hosting.

Speed: There is no real difference in speed between Linux and Windows, but Linux is slightly faster in processing basic web pages.

Functionality: Windows support ASP (Active Server Pages), a Microsoft programming/scripting language, which allows you to build dynamically database-driven web pages by connecting to a Microsoft database such as SQL Server or Access. Linux does not support ASP nor Microsoft databases, but uses MySQL database instead.

If you use Microsoft Frontpage to create your website, it doesn't mean that you have to choose Windows hosting. All Linux accounts come free with Frontpage extensions, which allow you to upload your Frontpage website to your web space on a Linux server.

Scripts: There are many CGI programs available on the Internet. The majority of these are Perl scripts and have been developed on Linux / Unix web servers. So they tend to install more smoothly and operate more reliably on a Linux server. Moreover, many Perl scripts are downloadable from the Internet free of charge.

To summarise, most users find that Linux hosting is easier to use, more reliable, provides free, open source software and is much cheaper than Windows hosting. So unless you particularly need to use Windows specific features such as ASP and an Access database, it is probably a better choice to choose Linux over Windows.