The advantages of having your website hosted on a Linux Server are:
Cost - As mentioned, Linux is a free open source operating system. By using Linux web hosting, one can save a good amount of money. If you have to do scripting in PHP, MySql and Perl then Linux would be the most economical option.
Support - Linux system is widely used. Many users are experts in Linux and are ready to provide support. There are online forums, social websites and thousands of blogs on which to discuss your Linux problem.
Stability - Linux platform is set up so that it runs in separate modules If any module breaks down, it shuts down automatically without affecting the run time of the other modules. This is unlike Windows which reboots the entire system in case of failure.
Security and reliability - Linux is a highly secure operating system. End users do not need to worry about the security of their applications. The probability of a successful hack attack on Linux Operating system is very low compared to Windows Operating system.
Easy conversion from Linux to Windows - It is very easy to convert a Linux based website into Window based website. Not so easy converting from Windows to Linux.
Because of its stability, you can expect high uptime rates from a Linux web hosting service. Linux supports most scripting languages and types of web files such as .html, .htm, .pl, .php, .shtml, .asp, .xml and others. The biggest disadvantage of a Linux based web hosting solution is that it is not compatible with Microsoft technologies, like ASP scripts.
If you are new to building websites and web design, Linux web hosting is the better and cheaper, option. But if you need specialized services that are Windows specific, you will obviously have to use a Windows web hosting service.
Web Hosting Compared Recommends the Following Linux Web Hosting* |
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Apollo From $6.97/Mo Free Setup For 1Yr+ Signup Highlights: 50GB Diskspace 500GB Bandwidth 500 Email Accts Host 20 Websites (Unlimited with Higher priced packages) Ruby on Rails PHP Perl SSH (Limited) Mambo Site Builder Content Management System Google AdWords $25 Coupon Free Web Content More Information Editor's Pick 2006 - Hosting Review |
InMotion $6.95/Mo Free Setup For 1Yr+ Signup Highlights: Unlimited Diskspace Unlimited Bandwidth 20 Email Accts Host 2-16 sites Free Domain PHP Perl Python MySql Mambo and Joomla More Information Top Business Host Award 2008 - Top 10 Web Hosting |
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Hostgator
$7.95/Mo Free Setup Highlights: 99.9% Uptime Guarantee 600GB Disk Space 6000GB Bandwidth Unlimited Email Accounts Unlimited Domains Unlimited MySQL Databases PHP 4 & 5 FrontPage Ruby On Rails Perl Agora Cart Zen Cart Cube Cart More Information "Webhost Magazine Highest Level of Recommendation" |
Bluehost
$6.95/Mo Free Setup Highlights: Unlimited Disk Space Unlimited Site Transfer 2500 Email Accts CGI, Ruby, Perl, PHP Unlimited Domains 100 MySql DBs Free Domain Forever 24/7 Customer Support OS Commerce Shopping Cart Agora Shopping Cart Cube Cart Shopping Cart Zen Cart Shopping Cart More Information Best Customer Server and #2 Overall Host - Web Hosting Review |
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HostRocket As low as $4.99/Mo Setup fees apply Highlights: Unlimited Diskspace Unlimited Data Transfer Unlimited Email Accts 24/7 live technical support Unlimited websites Perl 5 PHP 5 MySql 5 More Information "Just wanted to say that Host Rocket is by far the best hosting solution out there. Big thumbs up to you guys. My site is always running fast and I have yet to experiance any downtime" - HostRocket customer |
LunarPages From $4.95/Mo Free Setup Highlights: Unlimited Diskspace Unlimited Data Transfer Unlimited Email Accts Unlimited Domains & Subdomains Unlimited MySql PHP Perl Python 24/7 Award Winning Support osCommerce Shopping Cart Cube Shopping Cart Zen Cart Shopping Cart Fantastico More Information Editor's Choice Award Winner - Web Host Magazine |