How to Pick the Best Server OS for Your Website – Guide
Every website requires a web server, which runs on an operating system. You have two options: Linux or Windows Server, and this tutorial will help you choose the best one. Before launching a website, there are a number of factors to consider, including price, bandwidth, storage and software compatibility. However, choosing between Linux and Windows Server as your server operating system is one of the most essential decisions you will make. For the most part, Linux is the most popular server operating system; Windows Server is for server administrators and companies that want the services of Microsoft. When writing a good shot, the average blogger won’t notice substantial changes to operating systems, but the stakes are greater for companies with specific back-end requirements. This tutorial it can help you if you are undecided about the operating system that will drive your website.
The fundamentals of the operating system
Not all web hosting services, or their service levels, offer a choice between Linux and Windows Server operating systems. For example, if you choose a shared hosting plan, you will likely be stuck with whatever operating system the web host uses by default – typically Linux. Generally, you must sign up for the most expensive and robust virtual private server (VPS) or dedicated hosting deals to find a Windows Server option. Editor’s Choice award-winning web hosts such as GoDaddy, HostGator, and 1 & 1 Ionos offer Windows-based servers, but many do not. Please note that choosing a Linux or Windows based server does not depend on your PC’s operating system. If you have a Windows PC, you can use Linux servers perfectly and vice versa. It’s the same situation with MacOS. Server operating systems are on the backend, which means it doesn’t matter how you connect to them on the user side. That said, there are significant reasons why you might want to use Linux or Windows as the foundation of your website. Let’s explore them.
Decide how much money you want to spend
Linux is a free open source operating system that comes in many flavors. It’s also simpler to maintain, requiring less maintenance and fewer hours of work. Windows Server, on the other hand, is owned by Microsoft, so web hosting services license it from Redmond. Hosting providers tend to pass these additional costs on to users. See GoDaddy, for an example. Its Linux-based, self-managed VPS tier starts at $29.99 per month (for a monthly plan), while its Windows-based counterpart costs $34.99 per month. Ionos’ second-tier VPS M plan costs $7 a month, but switching to a Windows Server plan adds $20 to the price. That price premium may disappear among the more expensive dedicated hosting services, but that extra cash per month can add up. up in the lower and middle layers. If you want to save money, it’s better to opt for Linux. That said, you may find that the extra cost is necessary if you plan to take advantage of specific Windows Server features.
Know the software you want to use
As mentioned earlier, your operating system selection determines the software you will use to build and update a website. For example, WordPress is much easier to install and use on Linux servers as it is powered by the PHP scripting language and MySQL database service (you can get them running on Windows servers, but most providers do service does not bother). The popular backend server, cPanel, which you might be familiar with if you’ve built a website, also runs on Linux. In addition, Linux hosting generally provides easier access to website creation tools such as the Apache HTTP web server, Python and Perl programming languages, and Node.JS JavaScript environments. In contrast, Windows Server runs services created and maintained by Microsoft. If you are developing web applications, you will want to use the .NET framework which is only available on Windows Server. If your site is built using ASP.NET or Microsoft’s SQL version, you will also need Windows servers. The other Windows Server-only programs you might find include C#, Microsoft Access, Microsoft SharePoint, and Remote Desktop. If you’re just starting out on your web hosting journey, it’s good to stick with Linux. Windows Server is a good choice for experienced developers and large organizations.
Learn the differences in operating system security and management
When it comes to overall stability, Linux is the oldest statesman. It has been used as a web server base for a long time and its open source nature means that many talented people contribute to it. Compared to Windows Server, Linux handles more functions without problems and doesn’t require reboots as often. This is because Linux does not have memory leaks in the same way as Windows Server and only needs to be restarted when there is a kernel update. If you’re collecting financial information or other mission-critical data through your website, security should be at the top of your list. Fortunately, the open source nature of Linux also means that many people are working on security fixes. However, finding the fix may require more research compared to Microsoft’s extensive documentation and live tech support, but it’s certainly there. With Windows Server, you’ll enjoy an easy-to-understand graphical user interface and Microsoft-backed customer support. Additionally, Microsoft often releases Windows Server drivers for new hardware quickly; new Linux drivers may take a while to appear, depending on the distro you are using (searching for distros is a complete article). Linux is eminently flexible, however. If you are willing to work with command line programming, you can root Linux servers into any format you like.
make the big decision
Should you use Linux? Should you use Windows Server? There are no one-size-fits-all answers, as the decision must be based on your needs. If you’re creating a blog, you’ll do fine with a Linux-based server. In fact, this will probably be your only option with a low-cost web hosting tier. If it’s good enough for Facebook and Google, it’s probably good enough for your site. If you are part of a large organization or plan to use specific Microsoft services such as Exchange or SharePoint, you should look to Windows Server. In addition, Windows Server is much simpler for green server administrators to maintain.
Final note
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