- Here is a more detailed breakdown of the issues to consider when choosing between Unix or Windows-based hosting.
- User Friendliness:
- While the consensus holds that Unix-based Web hosting is more user friendly than Windows, we believe that our Control Panel can make it easy for you to manage your website, regardless of the platform you choose.
- Stability:
- Unix is the clear winner in this category. There are many factors to be considered when making that estimation, but we will cite a couple of the bigger ones here: generally Unix handles high server loads better than Windows. Unix machines seldom require reboots while Windows needs them more often. Servers running on Unix enjoy extremely high up-time and high availability/reliability.
- Performance:
- There is virtually no difference in the performance across Unix and Windows when run in low-stress conditions. It is widely held; however, that Unix servers run better under high load than Windows.
- Security:
- We've made numerous modifications, removed unnecessary components and updated software to ensure that both platforms are secure. With our servers, either platform is secure for Internet use. There is; however, one major security advantage Unix has today over Windows. It has been cited that more viruses, worms and other harmful programs are developed for Windows platforms than are written for Unix. This may simply be because Windows has the vast majority of the market share on all computers and, thus, the bigger audience. Viruses can be written for Unix, but at this time Windows has seen more problems in this area.
- Scalability:
- The content on websites change over time. They usually start off simple and small but then grow as the needs of the person or organization running them grows. Both platforms can often adapt to your growing needs, Windows hosting is more easily made compatible with Unix-based programming features like PHP and MySQL. Conversely, Unix-based web software is not always 100% compatible with Microsoft technologies like .NET and VB development. Therefore if you wish to use these, you should choose Windows web hosting.
- Database Functionality:
- We offer MySQL as a database under Unix. It's counterpart for Windows is Microsoft Access. We also offer a higher-end database on Windows called Microsoft SQL Server. If your site requires or will eventually require a high-performance database, Windows may be the best choice because of the option of Microsoft SQL Server. If your site requires or will eventually require a high-performance database, Windows may be the best choice because of the option of Microsoft SQL Server for the Advanced and Pro packages.
- Compatibility:
- As mentioned above, websites designed and programmed for a Unix-based web server can be hosted easily on a Windows server, whereas the reverse is not always true. This may make programming for Unix the better choice. It will allow you more options later on down the road.
- Conclusion:
- To sum it up, Unix-based hosting is more stable, performs faster and more compatible than Windows-based hosting. You only absolutely need Windows hosting if you are going to developing in .NET or Visual Basic, or some other application that limits your choices.
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| Features: | Unix | Windows |
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| Flash | |
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| Shockwave | |
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| RealAudio/Video | |
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| CGI-scripting | |
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| PHP | |
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| MySQL | |
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| ASP (active server pages) | |
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| MS Access | |
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| MS SQL | |
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| Visual Basic Scripts | |
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| Windows Media | |
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| Control Panel - advanced web based hosting control | |
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| Knowledge Base | |
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| Site Statistics | |
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| Web Based Email | |
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| Web Server | Apache | IIS (Internet Information Server) |