Even if you have used hosting once, you are faced with the question, “What is the difference between Linux and Windows hosting”? This question has different dimensions. To understand the nature of each of these two types of hosting and their advantages and disadvantages, it is necessary to examine each section separately.
What is a Linux host?
The term “Linux hosts” or “Linux VPS Servers” refers to hosts running the Linux operating system, which may be any of the Linux distributions such as Centos, Ubuntu, CloudLinux, or Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL).
What is Windows Hosting?
If the operating system used on the host is Windows, it is called Windows host or Windows VPS. Windows host also uses the Microsoft operating system called Windows Server, usually known as the year of release of that version, such as 2016 or 2012.
In examining the differences between Linux and Windows hosts, the operating system used in their server can be deduced from the names of these two types of hosts.
Each of these operating systems provides its facilities and platform for a host server, which have certain advantages and disadvantages according to the conditions and needs of users. These conditions can be examined in the following sections:
1- The difference between Linux and Windows VPS hosting in a webserver
What you know as a website, and what you see when you run a domain name in your browser, is the product of a set of processes performed by the web server on the website files to achieve a result visible in the browser. A web server can be considered as a kind of software platform that is responsible for this task. Therefore, it can be concluded that depending on the role of the webserver. A correct choice can have a positive or negative impact on the proper operation of the website.
The most popular Linux web servers are Apache, Nginx, and LiteSpeed, which each company offers plans depending on the needs and configuration of their servers that use these web servers. The web server used in Windows Server is IIS, which has different versions depending on the different versions of Windows Server. For example, Windows Server 2016 supports IIS10, and Windows Server 2012 supports IIS8.
The most critical issue in choosing a web server is the programming language with which the website is designed. If the website is created in ASP or ASP.net languages, it can only be run on a Windows server. But if languages like PHP, Python, Perl, and… are used, contrary to popular belief, they will load on both Windows and Linux servers. This depends entirely on the server configuration of the host company.
By default, Linux VPS servers are more configurable to support these languages and offer better performance. For example, world-famous CMSs such as WordPress and Joomla were written using the popular PHP language. If your website is one of these, keep in mind that websites written in PHP will perform better on a Linux server due to their better interaction with Linux web servers. More information.
2- The difference between Linux and Windows hosts in the server database
A website uses a database in addition to its files, depending on how it is designed. The two databases Microsoft SQL Server and MySQL, are better known than their competitors. The MSSQL database is only available on a Windows server. But MySQL can be run on both Windows and Linux (Microsoft has recently introduced SQL Server software compatible with Linux operating systems, but it still lacks the stability of the Windows operating system).
MySQL, like PHP, runs better on Linux servers. Also, since most PHP-based sites use MySQL as a database, PHP web designers prefer to provide a Linux service. Keep in mind that MySQL and PHP can also be provided on Windows servers.
3- The difference between Windows and Linux hosting in Mail Server
It is possible to use the email service in almost all plans provided by hosting companies. This service is available on both Windows and Linux servers.
What distinguishes the type of email service on Linux and Windows hosts is the nature of the applications that do this. A mail server is a set of different services. These include SMTP, IMAP, POP3, etc., which were on a Linux server. Each of these services is run and managed by one application.
In Windows, the situation is slightly different. Usually, a specific application is responsible for all tasks. Popular Windows mail servers include SmarterMail, MailEnable, and Kerio Connect. Due to the complexity of email features in Windows, sometimes this service is easier and more efficient than Linux. At the same time, the features offered in Windows mail servers are much more and more diverse than similar conditions in Linux.
4- Differences between Linux VPS and Windows VPS hosts in control panels
Due to the popularity of Linux VPS services, its panels are also better known. Among them, we can mention cPanel, Plesk, DirectAdmin as the most famous. Standard Windows panels include Plesk, SolidCP, and WebsitePanel. As you can see, among the well-known panel companies, only Plesk has provided panels for both Windows and Linux.
Comparing the differences between Linux VPS hosting and Windows VPS hosting in terms of panels is practically useless. Because each is based on the structure and features that the same operating system can provide, this can not be considered a criterion of superiority for a host.
5- The difference between Linux and Windows hosting in security
Perhaps one of the reasons why Linux hosts are so popular is because Linux is known for being more secure. From a technical point of view, this claim has never been rejected or confirmed, and its proponents and opponents also present their reasons. But all experts agree on one thing; How a host is configured by the server administrator and conducting periodic security checks and the use of related software and hardware is much more important than whether they are Windows or Linux. So before making a host, make sure that the company does the above.
6- Should I Use Linux VPS Or Windows VPS?
Windows VPS and Linux VPS are two very different operating systems. Which one is more suitable for you? But which one is more appropriate? Most Websites are loaded On Linux Servers. If you have a project, application, or website, it’s all of your property. How can we be content to risk all our assets?
Linux is the safest operating system because of its structure. Windows Server uses the IIS webserver to manage the pages and to interact with the browsers. Linux supports many web servers like Apache, Nginx, and the fastest one is Lightspeed. Linux VPS supports the most famous control panel to manage the website, which is cPanel, and there is a cPanel VPS for this purpose. Windows needs to be reinstalled for a long time, and it crashes more times than the Linux Server OS does.
In Windows VPS, we use an SSH connection to connect to the Linux VPS. And after connecting, you will have a GUI to your Windows. It is also possible in Linux, but you won’t experience good stability in remote connection with Linux.
7- From which site can we buy a VPS?
There are hundreds of VPS server providers from which to choose. However, make an effort to choose a virtual server provider that is dependable and provides excellent customer service. Support is essential to you, and if you encounter any difficulties, the support staff will be able to assist you. I can only point you in the direction of the OperaVPS website. We are using this website since I have previously purchased a virtual server from them and they are trustworthy. The implications of Buying a VPS from our website are entirely up to you, and we have just provided our own personal experience.
Summary
Nginx, which each company offers plans depending on the needs and configuration of their servers that use these web servers. Each of these operating systems provides its facilities and platform for a host server, which have certain advantages and disadvantages according to the conditions and needs of users. What is a Linux host?
What you know as a website, and what you see when you run a domain name in your browser, is the product of a set of processes performed by the web server on the website files to achieve a result visible in the browser. By default, Linux VPS servers are more configurable to support these languages and offer better performance. For example, world-famous CMSs such as WordPress and Joomla were written using the PHP language. A website uses a database in addition to its files, depending on how it is designed. In Windows, a specific application is responsible for all tasks.
These include SMTP, IMAP, POP3, etc., which were on a Linux server. Popular Windows mail servers have SmarterMail, MailEnable, and Kerio Connect. The difference between Linux VPS and Windows VPS hosting in terms of control panels is practically useless. So before making a host, make sure that the company does the above.
