LINUX

VS

WINDOWS

Windows vs. Linux? What is the right choice for you? This is one of the first decisions you need to make when looking for someone to host your website.

There is a common misconception that if you are using a Windows on your home or office computer, you need to have Windows based hosting. This is not true. The operating system of your hosting account is completely independent of your computer’s operating system. So how do you choose?

There are a number of factors to consider…

The first is entirely dependant on how your site is developed. For example, if your site contains only static content such as HTML and CSS, then it could run on either a Linux or Windows hosting environment.

What if I don’t just have static pages on my web site?

If you are using active content such as a forum, shopping cart or blog which requires scripting support, then you should choose your hosting platform accordingly.

Traditionally, applications scripted in PHP, Perl or MySQL run under Linux hosting accounts, and ASP, ASP.NET, Access or MS SQL run under Windows hosting accounts. At Beza.net we allow some scripting languages to run on either platform. Here is a detailed break-down of each platform capability to help you decide the best hosting environment for your needs:

Platform Comparison
	Linux	Windows
Internet Information Server	-
Apache		-
Microsoft FrontPage 2002 Extensions	-
Perl
PHP
ASP (Active Server Pages)	-
ASP.NET Framework	-
MySQL
Microsoft SQL Database	-
Server Side Includes
Client-Side Javascript
Statistics
EasyApps Collection
File Manager

How come comparable Windows and Linux plans don’t cost the same?

One of the most noticeable factors when comparing Windows and Linux hosting is the cost. In many cases a Linux hosting account is less expensive than a comparable Windows hosting account. Linux hosting servers utilize more open-source software where there are little or no associated licensing fees. While a Windows hosting server, most products and software packages used on the server require a licensing fee, thus increasing the overall cost of operating a Windows shared hosting server.

Ready to make a decision?

Hopefully your decission on which type of hosting platform to choose is a little easier now. Asking yourself these questions will help narrow down your choices.

• Is your site a static design? Or do you require a specific type of scripting language or database support?
• What is your price range? What are your other minimum requirements for a hosting plan?

If you’re not sure which is right for you, or call toll free (800) 505-9774 (international customers, please use 1.202.822-6800) to speak with a sales team specialist who can help determine the right solution for your needs.