Experts recommend Linux for hosting because of its affordability and flexibility. Linux website hosting is based on open-source technologies and is a variation of the operating system known as Unix. Companies can use open-source technologies to improve application accessibility, database accessibility, website hosting and storage capabilities. Open-source applications are customizable to the company's particular needs. PHP, Python, MySQL and XML are common open-source technologies used by Linux platform and operating system.
Linux is one of the most popular hosting platforms for businesses with budget constraints. Companies enjoy Linux because it is more similar to Unix web hosting. Customers who choose Linux for hosting will find web hosting plans with numerous tools and features. When customers choose Linux for hosting, they get more tools for significantly less than Windows-based solutions.
Linux and Unix are two separate operating systems which differ in some distinct ways. Linux was actually derived from Unix. Unix is the oldest and most influential operating systems available. Linux is an open-source version of Linux and is one of the most popular systems because of its affordability. Both Linux and Unix platforms are similar in terms of functionality, reliability and power.
User-Friendly. Linux hosting was primarily used in the academic environment before businesses started to use Linux. The platform was so complex only experienced IT professionals could use the platform. Now, the platform is as user-friendly as the Windows-based operating system. Linux is most flexible at the command line level even though the interface is designed to be user-friendly.
Functional. Linux hosting is highly functional and compatible with other technologies. It supports programming languages such as PHP, C, C++, Python, Perl and Ruby. The technology is also compatible with open-source SQL databases. Many companies use Linux-based platforms to produce and host websites in superior environments. Interactive and data-intensive websites perform well with Linux platforms.
Stable. Reliable. Secure. Linux is a stable, reliable and secure platform. This is congruent with past Unix-based solutions. Linux can run for long periods of time without any need for reboot. This is a significant benefit because systems do not have to be shut down for maintenance and technical issues. Linux is known for its exceptional performance. The performance levels will vary based upon the infrastructure and the hosting provider. If the Linux system is improperly configured, Apache or PHP may be as vulnerable as other systems.
Cost Effective. Linux hosting is less expensive than Microsoft Windows platform. It is an open-source application. The application can be modified and used by any company. For this reason, the costs remain low. Some Linux versions are free. Other versions cost a nominal amount. These versions include: OpenSUSE, CentOS and Debian. Unix is not open-source but remains cheaper than Windows-based solution.
Linux Hosting System Compatible with Any Computer Operating System. Linux hosting systems are compatible with any computer operating system. The two are independent of one another. Companies only need an Internet connection and a web browser to manage a Linux-based site from any computer.
This is convenient because the application can be accessed from anywhere with the proper device. This improves the mobility of IT professionals. They can handle problems remotely before actually physically traveling to the site to address the issue.