“Web Hosting Servers”
Linux and Windows operating systems are the most popular web hosting servers. Think of it this way – a desktop or laptop needs to have some form of operating system to function properly. With desktops and laptops, you have the choice of a Windows Operating System or a MAC Operating System. Hosting servers need to have choices of operating systems as well. Unlike desktops and laptops, hosting servers need an operating system that can manage various applications and multiple users simultaneously.
A web server has to have the ability to run multiple applications and deal with multiple users. To manage this load, these servers must have operating systems that do not crash and the capability to handle large amounts of data operations that run simultaneously.
Drawbacks and Advantages
Let us first look at the most simple websites Static or HTML websites. These websites can be hosted on either operating system. However, when you have a dynamic database-driven website that has a content management system or discussion form with it, the choice between Windows and Linux becomes a little more difficult.
Linux-based web servers are a little more popular than Windows-based web servers for many reasons, but the most common reasons are they cost less and they meet the most common requirements that a website needs to operate. Linux, in general, runs on an open source model. This is why a large number of people voluntarily develop new enhancements for the system. Also, Linux is known to be more secure and stable which means Linux servers can handle more operations simultaneously as compared to Windows platforms. Because Linux servers are open source allows for more open source components to integrate easier such as; PHP (server scripting language), Apache web server and MySQL database.
There are a few reasons to choose Windows operating system verses Linux. Two of these reasons are that Windows Operating systems uses its own set of platforms, DOTNET and ASP, which run 100% of efficiency on Windows-based servers. If your website needs these applications to run then a Windows-based serve is needed.
If you are an open source person whose website is fairly common and do not need ASP or DOTNET functionality, a Linux Hosting Solution would work best. However, if you require a more complex website that needs ASP or DOTNET, Windows hosting is your best choice.