About Linux

Linux is a high powered open source operating system designed to handle the needs of business applications like networks systems, database management, webhosting needs and database management applications. Most of the websites on the internet are hosted on a Linux web server. Those who prefer Linux hosting often say that they do so because of its flexibility, security and usability. Linux operates under the following operating systems:

  • Gentoo
  • Debian
  • Ubuntu
  • Slackware
  • CentOS

The beauty of Linux hosting is that Linux does not demand a lot of resources as other hosting platforms. This is because Linux in itself is scalable, flexible, slim and trim and will work smoothly on any computer hardware regardless of factors such as processor speeds and computer architectural design.

Those who use Linux frequently will tell you that as a server or even in an embedded environment, Linux is always secure due to its architectural design. This platform has been designed as a multi user system where the administrator (root user) is the only person with all the administrative privileges. Most of the other users are allowed limited access to the kernel and for this reason; the Linux environment is always protected.

Linux also has a precise capability for the management of processes and threads in a level known to no other webhost platform. For this reason it has become famous for multiprocessing which increases its clock cycle speeds and gives it an edge over other hosting platforms.

Why Linux Web Hosting?

In the current world, Linux has come to considered as the best webhosting solution. There are several reasons why people often prefer Linux some of them being:

Ease of Use

The Linux Operating Systems (OS) are often distributed with graphical interfaces similar to that of windows OS. There are studies that have been carried out that have rated the ease of usability of the Linux OS and Windows OS at par with each other.

Advanced Support tools

The level of Linux advancement in technical support has been another main reason why people prefer Linux hosting. They have online forums where a user can post a problem and get replies should he encounter problems. Also, Linux consists of a huge friendly community of experts that are often eager to assist individuals should they encounter problems. Because it us open source, lot of material exists on the Internet in regards to Linux making individuals less prone to getting stuck with problems for days.

Stability

Do you want a stable web hosting service? Then try out Linux. This system software is not prone to crashing like the others. For instance, should you compare it with the windows OS, you will realize that it is easy to get ‘The Blue Screen of Death’ in windows. This will never happen to you should you use Linux.


Linux Hosting Advantages

  • Unlike the other Operating Systems Linux OS have only a few viruses. As an example, whereas the windows OS has over a hundred thousand viruses, Linux OS has less than a hundred known viruses.
  • Linux has the capability to run on machines of older versions as compared to other OS. For instance, computers that have as little RAM as 256MB or even 128 MB can handle Linux whereas some OS such as Vista will not operate on a machine with less than 512MB RAM. Even the latest version of Ubuntu only needs 64 RAM to function well.
  • Linux is the best platform for practicing programmers to sharpen their skills without the fear of crashing the system.

Linux Hosting Disadvantages

  • Linux has some incompatibility issues with other coding conversions from other OS especially the windows OS. Therefore, Should you make a web application that will run in windows using Linux, there might be some problems with the operation of the said application.
  • Working mechanism and Environment: If you have never used a Linux OS before, you may find difficulties in getting used to the working mechanisms of Linux. The manner in which it is installed, to the way in which application programs are run in Linux differs from that of other OS. You may also from time to time to type in few commands. However, it should not take you more than seven days to familiarize yourself with Linux.