Want to Know the Difference between two? Let's have a look on merits and shortcomings of Linux VS Windows hosting; it makes easier to understand the real contrast between them.

1. Hello!
I am Anuradha Chawla
You can reach me at anuradha@dhost.com

2. “
Want to Know the difference between Linux and
Windows Hosting? Let's have a look on merits
and shortcomings of Linux VS Windows
hosting, it makes easier to understand the real
contrast between them.

3. The solution to choose an appropriate hosting plan
depends on following criteria:
1. OPERATING SYSTEM:
The main difference is the core operating system (OS). Linux uses a
form of the Linux kernel, which is commonly free. Windows,
meanwhile, comes with a licensing fee.

4. 2. COST:
Windows hosting is costly, it is due to the licensing fees being added
to the hosting fees. While in case of Linux hosting, open source
structure and some form of free Linux Kernel tends to lower the
cost of hosting.

5. 3. CONTROL PANEL:
Many people have a good knowledge of cPanel, which is available
on all Linux OS hosting. WHM, or Web Host Manager, is also
available on Linux servers, but not on Shared Linux servers. On the
Other hand , Windows servers run on Plesk and Websitepanel.

6. 4. DEVELOPMENT TOOLS:
Another biggest point take in consideration of Linux VS Windows
Hosting is development tools that play a vital role in hosting
decision, mainly rely on the scripting language.
If the languages are PHP, MYSQL, or PERL, then Linux hosting
will be an appropriate choice. If the languages are ASP.NET & MS-
SQL database, Windows hosting is relevant to the situation.

7. Here’s a table showing the appropriate option for the pertinent
language and database.
LINUX WINDOWS
MYSQL MYSQL, MS Access, MS SQL databases
Couch DB, Firebird, Oracle, Postgre SQL Couch DB, Firebird, Oracle, Postgre SQL
CGI ASP
PERL ASP.NET
PHP PHP
PHYTON SILVERLIGHT
RUBY FRONTPAGE
JAVA, Node.js JAVA, Node.js

8. 4. FILES:
With Linux, file and directory names are case sensitive. If you name a file
ContactUs.html, and another page in the same directory as
contactus.html, these are completely different pages.
Windows servers don’t care about upper and lowercase. On a Windows
server, ContactUs.html and contactus.html both are the same pages.

9. 5. FTP:
FTP is a way of transferring your files from your laptop to your Web
server.Both Linux and windows operating systems have FTP access, but
Linux is usually the only one that supplies telnet or ssh access as well.
6. CODE ACCESS:
Linux allows all users to have full access to the code and they can make
any alterations they want. While Windows users do not have access to the
proprietary code nor are they allowed to make alterations.

10. 5. CUSTOMER CARE:
Linux users rely on online peer support from a huge online community.
While Windows offers paid help-desk support for those using their
system.
6. VULNERABILITIES:
Strong security protection is necessary in both the cases yet major
companies are unable to recognize that security is wholly an issue of web
hosting administrator rather than the operating system.

11. Furthermore, it’s possible to move to the websites designed to be hosted
on Linux to Windows web server easily. While in contrast, websites
designed to be hosted on windows cannot easily be moved to Linux web
server.
Custom written Apps are the ones that are more likely to create issues,
even if you move between same operating systems on different hosts.

12. BOTTOMLINE:
These two types of hosting offer the same level of proficiency. So the type
of hosting service you choose greatly depends on what kind of technologies
your website needs.
For example, if you would like to start a blog with WordPress, or setup an
online forum, then Linux hosting will be a great choice for you.
However, if your website requires specific Microsoft technologies such as
MSSQL, you are required to use Windows hosting.

13. Thanks!
Any questions?
You can mail me at anuradha@dhost.com
For more information you can also visit: http://www.dhost.com