Linux Web Hosting

If you have a web site, you will need a place for it online. This usually means finding a web host that will allow you to store the information related to your site on its server. Web hosts have a great deal of server space, and essential rent it out to people who want their web sites on the Internet. There are a few different choices available for website hosting, including Mac, Windows, Unix and Linux. One of the most popular is Linux web hosting. This is because Linux web hosting is fairly versatile, and is usually quite affordable.

Some of the Characteristics of Linux Web Hosting

It is possible to do nearly anything you would like to do with Linux hosting. Linux hosting is typically a cheap web hosting option.  Your administration interface is generally easy to use, making use of tools that allow even those who are not particularly tech savvy to create and maintain pages within a web site. It is also possible in some cases to use code more directly, if you know what you need. Some of the features available with Linux web hosting include:

• Telnet or ssh access: You can use FTP access to add files to the web site's server with Linux, which is a way for you to transfer files rather efficiently. However, if you want direct access to the server, telnet or ssh can be a preferred choice. Linux web hosting offers this ability. You open a window directly into the server and manipulate your files as you wish. You usually have to know Unix commands to do this effectively, however.
• CGI: If you are interested in using forms, you will want CGI. Linux web hosting provides for CGI. However, you need to be careful, since not all web hosts offer it. Make sure you understand your needs, and what is availale before committing to a web host.
• Perl: For those who prefer Perl, it is available with Linux hosting.
• PHP and ColdFusion: Both of these can be found with Linux web hosting. It is possible to find ASP, but much more rare with Linux.
• FrontPage: You don't have to have a Windows web host in order to use FrontPage. While somewhat uncommon, it is still possible to find Linux web hosting offering FrontPage.
• mySQL: The database used by most Linux web hosts is mySQL. If you want Access, you will have to go with Windows. However, mySQL is generally more than adequate.
• Security: Any operating platform is going to have security issues. Linux web hosting has security vulnerabilities. The real consideration is the security of the web host. However, many web hosts use SSL certificates to provide security for their customers. Check into the security options offered by the web host, and concentrate less on the issues associated with a specific platform. (Although many argue that Windows has more security issues than Linux.)

In the end, it is important to consider the needs you have for your web site. Free web hosting providers often use Linux.  Linux web hosting is likely to fulfill most of your needs, including ecommerce, blogging, catalogs, forms and even the ability to have multiple admins. You should double check, though, to make sure of what your web host offers. While there are a number of features available with Linux web hosting, not every web host will offer the fullest range. Figure out what you need, and then make sure that your Linux web host offers it.