What is Hosting?
Hosting, or otherwise known as 'web hosting', is a term that relates to the actual hosting server, or the company that administers the hosting server. A web server is a computer that's connected to the web and that's set up to work with PHP, MySQL, Perl, and so on, which permits the customers to upload their web site files on the server and to make them visible online. There are 2 major sorts of web hosting servers, depending on the OS of the server - Windows and Linux. The two OSs are quite dissimilar and, in most cases, not at all compatible with each other. That's why, prior to selecting the appropriate solution, one should first find out what type of web server is required for their site.
If you haven't devised the site yet, then let us have a more detailed glance at the distinction between the 2 types and at what their strong sides are.
What platform should I opt for - Windows or Linux?
As mentioned, there are software programs, which are only compatible with a certain Operating System. For example, JAVA scripts, .ASP pages, .NET Framework, Adobe ColdFusion are all Windows based and will not operate on a Linux hosting server. For that reason, if you want to develop your site utilizing any of the above, you should be seeking a Windows platform. Windows, however, is not open-source software, which implies that it offers restricted opportunities when it comes to server safety and privacy. So, Linux is utilized by server administrators around the world and the majority of web hosting service providers utilize it on their web servers. Using Linux, the administrator can configure the web server in an entirely modifiable way, and if the server is appropriately configured, it can offer full safety against computer hackers and malicious software. Besides, the flexibility of Linux allows for better software optimization, which contributes to better web site functioning. Thus, if you want supreme security and web server operation, then you should build your website in such a way that it performs with a Linux-powered server. This is not a troublesome thing to accomplish, as the most widespread Content Management Systems, also famous as CMSs, such as Joomla, WordPress, Drupal, Moodle, etc., are fully consistent with Linux web servers and are popular all around the Globe for being one of the best platforms for developing and managing websites. Certainly, this doesn't mean that every company that's utilizing Linux will have administrators who are capable to appropriately run a Linux web server. Picking the right shared hosting supplier is quite tough at the moment, because the majority of them do not have the capacity to engage a capable, experienced web administrator. A Linux server that hasn't been appropriately set up can be very dangerous to your web site and personal information. For that reason, when choosing a hosting service provider, it's always recommendable to pick a solid web hosting service provider that's been in business for at least a couple of years.
How to recognize the right hosting corporation for my website?
These web hosting firms are easily recognizable by the way in which they are providing their website hosting packages. Practiced hosting firms offer custom-developed features, diverse free open-source PHP-based scripts or applications. The most experienced, however, have even their own custom-made website hosting Control Panels created particularly for their platform. A hosting Control Panel is a web-based interface, via which the user manages the entire hosting account. Smaller web hosting vendors use pre-developed web hosting CPs like cPanel or DirectAdmin. In order, though, to ensure maximum security and efficacy for their web hosting services, the biggest web hosting providers provide their customers with their very own personal in-house built hosting Control Panels designed by their very own admins. One such web hosting supplier is 'Freehostia', which not merely provides its very own custom-made Control Panel, but has also set up a free-of-cost PHP-driven script installer, which enables its clients to effortlessly install any of the aforementioned CMSs. Specifications like these are evidence that the particular web hosting firm has the ability, the resources and the experience to be entrusted with preserving your personal details confidential and your website - live on the World Wide Web.