Help Me Choose: Linux vs. Windows Hosting

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To help you choose the best operating system (OS) for your Web site to reside on, we have developed the following guide:

First let's start with a definition of an operating system, which is the software platform on which a web server runs.

Red Hat Linux:

Linux is an excellent operating system that is well suited to meet your web hosting needs. It handles the functions of mailing, and serving up Web sites and files especially well. Additionally, there are a huge amount of free applications available on the Internet for Linux and it uses less hardware resources than Windows 2003. Whether you are a fairly experienced webmaster or new to web hosting, we recommend that you choose Red Hat Linux as your hosting platform.

Red Hat Linux is most widely used hosting platform in the world.

Microsoft Windows 2003:

Microsoft Windows 20003 server provides a suitable platform for serving up Web sites, files, and streaming media. Additionally, it integrates well with other Microsoft applications and there are a large amount of commercial applications available for this OS. We recommend you choose Windows 2003 as your hosting platform only if you are using specific applications that require Microsoft Windows to run such as Access, Cold Fusion, ASP, .Net, and Microsoft SQL.

Note: Microsoft FrontPage may be used on both the Linux and Windows platforms.

Please Note:

One of the biggest misconceptions is that you have to select the same operating system for your hosting account that you use on your own computer. That is simply not true. This means you can select Linux for your hosting account if you currently use Windows 95, 98, NT/200, or XP on your own computer. We suggest that everyone who chooses a shared hosting plan, host their Web site on Linux if they are not utilizing ASP, Coldfusion, or MSSQL 2000.
 
It is great that you took the time to write this informative post. However, I do think that since you are attempting to guide the consumer to the OS that is best for them, it's probably a good idea that I correct some misconceptions in your information.

We recommend you choose Windows 2003 as your hosting platform only if you are using specific applications that require Microsoft Windows to run such as Access, Cold Fusion, ASP, .Net, and Microsoft SQL.
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ASP, Access, and ColdFusion, will run on Linux. ASP and Access need modules to function properly on linux, and do not provide full Access and ASP functionality. Typically, no plugin module for anything, will. In regards to ColdFusion...we currently run ColdFusion on our Fedora VPS offerings, and it runs just fine.

So while your information in this regard is accurate, as in it will not run with a typical install, the fact is, that with the proper modules they will run with basic functionality.
 
When you get to dedicated servers, some people find windows much easyier, as they can just RDC to it and then its like been oin there own computer. I think thats definately worth mentioning.

90% of the time, i would recomend that linux / unix should be the choice for hosting. Windows has its good points, but more and more windows only things (CFML, ASP etc) are starting to become unix/linux compatiable.
 
Looks very good Paras; very succinct and no doubt informative to those who need to make a decision on what platform to use.

Just one little thing you may want to fix in your text -- you're missing the word 'the'.

hosting said:
Red Hat Linux is the most widely used hosting platform in the world.
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Although a little off topic, there does seem to be some level of consensus (maybe I'm cracking open a big debate here) that Linux is somewhat more secure. Or, I suppose more accurately, that IIS seems to have constant security holes that never seem to be such a major issue with Apache. I suppose hosts are pretty good at patching security holes as they're revealed, but I'm wondering if any of you think that ought to play a factor in people making their hosting decisions? Is Linux truly more secure in practice?
 
reece said:
Is Linux truly more secure in practice?
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It depends on the team in charge of the respective Linux, and Windows machines.

As for the question, in general: No, that is not correct. Both Operating Systems can be as secure as one another, if managed by the right staff.

Simon
 
Simon said:
It depends on the team in charge of the respective Linux, and Windows machines.

As for the question, in general: No, that is not correct. Both Operating Systems can be as secure as one another, if managed by the right staff.

Simon
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This is what I suspected. You know what would be interesting? If there any reliable statistics out there on the total # of security breaches on respective platforms. I'd imagine it'd be a nightmare to collect that kind of info though, and probably just as difficult to actually verify.

I swear, I'm not trying to contribute to a grand debate, but I'm wondering if there is any sort of difference in relative skill among Windows vs. Linux sysadmins, in general? (i.e. Is there any significance to the possibility that linux being freely available/based on unix, is it possible that there's more and less expensive training out there, particularly in university IT/CS programs?)
 
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Agreed... Nice information! :)

I feel Microsoft is much more vulnerable to expliots then Linux is.. However, this doesn't mean Linux is the better choice.

I definately agree with Simon... If you have a good team monitoring the server and keeping patches and security fixes in place, you will always have a secure server
 
ourweb said:
Hmmmm. Seeing that Windows is very, very, very unsecure. Linux wins!!!!!!
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What exactly are you basing this on?
Many studies have shown just the opposite, that a windows server is more secure than linux.

How is a well managed windows server any less secure than a well managed linux/unix server?
 
I agree.

The thing is, it really depends on what you use each for.

An OS' security, and which one is more secure, is really determined by what you're using the OS to do.

In other words...choose the best OS for the task at hand.
 
It is funny that you use the word "studies have shown"!!! Did you ask "who has paid for the studies"?

Now I dont know about you but I live in the real hosting world. I own a hosting company for 8 years. I have 10 servers----1 win2000 9 linux. The win2000 was hack once a week, until I found out how to sercue it by the off button.
 
ourweb, if you found that shutting down the box is the only way to secure it, then with all due respect, you don't know what you're doing.

Any OS can be made secure...including Windows, if you know how.

Every OS will have it's own vulnerabilities, whether it be the OS itself, or the software used on the OS.

However, if you know how to secure your server, it can be done. Simply ask any fulltime windows host.
 
ANMMark said:
ourweb, if you found that shutting down the box is the only way to secure it, then with all due respect, you don't know what you're doing.

Any OS can be made secure...including Windows, if you know how.

Every OS will have it's own vulnerabilities, whether it be the OS itself, or the software used on the OS.

However, if you know how to secure your server, it can be done. Simply ask any fulltime windows host.
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Hmmmmm, how many years have you been hosting? Maybe the windows os should be program with secuity in mind, not just a after idea.
 
Hmmmmm, how many years have you been hosting?
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First, I know where you are going with this, since you've already stated "I own a hosting company for 8 years." You're preparing to compare your 8 years of hosting, to my 13 years of networking, computer communication, operating system managment, and governmental computer security management in the US Army Special Forces. I do believe my networking and OS security experience far outweighs your 8 years of pushing websites from a few servers.

Maybe the windows os should be program with secuity in mind, not just a after idea.
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The fact is, for now, Windows is not built completely with security in mind. Therefore as business owners it is our job to adapt to the software we choose to use. That means, whether or not it is an after thought, it is our job to secure the software we choose to use for the job.

It has nothing do do with your qualifications or mine...it's common sense.

Just as you thought Blue's statement was biased based on who paid for the study, we cannot base the entire OS security theory on your single experience, in which you determined the best method to secure your windows server was to give up and shut it off, rather than actually secure the OS.
 
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