Linux Web Hosting Definitions
Linux is probably the pinnacle of free software development. Linux is a Unix-like operating system that has an open source code just like Unix so anyone can download, modify and redistribute it freely. Linux web hosting systems were created out of the need for stability, performance and cost effectiveness in the web hosting domain. The main kernel for Linux was created by Linus Torvalds, a Finnish University student.
Linux was first only used sparsely by die hard fans of the system. Soon, however it was adopted for use in servers by IBM, Sun Microsystems, Novell, INC., and Hewlett-Packard. Linux is also steadily gaining market share as personal computer operating systems.
Linux has proved itself to be cost efficient and highly configurable that it is now used in everything from TV boxes, to mobile phones as an embedded system. The configurability of this operating system is best illustrated by looking at the number of devices it is used in. Notable Linux programmed components include the TiVo Digital Recorder, Linksys firewalls and routers, and most impressively, in 2005, the two fastest supercomputers were based on this system. Of the 500 supercomputers rated in 2005 over 70% of them used Linux.
Linux has such a proven track record that it is recommended that it should be the predominate language on your business’s server. Unless unforeseen circumstances dictate otherwise this is the best course of action.
When it comes to hosting your website, few operating systems are comparable to Linux. The internet is based on networking between computers, and networking comes naturally to the Linux system. This is because almost all of the networking protocols on the internet today are native to UNIX, which is the close relative to Linux.
By incorporating the networking protocols of UNIX, and the adaptability, stableness, and security of the Linux operating system you now have a powerful arsenal. Also, the APACHE web server works perfectly with Linux, because most of the web uses Linux boxes and APACHE is the most popular web server. The APACHE is another great example of the power of the open source phenomenon.
The greatest advantage of Linux web hosting is the fact that in recent years, productivity software has exploded onto the open source scene for Linux. This coupled with the fact that Linux can run with just about anything and even coexists with just about anything makes it a great choice for web hosting.
Since Linux is adaptable to just about anything and is UNIX like PHP work great with Linux. PHP is a sever-side scripting language, or a language that is used to create dynamic web pages. It is usually written into HTML code in web pages. This is a common and very easy way to develop content on web pages.
Todd Mumford is co-owner and operator of GDO Web Hosting, offering state of the art web hosting with Cpanel 10, Fantastico and free setup on every new account.