By Ravi Chamria

Any person interested in publishing any data on the Internet requires Web Hosting. Web hosting has been around for several years now and has evolved from simple HTML pages hosting, small simple sites with a few images into full blown web based hosted applications where end users can visit a site, interact with the web site owner, and even purchase goods and services all over the internet.

The use of Internet as a medium for integrating business across the globe with the help of Web Based software applications has produced wide range of web based technologies like ASP, ASP.NET, JSP, PHP, and others. This choice has forced various options for web hosting now as HTML based sites work equally well on both Linux and Windows platforms.

Web hosting platforms vary from different types of operating systems. Microsoft Windows Server and Redhat Linux are just two examples and probably the most well known web hosting platforms. So, what is Windows or Linux web hosting and what are the advantages and disadvantages to hosting your web site on either Server. And why now Linux is gaining more popularity. Well, that’s just the answer isn’t it?

Linux platform has been developed by Community based efforts and it has been rendered for professional use with the efforts of many IT companies like Red Hat, Suse, Mandrake, and like. This background of Community development and open source nature of Linux Server and backup of professional IT companies has made Linux platform more powerful, inexpensive and secured.

The cost effectiveness in this competitive era is a major boost that the companies required without compromising on the quality and security of the product. Apart from ASP, ASP.NET, all other major web based technologies work well with Linux. The virtually free distribution of PHP, MySQL, PERL has reduced the costs of the website hosting tremendously on Linux Server. At Sakshay, we provide both kind of hosting services but the advice to companies requiring Hosting for HTML based websites, small applications like Recipe site is to use Linux Hosting.

The menace of viruses, spamming and hacking is also quite less with Linux Hosting. Firstly, this is due to the robust architecture of Linux Server and Secondly, due to many cost effective softwares available for protection on Linux Platform.

The following are the advantages of using Linux based web server compared to Windows based web server:

Stable and Robust: Linux/Unix operating systems has traditionally been believed to be very stable and robust. A web site housed on a Linux operating system will have very high up-time (of the order of 99.9%). Of course, other factors such as power supply, network admin skills, and network load etc. also matter when it comes to maintaining the system uptime.

Low cost of ownership: The Linux OS comes free of cost (or at very insignificant cost, usually cost of distribution). Also, it has full fledged server, and desk top applications that comes free along with the OS. These server applications (such as FTP, Web Server, DNS Server, File Server etc.) being free, are also very stable.

User Friendly: When it comes to web hosting, it is easy to host on Linux web servers. The process of uploading and hosting is almost same for both Linux and Windows web servers. If you want to use a Windows based tool such as Front Page for uploading a web site on to a Linux based web server, make sure that the Front Page extensions are enabled. This is only required if you are uploading using HTTP feature (http://www.yourwebsite.com) of Front Page. Front Page also makes it possible to upload a web site using FTP. You need to select [ftp://www.yourwebsite.com] for up loading using front page FTP option. Note that if you select “Front Page Extensions”; during web site design, you must enable Front Page extensions on a Linux web server also. These days, all Linux web servers are coming with installable Front Page extensions, and this should pose no problem for hosting on a Linux platform. You can use almost all types of file extensions (or scripts) when using Linux web server. Commonly, the following extensions are supported: .cgi, .html, .htm, .pl, .php, .shtml, .xml, and others. Basically it means that you can host web sites that use different types of server side scripts including .cgi, .pl, .php, and .asp (with plug-in).

Easy to move between hosts: A web site designed to be hosted on a Linux based web server can be hosted on a Windows web server easily, where as the reverse is not always true.

Most widely used: Linux/Unix based web hosting is most widely used compared to Windows based web hosting.

Scalability: Scalability and future expansion are other major criteria to consider while hosting an application. A web site is dynamic. Usually, a web site starts with a few pages of html and grows over a period of time to suit the customers requirements. It is preferable to design a web site keeping this requirements in mind. A web site designed for compatibility with a Linux/Unix based web server meets the scalability requirement easily without making any site wide design changes.

Self Management of your website on a Linux Web Hosting Plan with Sakshay hosting is made very easy with our Implementation of the Award Winning Control Panel software by Sw-Soft called Plesk. Plesk is a web based interface to your Linux web hosting account that allows you to create e-mail addresses and mailboxes, view your web site traffic statistics, set permissions on your HTML, PHP pages, MySQL, and more. We also provide Windows Hosting with Plesk Panel.

So, all kudos to Linux and open source technologies for making the technology affordable and within the reach of common man.

More Articles – http://www.articlesworld.com

Dr Ravi Chamria is the CEO, Sakshay Infosystems Pvt Ltd. He can be contacted at ravi@sakshay.net or you may visit [http://www.articlesworld.com]

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By David Childers

The use of the text based command line for running applications or configuring computer systems can be a daunting task. Special commands must be used which may require additional modifiers to invoke the desired computer function. Both Desktop Environments and Windows Mangers provide a graphical method for users to control and configure a Unix operating system, without the need for using text based command line control. Graphical user interfaces eliminate the tedious memorization of text based commands.

Desktop environments are graphic interfaces that provide user control and configuration of a computer operating system in addition to installed applications. The graphic interface generally consist of menus, icons and background desktop images. It also allows users to manipulate items with the drag and drop function or use the point and click function to execute applications on the desktop itself.

The following are Open Source / Free Desktop Environment packages for the Unix operating systems. (Linux, OpenBSD, FreeBSD, NetBSD, and Solaris)

These desktop environments provide users with the ability to utilize software developed with various computer languages, and the ability to utilize the software on different computer hardware configurations.

KDE is based on the Qt 4 programming language and allows applications to be integrated within the desktop. KDE uses the KWin window manager.

GNOME is based on the GTK+ programming language and allows applications to be integrated within the desktop. Gnome uses the Metacity window manager.

XFCE is based on the the GTK+ programming language. Xfce uses the Xfwm window manager.

 
LXDE does not have applications integrated into the desktop. LXDE uses the Openbox window manager.

The X window manager is an application that controls the function of the X Window System. It can be configured to manage the visual appearance of display windows and control panels. The X window manager also controls how users interact with these graphical interfaces.

The X Window System provides the system resources and software components necessary for the creation of graphical user interfaces (Windows Managers and Desktop Environments).

The following are the most common Open Source / Free Window Manager packages for the Unix operating systems : Linux, OpenBSD, FreeBSD, NetBSD, and Solaris.

These window managers provide users with the ability to utilize the software on different computer hardware configurations and provide various visual appearance.

- Blackbox is written in C++. It offers support for multiple workspaces.

- Fluxbox is based on Blackbox 0.61.1. It offers minimal support for graphical icons.

- Openbox was originally based on Blackbox 0.65.0. It allows users to utilize applications without a full desktop environment installed.

- Enlightenment can be used as a substitute for a complete desktop environment.

- IceWM was written in C++. It can be configured to recreate the visual appearance of various desktop environments.

- Window Maker provides drag and drop user control in addition to supporting multiple workspaces.

- Sawfish is written with a scripting language that is similar to Lisp. It provides very basic features.

- Metacity is written in GTK+. It was created for use with the Gnome Desktop Environment.

- MWM is based on the Motif toolkit. It does not support desktop icons or multiple workspaces.

- FVWM is based on TWM. It provides the ability to display a 3D visualization ( similar to MWM ) and supports basic multiple workspace.

- AfterStep was originally based on FVWM and was designed to provide a NextStep themed appearance.

- CTWM is based on TWM. It provides rudimentary GNOME desktop support and multiple workspaces.

Text based command line configuration and control can provide a comprehensive method for daily computer management and operation. Unfortunately, users are required to know the necessary unique commands and their unique structure that must be used. Graphical user interfaces alleviate that requirement and make the use of a computer both simple and effective.

You can find more information about these software applications here: http://www.scenicradio.com/unix.htm

Dave Childers is a freelance Internet broadcast consultant, writer and webmaster of http://www.scvi.net – The Winamp TV, NullSoft Video information website.

By Evlondo Cooper

There are many website creators who want to compare Linux hosting in order to see how it measures up with other operating systems. In the past, there were major differences between the Linux and Windows hosting platforms. Deciding on the operating system that you will use to host your site was a big factor in determining how the site would be designed. Now, in this period of cross-system web hosting, the differences in the operating systems are relatively small. As a result, the best Linux hosting and the best Windows hosting are nearly the same.

There still are a few differences. The first difference is how users interact with the server. Usually, both offer FTP access to the files. Yet, Linux is the only one that offers telnet or ssh access. More than likely, this feature is aimed specifically at their respective target audiences. While Windows is targeted to the mass public, Linux is more focused toward the features that programmers want.

Regardless, this is not a fundamental difference, since there is little to differentiate FTP from telnet or ssh practically. FTP lets you download the file locally, while telnet and ssh allow you to change the root file on the web server through UNIX commands.

The second difference between Linux and Windows hosting is that they support different programming languages. Linux is usually associated with PHP, Perl, and CGI, while Windows is associated with ColdFusion and ASP. The database languages are also dissimilar, with Windows users favoring Access while Linux users prefer MySQL.

Windows creates web pages in .htm format and Linux writes sites in .html. These differences will be of no concern to many people. However, they can make difference depending on your preference for a certain language. For instance, trying to make alterations to Access files using an operating system that runs on Linux can be quite frustrating for burgeoning site developers.

Linux hosting plans are different from other OS hosting plans in other ways. In regards to security concerns, the common wisdom states that Windows has a variety of security concerns that make it more unstable. Mostly, this assumption is correct. It is important to remember that Linux has vulnerabilities too. Yet, most people agree that Linux is better at issuing updates and patches because their system is open source. Windows fixes their vulnerabilities when they issue periodic service packs. The average person looking to create a website relies on the network administrator for security. For competent administrators, it will not matter which OS is being used.

You have to make the choice that best suits your particular needs. If that is Linux or something else, it is preferable to choose a Linux hosting plan or any other hosting plan solely on whether the features and services it provides are best for you. Yet, if your administrators prefer a particular language make sure that compatibility is not a concern.

If specific requirements are not important, you should let qualified administrators examine whether you need the best Linux hosting plan or whether you should use another operating system. Instead, you should be trying to create a website with high quality content. Do not focus your efforts attempting to compare Linux hosting with other hosting platforms. Do your best to forge great content because it is a more pertinent consideration than the language you are using or the OS that is being used.

Feel free to visit my site where I further analyze and compare Linux hosting. Moreover, I provide you information about the best Linux hosting plans that will help you meet all your hosting needs.

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By Rebecca Prescott

Instrumental in setting up your own website and achieving a good online presence within a short time period, is choosing a good web hosting provider, and the right web hosting environment for your site. A good web hosting provider will ensure your site loads fast, and has minimal down time and outages. The right web hosting environment will mean you have the right technology to support the scripts and programs that you want to use on your site, either in the creation of it, or to provide services and features to your visitors. The two choices are windows hosting and Linux hosting. You need to exercise care in choosing the right platform that will suit your needs, as some web hosts do not provide both.

There are a lot of aspects that need to be considered before you decide on which hosting platform to use. Many times, the choice of selecting a hosting platform relies on services required by your website. If you need to use advanced scripting, then Linux hosting may be your best bet. You should be aware when not to use Linux servers for your website. If your website comprises of many Microsoft products, it is better to choose windows hosting. You can install frontpage extensions in linux environments, but for more complex windows programs, those that use ASP.net, MS-SQL, or Microsoft SharePoint Services, you want specialist windows hosting. Also, if your website needs a lot of chat integration, using a windows based server is wise.

Linux web hosting is a very secure environment, and it provides a lot of flexibility in terms of the scripting languages supported, as well as the software available. When a web hosting provider provides you with a Linux hosting system, it normally means that the site will be hosted on a Linux/Unix OS platform that will make it much more compatible with the systems on your own computers. The Linux operating system has the advantage of handling more processes at the same time and hence you can expect more output from your server. You can make use of scripting languages such as MySQL, pearl, Ruby and so on when using a Linux OS platform for hosting.

Linux OS is an open source operating system, meaning that it is available for free around the world. This makes Linux based web hosting cheaper for you compared to other types of web hosting. The hosting system based on Linux is very flexible. At any time, you can easily convert your Linux website into a windows website without much hassle. You can use many kinds of databases for Linux website. The most common types of databases used in Linux based websites are MySQL, PostgreSQL and mSQL. These databases are highly optimized, greatly reducing the time spent fetching your website data.

Just like a windows hosting system, Linux hosting also provides you with a cPanel that lets you edit your websites easily. There is no need to worry about the user friendliness of hosting solutions with Linux because Linux systems have an intuitive user interface.

Unlike windows platform, Linux platforms don’t crash frequently. Linux is considered as one of the most stable operating systems. Maximum uptime and exceptional performance can be achieved with Linux hosting. Linux systems are more secure and it is possible to include your own security mechanisms with the operating system since the source code of the operating system is available for everyone. Advanced server side scripting is very easy with Linux servers. It is because of all these reasons that webmasters prefer to use Linux servers for their website.

Rebecca has written more articles on web hosting resellers here. You can read about a reseller hosting review here.

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By Shamly Faleel

I always run linux applications manually using the terminal during the development stage. This has helped me immensely as I could see all the messages that were printed on to the linux console. I also had the habit of forgetting to start the Java program once the linux machine reboots. Well how many of you have had that experience? Ohh yes, I forgot to mention that I will be using a compiled java program as an example executable file for this tutorial.

Though this is acceptable for a system that is under development, it is not suitable to run an executable program using a terminal in production environment. So I would go about setting up a cron job to check if the process is running and start it up if it is not, using a shell script. This tutorial will give you an understanding of how to check for a running processes and start the process if not running using a shell script in linux.

Please note that shell script is not the only way to check for a running process or to start a process.

The Shell Script:

So let’s name the file testshellscript.sh

You can use any editor like vi to write shell script.

#!/bin/sh

This is the first line of the shell script. It tells the script which interpreter to refer to. Next let us check for the running process

PROCESSFILE='ExecutableFile.jar'

if ps ax | grep -v grep | grep $PROCESSFILE > /dev/null

I am assigning the jar file name to a variable named PROCESSFILE and then using the linux command ps to check if the process is running.

then

echo "$PROCESSFILE is running, everything is fine"

else

echo "$PROCESSFILE is not running"

#start the process

/usr/local/jdk/bin/java -jar /opt/$PROCESSFILE > /dev/null 2>&1 &

Fi

If there is a running process, we need not do anything to it. So I am simply echoing a message saying that the Java program is running. And if the Java program is not running, I will attempt to start the Java program. The logic of the conditional statement is as follows:

if process running

then

do nothing

else

start the process / java program

end if

As the example executable file is a jar file I am using bin\java to execute the file. This is almost the same command used in a linux terminal. Only difference is the use of full paths. Also all the outputs are directed to the null device which is a special file that discards all data written to it.

Here is the complete code…

#!/bin/sh

PROCESSFILE='ExecutableFile.jar'

if ps ax | grep -v grep | grep $PROCESSFILE > /dev/null

then

echo "$PROESSFILE is running, everything is fine"

else

echo "$PROCESSFILE is not running"

#start the process

/usr/local/jdk/bin/java -jar /opt/$PROCESSFILE > /dev/null 2>&1 &

Fi

Author: Shamly Faleel is a PMP certified IT Consultant, who has over 9 years overall experience in the IT Industry. Check out his blog at http://www.shamly.com/