If you are purchasing a web hosting plan from a web hosting service provider company, the first choice you would have to make is between UNIX web hosting or Windows web hosting. Each has its own set of unique features, advantages and disadvantages.

However its is difficult to say which one is better, but one can decide which one is better according to his hosting needs.

Unix is considered the hosting operating system of choice for most professional, advanced users. Many web server applications available on the Internet, both as freeware and commercially, are intended for use with the Unix.

UNIX web hosting facilitates easily managing files and directories, changing file permissions, and debugging programs. A Unix solution will probably also get you the most for your dollar without sacrificing stability.

General Unix Web Hosting Features

There are various UNIX web hosting providers that provide you hosting services with a set of features. You should select from yourself which package provides you with the best set of features for your needs. Lets list some particular UNIX hosting features:

Operating System

In case of UNIX web hosting, the operating system commonly used is called ?°FreeBSD Operating System?± or ?°LINUX Operating System?±.

• FreeBSD is an advanced operating system for x86 compatible, AMD64, DEC Alpha, IA-64, PC-98 and UltraSPARC architectures. FreeBSD is distinguished by its high performance networking and filesystem support, and is widely used among Internet service providers, including industry-recognized companies such as Yahoo, above. Net, and Verio etc.
• Linux is well known for its reliability. Servers often stay up for years. Linux performs well for most applications. The Linux ext2 file system gets its performance from having an asynchronous mount. Many new commercial applications are available for Linux, and more are being developed. Many organizations provide professional support for Linux.

Web Server

The most common web server in case of UNIX web hosting is APACHE. Is is a powerful, flexible, HTTP/1.1 compliant web server and highly configurable and extensible with third-party modules. APACHE can be customised by writing 'modules' using the Apache module API.

Server Side Processing

Unix web hosting is Ideal for PHP, Perl or Python powered web sites. Runs PHP in either mod_php or CGI mode, runs CGI through suExec.

Database Support

UNIX web hosting provider may offer you the support of MySQL, PostgreSQL for database requirtments.

Account Access

Under UNIX web hosting the hosting account can be accessed through FTP, Multiple Sub-FTP Accounts, Virtual FTP, ssh*, scp*, sftp*, rsync, FrontPage, Web Shell etc.

Software Support

UNIX web hosting provider may provide you wint support softwares like Standard unix tools, NetPBM, ImageMagick, Perl Modules, etc.