Which Server Operating System is Ideal? Unix or Windows

One person has decided to create a website. What is the foremost thing he requires first? It is surely web hosting. Besides other miscellaneous things, like cost and features, he has to make a choice between which servers he has to prefer: Is that Windows (NT, 2000 or XP) or UNIX (Linux, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, etc.).

If one measures them on the basis of their merits. The inference will be a least difference. But in case a user gives the priority to stability, or ease of use, UNIX based servers wins the race. Generally, Windows servers are preferred, as they need not to be rebooted in continuous occasions and are easier to administer and use. It is obvious for many beginners to be in dilemma over the pros and cons of the different operating systems. UNIX’s prime drawback is using a command line interface for administration, which is similar to original MS-DOS interface creating a head ace for a beginner. Also, updating of kernel and software at regular time period is essential for the stability of a UNIX machine, which is far harder than Windows. It can be tackled to work swiftly, if the user’s web host possesses good administration software.

If a person is using scripting, he has to consider once more while choosing an operating system. If the answer is yes, then the next question will arise i.e. what sort of? For example, if one should has decided to go along with PERL language to create a dream, dynamic site, then it is recommended that he/she must go for UNIX operating system. Above statement is also accurate for the languages like PHP, and Pythlon. But if one selects an ASP based site then nothing can be the best choice than Windows. However, to worse the matter further some UNIX systems can give the choice of ASP scripts in them, though the class of the script implementation is adversely affected.

One should need to maintain the software with patches from Microsoft’s website at least once in a week to prevent it from being exploited, if he/she is using a Windows-based web server (because it does not come in the category of host’s responsibilities).

UNIX administrators will only have to do it on the monthly basis only or one can say that UNIX is quite adapted to such conditions.

At the end one can say that both the operating systems (UNIX and Windows) have there own merits and both have the potential to satisfy the customer. But one should not ignore the operating costs and likewise other aspects before coming to any form of inference.