Shared hosting is when your site is hosted on our specially equipped and configured server. This is the most economical and easiest way to host your website. The Linux hosting service already includes the provision of space for the site, databases, etc, as well as support for the functioning of the corresponding services. Linux hosting is also very popular because of free software (Apache, Sendmail) and support for the most popular technologies among webmasters: PHP and mySQL. All shared hosting sites use the same IP address.
In this case, hosting works on a cluster of servers that run under the cloud operating system CloudLinux .
Who is this Service for?
Due to its availability and prevalence, Linux hosting is great for small projects, as well as for most novice developers who want to make themselves known on the Internet and create a website (for example, a business card website, corporate website, forum, online store or blog).
To create and manage a website on Linux hosting, you can also use various CMS: for example, Joomla, Drupal, WordPress and others (more about supported CMS), which is also an advantage.
But why is Linux hosting better than the rest? The main answers to this question are listed below.
Own Reliable Infrastructure:
- Hosting servers are combined into a failover cluster
- Round-the-clock security of the data center
- Uninterruptible power supplies and own diesel generator in case of power outages
- Temperature control in server rooms.
Stable and Popular Server Software Versions:
- Operating system CloudLinux
- Apache web server with connected modules
- MySQL, PGSQL
- PHP with extensions
- Perl with extensions
Using network storage to store data with site files connected to multiple web servers that handle site requests makes it easy to solve hosting scalability issues. We simply plug new servers into the cluster, and they start working with any of the storage servers.
Why is CloudLinux good?
One of the most common problems of classic hosting is the problem that occurs when one of the sites located on the hosting begins to consume more resources than it should. At the same time, it consumes the “general” resources of the server, which negatively affects the operation of the sites of all clients.
CloudLinux supports a number of innovative technologies that can significantly increase the stability of websites on shared hosting.
Let’s consider these technologies in more detail:
Lightweight Virtualized Environments (LVE)
This technology allows full control over the amount of system resources (such as CPU consumption, number of concurrent processes, memory consumption, etc.) allocated to each user. It is impossible to exceed the limit of the resources allocated to the user on a shared hosting managed by CloudLinux. At the same time, the ability to consume resources within the limits indicated by the tariff is guaranteed and does not depend in any way on the situation of your neighbors on the server.
MySQL Governor
This feature plays a similar role for database servers. Resource consumption by user databases is monitored in real time, and when the load is suddenly exceeded, it can identify the source of the problem and limit its consumption instantly.
CageFS
The word cage means “cage”. Actually, CageFS is a separate virtual file system for each user, which excludes the possibility of one user gaining access to any data of other users on the same server.
SecureLinks
SecureLinks is a kernel-level technology that prevents all known types of symlink attacks.
PHP Selector
With this tool, each user can select and change the PHP version for their webspace at any time.
Powerful Server for Linux
Currently, Linux is the standard server operating system successfully used in business. We present one of the methods of load consolidation in this system.
The standard Linux work environment are servers in the x86 architecture, virtualization is widely used. A significant part of hosting works with Linux, although it is not its only application – there are many Enterprise-class databases and application server environments working in Linux. Such loads can now be consolidated on a highly available server equipped with dedicated processors, which is characterized by very good performance and business continuity beyond the capabilities of typical x86 or SPARC servers.
Enterprise Linux Server is derived from mainframe computers and uses this technology’s heritage to achieve high performance and service availability. Distributions of the two most important business vendors (RedHat, SuSE) are also available for this platform, making it possible to consolidate Linux machines on a computer of this class. This process has significant business advantages, including reducing the licensing costs associated with commercial database software and middleware.
Thanks to the use of ELS technology, users receive an extremely efficient and safe data processing environment. Despite the customer’s initial reluctance and often misconceptions about the high costs associated with the purchase and implementation of an ELS solution, his opinion changes dramatically with use. Already at the stage of pre-sale tests, our clients themselves come to the conclusion that ELS is a technology that effectively increases the quality of the entire IT system, allows you to reduce the number of processor cores in a given environment to handle the same load. The reduction of the number of cores translates into a reduction in the costs of purchasing software support, in particular for database environments.
Multiple Installations on one Machine
You can create up to 85 logical partitions (LPARs) on ELS as well as on mainframe machines, with each operating system installation running independently of the others. Processor and I/O resources can be shared or exclusively allocated to a selected partition, and resource reallocation changes can be created dynamically without restarting the computer. The main difference, however, is not so much in the number of operating systems installed, but in the security and reliability of operation. Most of the interruptions in the access of services are usually due to errors (including human ones) and hardware failures, so far-reaching redundancy and hardware separation of resources ensure that problems occur much less frequently.
Computers of this class have been designed for security and have built-in mechanisms separating each of the systems, so that the impact of a single operating system (or an application running inside it) on the operation of the entire computer is practically non-existent. During partitioning, hardware resources can be allocated so that a selected system or a group of systems has a physically separate portion of the resources at their disposal only – this way, you can ensure business continuity and performance regardless of the load on other instances in other partitions.
Very efficient handling of disk operations
One of the most loaded subsystems in the operation of database engines is the part responsible for input/output operations. Consolidation of database loads on machines built according to the assumptions of the mainframe class makes sense, because computers of this class have specialized SAP processors (not to be confused with the name of the business software manufacturer), which take over all tasks related to the operations of access to mass memory and other input/output devices. The x86 architecture does not have such specialized processors, so some of these operations must be performed by the main processor of the entire computer.
Due to the specialization of the processors, the ELS computer can provide much higher performance per processor compared to x86 machines. Even if a cluster of multiple x86 computers will overall have more CPU processing power than an ELS computer, the latter wins overwhelmingly in business transactional applications that are difficult to execute in parallel. Additionally, the separation of tasks related to input/output operations makes a very deep consolidation possible.
Unmatched Reliability
Migrating to a deeply consolidated ELS environment has a significant benefit in terms of the reliability of the hardware environment itself. In x86 class environments, the failure of a single processor in most cases results in the entire computer being out of service. Therefore, in order to achieve high availability, clusters consisting of at least two physical machines are built. Failure of one of such computers forming the cluster causes an immediate loss of performance (in the case of a load-balanced cluster) or switching to an alternative cluster node (in the case of a standby solution). In the mainframe environment, we are dealing with a different approach, in which the entire structure has been designed in such a way as to maintain the operation of the same system despite possible hardware failure.
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Linux Hosting
Linux is one of the most used operating systems in the world, alongside Windows and OS X. It is known to be a system more used by servers than by end users. This makes it seem like a difficult operating system to use, especially for those who only have basic computer skills, which, fortunately, is not true.
Linux is an open source operating system widely used by developers. It is also the best option for hosting. The system’s popularity is not accidental; however, it cannot compete with Windows or MacOS when it comes to home PCs. That is why Linux is preferred when it comes to servers:
We will explain to you the advantages and disadvantages of hosting your website on Linux:
Linux virtual hosting is hosting the client’s web projects on a server running Linux and connected to the Internet by high-speed channels. Linux hosting is becoming more and more widespread thanks to software (Apache, Sendmail) and support for PHP and mySQL technologies that are popular with webmasters.
Advantages of Linux Hosting
Low Cost: The most basic reason why so many people choose Linux hosting over Windows-based hosting is its price. Linux is cheaper than Windows hosting, because it is an open source platform and requires no license fee. The download is free for everyone and is therefore preferred by people with significant technical knowledge.
Database Compatibility: Linux hosting does not require additional plugins and provides database compatibility. Users have the option to choose between database systems like SQL or MySQL. These database systems are generally secure and are the most used.
Forums and Support: Since Linux is an open source platform; has many support forums, allowing people to find patches and solutions to their problems. This is also useful when you are looking for a specific tool and it is not available. You can simply ask a web developer to create the application for free.
Transfer: It is relatively easy to transfer from a Linux-based hosting plan to a Windows-based hosting plan, if necessary. This does not apply to a Windows-based hosting plan. Linux users can also upload files to a Windows website without making any additional changes.
Performance: It is generally believed that Linux servers can support more load than Windows-based servers. Typically, Linux performance is 50% better than that of other hosting servers. This allows users to avoid frequent server shutdowns due to increased traffic and load on the web on the servers.
CPanel: Linux supports other hosting tools, such as CPanel, PHP and MySQL databases. These features are essential for all types of hosting plans.
Flexibility: Linux works well with all types of systems. This flexibility is the reason for the growing popularity of Linux among entrepreneurs. It also allows companies and web developers to use applications and tools the way they prefer.
Automatic Updates: On Linux, all programs that you install in the repository will be updated automatically. The programs check for updates independently and periodically. Everything is much more user friendly in linux, you can install updates whenever you need them, although the system periodically reminds you of that.
Data Security: Linux is not completely interested in its user’s personal data. This is especially true for those using the Linux system, thanks to the open source code, it is difficult to imagine the appearance of all types of software indicators and backdoors at the operating system level.
Linux uses CageFS, a virtual file system for all users. User file systems are isolated from each other, so users cannot access other people’s files. This helps prevent hacker attacks and data theft, increasing security.
MySQL governors – a tool to monitor the use of MySQL, allows you to limit access to the database when limits are exceeded. Thanks to this, the number of problems caused by the abuse of MySQL is significantly reduced.
Disadvantages of Linux Hosting
It is true that linux also has its disadvantages. The first is the lack of interaction with projects that use Microsoft services. Therefore, the presence of an Access or MS SQL database limits webmasters to the choice of hosting; in this case, only the options with Windows Server are adequate. Because Linux basically does not work with these databases. The same goes for the resources on which Microsoft.NET technologies are installed. That is why several popular services allow you to change the site, adjusting it to the Windows structure.
There may be some migration issues. And if you are using Windows for your hosting, some investment may be needed to switch everything to linux.
There may be some problems with familiarity. Creating sites takes work, and an alternative framework may require additional expectation to absorb information.
Despite the free distribution of Linux (Unix), every hosting provider that uses Linux suffers certain financial losses due to property rights.
Linux hosting is a type of universal hosting. It supports the most common CMS: Joomla, Drupal, WordPress. If you have doubts that a new feature can be installed on the selected hosting, contact the hoster’s technical support and clarify this point. Technical support at a serious hosting company usually works very quickly and smoothly and, in no time, will resolve any technical issues until the site is transferred or its complete configuration. Those who choose Linux hosting get the opportunity to work on the Internet steadily and without interruption.
Linux or Windows hosting: which is the best for your website?
After choosing and registering your domain, the next step is to hire hosting for your website. At this stage of the process, many questions arise about which type of hosting to hire: Linux or Windows?
To make your decision process easier, we will cover in this post some tips for choosing the ideal hosting, according to the need of your website.
About Linux
Linux was developed by Finnish Linus Torvalds, in 1991, who decided to create a more powerful system than MINIX, a simple operating system, created by Andrew S. Tanenbaum, a renowned professor of computing, who made the system available to help with computer teaching. MINIX, in turn, is an operating system-based project that has a major role in the history of computing: UNIX.
The name Linux came from the mixture of Linus + Unix.
Linux is an open source system, developed by volunteer programmers spread across the internet and distributed under a public GPL license.
About Windows
Microsoft emerged in 1975, out of a partnership between Bill Gates and Paul Allen. On November 20, 1985, Microsoft starts selling Windows 1.0, built on MS-DOS, with operation supported by entries inserted in the system’s command lines. Despite this, Microsoft had already put support for the mouse, also including a game to teach people how to use this new peripheral.
The name Windows was chosen because it better describes computing “windows”, which are fundamental to the new system.
Windows is proprietary software, does not have source code available and you must purchase a license to be able to use it. The Microsoft forum in Brazil is a good source of content about the operating system.
How do I choose the ideal hosting for my website?
The first step in deciding between Linux or Windows for hosting your website, is to know the programming language in which your page was developed. Linux servers, in general, have an Apache web server and support server programming languages such as PHP, Perl, Python and JSP and MySQL or PostgreSQL databases. Windows servers, on the other hand, generally use IIS (Internet Information Services) and support ASP or ASP.Net languages and SQL Server databases.
Remembering that the operating system you use on your computer should not govern your choice. You can, for example, choose a Linux server, even if you have developed your website on a computer with Windows operating system.
Another point that you need to pay attention to when deciding which hosting to choose is whether your website will be developed through the website builder. If you decide to use this feature, your hosting must be Windows. If you want to develop your website through a CMS (WordPress, Joomla or Drupal) the choice should be for Linux hosting.
FAQ’S
If the user hires a hosting that is not compatible with their website already developed, what would be the solution?
This usually happens when the site was developed in a specific language, for example ASP.NET, or when it recommends a specific platform for having exclusive functions, for example WordPress and other CMSs that ask for a Linux platform.
If a hosting incompatible with the application is contracted, first, it would be necessary to backup any resource currently used (E-mails, database and files). After that, the current plan can be canceled and the plan can be released on the desired platform. It will not be possible to have two equal services (hosting plan) for the same domain.
What are the next steps after hiring the hosting?
Use the resources available in the service, create personalized email accounts with @domain, publish your website on the server, being able to publish through the control panel or through FTP connection. If you prefer, you can install an application and start creating the site through the administrative area.
What points should be noted when hiring a website hosting company?
Quality of support, value of service, cost benefit, quality of service structure and market research to check the company’s qualifications.
How does a hosting migration work?
The migration consists of transferring all the resources used to a new hosting provider. Initially, it will be necessary to hire the service from a specific provider, after that it will be necessary to backup the site to the computer, and, finally, perform the upload to the new contracted provider. The same process is valid for the database, making it necessary to backup the database and import it into a new database created in the new provider.
The migration of the email service varies depending on how you use it. If email managers are already being used, in case of POP connections, emails have already been downloaded to the computer, but in cases of IMAP connection, or in cases of not using email managers, it is possible to check whether the new provider provides any migration features, whether it will not be necessary to make POP connections to managers, as mentioned earlier.
Remembering that only the resources used (website, database and e-mails) should be migrated.
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