Posts Tagged ‘windows web hosting’

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Windows Hosting vs. Linux Hosting

Thursday, August 19th, 2010

Windows and Linux are the two most prominent platforms in the web hosting industry and although some web hosting providers specialize in one platform, a vast majority choose to offer Windows and Linux web hosting services. Both platforms offer very different features, although they also share some features meaning that in some cases web applications are able to function on Windows servers as well as Linux servers. Either platform can be applied to any form of web hosting which helps to ensure that whatever your requirements are, you can select the appropriate form of web hosting that will be running the operating system that you require; for example, whilst Windows and Linux shared web hosting services are available, you can choose to have any version of either operating system installed on a dedicated server – both forms of web hosting are at opposite ends of the scale and market. Depending on what you expect of an operating system, it may be a good idea to consider a specialist web hosting company that will allow you to make the most of the operating system’s features; by doing so you will be able to make the most of your website and develop a system that will be able to provide you with a high level of uptime.

In terms of pricing, you are probably going to find Linux hosting to be more suitable for your requirements than Windows web hosting. As Linux is an open source operating system, web hosting providers can charge low prices for their Linux web hosting services as the overheads are rather low – the only cost that they need to consider is their own hosting costs, although in some situations they may be using additional commercial software such as control panel software. Windows on the other hand is a commercial operating system meaning that any Windows web hosting package is going to be slightly more expensive than a Linux web hosting service of a similar specification; however, this shouldn’t put you off using Windows web hosting as Windows has features to offer than Linux will be unable to offer you. The main idea is that the Windows operating system is targeted more at businesses that wish to make use of the enterprise level features that the operating system has to offer, whereas in terms of hosting, Linux is a more consumer-orientated solution.

The technologies that each platform is able to support are the main difference and are usually the factors that can affect the decision on which platform to use. Linux and Windows can both offer a wide variety of similar services; for example, PHP hosting and MySQL hosting are possibilities on both platforms as both technologies are available for Windows servers and Linux servers. However, there are applications and technologies that are also platform dependent meaning that they will work on one operating system, but not the other. A good example of a dependent application would be Microsoft SQL Server as it will only run on the Windows operating system thus meaning that if you wish to use MSSQL databases, you can only choose a Windows web hosting service. There are also applications that are specific to Linux distributions only; i.e. the cPanel control panel, a popular choice of many web hosting companies, will only work with Linux servers.

Both operating systems can also offer different levels of uptime and reliability due to the way in which they function, although you still need to consider that the hardware available will have an affect. Windows servers are usually restarted every time a new application or software update is installed and all of these restarts cost uptime meaning that the downtime can rack up over time; however, any inconvenience here can be avoided by changing the way in which Windows servers are managed. Linux on the other hand is much more forgiving when it comes to software updates and application installs meaning that you won’t usually need to restart the server, thus causing less downtime over all. The hardware available can also be an issue in some situations as low specification servers are always going to be more susceptible to downtime as it won’t take much to overload them; for this reason you should always consider a server that can provide you with slightly larger resource requirements than what you actually require.

In conclusion, Windows hosting services and Linux hosting services both have their own benefits and one of them will suit your requirements depending on what your needs may be exactly. As a business you will want to choose the operating system that can offer you the highest level of uptime in relation to what your needs may be; however, you may need to make some compromises if you have a tight budget that leads you to choosing Linux hosting over Windows hosting.

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Benefits of Windows Web Hosting

Tuesday, August 10th, 2010

The alternative to Linux web hosting is Windows web hosting, although Windows web hosting services are generally more expensive than Linux web hosting services due to the commercial nature of the Windows operating system. Windows hosting services are aimed at businesses that have larger web hosting budgets and have a specific need for Windows web hosting as a majority of the features of Linux web hosting services, such as support for PHP and MySQL, are available on most Windows web hosting servers. Microsoft offers a wide range of server-specific applications that are only compatible with Windows servers that are targeted at larger businesses meaning that if you wish to make use of one of these applications, you won’t really have any choice but to consider a Windows hosting server for your requirements. Windows web hosting services are ideal for the hosting of websites that have been developed using classic ASP and ASP.NET; these two scripting frameworks have also been developed by Microsoft meaning that if you wish to use either then you will only be able to consider Windows web hosting for your requirements as your web pages and scripts won’t function correctly on any other web hosting platform.

Microsoft SQL Server is one of the most scalable database hosting platforms available and is used by a large number of companies to help power both their internal infrastructures as well as their websites. As a database server it is only compatible with Windows servers meaning that if you wish to create a highly scalable website using Microsoft SQL Server, Windows web hosting is going to be your only choice. However, this can be a benefit to using Windows web hosting as Microsoft SQL Server is capable of coping with high loads and load spikes very well meaning that it is ideal for use in a situation where your website receives a large amount of traffic.

If you wish to use a database system that isn’t as complicated as Microsoft SQL Server but can still offer you a good number of features then Microsoft Access is probably going to be the right database application for you. Unlike Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft Access is a desktop database application meaning that you will need to purchase the desktop application in order to be able to create and manage Microsoft Access databases. Databases created using Microsoft Access should only really be used in situations where there isn’t the need for a scalable database hosting configuration meaning that you should only use Microsoft Access with smaller websites.

The support for classic ASP and ASP.NET is another benefit of using Windows web hosting as it means that you will be able to make the most of what the Windows operating system has to offer to Windows web developers. Although the ASP.NET framework is the only one of the two that is still actively maintained, classic ASP is still used by a large number of web developers for certain purposes meaning that it is important to retain Windows web hosting services that can offer support for classic ASP and ASP.NET web pages and scripts. However, it should still be noted that additional scripting languages can be used on Windows web hosting services including PHP and Ruby.

If you choose to use Windows server hosting, including Windows VPS server hosting and Windows dedicated server hosting, then you will be able to choose from a wide variety of server-specific corporate Microsoft applications that will be able to enhance your business. Such applications include:

  • Microsoft Exchange Server – this is the enterprise collaboration system offered by Microsoft to allow businesses to streamline how their employees communicate with each other and to provide employees with a better way of managing themselves – in order for Microsoft Exchange Server to function you will need to have your own Windows VPS server or Windows dedicated server, although if you are a larger business then you may wish to consider a cluster of servers as the answer to your requirements since by doing so you will be able to create a high-availability and scalable email hosting system for your employees
  • Hyper-V – if you are going to be using the latest version of Windows, Windows Server 2008, then you may wish to make use of Hyper-V to create a virtualized hosting environment – virtualization is an important step is making your IT operations more streamlined and cost effective as it will reduce the amount of hardware you will require by consolidating a number of servers into virtual machines on a single server and is becoming common place with larger businesses that want to cut down their spending.

Microsoft’s server-specific software products are targeted at larger companies that are not only able to afford them but can also justify the hardware requirements that are needed to ensure that the software is able to perform properly.

Windows web hosting services are also some of the most up-to-date available with Windows Server 2008 offering you some of the latest and best features available in the web hosting industry. Windows Server 2008 bought with it IIS 7 which is the latest incarnation of Microsoft’s hugely popular web server product; similarly, new features were also introduced such as Hyper-V which allows for the creation of virtual machines of any platform for use on Windows servers.

In conclusion, Windows web hosting services are able to benefit many businesses that have a specific need for Windows web hosting through the means of the applications and services that are classed as being only available for Windows. When choosing a Windows web hosting service you may at first be put off by the costs associated with them, but although Windows web hosting may be slightly more expensive you will find it to be worth it in the long term if you have a specific need for Windows web hosting. If you are unable to justify the cost of Windows web hosting then the only other option that you will have is to change how you work so that a Linux web hosting package can accommodate your needs.

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Windows Web Hosting Service

Sunday, May 2nd, 2010

Windows web hosting services are aimed at those who have a specific need for Windows web hosting, as is evident with the features that accompany most Windows web hosting packages. Windows web hosting packages are usually more expensive than Linux web hosting services meaning that you should only consider Windows web hosting if you have a specific need for Windows, such as if you wish to make use of specific Windows components. There are different variants of Windows web hosting available, ranging from Windows shared hosting packages all the way up to Windows dedicated servers; this helps to ensure that there is a wide variety of Windows web hosting services for you to choose from and guarantees that there will always be a Windows web hosting service capable of meeting the requirements of each user.

What are the advantages of using Windows web hosting services?

Windows web hosting services are able to offer many advantages to the businesses and individuals that have a distinct need for Windows web hosting. The main advantages that can be had from using Windows web hosting services include:

  • Classic ASP and ASP.NET support – classic ASP and ASP.NET are two popular scripting frameworks that have been developed by Microsoft, and because of this web pages and scripts created using either will only function correctly on Windows web hosting services – this is one of the major driving points of Windows web hosting since many businesses and individuals will consider Windows web hosting services purely because of their support for classic ASP and ASP.NET – however, you may find that it isn’t worth spending extra on Windows web hosting services purely so that you can develop websites using classic ASP or ASP.NET since other open source scripting languages such as PHP may be more beneficial for your requirements
  • Microsoft Access support – Microsoft Access is a desktop database application that has been designed by Microsoft for basic record keeping from the desktop, although Microsoft Access databases can still be used in conjunction with classic ASP and ASP.NET based scripts to develop dynamic websites – Microsoft Access is part of the Microsoft Office suite of applications and is only really recommended for use in situations where you are going to have full control over the data that is going to be entering the database as this will allow you to constantly monitor the size of the database – Microsoft Access databases aren’t that scalable either meaning that you should avoid using one in a scenario where you can be sure that the database will be put under high loads
  • Microsoft SQL Server support – Microsoft SQL Server is the enterprise-class database server developed by Microsoft for larger businesses that require a scalable database hosting solution for their requirements – most Windows web hosting services will allow you to create at least one Microsoft SQL Server database under your web hosting account for use – similarly to Microsoft Access databases, Microsoft SQL Server databases can be incorporated into classic ASP and ASP.NET web pages and scripts so that you can create highly scalable, dynamic websites that will be able to cope well under high loads.

Windows web hosting services are ideal for businesses that want to be able to develop dynamic web applications for hosting in a very secure and reliable web hosting environment capable of sustaining their requirements for a long period of time.

What are the disadvantages of using Windows web hosting services?

There can also be disadvantages to using Windows web hosting services that you should be aware of prior to purchasing a Windows web hosting service as you may find after all that another form of web hosting is more appropriate for your requirements. Such disadvantages could include:

  • Price – Windows web hosting services are always going to be priced higher than Linux web hosting services of a similar specification as web hosting providers have to factor in the cost of the Windows operating system license – if you find that Windows web hosting is too expensive for you then Linux web hosting services are probably going to be more beneficial for your requirements, and at the end of the day they are probably going to be cheaper as well
  • Reliability – Windows web hosting services may not be as reliable as you would expect them to be which could cause problems for some businesses that rely on their website to provide them with a source of income – the best way to ensure that you receive a good level of uptime from a Windows web hosting package is to choose a Windows dedicated server as this will allow you to optimize your dedicated server to function in the way that you want it to, thus allowing you to maximize the level of uptime that it can provide.

In conclusion, Windows web hosting services are best suited for businesses that require Windows web hosting for a specific reason. It is important to consider the cost of Windows web hosting as if you can’t justify the amount that you are going to pay for your web hosting service, the chances are that it isn’t the right web hosting service for you.

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ASP.NET Web Hosting

Saturday, May 1st, 2010

ASP.NET is a scripting framework developed by Microsoft that is used by web developers to create highly scalable web applications that are to be hosted in a Windows web hosting environment. ASP.NET web applications are usually developed in conjunction with Microsoft database systems such as Microsoft Access and Microsoft SQL Server in order to create dynamic web applications that are able to utilize a well designed front-end with a reliable database back-end. ASP.NET web applications will only function correctly in Windows web hosting environments as ASP.NET is a Microsoft technology; this means that you will need to consider either Windows shared hosting or Windows dedicated web hosting for your requirements. ASP.NET is a scripting framework generally reserved for larger businesses due to the deployment costs that are involved, and on top of this the features of the ASP.NET framework do identify it as being more suitable for larger projects rather than smaller ones.

What are the advantages of using ASP.NET?

There are several different advantages to using ASP.NET that are you to benefit you most if you are a business. The main advantages of using ASP.NET include:

  • Microsoft database system integration – ASP.NET websites can be integrated with Microsoft Access and Microsoft SQL Server database back-ends which will allow you to develop dynamic websites using only Microsoft applications – when developing dynamic websites, you want to be sure that the combination of database server and scripting language that you are using will allow you to create a sustainable system that will be able to cope with high loads – by using ASP.NET with a Microsoft database application you are guaranteed to be able to create a web application using two components that will function seamlessly with each other
  • Scalable web applications – ASP.NET is ideal for the development of scalable web applications as ASP.NET web applications will always perform well under high loads, although the extent to which this is applicable will depend on the specifications of the server that you are using – Windows servers are generally used by larger businesses which is evident with the costs that are incurred when using a Windows servers, but the performance offered is usually higher than that offered by Linux servers when it comes to large scale business applications which is why ASP.NET is ideal for the development of scalable web applications
  • AJAX – ASP.NET comes with native AJAX components built-in that you will be able to make use of if you wish to create a dynamic website that makes the most of the latest client technologies – AJAX will allow you to create web pages and scripts that can dynamically send and receive data from the server without having to reload an entire web page, allowing you to create a seamless and easy to use system that will also reduce the load on the hosting server and your website’s overall bandwidth usage – having specific AJAX components available to you as part of the scripting framework that you are using will reduce the amount of work that you need to do to incorporate any additional script libraries that you may wish to make use of.

The advantages of using ASP.NET show that it is a scripting framework ideal for creating web applications that are capable of making the most of the latest technologies available and will be able to offer visitors the feature-rich experience that they demand.

What are the disadvantages of using ASP.NET?

There can also be disadvantages to using ASP.NET that you should be aware of as these could affect your ability to use the scripting framework effectively. Such disadvantages could include:

  • Implementation costs – ASP.NET isn’t an open source scripting framework and will only function on Windows servers meaning that a considerable amount of money will need to be spent on purchasing Windows licenses if you wish to use the scripting framework – on top of this some of the main development tools that are used for ASP.NET, such as Microsoft Visual Studio, also cost quite a bit meaning that ASP.NET is a scripting framework that should only be considered for use by larger businesses that can justify the cost
  • Platform – ASP.NET web pages and scripts will only function correctly on Windows web hosting services which can be a hassle for some businesses that may already be running a large number of Linux servers or may well already be using Linux web hosting services – although some web hosting providers do claim to be able to offer support for ASP.NET on Linux servers, the support offered is only limited and will not allow you to make the most of the scripting framework.

In conclusion, ASP.NET is a scripting framework that can provide businesses with many benefits when developing large-scale websites that need to be able to cope with high loads. If you are only going to be developing smaller websites then ASP.NET may not be the best choice for you because of the implementation costs that are involved, and instead you may wish to consider PHP for your requirements.

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Microsoft Access Hosting

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

Any Windows web hosting service is capable of supporting the highly popular Microsoft Access database system, a database application generally used as part of the development of small websites. If you have developed a website using classic ASP or ASP.NET then the likelihood is that you are going to be using a Microsoft Access database as the backend for your website; however, Microsoft Access is only recommended for small and simple websites as it isn’t the most scalable of applications – if you wish to develop highly efficient web applications for hosting in a Windows web hosting environment then you should consider using Microsoft SQL Server as your database backend rather than Microsoft Access.

What are the advantages of using Microsoft Access?

Using Microsoft Access databases can provide you with many advantages regardless of whether you are using it for keeping data in order or as part of a broader website project. Such advantages of using Microsoft Access include:

  • Easy to manage – Microsoft Access databases are very easy to manage since all you require is the desktop application that will allow you to both create and modify databases – if you were to use an SQL database system then you would need to setup a separate database server and management application which would add to the time that it takes you to deploy a new database server – also with a Microsoft Access database you don’t have any distinct need for any technical knowledge as everything is put into context when using Microsoft Access
  • Dynamic websites – a Microsoft Access database can be used in conjunction with a classic ASP or ASP.NET based website to created a dynamic website that can have its contents served from a database providing you with a solution that is much easier to manage – many websites are now dynamic in the way that they serve their content as this can be much more beneficial for web developers that are trying to create highly scalable systems that can be managed by many different people but also be used by many visitors at the same time
  • Lightweight – Microsoft Access databases are generally light on resource usage meaning that you can use a Microsoft Access database on a Windows server that may not necessarily be of the highest specification available – Microsoft Access databases are called directly as a file when a script is loaded meaning that there is no service constantly running as is the case with Microsoft SQL Server databases, helping to save on system resource usage.

Microsoft Access can provide web developers with an easy to use and quick solution that will aid them with the development of dynamic websites that are being designed for hosting in a Windows web hosting environment.

What are the disadvantages of using Microsoft Access?

There can also be disadvantages to using Microsoft Access that you should be aware of as you may find that another database application or server may be able to meet your needs more adequately. Such disadvantages could include:

  • Price – in order to be able to use and manage Microsoft Access databases you first need to own the application which is part of the Microsoft Office suite of applications – you will find that you may need to put forward quite a bit of money if you wish to purchase a version of Microsoft Office, although Microsoft Access can be purchased as a standalone application for a small amount of money – however, on top of this you will also need to consider the added cost of using Windows web hosting services
  • Scalability – Microsoft Access isn’t able to offer businesses and individuals the most scalable of database hosting solutions which could cause issues in some cases where businesses require an easy to use database solution that will be able to scale along with their requirements – however, for those that require scalable database hosting in a Windows web hosting environment there is always Microsoft SQL Server which can offer a highly reliable database hosting service
  • Flexibility – Microsoft Access doesn’t offer you the greatest level of flexibility as it is designed for use as a desktop database application rather than as part of a web application – for example, Microsoft SQL Server will be able to offer you a greater number of useful features such as stored procedures that will cut down the number of SQL queries that you have to factor into your code.

In conclusion, Microsoft Access is a decent solution for businesses and individuals that are running smaller websites since a Microsoft Access database won’t be the most scalable of database solutions available. If you wish to develop scalable web applications for use in a Windows web hosting environment then Microsoft SQL Server databases are going to be more beneficial for you.

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Microsoft SQL Server Hosting

Saturday, February 13th, 2010

Microsoft SQL Server is Microsoft’s enterprise class database system and is designed for large businesses that are running database intensive applications and require a reliable and secure database hosting environment. Microsoft SQL Server is one of the most scalable database servers available meaning that it will be able to cope with a large number of queries at once, making it the ideal backend for some of the internet’s largest websites. Although there is a free version of Microsoft SQL Server available, the Express edition, in order to make the most of what Microsoft SQL Server has to offer over other traditional database servers you will need to pay for a higher-level edition of the application that doesn’t include any limitations.

What are the advantages of using Microsoft SQL Server?

Microsoft SQL Server is a highly reliable database application that can be deployed in a number of different circumstances but is usually the preference of larger businesses. Some of the advantages of using Microsoft SQL Server include:

  • Classic ASP and ASP.NET support – Microsoft SQL Server databases will work with and can be integrated with classic ASP and ASP.NET scripts very easily since both applications have been developed by Microsoft – this means that if you want to develop a highly scalable web application using Microsoft technologies then an MSSQL/ASP.NET combination will be able to provide you with the tools and platform that you require to develop such a web application
  • Scalability – Microsoft SQL Server is also a highly scalable database application meaning that it can be used in environments where constant contact with the database server is going to be required – this means that you should use a Microsoft SQL Server database as the backend of any busy web applications you may be planning, but it is also for this reason that Microsoft SQL Server is used internally by many large businesses – in order for the database server to be as scalable as possible you should consider having Microsoft SQL Server installed on a high specification Windows dedicated server
  • Secure – using an SQL based database server such as Microsoft SQL Server will allow you to ensure that the contents of your database is secure and that the chances of a hacker gaining entry are minimal – high end database applications such as Microsoft SQL Server use several different layers of security and user authentication to ensure that it is impossible for hackers to gain entry, and on top of that the database itself is going to be password protected meaning that for hackers to stand any chance of viewing the contents of the database they will need to know the password.

The advantages of using Microsoft SQL Server show that it is a system highly recommended for Windows web developers who wish to build dynamic classic ASP and ASP.NET based web applications.

What are the disadvantages of using Microsoft SQL Server?

Microsoft SQL Server is designed for use by larger businesses that have a distinct need for a reliable database system, but you may still face disadvantages when using Microsoft SQL Server. Such disadvantages could include:

  • Price – in order for Microsoft SQL Server to be effective you will need to purchase one of the premium editions of the software so that you won’t have any limitations when using the database server – any version of Microsoft SQL Server above the free ‘Express’ edition will cost you quite a bit of money and this is why Microsoft SQL Server is generally marketed at businesses rather than individuals
  • Complexity and management – Microsoft SQL Server can be quite a complex system to manage meaning that if you are going to be deploying it centrally within your business, you should consider hiring experienced systems administrators who will do a professional job of managing your Microsoft SQL Server databases – if you leave the management to an inexperienced individual then you run the risk of compromising the security of your Microsoft SQL Server databases as well as the reliability of the hosting server.

In conclusion, Microsoft SQL Server is a powerful database application that can provide businesses with many advantages when develop web applications for use in busy environments. Microsoft SQL Server can also be used as the database backend for desktop applications when used in a business hosting environment.

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Website Hosting Service

Friday, February 12th, 2010

A website hosting service can come in the form of any type of web hosting available for purchase; this means that shared web hosting packages, reseller hosting packages, VPS servers and dedicated servers are all types of website hosting service. Website hosting services are usually sold by web hosting providers who will then host your website on their servers; most web hosting providers also offer additional services such as SSL certificates and domain name registration. The web hosting provider you choose for your hosting requirements is likely to depend on your exact requirements, but one of the main decisions that you will need to take is whether you require a managed web hosting service or an unmanaged web hosting service since some web hosting providers have their own support teams whereas others may offer no support at all.

What are the main types of web hosting service?

There are several forms of web hosting available from most web hosting providers although the web hosting services offered by some web hosting providers will vary depending on whether they specialize in a specific form of web hosting. The main forms of web hosting include:

  • Shared web hosting – if you are on a budget then a shared web hosting package is likely to be your best bet if you are looking for a web hosting service capable of meeting your requirements since it will be able to do so whilst providing you with high resource assignments – Linux shared hosting packages generally use the cPanel control panel whilst Windows shared hosting services are more likely to use the Plesk control panel
  • Reseller web hosting – a reseller web hosting package will offer you the ability to provide your own web hosting services to customers who either pay you or for free – although you still have to share the hosting server with many other users, most web hosting providers offer reseller hosting users much more flexibility since you are allowed to create your own web hosting plans out of the resources that you have assigned to your web hosting account
  • VPS server hosting – a VPS server will be able to offer you the advantages of a dedicated server for a much lower cost within the context of a shared hosting environment – VPS server hosting services are generally used by businesses that require dedicated web hosting but are unable to justify the costs associated with dedicated servers
  • Dedicated server hosting – if you are a business or individual with complex web hosting requirements then a dedicated server may be the right form of web hosting for you – Windows dedicated servers and Linux dedicated servers of various specifications are available from most web hosting providers – if you choose to go with a larger web hosting provider then you may even be able to build your dedicated server during the order process which will allow you to ensure that your dedicated server meets your requirements perfectly.

It is a good idea to make use of the many different web hosting reviews websites that are available since these will be able to guide you towards the right web hosting service for your requirements but will also advise you on which web hosting provider to choose.

What are the main factors for me to consider in any web hosting package?

There are several key factors that you should consider in any web hosting service so that you are able to choose the web hosting service that represents the best value for money. These key factors include:

  • Reliability – the reliability of a web hosting service can affect whether or not your chosen web hosting service represents good value for money – if a website hosted on your web hosting account is constantly unavailable then your web hosting provider isn’t offering you good value for money since effectively you aren’t getting what you paid for
  • Security – regardless of whether your website is going to be processing personal data entered by your visitors, it is important for you to be hosted in a secure web hosting environment so that you won’t have to worry about the safety of any data hosted in your web hosting account – it is normal for most web hosting providers to secure their server to PCI standards these days making it hard for hackers to gain access.

In conclusion, website hosting services are available from a number of different outlets and can provide you with a way of getting your website on to the internet. It is important to do your research prior to purchasing any web hosting service since there are many different forms of web hosting to choose from and you want to make sure that you choose the web hosting service that offers you the best value for money.

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Windows Web Hosting

Thursday, February 11th, 2010

Windows web hosting services are designed for those whose requirements outstrip what most basic Linux web hosting services will be able to offer. Such requirements could include the need for a Microsoft SQL Server hosting service or a web hosting environment that is capable of hosting classic ASP and ASP.NET web pages and scripts. A Windows web hosting package can improve your perception of web hosting since it will provide you with another platform to use other than Linux meaning that you will be introduced to a realm of new features that you can exploit to benefit you as much as possible. Most web hosting providers can offer based Windows shared hosting packages all the way up to Windows dedicated servers meaning that there will always be a service available to meet your budget.

What are the advantages of Windows web hosting?

Windows web hosting services can provide advantages to Windows web developers and others who will be able to make the most of the features that a Windows web hosting package will be able to offer. The main advantages of Windows web hosting include:

  • ASP web hosting – a Windows web hosting service, regardless of the form of web hosting you choose to go with, will be able to provide you with an ASP web hosting service meaning that you will be able to host classic ASP and ASP.NET web pages within your web hosting account – both of these scripting languages have been developed by Microsoft and are widely used by Windows web developers, and due to the fact that they have been developed by Microsoft pages and scripts created using these will only function correctly in Windows web hosting environments
  • Microsoft SQL Server hosting – since this is a Microsoft product you will find that MSSQL databases will only function correctly when hosted in a Windows web hosting environment – most Windows shared hosting services come with support for at least one Microsoft SQL Server database, but if you choose to go for a Windows VPS server or a Windows dedicated server then you will be able to host an unlimited number of databases for free if you choose to use Microsoft SQL Server Express Edition
  • Microsoft Access hosting – Windows web hosting services can also provide you with support for Microsoft Access databases, the database application usually at the heart of most basic ASP websites – unlike Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft Access databases aren’t that scalable since they are created using a desktop application and are called directly as a file rather than through a service as is the case with MSSQL databases.

The advantages of Windows web hosting show that if you are using various Microsoft technologies as part of your web projects then you will probably find a Windows web hosting service to be very helpful when developing your websites.

What are the disadvantages of Windows web hosting?

Windows web hosting can provide some users with disadvantages even though they have a distinct need for Windows web hosting and Linux web hosting won’t be able to fulfill their requirements properly. Some of the disadvantages that you could face when using Windows web hosting include:

  • Price – Windows web hosting services are always going to be more expensive than their Linux equivalent since you need to take into consideration the cost of the Windows operating system, and since Linux is a free operating system it is a cost that is never passed on to Linux web hosting users – prices will change depending on the web hosting provider you choose to use, but when using Windows dedicated hosting it is a good idea to remember that Windows Server 2003 will be cheaper to use than Windows Server 2008
  • Uptime and reliability – Windows web hosting services may not always be able to offer good value for money when it comes to uptime and reliability since Windows servers aren’t known for their reliability – if you feel that the reliability of your web hosting service could affect you then you may wish to consider a Windows dedicated hosting service as this will provide you with more control over the reliability of your Windows web hosting service.

In conclusion, Windows web hosting should only be considered if you have the budget that will allow you to purchase a decent Windows web hosting package but will also allow you to make sure that you have a Windows web hosting service that will meet your requirements. Windows web hosting should only be considered if you are sure that there is no way Linux web hosting will be able to cater for you.

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ASP Web Hosting

Saturday, January 23rd, 2010

ASP stands for Active Server Pages and is a web scripting framework that was developed by Microsoft back in the 90s. Although the development of ASP as a scripting language has now been discontinued, it has been reborn with the birth of the ASP.NET framework which has now been developed up til version 3.5 and the development of ASP.NET is likely to carry on for a long time to come. ASP web hosting services are generally Windows web hosting packages since the Linux platform is unable to support classic ASP or ASP.NET web pages; this means that you can also be limited in other areas although both classic ASP and ASP.NET web pages can interact with Microsoft SQL Server and Microsoft Access databases.

What are the advantages of using the ASP scripting language?

ASP can provide you with many advantages when it comes to developing web applications for hosting in a Windows web hosting environment. Although classic ASP is a very basic scripting language, ASP.NET has built on the original success of classic ASP and can provide you with some of the following advantages:

  • Database support – web applications developed using ASP.NET can be built around database backends, and the use of the Windows operating system means that you can use a wide variety of database systems – the most popular database applications to use in conjunction with ASP.NET based web applications are Microsoft SQL Server and Microsoft Access although other systems including MySQL Server can be used
  • AJAX support – ASP.NET comes with native support for certain AJAX features that you can integrate into your web applications as appropriate to help make them more dynamic – AJAX stands for ‘Asynchronous Javascript and XML’ which basically means that web pages are able to interact with databases dynamically without the need for the page to be reloaded upon the transfer of data
  • Video tutorials – the official asp.net website can provide you with many video tutorials that will guide you through the development of certain features as part of your website – the fact that this is the official website for the scripting language means that you can rely on the accuracy of the data and video tutorials that are provided.

The advantages of using the ASP scripting language mean that Windows web hosting may be useful for those who wish to try their luck with classic ASP or ASP.NET instead of using some of the many other web scripting languages that there are.

Why should I consider any other web scripting languages?

Classic ASP and ASP.NET may not be what every web developer wants to use since there can be disadvantages to doing so such as the high costs that are involved with using Windows web hosting services. Other reasons for choosing a different web scripting language for your web development requirements could include:

  • Open source – open source web scripting languages are free to use and the fact that they are open source means that you have full access to the source code of the engine that will power any web pages that are scripted using a particular language – a good example of an open source scripting language would be PHP and this has been used extensively by many large organizations who have no doubt made their own modifications to the core
  • Previous experience – if you have any previous experience with web development which is of a scripting language other than classic ASP or ASP.NET then you should first consider this for any dynamic web applications you may wish to develop – by doing this you will be able to ensure that you do a professional job with the development of your website and/or web application.

The above factors show that there are many other web scripting languages available for use other than classic ASP or ASP.NET. However, unless you are going to be using classic ASP or ASP.NET then you may wish to consider another form of web hosting other than ASP web hosting or Windows web hosting.

In conclusion, ASP web hosting services are ideal for those who wish to make the most of Windows web hosting services. Windows web hosting services hat are capable of hosting classic ASP and ASP.NET web pages are available from a large number of web hosting providers which can be beneficial if you wish to find a low cost ASP web hosting service.

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Secure Web Hosting

Thursday, January 21st, 2010

A secure web hosting service will be able to provide you with a fully flexible web hosting environment that is capable of meeting your requirements but can provide you with the security to ensure that hackers are unable penetrate or view any of the data contained within your web hosting account. Many measures are taken by web hosting providers to ensure the security of their customer’s web hosting accounts; as data security is becoming more important the security of web hosting servers is increasing, and most web hosting providers are now able to offer levels of security to a point where it is almost impossible for hackers or malicious attackers to gain entry to web hosting servers.

What factors help to guarantee the security of a web hosting service?

There can be several factors that will affect the security of your chosen web hosting service, although the affect that these factors will have is going to be dependent on the form of web hosting that you have chosen. Such factors could include:

  • Server security – there are many server-side measures that a web hosting provider can take to help ensure the security of both the server and the web hosting accounts hosted on that server – security measures are normally in place to ensure that attacks can’t be carried out using weak scripts that have been poorly coded although there are normally other much more basic security applications such as firewalls in place to help guarantee server security in Windows web hosting environments and Linux web hosting environments
  • SSL certificates – any reputable web hosting provider should be able to provide SSL protection for any web based services that you may be using for the management of your web hosting account – the encryption of information that is transferred between your machine and the servers that you are using to manage your website is important since if this information is unencrypted then it won’t take much for a hacker to intercept this connection which in turn would allow them to inject or read data
  • Form of web hosting – some forms of web hosting can be more secure than others and it is important for you to remember this if security is one of the main factors that you wish to receive from a web hosting service – dedicated web hosting services that will be able to offer you your own web hosting environment are going to be the most secure since you will be able to secure these to a level that suits your requirements whereas a shared web hosting service is likely to be less secure since you are sharing the web hosting environment with other users.

By considering the above factors in a web hosting service, you will be able to deduce the security of a web hosting package.

Does my choice of web hosting platform affect the level of security that I’ll receive?

There are many different views on the levels of security that Linux web hosting environments and Windows web hosting environments can offer; the bottom line is that the level of security that you are offered will be dependent on how well the web hosting server is managed.

In what situation should I consider a dedicated web hosting service for the sole purpose of website security?

Dedicated web hosting services are the best web hosting packages for you to consider if you are after a web hosting service that will be able to offer you a high level of security. A VPS server can provide you with the same type of web hosting environment as a dedicated server for a lower cost; dedicated server hosting on the other hand will allow you to have your own physical web hosting environment which could be beneficial for larger businesses.

In conclusion, secure web hosting services are an important part of the web hosting industry since they are there to meet the requirements of larger businesses whose websites will be handling high levels of personal data. Although shared web hosting packages can offer a certain level of security, if you wish to be sure that your data is going to be safe then you should consider VPS server hosting or dedicated server hosting for your requirements.

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Posted in Dedicated Hosting, Dedicated Server Hosting, Linux Web Hosting, VPS Server Hosting, Web Hosting, Windows Hosting | 1 Comment »

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