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As you probably know, Laws Hosting is a Linux UK Web Hosting company. TheWHIR recently published an articled entitled the Key Benefits of Linux Hosting. It’s kind of a lengthy article, so I thought we’d breakdown the main benefits listed in a short list found below. Voile!

• The most important feature of Linux hosting is its flexibility;
• Cost effective;
• Extensible;
• Stability;
• Takes less CPU power to operate functions;
• Fast processing time.

Even if you don’t use Linux to run your desktop PC, you can certainly take advantage of Linux UK Web Hosting offered at Laws Hosting. The operating system that you use for your desktop PC should not impact your choice of web hosts. Linux web servers make hosting easy. The primary hosting tasks are almost identical for both Linux and Windows web servers, but the advantages found with Linux hosting are vast. Learn more about such advantages and more below.

A Brief Look at Linux

• Linux is a free, UNIX-based operating system. Unix is a computer operating system that is powerful, designed for multitasking and built to be used by a number of people at once.
• Linux is Open-Source. This pertains to a type of program whose source code is usually free and is readily available to anyone interested in using and/or working with the program.
• The Linux operating system is specifically praised for its functionality, adaptability and robustness.

What Is Linux Hosting?

A simple explanation is “web hosting on a Linux-based server allowing developers to create their site within the Linux Operating System”. A Linux server enables web developers to use popular and powerful open-source programs like PHP, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Python, Ruby, SSH and many more to build their site.

Do I Need to Know How to Use Linux to Use Laws Hosting’s Servers?

No. A benefit of hosting your site at Laws Hosting is that you get to experience all of the advantages of Linux Hosting (explained below), but you don’t necessarily need to know how to use Linux thanks to the DirectAdmin control panel. All of our web hosting accounts are managed with this award-winning control panel. DirectAdmin makes web hosting account management a breeze even for those who are brand new to the Linux server hosting environment.

Main Advantages of Linux Hosting From Laws Hosting

Since a server’s operating system controls the basic, vital functions of the server, it is important to be aware of the advantages one will experience when choosing a Linux host.

• In addition to the amazing hosting support that Laws Hosting customers receive from our staff, keep in mind that Linux has a huge, active network of helpful developers. Those hosting their sites in a Linux environment will have access to this invaluable support community. With such a large number of developers, Linux is a very progressive platform; new ideas emerge rapidly and more innovative work can be done within the community. The many advantages of Linux Hosting ultimately stem from this huge developer community.
• A Linux host is perfect for those looking for a developer friendly environment. Laws Hosting offers our customers support for the open-source tools, like PHP and Perl scripting, that are needed to create their sites.
• Linux hosting has a well earned reputation for stability and security. This can once again be attributed to the gigantic open-source community of developers, all of which work tirelessly to find, patch and fix any bugs that are discovered.
• Open Source software is generally free. This cost-effectiveness factor allows users to spend their available resources on activities like promoting their site or project instead of on costly software.
• Those hosting their sites on the Linux platform experience faster page loads and better performance. The speed and performance of Linux can actually be attributed to another key benefit, its flexibility. Linux is flexible in the sense that it is highly suited for fine-tuned, task-specific system configurations. This gives system administrators the ability to configure Linux servers to perform at an optimal level.

There is a lot that goes into running a web hosting business.  The provider needs an internet connection, bandwidth and data facility to store the equipment that enables the service.  While numerous components are required, almost all of them revolve around the web server.

What is a Web Server?

There term web server actually describes to different elements.  One is the computer that stores the data for websites.  The other is a software application that runs on the computer and processes requests from web browsers and other client-side technologies.  Though often used interchangeably, these two components are quite different.  For this reason, one should always clarify the mentioning of a web server as it can refer to either a machine or an application.

The Web Server in Action

A web server application helps the actual hardware serve web pages upon the request of a browser such as Internet Explorer or Opera.  Because it deals primarily in HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) requests, this type of application if often referred to as an HTTP server.  After receiving a request, the server runs HTTP, which is a protocol for transferring data over the internet and enabling two computers to communicate with each other.  When using your web browser to access any given website, a request is transmitted to a web server on a remote computer.  The server application then processes the browser’s request and attempts to locate the requested web page.  If it is found, the server sends the page to your browser which then displays the appropriate content.

Commonly Used Web Servers

The Netcraft Web Server Usage Survey reports that the Apache HTTP server is the most the widely installed web server in the world, claiming that it has nearly 60% of the market share.  As an open-source application, Apache supports numerous open-source technologies such as the Linux operating system and MySQL database server.

Using a Web Server off the Web

While primarily intended for the web hosting arena, web server applications can also be used for other purposes as well.  For example, many techies have the Apache server installed on their Windows-based computers.  This is great for someone who scripts custom programs for their own servers.  Several developers find this method much easier than working on a remote server.   So, if you have a powerful computer with a need to create PHP scripts, a web server like Apache could work wonders on your system.