Building a website for any business isn’t a hard task anymore today. Online business environments are currently completely filled with websites. That help in bringing new clients by attracting them with their pleasant appearance, good customer service, and loyalty programs.
But website owners or entrepreneurs need to remember that to succeed in the future. They need to opt for a proper hosting plan. The website speed and accessibility depend on the server’s capability which in turn helps in building strong relationships with the clients.
The operating system (OS) also plays a major role in the smooth working of a website. While selecting the operating system. You must be alert and attentive as it would confuse you due to the multiple OS choices available in the market.
Every so often, online business owners don’t have an idea of which OS they actually need. Ultimately, when there is high traffic on the website. It can’t handle the load which results in low functionality, poor performance, and regular downtimes. To avoid this here’s a guide on how to choose the operating system for your virtual private server –
There are two types of operating systems basically – Linux Operating System and Windows Operating System.
Linux Operating System –
Linux operating system is considered to be the best operating system for a virtual private server. Since it’s an open-source platform, there are several Linux distributions to choose from. But out of those just five lead – CentOS, Debian, Ubuntu, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, and Fedora.
CentOS – It is best for a single-site VPS and one of the preferred choices for a shared web hosting server. Trusted for its reliability, it also enables to manage to oversell. One of the best facts about CentOS is that since its availability. Several bugs and security flaws have been washed off.
Also, it uses rpm for its packet manager but the stability cost outdated versions of software if stable versions are used. Since CentOS is an RHEL rebuild, the industry benchmark for enterprise-grade Linux servers. Additionally, this permits it to be supportive of some enterprise software in case, they aren’t supported by the service providers.
Debian – One of the best features of Debian is that professional developers can create packages that packed into small packets for the users to install. The drivers are developed by users of GNU/ Linux / GNU/kFreeBSD which benefits in long-term hardware support after the production of new hardware stops. Also, the Debian community is quite responsive to fixing bugs in the system.
Ubuntu – One of the identifiable Linux distributions, Ubuntu is the easiest to learn and use, then may it be on desktop or servers. The release of updates like Windows and Mac operating systems is also one of the reasons for its popularity. But its frequent updates give rise to bugs. The latest Ubuntu LTS distribution is the best place to start for new Linux users. If you require support, online communities are there to help you out.
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) – Though being a paid operating system. Red Hat is the benchmark distribution for enterprise-grade Linux servers. Since RHEL handles heavy loads, most enterprise-level software supports it. Additionally, Some enterprise software providers that offer support only to RHEL which is an incentive to use Red Hat.
Fedora – Another Linux-based operating system, Fedora is flexible and therefore, it’s easy to create your own Linux-based distribution for everyone. Focused on security, Fedora contains a firewall right from the start and is easily configurable by using a terminal or through the graphical interface. There are also, custom security enhancements that are derived from its connection with RHEL. In addition, it’s also a market leader in the world of virtualization.
Windows Operating System –
There are very few who choose Windows OS for their virtual private servers since it costs more as the hosting service requires paying for the license for installation. The reason why people still opt for Windows OS is because they require .NET applications or maybe they are used to it.
One could be confused as to which operating system would be the best for their virtual private server. But you can take the advice of your web developers on which applications they require or are familiar with.
Remember every OS has its strengths, faults, and quirks and so, you won’t find anyone that superior to the other. Summarizing the content, I would suggest you choose an operating system depending on the business requirements. What you know, and are comfortable with and your business should run fine.