HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT OPERATING SYSTEM FOR VPS?

Compared to choosing an OS (Operating System) for desktops, laptops, and tablets, choosing an OS for a virtual server – VPS, is in some ways more difficult. Even Windows and Linux have been fighting for years over this issue.

For those who are new to VPS, choosing between Linux and Windows operating systems is not an easy task. Linux operating systems are usually free, with many different types and versions, while Windows operating systems support some special technologies and DBMS (Database Management System).

The simplest formula for choosing an operating system is: Choose Linux for common websites on popular CMS (Content Management System), choose Windows for the rest. However, we need to go deeper into what to pay attention to when choosing an operating system for VPS.

 

Programming language:

Programming languages ​​will be needed for us to build and develop websites and applications. Popular programming languages ​​such as Java Script, HTML support both Linux and Windows but there are exceptions. If the projects use ASP.NET, VBScript then only Windows is suitable. Windows is also needed for projects that store files in special formats such as WMA, WMV files.

A package with PHP + MySQL is supported by both Linux and Windows operating systems. But if you use PHP as your main, we should choose Linux. You can still run PHP scripts on Windows, but it will be much slower.

If we work a lot with MP3, Flash, Shockwave, Real files as well as files created by Microsoft FrontPage, both Windows and Linux operating systems support it equally well.

Services and Protocols:

Many services and protocols like FTP, Telnet work on both windows and Linux, but there are differences. SSH network protocol is supported by default in Linux, but on windows this network protocol must be connected separately through Remote desktop. Even though both operating systems have the same capabilities for your work requirements, but you often have to pay for Windows software components while Linux is completely free.

Database management:

MySQL runs on both Windows and Linux operating systems, but Linux will run more efficiently with the PHP + MySQL package. With Access, Microsoft Sharepoint and Microsoft SQL, we naturally choose Windows. This will be good when we want to deploy a portal for the company with high reliability and stability.

Server Administration:

In terms of management, Windows is more user-friendly and easier to use because it uses a graphical user interface compared to Linux which uses command lines. Linux users need to have knowledge and experience with this OS. But if speed and efficiency are important to you, it is worth spending time learning about Linux.

Expense:

Most versions of Linux operating systems are distributed for free such as CentOS, Debian, Ubuntu. You only pay VPS rental fee when choosing Linux. In addition to VPS rental fee, we have to pay additional copyright fee if using Windows and extended components of this OS.

Conclude:

After looking at the above factors, will you finally choose Windows or Linux operating system or choose both at the same time?.

The main difference between Windows and Linux is stability and speed. However, stability also depends on the VPS management method, which is the human factor. Therefore, the administrator – who has a relatively deep knowledge of IT – will be the one who clearly understands which operating system is most suitable for him. But if implementing projects related to ASP, ASP.NET, it is mandatory to use Windows. Applications related to stock trading running Windows applications, services running continuously (such as game servers) should also use Windows. And most people use Linux to run websites on WordPress, Joomla, Drupal…

Linux will bring the following advantages:

• Get the job done quickly and consistently
• Secure Environment (Attacks are usually focused mainly on Windows)
• Free of charge
• Suitable for most website development projects

Advantages of Windows include:

• Support for ASP.NET and technologies developed for Windows
• Easy to use, simple to manage and update
• Used for Windows special storage requirements projects.