Difference Between Free Web Hosting & Paid Hosting

There are advantages and disadvantages for both paid and free web hosting. But it actually depends on what ones requirements are and what one is trying to achieve.

Advantages of Free Web Hosting

- As it is free it is the one of the most obvious advantage.

- Free web space can be used to practice programming. Some free web hosting plans support a programming language such as PHP, ASP, CGI/Perl, Cold fusion or JSP but several do not support all the languages.

- For creating a small personal website free web hosting plan is great.

Disadvantages of Free Web Hosting

- The majority of free web hosts cannot afford to offer 24/7 or any support as they are offering free hosting.

- Many free web hosts do not allow FTP access, which is an obstacle if one has many files to upload this one of the major flaws with free web hosts.

- Many free web hosts place their banner and text ads on the website.

- Very few free web hosts with their plans offer control panel.

- Ones website is placed in a sub-domain or a folder with a large number of free hosts, which results in poor search engine rankings most of the time.

- Much disk space or data transfer is not offered by free web hosting plans. This can be a problem if one have a lot of large files or if ones website generates a lot of traffic.

Advantages of Paid Web Hosting

- Most paid web hosts offer 24/7 supports.

- One will not have any unwanted text or banner ads placed on ones website with paid hosting.

- Control panel such as cPanel, Vdeck, Plesk or Ensim which offer features like web stats, the ability to password protect directories, and the ability to create web based email accounts are being offered by a lot of paid web hosting plans.

- One will have ones own domain name (consumerswebsite.com) which will not only result in better search engine rankings, but will also look more professional. Thus ones website will not be placed in a sub-domain or folder.

- As with paid web hosting one gets more disk space and data transfer, one can add more files to ones website and it can also handle more traffic.

- Most paid web hosts are offering FTP access.

- Couple programming languages such as PHP, ASP, CGI/Perl, the majority of paid web hosting plans is supporting Cold fusion and JSP.

Disadvantage of Paid Web Hosting

- It’s not free this is the only major disadvantage of paid web hosting.

What is the Difference Between Unix and Windows Web Hosting?

So you’re finally ready to publish your finished website and you’re searching through the myriad of web hosting plans and providers. You may have noticed that most hosting companies use Linux or Unix operating systems on their web servers. Microsoft Windows is less commonly offered as a choice. So what’s the difference?

Most people are familiar with Microsoft Windows having used it at home, work, or at school. It is very easy to use for novices and it doesn’t require command-line knowledge. In Windows Home and advanced Server editions, you can simply point and click your way to a different folder using your mouse. Unix and Linux are open-source – meaning that the operating system is free and the source code is well documented and easily distributed. There are no major differences between Unix and Linux. Unix is much older and cannot run on x86-based personal computers (like the one you’re using now). In contrast, Linux can run on both high-powered servers and x86-based computers.

Linux is available in many flavors, though most hosting companies use Red Hat Linux, or Mandrake Linux, which are proven workhorses able to handle hundreds of websites and millions of hits per day. FreeBSD and OpenBSD are versions of Unix which are also available. While ease-of-use is very important for a home or work computer, it is generally not a big issue when working with a web server. After all, you are doing most of your website design offline on your own computer. Unless you have very advanced programming or operating system-specific modules, you will not notice the difference between Windows and Unix servers.

Both Linux/Unix and Windows can handle high traffic websites and add-ons such as chat rooms, email and website statistics with ease. The biggest differences are price and software compatibility. Because Windows must be purchased and licenses renewed continuously, Windows hosting plans are usually more expensive than Unix-based plans. Also Unix-based plans often come with free email, databases (MySQL), statistic, and community programs. While Windows plans come with Microsoft software (MS SQL, for example) that must be purchased by the hosting company.

Both Linux and Windows platforms can run popular programming languages such as php, perl, or java. If your website uses active server pages, then it will be less risky hosting it on a Windows server. Well it still may function on a Unix server, there may be small glitches that are not immediately apparent. Similarly, if you are using with Microsoft SQL databases, these databases will be supported by most Windows plans. However, Linux or Unix plans often include MySQL which would require that your databases be converted to this format in order to function properly. If you are currently using any Microsoft programming (especially active server pages) or third-party applications (MS SQL 2000), you may want to play it safe and choose a Windows hosting plan.

From the average web designer’s standpoint, there isn’t much difference between hosting on Linux/Unix or Windows web servers. However, before signing up for a hosting plan, ensure that all facets of your site’s design, programming, databases and the like will work with that plan. If you are unsure, ask the company’s sales or technical staff before you commit.

Transferring Files Between Windows and Unix

Unix FTP can be used to transfer files between PC’s and Unix-based file servers. File transfer protocol (FTP) is the network protocol that is used to transfer the files from the PC to the Unix file server over TCP. The Unix file server will need to have an FTP server installed, and the PC will need to have an FTP client installed. The standard port for FTP communication is port 21. IETF RFC 959 outlines the specifications for FTP.

Most FTP clients use an asynchronous method of communication, also referred to as non-blocking FTP. With this method, the FTP Client uses an asynchronous interface to the Windows sockets TCP/IP driver providing the fastest file transfer data rate possible while using a minimal amount of system resources.

Using FTP, Files can be uploaded and downloaded in either ASCII or binary format. Binary files are files where bytes in the file can be any 256 bit pattern. Examples of binary files include zip files, executables, images, and sound files. ASCII files are text-based binary files that can only use the 128 ASCII codes. Each ASCII character has a corresponding hex value and binary value. For example, the hex value for the letter “A” is 61, and the binary equivalent is 0110 0001.

The FTP server on the Unix server can be configured to require usernames and passwords, or to allow anonymous connections. With anonymous access configured, any and all users are able to upload files to and download files from all directories that are configured for public read and write permissions. On Unix servers, the File Manager can be used to set permissions on files and folders so that anonymous users cannot access them. Alternatively, user accounts can be created on the FTP server, assigned a username and password and access permissions applied at the user level.

Secure sockets layer (SSL) can be used for an added layer of security. With standard FTP, data that is transferred between the PC and the Unix server is not encrypted. Using FTP with SSL (FTPS) ensures that the data being transferred is protected from eavesdropping, tampering, or message forgery by encrypting the data before transferring it. IETF RFC 4217: “Securing FTP with TLS” outlines the specifications for FTP with SSL/TLS security. According to security standard for FTP, by default SSL encryption is only enabled on the command channel. This means that usernames, passwords and file locations are protected, but the transferred files remain vulnerable. To implicitly protect files that are uploaded and downloaded, the data channel also needs to be encrypted by enabling this configuration option in the FTP client.

Advanced FTP clients also provide additional productivity-enhancing features such as an intuitive GUI, the ability to save and transfer entire lists of files, and the ability to save a list of recently transferred files. A Windows GUI allows users to connect to the Unix server and manipulate the necessary files without having to become accustomed to the Unix interface. Many users transfer a specified list of files on a regular basis, or have the need to upload and download the same file multiple times. In this case, recent and custom file transfer lists can save users a lot of time.

With the popularity of Unix servers on the rise, Unix compatible FTP solutions are becoming increasingly commonplace and continue to expand their feature base.

Deciding Between Windows and Linux Web Hosting

Many people recognize Linux as the best type of web hosting solution around, because of the added advantages of this solutions, which provide reliability, security, functionality, and affordability all in the one package.

Linux Servers Advantages
Linux servers have been known to run for long periods of time without technical difficulties or down time being experienced, which is a considerable achievement since many Microsoft servers need to refresh and reboot their operating systems at regular intervals.

Linux installations have no known vulnerabilities in their security operating system; however, it is still considered a priority of Linux to keep their systems running with the best degree of security around.

Linux also offers its customers the added advantage of cheaper Linux based web hosting solutions. This is largely due to open source distributions; hosts generally pass these savings onto their customers, making Linux solutions extremely affordable.

Disadvantages of Linux Servers
With every advantage of a solution, there has to be disadvantages as well, Linux hosting solutions are no exception to this rule. One of the main disadvantages of Linux based applications is that they are unable to accommodate windows applications and the coding conversions. This can spell disaster for websites that have been coded especially for windows based applications.

When choosing a web hosting provider for Linux, make sure he offers all the basics services on security, including firewall, load balance for the servers, Denial of Attack (DOS) protection.

Also, there are some basics services any service should include, such as MYSQL services, statistics (preferably two scripts), antivirus and antispam services (added or included) and the possibility to add your own scripts via FTP. If provider doesn’t include SSH access (this is very common), make sure they can offer you support to install those scripts. Of course, if your script presents a security flaw, your provider may ask you to change it or deny installing it altogether.

Windows web servers
Windows web hosting solutions provide many benefits such as NET support, ASP, visual basic C++ and pearl scripts. Windows are also known for their dynamic page displays. All windows plans, as well as MSSql for more experienced webmasters support the Microsoft Access 2000 database and are generally easy and strait forward to apply codes to.

Be aware that a Microsoft Access database, although simple to use is a limited option, and should not be considered if you are planning your site to grow. However, it is a very good option for small sites with little growth.

Although Windows hosting packages offer a large number of benefits and extras, the fact that they have the odd security problem, are prone to down time, and scheduled rebooting on a regular basis remains a viable disadvantage to using windows servers as an option for your web site.

While the choice of a web hosting provider is an individual decision, those looking for a business solution should consider the benefits and disadvantages of both windows and Linux severs before making a choice.

Knowing The Difference Between A “Bad” Web Hosting Company & A “Good” Web Hosting Company

It is always a good idea to do some product research before you start shopping. The same is true of services that you pay for, too. You also need to consider that there are often many different makes and models of the same general products, and many variations on the same kinds of services. Therefore, in addition to general information, you need to get specific facts about what products or services would best fit your unique situation. It is no different with web hosting.

It may be best to begin our division of web hosting companies into “good” and “bad” categories with basic features that apply to everyone. Since a web host is actually the company that will store your website on its servers (to “serve” it up to the Internet), one of the primary considerations is making sure that the server is fast. Of similar importance is ensuring that the server works well enough, and has enough backup equipment, to keep your site’s “uptime” well over 99%. Companies that can guarantee these things are good candidates for your site, while ones that cannot have to go into the “bad” category.

Other primary considerations

A well-managed hosting company will not require you to have any particular technical expertise, unless you opt for a certain kind of dedicated hosting where you agree to take on some of those duties. For most people and small businesses, however, a good web hosting firm is one that keeps things running, upgrades its equipment to stay competitive and does all this without bothering you (or raising the price too fast). You want to concentrate on making the site profitable, not on solving bandwidth problems or troubleshooting the Domain Name Server (DNS) settings for your site’s name.

Another basic consideration is the amount of disk space you get per dollar, and the amount of data traffic (transfer) allowed per month. When you calculate the price you are paying for disk space, as well as the price to bandwidth ratio, you will have a common yardstick with which to compare pricing. The best, most reputable web hosting companies will not charge you much more than the average of your other final candidates for the same amount of disk space and/or bandwidth ratio. Generally, of course, the more you want of these the more you will end up paying per month. A good company will have prices in the average range. Interestingly enough, a bad company may charge either much more or much less than average. Again, you don’t decide on price alone, but on what the price buys you in relation to other companies.

Differences and similarities

Today, you will discover that most of the top web hosting companies share many standardized features for customers to manage their sites. There is usually a control panel or some sort, disk space and bandwidth meters, e-mail accounts (sometimes unlimited) and customer support available via phone, e-mail, chat services or web forms. If you are looking at four or five potential hosts, and some do not have the number of these tools as others, you will have another way to separate out some “good” and “bad” firms.

Investigate the standing of the companies, too. Better Business Bureau reports and listings at Complaints.com and other consumer protection sites can tell you about some of the bad companies and their nefarious ways. You can also discover what awards and commendations some good sites have won from industry groups, consumer advocates and government agencies. This will augment what you learn about the companies’ reliability from user forums and other Internet sources. These are all good ways to separate the “good” from the “bad.”

Boiling it all down

The best web hosting companies will demonstrate good management, have reliable equipment, offer speedy service and be priced in the range covered by your four or five candidate firms. More specific reasons to choose or not choose one company over another will have to do with the precise type of website you are putting up. If you are not up on the “lingo” and do not understand the concepts, you should get help at once from someone you trust, and not rely on a web hosting company sales person to watch out for your best interests. After all, you haven’t decided which is the “good” (or “best”) company yet.

Go with a company that has expertise with the type of site you are planning to build. If you are opening an online store, a “good” host is one that has a lot of experience with e-commerce and customized shopping carts. If you are doing confidential client work, a “good” host will be that has state-of-the-art security and top programmers and analysts on staff. You need to make sure your special needs are covered.

Good and bad plans

The major website hosting packages are free, shared, managed dedicated and unmanaged dedicated. Free hosting services give you a limited amount of space, and place advertisements on your pages that can be off-putting to your customers and clients. The may not offer all the functionality of a paid site, either. The other paid web hosting plans offer better levels of support, more bandwidth and all the features you could ever want. “Good” companies will be able to tailor a site plan to your needs, while a “bad” one in the regard is a company that asks you to fit into preformatted categories.

The shared plan puts your site on a server with others, and the web hosting company provides all of the system administration. Dedicated hosting is good for sites that need more storage and ample bandwidth, as well as other characteristics or features that aren’t available with shared web plans. A managed dedicated plan, with your site on its own “dedicated” serve, will cost more because the hosting firm is giving you your own server and taking care of the administrative duties. In the less-costly unmanaged dedicated web package, the user will act as the server administrator. While this gives you, the user, the most control and flexibility, you need a good deal more technical knowledge to keep things running smoothly.

“Good” web hosts will meet you where you are at, or tailor your plan to get you where you want to go. The “bad” firms are ones that do not put your needs first, generally speaking. Review this article again, read some more about how web hosts operate, then let your assessment of your candidate firms’ features, support, reliability, service and security signal a winner.

Understanding the Difference Between a Free Web Hosting Service and a Paid Web Hosting Service

There are basically two forms of web hosting service. One is the free web hosting service and the other one is the paid web hosting service. Today, you can easily come across so many free web hosting services on the internet. You also usually come across paid hosting advertisements which boast of various unique hosting features. There are many web hosting service providers which offer their web hosting packages which are almost the same with regard to pricing. Online websites are growing day by day. We all are aware of the fact that every website needs a web host, in order to get widely exposed on world wide web. Since there is so much of demand for web hosting service, it is the hosting market that is getting more and more crowded with web hosting companies, trying to carve a niche for themselves and thus wanting to earn money through web hosting service. Before one tries to make use of the service of any hosting company, look out for a reliable hosting company.

It becomes a bit difficult at times to decide upon the right web hosting service for your website. We need to understand that free hosting plans are used for personal and non commercial websites. On the other hand, the paid web hosting plan is considered to be suitable for a business related website. The difference between a web hosting service and a paid web hosting service is explained as follows:

1) Restrictions toward hard disk space or storage facility: In a free web hosting plan, there are restrictions in terms of web space. Such a situation is not suitable for any respectable business. A website is considered as a collection of files that are produced on the Internet for viewing. In such a case, it becomes necessary to store them at a particular place for accessing it as and when required. The place where web files are stored is called a web server. This web server is being offered by the web hosting company. Usually, free web hosting solution offer less storage place(Approximately about 500 mb or even less than that). A 500 mb web space, will not be sufficient for a business related website. Even personal websites that has many video and music files, will not be able to accommodate all the files in the concerned web based server. However, if you opt for a paid server, all your web based files can then easily fit on the server space. If you still require more space, you can pay a particular service fee and thus expand the storage facility. In other word a paid server can provide extended storage facility by paying a small extra service fee amount.

2) Restriction towards web traffic: A proper business promotion activity can lead to large amount of traffic towards your website. A free based web hosting service provider will provide limited access with regard to the traffic that is coming towards the concerned website. Free web hosts, usually allow about 5 GB(max) of traffic to your website. Anything beyond that results into no display of website. In other words, in a free web host package, if the traffic towards the concerned website crosses more than 5 GB, you will immediately not be able to see your website on line. In order to make your website appear on line, you will have to call the hosting service provider to rectify the issue in the form of re-setting the web host server or you will have to upgrade your web hosting plan toward paid hosting package. A paid web hosting package gives you the advantage of allowing much greater traffic toward your business related website. This is the basic advantage that you get through a paid hosting service provider.

3) Restriction with regard to email account: Free web hosting service provide about 2 to 5 email accounts. However, if you need email addresses for each employees who are working within the business organization, then in that case you will have to switch towards a paid web hosting service provider who will allow a greater number of user email accounts.

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What Is The Difference Between A Web Host Like Joyent And A Basic Hosting Company Like Godaddy?

I’m trying to figure out which company to use for hosting the database that will be required for my small business. The business helps clients crunch certain information using a database (likely written in php).
I was referred to Joyent and it looks like a solid cloud host, but I’m also familiar with GoDaddy and they are much cheaper. Are they in the same ballpark in terms of what they can offer?

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