The Best Types of Web Servers Available in the Market

The following are some of the best types of web servers that are available:

Linux/Apache Becoming More Popular

Linux web servers allow you to host websites or use web-based applications. They can take advantage of Apache, the most widely used web server software and provide many features. Linux and Apache are becoming more popular as their OpenSource (free) availability beats the price of the competition every time. Of course Apache has to be configured on your system, and that comes with a price, whether you're doing it in-house or remotely.

In comparison tests between the Linux server OS and Windows NT, a static, 4-8kb webpage loaded with less than a ten percent difference. With larger files Linux showed a slight advantage. Certainly the OpenSource products are healthy competitors for Microsoft products and in many cases will outperform their commercial counterparts.

Apple Targeting Server Market

Apple is targeting the server market with its MacOS X product. It's a Unix-based web based operating system with integrated Apache designed for performance web server use. In practical testing the Apple product was only marginally below comparable Linux and NT results but the system has shown some issues with running CGI scripts, a critical point of operation for a server product.

Advanced FreeBSD Platform

FreeBSD is an advanced operating system for x86 compatible (which includes Pentium and Athlon) amd64 compatible (including Opteron, Athlon and EM64T), UltraSPARC, IA-64, PC-98 and ARM architectures. It comes from BSD, the UNIX version that was developed at the University of California, Berkeley. It is being continuously developed and maintained by a team of people, with more platforms to come, which are now in different development stages. You can learn more about free BSD dedicated server hosting starting at www.freebsd.org.

If you want to learn more about choosing a web-hosting server there are numerous websites to visit for more information. Some examples are: HP's www.hp.com/sbso/productivity/howto/data_main/servers/index.html; Linux server information from a remote provider at www.real-time.com/linuxsolutions/webserver.html; and Windows web hosting from a remote provider at www.serversindia.net/web-hosting-india/windows-enterprise-services.html. Chances are good, however, that unless you are technically inclined, you will need the services of a good consultant in order to make the final decision.

The choice of a web server is largely dictated by the purpose which the server will perform and the applications it will be required to run. Research these factors in consultation with an IT specialist before settling on a product. Whether it's a Windows 2000 server, Solaris server, Linux, MacOS X or another product you end up with, the choice is one with which you will have to live and should be made carefully.