Welcome to the Treehouse Community
Want to collaborate on code errors? Have bugs you need feedback on? Looking for an extra set of eyes on your latest project? Get support with fellow developers, designers, and programmers of all backgrounds and skill levels here with the Treehouse Community! While you're at it, check out some resources Treehouse students have shared here.
Looking to learn something new?
Treehouse offers a seven day free trial for new students. Get access to thousands of hours of content and join thousands of Treehouse students and alumni in the community today.
Start your free trial
Utku Turna
15,090 PointsShould i use a linux or a windows server?
Hi. I know that question asked for many years on the web Linux vs. Windows. Answer is always the same "Use what is best for you". I never used a linux dedicated server before. In my company we are using a Windows server and for my freelance jobs i used Windows server also. I'm usually going with wordpress with some customization or php. I dont know if i will start developing mobile apps or some minor .NET projects in the future but i love open source for now. Its more economical than Windows since I'm not using .NET currently is it a good idea to switch to linux ? I have several questions about Linux Dedicated servers.
1- Does PHP and Wordpress runs faster in Linux ? 2- Is Linux console or UI panels to hard for me to learn ( I only used remote desktop before) 3- For security do i have to spend some time on considering to download which update or software to Linux 4- Which Linux OS should i choose ?
Or should i gave some extra dollars for Windows and go with it ? :)
Thanks in advance.
2 Answers
james white
78,399 PointsYou'll probably learn more on a Dedicated Linux server (not one of those low end GoDaddy shared hosting accounts).
To get PHP and Wordpress to run as fast as possible the server hardware is just as important (if not more so) then the choice of operating system.
What stack are you planning to use?
I think you will learn the most in terms of server programming
(something besides Wordpress/PHP)
if you go with a M.E.A.N. stack instead of a L.A.M.P. stack:
https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-pros-and-cons-of-MEAN-javascript-stack-vs-LAMP-stack
The only reason to choose a Windows server nowadays [IMHO] is if you are going to be doing ASP.Net programming (probably with C#).
For many years (in the past) some web designers used Windows server because they supported FrontPage extensions.
Hopefully you are not tied to such a crutch...
For using the Wordpress through it's front end CMS
I think the choice of operating system is pretty much irrelevant
(especially if you get to choose the hardware used in your customized dedicated server to determine the server's performance level/characteristics).
It used to be that Linux servers cost way less for the server hardware and OS combined than Windows. It has narrowed a bit nowadays. The level of hand holding by your web host provided can determine a greater range of pricing and what is possible than simply the choice of operating system.
However, if you've only worked with Windows servers for many years there is going to be a bit of a learning curve in switching over to a Linux-based dedicated server -- so how much is your time worth (time = money)?
That's why people advising you can only suggest that you know better than anyone else what is best for you...
Utku Turna
15,090 PointsThank You for your reply. LAMP is working fine for me right now but i love JS too I dunno what future will bring :) im still learning. I have some freelance jobs I'm planing to upgrade my cloud server to a dedicated server. HW will be like 32 Ram 2+2 TB Intel Xeon E5-2620v3, 6 Cores. I think enoght for both Windows or Linux to run wordpress etc. Windows will charge 30 USD extra its fine for me because as you mantioned I have to google before i change something in linux server and probably not in a windows server.