Platform choice
When ordering hosting services, you can choose either Windows Server or Unix as the
server operating system, or "platform", on which your website will be hosted. In many cases, the choice isn't important,
and when ordering hosting services, you can accept the default selection.
Sometimes, however, your specific needs will determine which platform to choose.
The platform of the server hosting your website is not related to the operating system
of your personal computer. For example, if you use Windows with the computer you work on,
it is not necessary to choose Windows Server as the platform to host your websites.
Windows Server
You should select Windows Server if any of the following applies to your website:
- Your website uses ASP.NET applications or classic ASP scripts
- Your website uses features of the Microsoft IIS web server in web.config files
- Your website uses Microsoft SQL Server or Access databases to store information
Unix
You should select Unix if any of the following applies to your website:
- You need access to a Unix shell using SSH
- You want to use secure FTP over SSH (SFTP) to upload files
- Your website uses features of the Apache web server in .htaccess files
- Your website uses CGI scripts
