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Choosing web hosting platforms

When ordering web hosting, you have the option of choosing the server platform on which your site will be hosted. In many cases, the choice isn't critical, and you can safely ignore that option when ordering. Sometimes however your specific needs will determine which platform to choose.

Platform types

There are two platforms to choose from: Windows Server or Unix. Korax uses Microsoft Windows Server Web Edition as its Windows hosting platform, and FreeBSD as its Unix platform. Remember that the platform of the server hosting your website is not related to the operating system of your computer.

Choose Windows Server if one or more of the following are true, and the package you're purchasing supports the option.

  • You use Microsoft FrontPage, and require FrontPage server extensions.
  • Your web site has scripts or applications that use ASP or ASP.NET.
  • Your web site uses Access databases to store information.
  • You want to use COM components in ASP scripts.
  • You want to use ColdFusion.

Choose Unix if one or more of the following are true, and the package you're purchasing supports the option.

  • You want to use secure FTP over SSH (SFTP) to upload files.
  • You want access to a Unix shell using SSH.
  • You need the features of the Apache web server, such as .htaccess files.
  • Your web site uses CGI scripts, such as FormMail, that are written in a language like perl.