When you buy a web hosting service, you choose the type of server you want to host your site on, like shared, VPS, cloud, dedicated servers, etc. and the server’s operating system. The two most commonly used operating systems on web servers are Windows and Linux. Of these, Linux is an open-source OS that allows you to create a customized environment to suit your site’s needs. There are many Linux distros available that can make the process of web hosting easy and hassle-free. Today, we will talk about a few such distros and help you choose the best dedicated server hosting for your site.
What is a Linux distro?
Being an open-source OS, Linux is developed in parts by different developers. The source code of the software is distributed for free. Users are expected to take the source code for different parts of the OS and assemble it themselves. However, this requires time and technical expertise. Instead of assembling the OS, users can opt for a Linux distribution or distro – a preassembled operating system. There are many types of Linux distros available to suit the requirements of different users.
Choosing the right Linux OS for your dedicated server
While the choice of the Linux OS depends on your site’s requirement, here is a quick look at the advantages and disadvantages of some popular distros to help you choose the best dedicated servers hosting plan.
Ubuntu
It is one of the most popular Linux operating systems for a dedicated server. It is primarily used as a desktop OS instead of a web server operating system since it is easy to use and is free of charge.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Ease of use | Proprietary software is bundled with the distros |
| Comprehensive documentation | Some software might face compatibility issues |
| Extensive support | |
| Regular release dates |
Debian
Released in 1993, Debian is one of the oldest Linux distros available. It is popular as a reliable and stable Linux distro and supports the largest range of hardware architecture.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Supports a wide range of system architecture | The installation process is a little complex |
| Releases are highly stable | The release cycle is slower than other Linux distros |
CentOS
Community Enterprise Operating System or CentOS is a community-driven rebuild of RHEL or Red hat Enterprise Linux. The IS has a large network of support options and mirror sites.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Based on RHEL | There are long gaps between releases |
| One of the most stable distros | Not officially supported by some software vendors |
| Releases are tested extensively before distribution |
Fedora
Developed and managed by RHEL, Fedora was designed to cater to a desktop environment. Fedora focuses on including new software packages in the distro.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Offers a range of tools to application developers | Designed for an experienced Linux user |
| Top-notch security | No package specifically for the server |
| Automatically detects different types of hardware | |
| Fast release cycle |
Summing up
While Linux is popular among dedicated server users, choosing the right distro while buying a Linux dedicated server plan is important. Ensure that you compare them and consider the requirements of your site before making the purchase. Good Luck!