MS SQL Server is essentially the Microsoft equivalent of MySQL produced for use with the Linux operating system. MS SQL is a relational model database server coded primarily in the T-SQL and ANSI SQL languages. The first version was created in 1989 as Sybase SQL Server.

MS SQL Server can support 2GB of memory on x86 hardware but can be configured to utilize 64GB when Address Windowing Extension is being utilized. Conversely, it can support 8TB of memory for x64 hardware. Consequently, when running MS SQL Server on x86 on x64 hardware, the program can support up to 4GB of memory without the need for special configuration.

The architecture of MS SQL Server is segmented into three components. These include:

• SQLOS
• Relational Engine
• Protocol Layer

SQLOS

SQLOS is the support segment for MS SQL Server by offering all basic services. It offers the standard functions that are associated with Microsoft Windows. These include:

• I/O management
• Buffer pool management
• Memory management
• Resource management
• Thread scheduling
• Synchronization primitives
• Deadlock detection

Relational Engine

This area of MS SQL Server collaborates with the relational data storage with SQLOS. It completes this task to define the various types of data that have the ability to be stored in the tables. This includes the storage engine which manages the data on storage devices and offers access at much quicker speeds.

The relational engine also includes a query processor which actually retrieves the data from storage. Queries denote the data needed and the processor creates methods for accessing the data. The actual operations are completed by worker threads.

Protocol Layer

This component of MS SQL Server inputs the external interface. Operations are communicated to the protocol layer allowing access to the MS SQL Server. The communication is transferred via a Microsoft-define format called Tabular Data Stream (TDS).

These are the three basic components and their functions that help make MS SQL Server run properly. Although this is just a general overview of the processes, it’s important to have a taste of the parts that support this powerful software. Consequently there is a higher level of detail involved, but this is best suited for programmers and developers.

MS SQL Server has remained a competitive entity against Linux-based MySQL. With the vast support of Microsoft, this could be the best program in its field. As technology persists with newer and better features and processes, MS SQL Server will be at the forefront of database server software.

Windows is the most popular operating system on the Earth, with millions of computer users undoubtedly logged into Windows right now. However, the web hosting industry is still relatively diverse, with much of the business consisting of Linux web hosting plans. Linux web hosting is cheaper for both the consumer and the web hosting provider, thus it is a much more common web hosting solution. The average webmaster doesn’t know the difference between Linux, Unix, or Windows web hosting, and thus the industry is shaped by the factor of price alone, as consumers and companies choose plans that are the most affordable. However, there are some very distinct uses for Windows web hosting.

Windows Applications

The primary reason to choose Windows web hosting is the need for compatibility with Windows applications. Microsoft has effectively cornered the market and created somewhat of a monopoly in the consumer computer industry. The main problem with Windows applications is that they need to be run in the Windows operating system. If your sites currently utilize Windows applications, then you will need a Windows-based web server to keep your site running smoothly. Since Windows web servers only receive support from Microsoft, consumers have to wait until Microsoft can fix any bugs, unlike Linux which is an open source software. This dependency on Microsoft makes Windows web hosting more expensive, and absolutely necessary in some situations.

The Windows Brand

The second reason why people choose Windows web hosting plans over Linux web hosting plans is the trust in the Windows name. Many average computer users have never heard of the Linux operating system. Many people simply trust the Windows name more than Linux, but does this make it any more powerful or capable than Linux? In technical terms – no. In social terms – yes. In other words, the power and convenience of the operating system is no longer a factor since the Windows brand is synonymous with a large portion of computer technology. It is nearly impossible to buy a good piece of software without having access to Windows or Mac. As Mac web hosting is unavailable, Windows is the familiar name that comes to mind.

Simpler User Interface

Another reason why someone would use Windows web hosting would be the sheer familiarity of the operating system over Linux. If you’re familiar with the Windows operating system then chances are you’d be more inclined to choose a Windows web hosting plan. This however is not always the correct thing to do, as the user interface of a Windows server is not exactly the same, or similar to the Windows operating system. In fact, many people believe the Linux servers contain an easier interface. In fact, many would venture to say that Linux is an overall better value for your money, which would only leave one reason to buy Windows web hosting – the need for Microsoft compatibility with web applications. The entire Microsoft organization is built on this concept; monopolize and conquer.

A control panel is the application used to maintain and administrate your web hosting account, and ultimately your domain. Control panels will allow you to maximize your website’s productivity by making server/domain maintenance and administration a simple task. There are many choices a user has in regards to choosing a control panel, however the following five control panels are considered the most popular and useful control panels in the industry today.

cPanel

cPanel is by far the most popular and maybe even the most user-friendly control panel around. Cpanel provides more services and features than any other control panel in the industry, and it’s customer service is said to be second to none. Cpanel is an all-in-one web hosting solution, allowing it’s customers to administer all aspects of domain hosting, including FTP, email creation, and database maintenance. Cpanel customers also have the option to resell the web hosting services with a reseller’s account. The cPanel interface is so well designed that becoming an expert at using it takes only a few hours at the most. Since cPanel is the most popular control panel, it also has the most tutorials available online. All of this combines to make cPanel the most favored web hosting control panel on the internet.

Plesk for Linux

The Linux version of Plesk is said to be one of the most stable and powerful control panel on the market today.  Though Plesk does not carry as many attributes as cPanel, the learning curve for this control panel is very short. In fact, most of the functions are specifically designed to automate any administration function. Plesk for Linux is capable of controlling up to thirty domains by default, but you have the option of upgrading to an unlimited amount of domains if you’d like.

ServerCP

ServerCP is another user-friendly control panel that often comes integrated with VPS and dedicated  hosting packages. ServerCP is also an extremely powerful Linux-based web hosting solution, equipped with countless useful features.  ServerCP supports unlimited domains by default and also comes with a very user-friendly installation application that lets you install various popular web hosting applications such as blogging platforms (like WordPress), photo galleries, and even e-commerce shopping carts.  ServerCP is currently available as a free edition (ServerCP Lite, or you can upgrade to the premium version of the software.

Virtuozzo Power Panel

Virtuozzo Power Panel is made by the company Parallels. This control panel is available in multiple  versions designed to support Windows and Linux VPS’s (virtual private servers).  The virtuozzo power panel allows you to access all administrative functions directly from your web browser. Some of the functions that can be accessed via your web browser include web service management processes, server reboots, backup restoring, log data viewing and server resource monitoring . The Virtuozzo Power Panel allows you to have an unprecedented amount of control via your web browser, and is said to be the most optimal control panel for users of Virtual Private Servers.

The control panel is a vital piece of software as it not only simplifies the management of a website, but the administration of the server hardware itself.  This type of program has the ability to automate a large number of would-be complicated tasks such as creating and controlling email boxes, databases, FTP accounts, domains and much more.  All of these processes are generally handled via an easy to use graphical user interface that can be accessed through the typical web browser.  With a control panel, an individual with limited computing or website experience can easily maintain a web server and all intricacies of managing their website.

Control panel software is designed to make administering a server much easier by way of intuitive point-and-click interfaces.  Most of these programs are able to automatically configure and manage a multitude of applications intended to meet a wide variety of goals.  This includes essential programs such as web, mail, FTP and databases servers.  A quality control panel acts an out of the box solution that streamlines administration functions for both the hosting provider and webmaster alike.

Do You Need a Control Panel?

If you are running the more complex Linux operating system on your server, the answer in most cases is a definite yes.  If Microsoft Windows is your operating system, you may not require such automation software as this platform offers a built-in control panel via the Microsoft Remote Desktop System.  Therefore, the answer to this question in regard to Windows all depends on whether or not you require the specific features and management capabilities a premium control panel can provide.

The good thing is that many web hosting firms offer free control panel software with their virtual private or dedicated server packages.  Although some charge for this feature, the plethora of options on the market should make it much easier to find one that offers free management software to compliment your server.  Unless you are an expert in server management or have a dedicated IT staff to install, configure and manage your software applications and web services, utilizing a control panel is probably your best option.  This little piece of software will make your life as a server administrator and webmaster far less complex.

Choosing the Right Control Panel

For the most part, all control panel applications offer the same basic functions and strive to meet the same common goals.  However, each program has its own special features and capabilities that make it unique and stand out from the rest.  The key is finding a control panel that has been tried, tested and suitable for your needs.  Most important, it must be compatible with your server and operating platform whether it is Linux or Windows.  This is a very critical aspect because control panels are generally designed to support one platform or another.  Perhaps the best way to decide on a solution would be to play with a few of the available demo panels offered by hosting providers to determine which one meets your preference and expectations.

Though often associated with hosting and network servers, Linux itself is operating system software.  Unlike Unix, which can be traced back to AT&T Labs circa in the 1960s, Linux is an open-source system that wasn’t released until nearly 30 years later.  In the 1980s, most operating systems were commercial products tied to proprietary licenses.  Those who wanted to reference the software were out of luck as they didn’t have access to the source code.  Things changed dramatically when Linus Torvalds introduced Linux in 1991.  The system took off in the late 1990s as more students got on board with the development of the project and the open-source community began to evolve.  The purpose of this article isn’t to provide a history lesson, but inform you that the Linux platform has come a long way and now stands at the forefront of the hosting industry.

Why Linux?

Linux makes a great option for web hosting because the system is so widely supported.  Many of the tools that help power the hosting industry have all been specifically designed to support the platform.  This goes from web servers like Apache and programming languages such as PHP, Cold Fusion and Ruby.  Even cPanel, the leading hosting control panel, has been designed to support the system, making it incredibly easy to manage a Linux server that would otherwise be complex.  When choosing Linux, you get a powerful hosting solution that gives you everything you need to create a professional, feature-rich website.

All in all, Linux is cheaper than Microsoft Windows, its main rival, and also said to be faster and more stable.  While the software is naturally complex than Windows, the development community is constantly introducing GUIs (graphical user interfaces) and other comprehensive tools to reduce the learning curve and make the system easier to work with.  As far stability and reliability are concerned, Linux is second to none.  Unlike other systems, this one does not require shutdowns every time you perform an upgrade, patch implementation or software installation.  This factor gives Linux the ability to greatly reduce down and demonstrate resilience in the hosting arena.

Another notable benefit is that regardless of the operating system you have running on your computer, you can still choose a web hosting service running on the Linux platform.  Therefore, even if you have Windows or Mac OS X installed, you can still choose a Linux plan and reap all the benefits it has to offers.  There are however, third-party software applications such as Microsoft SQL Server and other non-open-source technologies that may not be compatible with the Linux platform.  This is changing quickly as even Microsoft’s proprietary FrontPage client is now supported by most hosting providers running the Linux operating system.

The Preferred Hosting Platform

While there are really no significant differences between the systems, Linux has been openly embraced and is therefore, often a first choice for hosting customers.  In fact, you will find that this system is at the basis of most hosting platforms, more so than both Unix and the fast growing Windows server.