Server Platforms

If you’re thinking of running a web server, you may want to consider all the options for different platforms before you get going. You may be surprised which one is right for you.

If you aren’t that experienced at running a web server you will likely look to Microsoft for Windows and IIS. While IIS is easier to install and get going, it may not be the best possible choice, because the Internet is based on a Unix style protocol and file structure. You may want to consider a Unix based web server.

There are many advantages to IIS over Unix based software such as Apache, but there are also many advantages to Apache over IIS. I’m not going to get into a battle over which is better, but I will strongly suggest you explore both options.

There are so many possibilities on the web now that it is difficult to keep up. What is new today is old tomorrow – As a result, your concern should be long-term objectives. You should try not to “close any doors” with respect to your serving capabilities. You might be smart to run one of each type of server. There are several programs which will run on one or the other, but not both. In the end it is more important to be open to multi-platforms rather than locked into just one.