Cloud is the technology that allows you to access computing resources such as data storage and computing power remotely through the internet. Large clouds consist of a network of servers spread across multiple locations that combine to create a virtualized server.

A server, on the contrary, is a kind of computer or device on a network that manages the resources of that network. Servers can be of different types and, accordingly, perform different tasks. For instance, a file server is a device that’s dedicated to storing files. A database server, on the other hand, is a computer that handles database queries. A network server is a computer that takes care of network traffic.

Among the commonly-used operating systems for cloud servers-Linux and Windows-Linux is more popular and hence more widely used. Let’s look at how these two differ from each other:

Stability: Linux cloud servers are considered to be more stable than their Windows counterparts. This is because in Linux OS, most of the configuration changes can be done without restarting the server. In Windows, on the contrary, a reboot is required even after a minor patch. So, if there are a lot of scheduled tasks for separate applications, Windows cloud servers can face downtime.

Control Panel: Most of the Linux cloud hosting plans offer cPanel. cPanel allows users to install several useful applications (including WordPress and Drupal) in one click. Windows-based server offers Plesk which shares many benefits offered by the cPanel. Plesk lets users run the Windows version of Linux, MySQL, Apache and PHP stack.

Ease of Use: : Windows-based server uses a Graphical User Interface, so even beginners can use it easily. Not the best option for beginners, Linux is suitable for clients with sound technical knowledge.

Security: In Linux servers, editing privileges are restricted to the administrators. Linux hosting offers better security against malware and spyware. Overall, Windows is also a safe hosting option. However, in Windows, users can hide a file from the administrator’s view.

Compatibility: : Linux OS is suited for open-source software such as PHP/Perl, Python, Java, ROR, CGI, SSH and FrontPage Extensions. Windows, on the contrary, is appropriate for Windows-specific applications such as MySQL, ASP.net, ASP Classic and MS Access.

Pricing: : Linux is an open-source OS which means its source code can be modified and distributed freely. Linux, of course, has several paid distributions that can be used to reinforce server performance.

Windows, on the contrary, is a proprietary OS owned by Microsoft. It comes with a high licensing fee which is usually included in the cost of the hosting plan. Besides, its servers perform specialized tasks and are priced accordingly. So, all in all, Linux-based servers cost considerably less than Windows-based ones.

Linux has hundreds of distros or versions running at present. Out of these, some of the prominent ones that are commonly used for cloud servers include:

Ubuntu: Best known for bringing the desktop version of Linux to masses, Ubuntu’s server variant is also quite robust. Ubuntu boasts of a large online community of users. It offers a simple user interface that you can customize as per your requirements.

RHEL: RHEL aka Red Hat Enterprise Linux has evolved from RedHat. It is highly sought-after by numerous enterprises including Lenovo. Being a paid distribution, RHEL comes with RedHat’s own support.

CentOS:Centos is a free alternative to RHEL and has been derived from the source code of RHEL. While it may not come with the latest software packages, Centos is regarded as one of the most stable distros.

Fedora:Fedora is a short-lifecycle distro suitable for experienced administrators. It requires a certain level of skill to make the most of this Linux version.

In addition to the distros mentioned above, some other are equally popular: Debian, Arch Linux, ClearOS and OpenSUSE.

Yes, they certainly are. Cloud hosting providers are expected to follow strict compliance regulations and server security is a crucial aspect of it. Cloud hosts leave no stone unturned in ensuring the safety of your server.

All cloud servers (including Linux) are equipped with tools like Firewall that monitor the incoming and outgoing traffic and reduce the chances of unsolicited intrusion. Every time someone tries to access server files, the request is scrutinized. The files are allowed to be downloaded only after the credibility of the request is established. Furthermore, the data centers where the cloud server is provisioned are also well-guarded.