Server operating systems for the web server - the best operating systems

The Windows or Linux operating system on a server occupies a more exposed role compared with a laptop, a desktop PC or an embedded device and fundamentally has to fulfil different tasks. A well-optimised server combines the characteristics of these three different designs and must, like a mobile computer, have strong protection, like a desktop PC deliver high performance and like an embedded PC operate extremely efficiently. For these and many other reasons, it is essential for secure, long-term use to choose the appropriate operating system during initial setup.

Contents:

The operating system on a server and its structure
Different servers and their tasks
Selecting a suitable operating system for the server
Differences between servers and Linux or Windows web hosting
Special requirements for a web server operating system

The operating system on a server and its structure

At first glance, a server is an extremely fast calculating machine that stores all information in a format of 0s and 1s held by capacitors. The processor coordinates the activity of the numerous individual memory cells and switches them to those two values according to its logical calculations, to perform computations which the server then outputs in a form understandable to humans or peripherals — as text, image, video, control signal or interactive content. For this purpose there are several different layers on which the web server operating system translates the abstract computational operations of the processor architecture in several sub-steps into a comprehensible output. These are present in every computer, including servers:

• The hardware operating in machine language
• A core or kernel between hardware and software/li]
• Programs written in different languages for specific tasks
• The output of a result for further processing by connected devices
• Multiple interfaces for configuration and data exchange

Every operating system and every server — whether Linux on an embedded PC, Windows on a gaming PC or a Linux VPS for a website — works on this principle. The difference between these devices lies in the selection of services or programmes offered, the type of access and the way the user interacts with the operating system. This can be via a graphical interface as in Windows or purely text‑based as is often the case on a Linux server — for example a Debian VPS.

Different servers and their roles

In the early days of the internet a single physical server was responsible for delivering content. In response to a request, a web server supplied static information tied to a specific address and contained in a source file with references to additional elements such as images or videos. Because of numerous drawbacks — above all the difficult maintenance and the need to organise every piece of content manually — this static website concept was replaced by a dynamic integration of web server, services and information. In this model Linux or Windows web servers store the relevant information centrally and generate an individual response for the visitor on each page visit, assembled by scripts from different sources such as layout, databases and multimedia content. Options include, among others:

• Dedicated Servers with exclusive, dedicated hardware
• Linux VPS with a graphical or text‑based interface
• Windows VPS with Microsoft Server operating system
• Stable and efficient Debian VPS
• Managed Linux VPS with external support for configuration and maintenance

Alongside a so-called Dedicated Server with its own hardware, an alternative are virtualised Windows VPS hosting or Linux VPS hosting, which have similar characteristics. They are highly scalable in terms of performance and cost and offer all the advantages that distinguish a dedicated server with an independent operating system. Virtual servers such as a Windows VPS or a Linux VPS are therefore a special form. These are purely virtualised pieces of hardware on which a Linux or Windows operating system is installed. By using powerful hardware, many virtual instances can run on a single physical server, increasing utilisation. This allows providers to run virtual Linux or Windows servers at very low cost and to offer them to their customers at competitive prices.
 

Features of a dedicated server with its own operating system

A server with an exclusively used operating system offers capabilities that go well beyond predefined IT infrastructure such as Windows Web hosting or Linux Web hosting. Depending on needs, it can, in addition to serving as the primary web server, perform numerous other tasks and, for example, host any number of databases, a private cloud or an unlimited number of email addresses. Because the Linux or Windows operating system is available to a single user, they are free to choose the appropriate software and can deploy commercial or freely available open source solutions that best meet their requirements. In addition, there are further advantages that allow the construction of a customised and optimised IT infrastructure through hardware and operating system. The key features are:
 

• Dedicated, exclusively used Windows or Linux operating system
• No restriction on the number and type of services
• Installation of custom applications in the operating system possible
• Scalable performance according to current demand
• Redundant network connectivity
• Efficient cost control
• High-performance hardware without the need for own investment
• Professional support from the provider
• Full management, for example with a Managed Linux VPS hosting
• Operating system freely selectable

With a dedicated server, the configuration and use of the entire system are exclusively the responsibility of the user. Depending on the type of virtualisation, there can be minor limitations with a Linux VPS — for example, it is not always possible to use a customised kernel for the operating system and access to certain interfaces, such as those for networking, may be restricted.
 

Selecting a suitable operating system for the server

Historically, Linux and Windows have established themselves as operating systems for servers. Both have their own advantages and disadvantages, which must be taken into account when choosing, and they place different demands on the hardware and the user's technical knowledge.

The Linux operating system was created in the early 1990s by computer science student Linus Torvalds as a free alternative to commercial Unix. Because of its high flexibility and excellent resource efficiency, it has since become the most widely used operating system in the world and is widely deployed for servers, embedded devices such as routers, smartphones, desktop PCs, telecommunications and industrial production. The operating system is open source and can be adapted and modified to meet individual requirements and needs. Like much of the available software, the operating system is free of charge and available for download.

To make use easier, over time certain packages — the so-called distributions — have been developed that bundle the kernel and additional freely available software into a complete Linux operating system. Some of the best known are Debian and the Ubuntu distribution based on it, Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), which is available with commercial support, Fedora, and OpenSUSE, originally developed in Germany. Each distribution is maintained by a team of full-time developers in cooperation with a large community. Any user can submit suggestions for changes or optimisations or report problems, so Linux as an operating system continues to evolve. Its main characteristics are:
 

• Excellent performance and utilisation of hardware resources
• Open source, freely modifiable and free of charge
• Operating system with high security and stability
• Very versatile support for hardware and different processor architectures
• Numerous utilities such as web, file or database servers available
• Can be used as a private cloud
• Graphical interface or text-based configuration via remote access possible
• Excellent support from a worldwide community
• Choice between distributions with different focuses such as stability, long-term support or user-friendliness

In contrast to Linux, Microsoft operating systems (for example Windows Server 2022) are commercial operating systems provided for a licence fee. Because of their ease of use for end users they dominate the market for consumer PCs, but they are also a common choice for industrial or safety-critical applications due to guaranteed support and manufacturer liability. Updates occur at irregular intervals and are the sole responsibility of Microsoft. In direct comparison with Linux, Windows uses more resources, which is why many providers prefer distributions such as Debian that are geared towards stability, performance and security for their servers.

There are numerous additional programmes for Microsoft Windows, some of which originate from the open source movement or are commercially offered by third parties. When deployed on a server, the operating system is typically used in a server-specific edition of Windows Server. It includes a variety of services such as integrated servers for databases, websites, e-mail and necessary environments like the scripting languages PHP and Python.
 

Differences between a server and Linux or Windows web hosting

With a server, the user has the infrastructure at their disposal and may use it freely. In contrast, Windows or Linux web hosting is a predefined environment that in most cases consists of one or more scripting languages such as Python or PHP, access to databases and a web server. There are considerable restrictions on configuration options or the choice of software used — a subsequent change, for example due to increased requirements, is usually only possible by booking a different Windows or Linux web hosting.
 

Specific requirements for a web server operating system

While an operating system for desktop PCs, notebooks or smartphones is primarily optimised for user-friendliness and software compatibility, a web server must meet different requirements. For web servers, the indispensable properties for servers operating 24/7/365 — such as stability, error handling and rapid response of internal processes and services — are paramount. Load fluctuates considerably over the course of a day and seasonally, so high performance scalability is also crucial for good energy efficiency — only through this can cost-effective 24/7/365 operation be achieved. At the same time, the operating system must switch the server into a higher-performance mode almost in real time as load increases. Even brief delays during sudden load spikes can noticeably slow the serving of a website via the web server.