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Handy Guide For Choosing Between Windows And Linux Website Hosting

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While you can easily find numerous companies offering domain name registration and website hosting; however, selecting between Linux and Windows hosting may prove to be a challenge, especially for the newbies. While the common perception says that Windows is user-friendly while Linux is much more stable, the statement is primarily true for operating systems meant for personal computers; when it comes to server platforms, both Windows and Linux have their own significance.

To begin with, you need to understand that if you have been using Windows on your PC, you must opt for Windows hosting and vice versa. Instead, you need take into consideration the following factors:

Scripting
Most experts would concur that barring the use of scripting languages, there arent many differences between Linux and Windows website hosting. On one hand where ASP scripting is usually found on Windows; on the other, Linux is known for PHP scripting. So, when selecting the hosting service, you need to consider the scripts you will be using. If you need to use PHP, Ruby, Perl, Python, or CGI scripting, go for Linux hosting; if the scripts to be used are ASP, ASP.NET, or ASP.NET 2.0, go for Windows hosting.

Functionality
If your website will use an online database or interactive chat application, Windows hosting is likely to be the better choice. Though Windows hosting may cost you a tad more than Linux hosting; however, it will not be a wild leap of thoughts to say that you’ll get that back in better functionality. On the other hand, if your website makes interaction with the prospects through enquiry forms and catalogues, and involves e-commerce functions, it is recommended that you go for Linux hosting.

Compatibility
If you plan on using any specialized applications or VB for the development of your website, it is recommended that you go for Windows hosting as Linux based web servers are sometimes not fully compatible with Microsoft technologies. However, if scalability is on your mind, Linux is the way to go. With most of the expansion modules available for free, scalability is never really a concern for those who opt for Linux hosting.

In addition to the aforementioned, you must be sure about the competence of the provider. With a major surge in the demand of web services such as domain name registration and website hosting, numerous new players have joined the league. Therefore, the selection must be done with great caution.

Configuring Ntp On Your Linux Server

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The Network Time Protocol (NTP) defines a set of algorithms for the dissemination of time across the Internet. The NTP protocol can be used to synchronise the system time on your Linux Server with a highly accurate Internet time reference.

This article describes how to configure the Network Time Protocol (NTP) daemon on your Linux server to synchronise with an Internet based NTP server. It also provides a list of well-know public Internet time references.

Obtaining the NTP Source Code Distribution

The Linux NTP source code distribution is publicly available open source’ software. The distribution can be freely downloaded from the NTP web site ntp.org’. The latest NTP version for Linux is 2.4.2. A port is also available for Windows platforms, but the primary development platform for NTP is the Linux operating system. A number of Linux based operating systems such as Mandrake and Redhat offer NTP as an installable RPM package.

Once download is complete, the NTP distribution should be configured and compiled on the host computer.

Configuration of the NTP Daemon

The NTP daemon is configured through entries in the primary NTP configuration file ntp.conf’. The NTP configuration file contains a list of commands that instruct the daemon to synchronise with a specified NTP server. NTP servers are specified using the server’ command followed by the domain name of the server thus:

server ntp2c.mcc.ac.uk
server ntp.cis.strath.ac.uk

A number of access control options are also available to restrict the use of your NTP server by network time clients. To only allow machines on your own network to synchronize with the server use:

restrict 192.168.1.0 mask 255.255.255.0 nomodify notrap

Alternatively, you can restrict all access to your NTP server with the following command:

restrict default ignore

Multiple directives can be specified to restrict access to a specified range of computers.

Using NTP Authentication

NTP authentication is used by time clients to authenticate the time server to prevent rogue server intervention. NTP authentication is based on encrypted keys. A key is encrypted and sent to the client by the server, where it is unencrypted and checked against the client key to ensure a match.

NTP keys are stored in the ntp.keys’ file in the following format:

Key-number M Key (The M stands for MD5 encryption), e.g.:

1 M secret
5 M RaBBit
7 M TiMeLy
10 M MYKEY

The NTP configuration file ntp.conf’ specifies which of the keys are trusted. Any keys specified in the keys file but not trusted will not be used for authentication, e.g.:

trustedkey 1 7 10

NTP Client Authentication Configuration

The NTP client also needs to be configured with similar authentication information as the server. The client may use a subset of the keys specified on the server. A different subset of keys can also be used on different clients, e.g.:

Client A) Client B)
1 M secret 1 M secret
7 M TiMeLy 5 M RaBBit

trustedkey 1 7 trustedkey 1

Controlling the NTP Server Daemon

Once configured, the NTP daemon can be controlled using the commands: ntpd start’; ntpd stop’ and ntpd restart’.

Querying the NTP Server Daemon

The NTP server daemon can be queried using the ntpq p’ command. The ntpq command queries the NTP server for synchronisation status and provides a list of servers with synchronisation information for each server.

Public Internet NTP Servers

Public NTP servers provide subscription free, highly accurate, timing references for computer time synchronisation. Below is a list of popular public NTP time servers.

Stratum 1 Public NTP Servers
chronos.csr.net – 194.35.252.7 – Computing Systems Research Ltd. United Kingdom – NTP V4 primary (Odetics GPS), Sun/Sparc Solaris 2.6
ntp.my-inbox.co.uk – 81.168.77.149 – Falmouth, Cornwall, UK – NTP V4.2.0 primary (MSF Radio Clock Receiver), Trustix Linux

Stratum 2 Public NTP Servers
ntp2.sandvika.net – 194.164.127.6 – Telehouse Europe, London E14 – NTP V4 secondary Sun UltraSPARC Solaris 8
ntp2d.mcc.ac.uk – 130.88.203.12 – University of Manchester, Manchester, England – NTP secondary (S2), SGI/Irix
ntp2c.mcc.ac.uk – 130.88.200.4 – University of Manchester, Manchester, England – NTP secondary (S2), PC/FreeBSD
ntp.exnet.com – 194.207.34.9 – ExNet Ltd, London, UK – NTP secondary (stratum 2), Sun-4/Unix
audaxsystems.co.uk – 193.201.200.83 – Interhouse London E14 – NTP V4, SuSE 9.0 (Stratum 1)
ntp1.sandvika.net – 194.164.127.5 – Telehouse Europe, London E14 – NTP V4 secondary Sun UltraSPARC Solaris 8
ntp.cis.strath.ac.uk – University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland – NTP V4 secondary
ntp0.sandvika.net – 194.164.127.4 – Telehouse Europe, London E14 – NTP V4 secondary Sun UltraSPARC Solaris 8

Currently has loop partition layout Linux Error and Recovery

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Linux-based hard disk is divided into two major types of partitions: data partition and swap partition. Data partitions are the basic partitions that contain system data, including that for starting and running the system in root partition. On the other hand, swap partition is responsible for holding hard disk extra memory and expanded system’s physical memory. In most of the Linux systems, fdisk is used to initially set the partition type. These partitions can be ext3 journaled, ext2, Reiser FS etc. But, sometimes you may observe certain issues with these partitions. Thus,Linux Recovery experts suggest maintaining an updated backup of important data that is stored on hard disk.

Consider a scenario, you try to mount a Linux partition to install a Linux distribution and encounter a similar error message:

“/dev/hdg currently has loop partition layout.”

Where, name of partition, i.e. /dev/hdg, can vary. It can be /dev/had, /dev/sda tc.

Cause

Possible reasons of above error message are listed below:

If you are using a third-party boot loader on primary hard disk’s MBR, Disk Druid may fail to recognize your partitions.

Partition layout is damaged

Disk Druid is the tool to manage partitions and associate mount points. It is a graphical tool that displays existing disks and partitions in a defined format.

Solution

You can follow these steps to recover from the situation:

If boot loader has been the issue, uninstall the current boot loader and install GRUB on MBR of primary hard disk.

If partition table is damaged, backup all exiting and information files and folders and repartition the drive. Restore lost data using backup. If backup has not been taken, is damaged or incomplete, you can use commercial tools of Linux Recovery.

Linux Data Recovery software are advanced recovery applications that can scan drive affected from logical data loss. These applications use som algorithms that completely analyze existing disk structure. After locating missing files and folders, they compare their location information with that of existing ones. All the procedures are safe. Also, the interface provided is interactive and offer easy Linux Recovery options.

Stellar PhoenixLinux Data Recoveryis a complete and advanced tool to recover lost data from Ext2, Ext3 and Reiser FS formatted drives. It offers various advanced recovery options, like RAW File Recovery, Create Image, File Filter, Append Header etc. The software is compatible with almost all Linux distributions including Red Hat, SUSE, Debian, Turbo Linux etc.

Linux server hosting is best for the small business owners

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Linux hosting plans are much economical than Windows servers plans. For all small business people the web hosting price matters vastly. They wish to receive many options or you can say facilities at a tiny expenditure. Most of them not required supreme type of security and they also do not bother whether it is MS-SQL database server or some thing else to develop their database. Thus Linux server is the best option for them at really least cost with several kinds of features.

Open Source Factor

Linux is an Open Source code and enables people from all around the world to promote their own knowledge for its development. This is one of the main reasons where Linux servers have the power to eject Windows servers far away form competitive hosting industry. Now a day’s, due to its farthest adaptability Linux becomes a unique platform for lots of fresh technologies that are mostly used in competitive hosting industry. This means that a Linux server gives you numerous features than Windows servers can does.

Scripting Language Factor

There are many scripting language available on the Internet like Perl, Python, Java, and PHP to build your site. All these scripting languages and have been developed on Linux / UNIX web servers and they do not required Microsoft support to run them. But when you use those scripting languages which can be run on windows servers like ASP.Net then you require MS-SQL to develop the database and other supports of Microsoft. Now it is easily understandable that for small business owners Linux hosting is best to host their website into the internet.

Dependability Factor

Now a day’s Linux is vastly known as really steady and dependable. This means that Linux servers are little faster, easy to use and reputed as non crushable than a Windows server. Thus, Linux servers will provide more upgraded facilities for your website at a minimum outlay.

Familiarity and Executing Speed Factor

Linux servers have years of experience for providing services than Windows servers in hosting industry. There is no such recommendable difference in executing speed between Linux servers and Windows servers, but it is viewed that Linux servers are slightly quicker in processing normal website pages.

Efficiency Factor

Windows support ASP which is a programming language supported by Microsoft, which allows people to fabricate dynamic database motivated website pages by connecting with a MS-SQL server or Access server. It increase the production cost as well. Linux neither requires ASP language nor MS-SQL databases to build dynamic database driven website pages, because it simply uses MySQL database which is freely available.”In this day’s websites normally requires simple web hosting plans for smooth performance of the website and email transfer that is essential. There are two modes of hosting planes are generally available, first is Linux hosting and second one is Windows hosting. Both have several advantages and disadvantages respectively but Depending upon small business owner’s requirements suitable managed hosting plan can be selected for a specific website.

Well in most of the normal situations, the general preference of small business owners for choosing web hosting plan moves towards the Linux server hosting plans rather than window server hosting, because there are numerous optimistic factor that influence people to choose it.

Expenditure Factor

The truth is that Linux hosting plans are much economical than Windows servers plans. For all small business people the web hosting price matters vastly. They wish to receive many options or you can say facilities at a tiny expenditure. Most of them not required supreme type of security and they also do not bother whether it is MS-SQL database server or some thing else to develop their database. Thus Linux server is the best option for them at really least cost with several kinds of features.

Open Source Factor

Linux is an Open Source code and enables people from all around the world to promote their own knowledge for its development. This is one of the main reasons where Linux servers have the power to eject Windows servers far away form competitive hosting industry. Now a day’s, due to its farthest adaptability Linux becomes a unique platform for lots of fresh technologies that are mostly used in competitive hosting industry. This means that a Linux server gives you numerous features than Windows servers can does.

Scripting Language Factor

There are many scripting language available on the Internet like Perl, Python, Java, and PHP to build your site. All these scripting languages and have been developed on Linux / UNIX web servers and they do not required Microsoft support to run them. But when you use those scripting languages which can be run on windows servers like ASP.Net then you require MS-SQL to develop the database and other supports of Microsoft. Now it is easily understandable that for small business owners Linux hosting is best to host their website into the internet.

Dependability Factor

Now a day’s Linux is vastly known as really steady and dependable. This means that Linux servers are little faster, easy to use and reputed as non crushable than a Windows server. Thus, Linux servers will provide more upgraded facilities for your website at a minimum outlay.

Familiarity and Executing Speed Factor

Linux servers have years of experience for providing services than Windows servers in hosting industry. There is no such recommendable difference in executing speed between Linux servers and Windows servers, but it is viewed that Linux servers are slightly quicker in processing normal website pages.

Importance Of Linux Knowledge In Present Interview Method Of Many Multi-national Companies

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Linux plays a major role in many technical interview around the world for every kind of job.Interview questions play an important role for students in college life and we know the importance of interviews which will be the starting point in your career. Many students will fear to face interview in the beginning stage but they will be used to it when they gain some experience by attending it frequently which will help them to gain experience. So it is a better practice of attending mock interviews before they attend real interviews. And it is also a good practice to read frequently asked interview questions so that you can be prepared to answers those questions when asked in original interviews and get selected easily in top mnc companies.

When we consider engineering groups, linux interview question plays an important role in every department which is the back-bone of computer engineering.Linux is a operating system which should be known by technical guys and with the development of linux,it gave way to shell scripting language.So linux plays a important role in computer technology even if many advanced systems has been found. Usually linux will be thought in school days through which students will try to show interest to explore and master linux as soon as possible. Many books are also available to master it but when we consider for job interview ,the amount of preparation for it will be very less due to lack of time to cover all technical stuffs before we attend the interview So as a blogger I posted easy and complex linux interview questions with answers in my blog Linux Interview Questions with answers which contain questions related to shell scripting and so on.All questions and answers discussed in my blog are verified from my teachers and so my sincere advice is too read those questions at high priority and I guarantee that hr of different companies will mostly concentrate on the questions that are given in that site so this would be a easier way to impress Hr without any trouble. So its a better practice of reading these kind of blogs rather than reading the entire book before attending an interview. I hope you will like my work in it and pass this valuable information to your friends who is need of it.Kindly post your comments in my blog so that I can improve my blog further.