How to Host Net Website on Linux Server

Hello Dev, are you planning to host your website on a Linux server? If yes, then this article is just for you. Linux servers offer various advantages compared to other operating systems, including cost-effectiveness, scalability, and flexibility. However, hosting a website on a Linux server can be a bit challenging for beginners. In this article, we will guide you on how to host a net website on a Linux server. Let’s get started.

What is a Linux server?

A Linux server is a computer operating system based on the Linux kernel. Linux servers are open-source software, which means they are free to use and distribute. Linux servers are widely used in web hosting, cloud computing, and data center management. Linux servers offer various advantages over other operating systems, such as stability, reliability, and security.

Advantages of using a Linux server for hosting your website

There are several advantages of using a Linux server for hosting your website:

Advantages of using a Linux server for hosting your website
Cost-effectiveness
Stability
Flexibility
Reliability
Security

Linux servers are cost-effective compared to other operating systems such as Windows. Linux servers are stable and can handle high traffic without crashing. Linux servers are flexible and can be customized to suit your website’s needs. Linux servers are reliable and have a high uptime. Linux servers are also secure and less vulnerable to malware and hacking.

Steps to host a net website on a Linux server

Hosting a net website on a Linux server involves several steps. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Choose a Linux distribution

Choose a Linux distribution that suits your needs. Some of the popular Linux distributions for hosting websites are:

Popular Linux distributions for hosting websites
Ubuntu
CentOS
Debian
Fedora
Red Hat Enterprise Linux

Ubuntu is a popular Linux distribution for beginners, while CentOS is widely used in enterprise environments. Debian is known for its stability, while Fedora is popular among developers. Red Hat Enterprise Linux is a commercial version of Linux and is widely used in mission-critical applications.

Step 2: Choose a hosting provider

Choose a hosting provider that offers Linux server hosting. Some of the popular hosting providers for Linux server hosting are:

Popular hosting providers for Linux server hosting
Amazon Web Services
Google Cloud Platform
Linode
DigitalOcean
Vultr

Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud Platform are popular cloud hosting providers that offer Linux server hosting. Linode, DigitalOcean, and Vultr are popular VPS hosting providers that offer Linux server hosting. Choose a hosting provider that suits your budget and website’s needs.

Step 3: Choose a web server software

Choose a web server software that suits your website’s needs. Some of the popular web server software for hosting websites are:

Popular web server software for hosting websites
Apache
NGINX
Lighttpd

Apache is a popular web server software that is widely used in web hosting. NGINX is known for its speed and scalability, while Lighttpd is known for its low memory usage.

Step 4: Install the web server software

Install the web server software on your Linux server. The installation process may vary depending on the Linux distribution and web server software you choose. Here’s how to install Apache on Ubuntu:

sudo apt-get updatesudo apt-get install apache2

Here’s how to install NGINX on CentOS:

sudo yum install epel-releasesudo yum install nginx

Here’s how to install Lighttpd on Debian:

sudo apt-get updatesudo apt-get install lighttpd

Step 5: Configure the web server software

Configure the web server software to serve your website. The configuration process may vary depending on the web server software you choose. Here’s how to configure Apache to serve a net website:

sudo nano /etc/apache2/sites-available/example.com.conf

Replace example.com with your domain name.

<VirtualHost *:80>ServerName example.comServerAdmin webmaster@example.comDocumentRoot /var/www/html/example.com/public_htmlErrorLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/error.logCustomLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/access.log combined</VirtualHost>

Here’s how to configure NGINX to serve a net website:

sudo nano /etc/nginx/sites-available/example.com

Replace example.com with your domain name.

server {listen 80;listen [::]:80;root /var/www/example.com/public_html;index index.php index.html index.htm;server_name example.com www.example.com;location / {try_files $uri $uri/ /index.php?$args;}}

Here’s how to configure Lighttpd to serve a net website:

sudo nano /etc/lighttpd/sites-available/example.com.conf

Replace example.com with your domain name.

$HTTP[“host”] == “example.com” {server.document-root = “/var/www/example.com/public_html”}

Step 6: Upload your website files

Upload your website files to the document root directory. The document root directory is where the web server software serves the website files from. Here’s the default document root directory for the web server software we discussed earlier:

Default document root directory for popular web server software
/var/www/html/ (Apache)
/usr/share/nginx/html/ (NGINX)
/var/www/html/ (Lighttpd)

Step 7: Test your website

Test your website by visiting your domain name in a web browser. If everything is configured correctly, you should see your website.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can I host a net website on a Windows server?

No, you cannot host a net website on a Windows server. Net websites require .NET Framework, which is only available on Windows. If you want to host a net website, you need to use a Windows hosting provider.

Q2: Do I need to know Linux to host a net website on a Linux server?

No, you do not need to know Linux to host a net website on a Linux server. Most hosting providers offer a control panel that allows you to manage your website without having to use the command line. However, knowing Linux can help you troubleshoot issues and customize your website.

Q3: How much does it cost to host a net website on a Linux server?

The cost of hosting a net website on a Linux server depends on the hosting provider and the resources you require. Shared hosting plans can cost as low as $3 per month, while VPS hosting plans can cost upwards of $20 per month. Cloud hosting and dedicated server hosting can cost even more.

Q4: How do I secure my net website on a Linux server?

To secure your net website on a Linux server, you can:

• Use HTTPS to encrypt data transmitted between the website and the user’s web browser.
• Use a firewall to block unauthorized access to your server.
• Install security updates regularly to patch vulnerabilities.
• Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication to protect your server’s login.

Q5: Can I install WordPress on a net website hosted on a Linux server?

Yes, you can install WordPress on a net website hosted on a Linux server. WordPress is a PHP-based content management system that can run on Linux servers. Most hosting providers offer one-click WordPress installation, which simplifies the installation process.

That’s it, Dev. You now know how to host a net website on a Linux server. We hope this article was helpful to you. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below.